The commotion attracted neighbors who came out to watch. Some, like Xisheng’s mother, took the opportunity to comment.

Xisheng’s mother remarked, “She really is biased. She always favored the youngest son and now, even the youngest daughter-in-law gets preferential treatment. No wonder there’s a fuss.”

The villagers watching agreed that there seemed to be favoritism.

Mother Pei laughed angrily and said loudly, “Xiaoxi bought the medicine cabinet with her own money, and we just helped her get it back. We made the desk ourselves, but you both got new wardrobes when you married, and Xiaoxi had to use the old wardrobe of the third brother. Now you’re saying you can’t even make a desk?”

Liu Xiaohua was stunned. This wasn’t what Xu Cui had said.

Xu Cui, who lived next door, had heard the noise and came over. She smiled and said, “Mom, that’s not what I meant. This medicine cabinet is expensive, and we know where the money came from—it was given by you two. We shouldn’t be unfair. My family doesn’t have such nice things. Fenghua is fifteen and Fengshou is seven, and they don’t even have their own wardrobes.”

“Yes, mother, Fengshou is still sick. Why are you only favoring that daughter-in-law? Fengshou should at least have a table…” Liu Xiaohua quickly agreed, adding, “Look, Fengshou has been sick for days and hasn’t gotten better. I don’t see you giving him any money.”

Mother Pei looked at her daughters-in-law with disdain and said, “What? You want a cabinet or a table? I didn’t get a cabinet for Xiaoxi when she married. Why didn’t you say it was unfair then?”

Liu Xiaohua was stunned and felt a bit guilty.

At this moment, Xisheng’s mother suddenly said with a strange tone, “She doesn’t have a locker, but she has a bicycle. A bicycle is much more expensive than a locker! If it were me, I would want a bicycle, not a locker.”

Xu Cui quickly added, “That’s right, the bicycle costs almost 200 yuan!”

Liu Xiaohua, understanding the hint, brightened up and agreed, “Yes—”

Mother Pei was so angry her face turned pale. Before she could respond, Jiang Xi, unable to listen any longer, stepped forward and interrupted Liu Xiaohua, saying sharply, “That’s nonsense!”

_

As the argument continued, Xu Cui and Liu Xiaohua looked at Jiang Xi unhappily and asked, “What do you know?!”

Jiang Xi wasn’t planning to join the argument but felt compelled to speak up. She asked, “Sister-in-law, I just want to ask one thing. Do you think it’s unfair that I have a bicycle and you don’t?”

Liu Xiaohua, sensing trouble, replied weakly, “Isn’t it? You have a bicycle and a bigger betrothal gift than us?!”

Xu Cui didn’t speak but looked defiantly at Jiang Xi.

Some villagers murmured, “Isn’t this a bit unfair?”

Seeing the smug expressions on their faces, Jiang Xi, with a sarcastic smile, said loudly, “Why do I have a bicycle and more betrothal gifts? It’s because Pei Hejun is more capable than your men!”

Liu Xiaohua and Xu Cui were shocked into silence.

Pei Deyi, who had been watching from inside, felt humiliated and came out angrily, “What are you talking about?”

Jiang Xi ignored him and focused on Xu Cui and Liu Xiaohua: “Am I wrong? When you married, weren’t your gifts all saved up by your parents? But my gifts were all from Pei Hejun himself. He’s more capable, so I have a bicycle and live better!”

Seeing their flushed faces, Jiang Xi continued, “If you think it’s unfair, then either work hard to earn money yourself or find a capable and wealthy man. Don’t use my bicycle as an excuse to force your parents to give you things!”

They were speechless.

Pei Deyi wanted to argue but was stopped by Pei’s mother, who said, “Why don’t you agree? Your brother is more capable than you! Even if he’s having trouble now, he’s still better than you. If you’re not happy, go make money yourself and stop making your wife worry about your brother.”

Pei Deyi, unable to respond, felt even more ashamed and angry.

The villagers laughed, saying things like, “Dr. Jiang is right!” and “He Jun is more capable than his brothers.”

They almost forgot that Jiang Xi’s possessions were due to Pei Hejun’s capabilities, not Pei’s parents’ favoritism.

Some joked, “Dr. Jiang is right. Maybe you should find a capable man to buy you a three-turn and one-ring.”

Liu Xiaohua blushed and didn’t respond.

Xu Cui, angry, said, “What nonsense! Be careful or I’ll tear your mouth apart!” She muttered, “Who knows if my parents gave me extra money secretly?”

Jiang Xi replied coldly, “Secretly? Fine, then let’s calculate how much your parents have given you since Big Brother was born, more than 30 years ago, and compare it to what you’ve given them. Let’s see if it’s them subsidizing us!”

