Chapter 18

The gossiping aunties in the village heard Xia Yunxuan’s words and burst into laughter. They chimed in, “Yes, Old lady He, you’re an old hag. No one wants you. Don’t you have another granddaughter? You can sell her too and get some money.”

Old lady Li said loudly, “You don’t know this, do you? Her other granddaughter is so ugly. It’s a wonder anyone would want her.”

Old lady He yelled, “You damn Old lady Li, you dare to talk about me here? Don’t you know what your Erlai is like? You’re not afraid that no one will send you a clock or break a bowl when you die? He can’t even find a wife.”

“You have the nerve to talk about me? Your daughters were all sold for a high price. It’s not like anyone doesn’t know.”

The Captain yelled, “I haven’t finished speaking yet. You’re all so noisy. Do you want to take a few days off and have a good gossip?”

“You’re always gossiping and minding other people’s business. You have a mountain of problems in your own family. I don’t know how you have so much free time.”

“You all slack off at work. You’re not diligent. But when it comes to gossip, you run faster than anyone. Your legs don’t hurt anymore, and your waist isn’t sore. You talk so confidently. You’re almost ready to point at the world and give orders.”

Old lady Li said, “Captain, it’s all Old lady He’s fault. Her granddaughter was the first to start trouble. Now I finally know why she doesn’t like Yun Girl. When they stand together, it’s like comparing heaven and earth. Xia Yunrou’s is truly ugly.”

Xia Yunrou’s yelled, “Old lady Li, what does my ugliness have to do with you? Did I eat your rice? Your mouth is so foul. Oh, I know. You must have eaten dung this morning and didn’t brush your teeth. You’re so stingy. You probably don’t even know what a toothbrush and toothpaste are.”

“No wonder your family can’t afford three dishes and your son can’t find a wife. Even ghosts wouldn’t want him. You dare to call me ugly? Your Erlai is ugly beyond compare. He’s so short and has buck teeth. He’s covered in pimples. He’s enough to make a child cry.”

“He’s always climbing through windows to peek at widows. He’s flirting with everyone. He doesn’t work. Which blind woman would step into your house?”

“Just wait for your Erlai to be a bachelor for life. He probably won’t even be buried in your family’s ancestral grave.” The others were surprised that Xia Yunrou’s, at such a young age, could be so venomous.

Old lady Li hated being cursed about her son being a bachelor. She couldn’t take it anymore. She raised her hand and slapped Xia Yunrou’s’s face. Everyone heard a loud slap. Old lady Li muttered, “You heartless damn girl. Your mouth is so foul. I’ll help you learn to speak properly. You don’t need to say anything anymore.”

Xia Yunrou’s hadn’t been paying attention. She didn’t expect Old lady Li to hit her. She felt a burning pain on her face and finally reacted. She rushed forward and slammed Old lady Li to the ground. Everyone heard the sound. It must have hurt. Old lady Li probably broke a bone.

Xia Yunxuan was the happiest. None of these people were good. Beat them up. The more they fought, the better. She loved watching a good show. She grabbed a handful of melon seeds from her pocket and started munching on them while watching.

Hu Guiqin, the Captain’s wife, covered her face when she saw Xia Yunxuan. This little girl was something else. Didn’t she see that they were fighting? She was enjoying the show and eating melon seeds. The fight was all because of her. She wasn’t afraid that those people would come after her later.

Old lady Li was in so much pain that she couldn’t react. She forgot to cry out. Old Lady Wang asked, “Old lady Li, are you okay?”

Old lady Li finally reacted. She moved her body, but she couldn’t move at all. Her tailbone probably broke. She wailed and muttered, “This damn girl is so cruel. She slammed me to the ground. Heavens, I won’t live anymore. You’re blind. You let that damn girl live and cause havoc. Why don’t you take her away?”

The Captain couldn’t just ignore this. He asked, “Old lady Li, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

“Captain, I can’t move. I have to go. And the damn girl has to pay for my medical expenses. She slammed me. Otherwise, I’ll go to the police station and report her.”

Xia Yunrou’s said, “You hit me first. I haven’t even gotten even with you, and you want me to pay for your medical expenses? You must be dreaming. Who told you to be so foul-mouthed? You even dared to hit me. Go to the police station. We’ll all go and see who’s right. You were the one who started it.”

The Captain yelled, “Okay, you two, stop arguing. Old lady Li, come with us to town. I have to pick up the educated youths.”

“Go to the hospital and see how much it costs. If it’s not too much, we’ll forget about it. But if your medical expenses are high, Xia Yunrou’s, you have to pay half. Your wife hit you, and you could have hit her back. Why did you slam her like that?”

The Captain said, “Xia Yunrou’s, if you don’t pay, I’ll deduct it from your work points. You’re so young, and you’re so venomous. No wonder the little girl wanted to break off ties with you. You probably bullied her like this before.”

Xia Yunrou’s said, “Captain, you’re biased. You didn’t do anything when she hit me. And you want me to pay and deduct my work points? I won’t live anymore. You’re so unfair. How much did Xia Yunxuan give you as a bribe? Why are you defending her so much?”

Xia Yunxuan said, “Xia Yunrou’s, if you don’t want your mouth, keep spewing nonsense. What did I do to you? If you dare to mention me again, I won’t let you off. Don’t believe me? Just try. Your mouth is so stinky. Go wash it in the sewer.”

“You’re useless. You got beaten up, and you blame me. If you’re so capable, hit back when someone hits you. You were so tough when you were beating me. Why are you a coward now?”

Xia Yunrou’s said, “Xia Yunxuan, you damn girl, why are you so arrogant? You eat our food and use our things. Now you’re capable. You dare to break off ties with us. You’re so unfilial. Your parents raised you for nothing. See who will want you in the future.”

Xia Yunxuan didn’t say a word. She raised her hand and slapped her left and right. “Xia Yunrou’s, you think I’m deaf, don’t you? Your mouth is so stinky. I’ll help you wake up.”

“I’m telling you, I’m not the same Xia Yunxuan who would let you bully and beat me. If anyone dares to bully me again, I’ll beat them until their teeth fall out. Anyone who doesn’t believe it, just try. Your mouth is so stinky. You should go wash it in the sewer.”

“You’re useless. You got beaten up, and you blame me. If you’re so capable, hit back when someone hits you. You were so tough when you were beating me. Why are you a coward now?”