Chapter 7 She is so powerful now!

Those involved are often confused, while onlookers see clearly. Once you shift your perspective, you notice things you never realized before. Once Zhang Xiu knew she wasn’t Wan Chunhua’s biological daughter, all of Wan Chunhua’s behavior suddenly made sense.

Zhang Xiu looked coldly at Wan Chunhua as the old woman fawned over Su Qing. Wan Chunhua had always loved tarnishing Zhang Xiu’s reputation—though Zhang Xiu worked hard every day and went hungry, Wan Chunhua would tell everyone she was lazy and greedy, even stealing from the household. Back then, Zhang Xiu treated Wan Chunhua as family and didn’t argue. Now, she no longer cared.

Standing firmly under everyone’s gaze, Zhang Xiu said calmly: “Mother, seeing you so attentive to her, one would think you two are mother and daughter. My own daughter is being accused of theft, yet you believe it without question. Whether I steal at home, you know. I do eight work points a day, then come home to finish all the chores before I eat, and I eat whatever’s left—broth and half a steamed bun. Whenever you eat meat, you make me go chop firewood first, guarding me like I’m a thief. Do you really think I had the time or chance to steal?”

The crowd gasped, discussing among themselves while eating.

“This Wan Chunhua treats strangers better than her own daughter. But standing next to Su Qing, she really looks like a mother to her, more than to Zhang Xiu. Standing next to Zhang Xiu, she looks like the old mistress from the landlord’s household.”
“I’ve chopped firewood with Zhang Xiu; she does a lot of work every day. She’s not lazy and greedy as Wan Chunhua claims. Could it be that Wan Chunhua spread these lies deliberately?”
“Then… the rumor about Zhang Xiu seducing Zhang Lang must have been spread by their family too. Zhang Lang’s so ugly; Zhang Xiu would have to be blind to seduce him.”

Ji Xiaoxi, standing nearby, listened and felt angry.
“The Zhang family is despicable! Even if she’s not their biological daughter, they can’t treat her like this!”
“Exactly. Wan Chunhua favors sons over daughters. Now she helps Su Qing so Su Qing will support the family later, using her as a cash cow.”
“Serves her right! Maybe when the Su family finds Zhang Xiu, they’ll send Su Qing back to the countryside.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiu felt comforted. Her gaze toward Wan Chunhua became fearless. This was the first time Wan Chunhua had seen Zhang Xiu like this. Previously, Zhang Xiu had either been scared or silently endured; now she dared to resist. It was outrageous!

Wan Chunhua put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and yelled furiously: “Zhang Xiu, you ungrateful wretch! I shouldn’t have raised you! As soon as you left the hospital, I should have—”
“Should have what? Why didn’t you finish?” Zhang Xiu stared at her.

Su Qing cursed inwardly at the old woman and quickly spoke up: “Stop acting, you mother and daughter. Apologize now! It’s getting late; we have to head back to the city.”
Wu Youqian: “Yeah, yeah, apologize!”
Zhang Xiu: “Not a chance. Either we report this to the police, or you leave.”
Wan Chunhua: “Zhang Xiu, you little temptress! You’re rebelling today, huh! Just wait until I get home, I’ll—”
Du Yushu: “What are you doing? I’m still standing here.”

Wan Chunhua immediately drew back, glaring at Zhang Xiu, fuming.
—Wan Chunhua looks ready to bite; will Zhang Xiu really get beaten at home?
—Don’t worry. The Su family has already traced White Cloud Village. If Zhang Xiu survives tonight, the Su family’s car will arrive tomorrow.

Du Yushu glanced at the time and sipped his tea. “It’s getting late. We still have work to do. Since neither side trusts the other’s witnesses, either report it to the police or call it a day.” He handed the wallet to Su Qing: “Here, keep the wallet. We don’t store it here. There’s a few hundred yuan in it, don’t want it lost.”

Looking around, he realized that Zhang Xiu was clearly being framed. The wallet had been recovered, yet the accusers dragged her to the office for judgment, insisting on an apology. But he didn’t care why—they were welcome to argue in court. As a team leader, he had many other responsibilities. Spring had been rainy; they’d been taking advantage of dry days to finish farm work, so lunch breaks were short.

“Back to work! Back to work! Don’t just watch! Jingguo, go ring the work bell.” Du Yushu nodded to Lu Jingguo.
“All right, uncle.” Lu Jingguo handed his bowl to his younger brother Lu Jingyi and went to ring the bell.

The village’s old bell, passed down for generations, signaled work even after the radio system was installed. Its deep, far-reaching chime prompted workers to start their morning tasks.

Only Su Qing and her fiancé Wu Youqian stood there, stunned.
Ji Xiaoxi, watching with her son, prepared to continue “eating the melon”—she didn’t have to work.
Wan Chunhua grit her teeth, glaring at Zhang Xiu.

Du Yushu asked: “And you two? How do you plan to proceed?”
Su Qing stomped angrily, “Forget it. Let this thief go unpunished.”
Zhang Xiu: “A stubborn fool, like a winter leek—yellow leaves, rotten core, still trying to smear me. I spit!”
Su Qing: “…”

—Hahaha, perfect comeback! Su Qing looks like she’s about to explode.
—Zhang Xiu’s been oppressed for too long. Her sudden outburst is impressive—later should be even more exciting.
—Hope she stands strong! Don’t fear that family. Survive tonight, and tomorrow life gets better!

Zhang Xiu silently nodded to herself, psyching herself up. Today, she would “go all out!” She was frighteningly strong now.

Wan Chunhua had planned to scold her biological daughter, but seeing Zhang Xiu’s eyes—frankly, she was a little scared. Zhang Xiu seemed almost… mutated. Those eyes could kill. She instinctively closed her mouth. Without her son to back her up, she might be at a disadvantage. She’d deal with Zhang Xiu at home later! If she didn’t beat that wretched girl half to death, she wouldn’t be Wan Chunhua!

Su Qing glared at Zhang Xiu, fuming, and left with Wu Youqian. They hadn’t succeeded in labeling Zhang Xiu a thief today, but it didn’t matter. The Su family hadn’t discovered it yet. As long as they ruined Zhang Xiu’s reputation before the Su family found out, there would be time.

Watching Su Qing leave, Wan Chunhua silently planned to later approach her, claiming she was her biological mother. She’d make Su Qing help Zhang Lang find a good job in the city and perhaps get some money from her as well.