Xu Cui and Liu Xiaohua were frightened and quickly shook their heads, not wanting to pursue this.

Even Liu Xiaohua’s drowsy child woke up slightly and called out, “Mom…”

Liu Xiaohua patted her son and, feeling embarrassed, dared not say more.

Xu Cui, too, was embarrassed and frustrated. She glared at Jiang Xi but couldn’t refute her and could only stamp her feet in anger.

After being criticized by Jiang Xi, Xu Cui’s mind cleared up. Although she resented that Jiang Xi had so much, she had to admit that Jiang Xi made a good point.

The reason Jiang Xi could have so much is because of Pei Hejun’s abilities.

But Xu Cui wondered if they would be ridiculed by Jiang Xi if their parents had agreed to give them the pension for the third child. She wanted to say more but was cut off.

Pei’s mother had reached her limit. She was tired of Xu Cui’s trouble-making and slapped her on the back, saying, “Get lost! You’ve been envying your brother-in-law’s things all day. Do you have no shame? Leave!”

Xu Cui was slapped and ran away, cursing as she went, “You’re biased. We’ll see how you do in the future…”

_

Seeing Xu Cui leave and facing her mother-in-law alone, Liu Xiaohua felt scared and wanted to leave too. Jiang Xi stopped her, and with unexpected gentleness, asked, “Sister-in-law, has your son been vomiting and having diarrhea for the past two days, and is he drowsy?”

Liu Xiaohua was surprised and nodded, “Yes.”

“He has enteritis and dehydration from diarrhea. Let me check him,” Jiang Xi said, looking at the child and adding, “If this continues, he might get a fever or go into shock.”

She then noticed Liu Xiaohua’s face, which was red and oozing pus. Jiang Xi added, “I can also help with your condition.”

Jiang Xi wanted to help because she knew that if something happened to the child, Pei’s parents would be sad. Helping Liu Xiaohua was just an extra benefit.

Jiang Xi knew that she would get tasks automatically if she was near someone who needed treatment, so she completed the task and earned points.

But Liu Xiaohua was distrustful. She had taken her son to the town for treatment two days ago and was hesitant to trust Jiang Xi. She said, “No, I’ll take him to town tomorrow.”

Jiang Xi didn’t insist but reminded her, “If you want to go, go now. I don’t need to take the bicycle back yet.”

After Pei’s mother had driven Xu Cui away, she came back and saw Jiang Xi helping. She appreciated Jiang Xi’s kindness and noted that even after the argument, she didn’t hold a grudge against her grandson.

She said, “Yes, the child’s health is important. If you don’t want Xiaoxi to see him, take him to town.”

Liu Xiaohua, feeling repulsed by Jiang Xi’s previous aggression, saw Pei’s mother’s favoritism towards Xiaoxi and felt even more annoyed. She retorted with a fake smile, “My husband isn’t as capable as yours. He’s busy and needs hot food. I have many things to do, unlike you. Your husband doesn’t need any care, so it’s easier for you.”

She snorted and went back to her house. But her son groaned and had diarrhea again, causing her to rush to the toilet.

Pei’s mother was furious but worried about her grandson and followed Liu Xiaohua to persuade her again.

Jiang Xi observed silently, knowing some people can’t be persuaded. She turned to Pei Deyi and said, “Second brother, get the bicycle.”

Pei Deyi, still angry from Jiang Xi’s earlier remarks about his capabilities compared to Pei Hejun, coldly refused, “Why? I won’t give it to you!”

Jiang Xi responded calmly, “Okay, I’ll call the police and report you for embezzling. A bicycle is worth one or two hundred yuan, and you could face jail time.”

Pei Deyi was stunned, unsure if Jiang Xi was serious. Seeing her calm demeanor, he thought about her words and decided to fetch the bicycle. He said, “It’s just a bicycle. Who cares?”

_

After retrieving the bicycle, Jiang Xi checked it and confirmed it was in good condition before taking it back.

She ignored Pei Deyi’s gloomy face. Jiang Xi knew that tolerating unfairness would only lead to more problems in the future.

She didn’t go to town immediately but returned to Pei’s house first. Her aunt had brought items like oil bottles, tickets, and money.

Jiang Xi made a note of everything and left for the brigade office.

Even though she had bought a lot of medicinal herbs before, this time she needed even more for long-term treatment and was worried that the pharmacy might refuse to sell them to her.

She needed a certificate from the captain.

At the brigade office, many people were present and looked at her curiously, making her feel uncomfortable.

When she received the certificate, a middle-aged man with a smile asked, “What certificate do you need, young comrade?”

Jiang Xi showed him the paper and said, “I’m buying medicinal herbs for our village.”

The man casually glanced at the paper and saw it said: [Doctor Jiang Xi from Peijia Village…]