Chapter 48: The Gossip Turns Personal

Qiao Jiangxin’s family of four dragged out two long benches, perched on the courtyard wall, and watched the commotion outside.

Liu Afang, though she didn’t get along with Qiao Fangfang, was also a wife herself.  Seeing Qiao Fangfang’s current plight, she felt a little sorry for her.

She sighed, “She’s always been bold. She thought everyone else would tolerate her like we do, acting recklessly as if she were still at her parents’ house.  Now she’s reaping what she sowed, hasn’t she?”

Qiao Youfu stared outside and quietly asked Qiao Jiangxin, “Jiangxin, your grandparents are still our family.  They’re causing such a scene, should we really just ignore it? If the Deng family attacks your grandparents, and we do nothing, what will people say about us?”

Qiao Jiangxin snorted coldly, “Help Qiao Fangfang? I wish she were beaten to death! That woman is full of bad ideas!”

Qiao Jiangxin didn’t intend to hide anything. After all, her father and uncle grew up with Qiao Fangfang and her two brothers.

Moreover, Qiao Fangfang was the only girl in the family, and her uncle and father had always doted on her.

The older they got, the more they clung to blood ties, always willing to compromise. But some things needed to be made clear. Once they gave up hope, things would be better.

It would prevent them from being swayed by momentary soft hearts and being manipulated.

“Do you know why Qiao Fangfang was beaten? Do you know why Grandma and Grandpa have been putting up with us these past few days? They’re shrewd. We used up all the livestock and grain. 

Could Lei Honghua tolerate that? They’re holding back because they have a plan to deal with us.”

Qiao Jiangxin spoke calmly, as if telling someone else’s story.

“A few days ago, a woman came to the village. Her family owns a coffin shop in town. You can easily find out about them. They have a son who’s notorious in town. He’s ill-tempered, arrogant, lazy, and… well…”

Qiao Jiangxin touched her upper lip, “His lip is split all the way to his nose, and his teeth are all crooked and sticking out.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Youfu recalled, “I know the man you’re talking about. I saw him in town when I went with your grandpa to deliver grain. He has a terrible temper. I remember a child who went to deliver grain with his family.

The child said something about the man looking strange, and he chased after him and knocked out his front teeth. The child was only seven or eight years old. He’s ruthless.”

Qiao Youfu’s tone was disdainful, showing his strong dislike for Chen Sheng.

Qiao Jiangxin nodded, “Yes, that’s him. His name is Chen Sheng. He beats even his own mother when he’s angry, let alone a country child.  His family is looking for a wife for him.

The Chen family has a terrible reputation and high standards.  They’re using their money to find a pretty and diligent wife. They offered 300 kuai as a bride price. 

And Qiao Fangfang went to them, saying she wanted to marry me off to him. From what I hear, the money has already been received.”

Liu Afang, who had been enjoying the gossip, suddenly realized it involved her own daughter.

Her daughter was sold by Qiao Fangfang for 300 kuai and married off to someone like Chen Sheng?

She was stunned, letting out a gasp that almost made her fall off the chair.

Qiao Youcai quickly caught her.

Qiao Jiangxin also broke out in a cold sweat, “Mom, don’t worry, let me finish.”

“Mother Chen secretly came to see me.  Aunt Niu told me. Then, the next day, Chen Sheng came. Our family was in a lot of turmoil those days, so I went crazy and beat him up.”

I bluffed him. I said my uncle almost beat me to death and ruined all our livestock. He probably went to check and thought I was really crazy.

I also gave him a few hints, mentioning my cousin’s unmarried younger sister who was quite outstanding.

If I’m not wrong, the Chen family probably resents my cousin for introducing them to a madman, causing Chen Sheng to get beaten up.

So they set a trap for her. They must have gone to the Deng family, and look, the whole Deng family is here now.”

Liu Afang no longer felt any pity for Qiao Fangfang. She watched with satisfaction as Deng’s mother pulled her hair.

She muttered, “Serves her right! That wicked woman! An unmarried cousin causing so much trouble! How dare she interfere with Jiangxin’s marriage!  She deserves it!!”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai no longer offered to help.

It was clear that Lei Honghua and Qiao Jiuwang knew about it. No wonder they said they found a husband for Jiangxin in town yesterday.

Was Chen Sheng the husband they found for Jiangxin?

That’s not a husband; that’s a pit of fire.

They even secretly accepted the bride price.  That’s why they were looking around the door this morning, waiting for the Chen family to come and pick her up?

They were truly rotten! Do they think it’s still the pre-liberation era?

They’re heartless, doing such a thing.

The two brothers silently thought, “Good! They didn’t beat her hard enough! They should be taught a lesson!”

But they didn’t expect there to be a calm person.

Qiao Fangfang’s father-in-law, Deng Shuibing, pulled Deng’s mother back from her rage, “Alright, alright, this isn’t the time to show off. We’re here to solve Xiangcui’s problem. We didn’t come all this way just to argue.

The Chen family said they’ll come again tomorrow. Let’s solve this quickly!”

Qiao Jiuwang glanced at the people around pointing and whispering, and chuckled, “Yes, yes, my father-in-law is right. Let’s clarify any misunderstandings. Come, come, let’s not stand at the door, come inside and sit!”

Deng’s mother held her head high, snorted at Lei Honghua through her nostrils, and then followed Deng Shuibing inside.

Qiao Jiuwang came in, saw the four people perched on the wall, and his temples throbbed.

“Are you all sunbathing corpses up there? We have guests, and you don’t even know to make tea!!”

Qiao Jiangxin rolled her eyes and pointed at a tree, saying to Liu Afang, “Mom, look, is that a bird’s nest?”

Liu Afang looked carefully at the tree, “It seems like it is.”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai also looked in the direction Qiao Jiangxin pointed, “I wonder if there are any bird eggs.”

“I don’t know. It’s too high. If it were lower, we could climb up and take a look.”

…

Qiao Jiuwang’s face turned green. He was a little embarrassed in front of the Deng family, but he could only smile, “Excuse me, our family is unfortunate, unfortunate. We’re old and disliked, and our words carry no weight…”

Lei Honghua also came to her senses. Her daughter still had to live under them, so she quickly helped pull out chairs and smiled ingratiatingly.

“Sit, sit, everyone sit! I’ll go make tea, I’ll go…”

Deng Shuibing waved his hand, “Alright, alright, we’re not here for tea, let’s talk business!”