The first villager to leave the Lu family’s old house was a neighbor from Niu Laosan’s family. She rushed back to Niu Laosan’s wife and said, “I just came from the Shen family’s house. I heard Shen Xuezhu say she didn’t refuse to give money to your family’s Old San.”

“Your Old San didn’t want the money, so he left. Little Li, their daughter, happened to be crying, so Shen Xuezhu went to comfort her and planned to send the money to your family later.”

Niu Laosan’s wife, acting calmly, replied, “Aunt Hu, I already told Xiao Mountain’s wife that there’s no need to give money. We’re all from the same village, who doesn’t have times when they need help?”

“When Old San came back from her house, I specifically told him that it was right for him not to take money from Xiao Mountain’s wife.”

“But when I was at Shen’s house, I heard Old Lady He say it was you who told her that Xiao Mountain’s wife didn’t give you any money,” Aunt Hu added.

Niu Laosan’s wife, who had a short temper, immediately became furious. “That old woman is spreading nonsense! I never said Xiao Mountain’s wife didn’t give us any money!”

“I never expected Xiao Mountain’s wife to give us money in the first place, so how could I say such a thing?”

“No, I’m going to find her and set the record straight!” Niu Laosan’s wife stormed off.

On her way, a villager called out to her, “Niu Laosan’s wife!”

“Old Lady He said you told her that your Old San helped Xiao Mountain’s wife kill the wild boar, and she didn’t give you money. Is that true?”

Niu Laosan’s wife, still fuming, replied, “I never said that. Old Lady He loves to gossip. I’m going to her house right now to confront her!”

“She’s driving me crazy! Now, everyone knows what this old woman has been saying.”

“When have I ever put up with such nonsense?” Niu Laosan’s wife said angrily before quickening her pace.

“Old Lady He, what nonsense are you spreading?” Niu Laosan’s wife stormed into the Lin family’s house.

Seeing the aggressive way she entered, Old Lady He immediately jumped to her feet, confused, and looked at her.

“What’s this about, Old San’s wife? Why are you yelling at me like this?”

Zhang La’er’s wife quickly came over. No matter how badly her mother-in-law treated her, when someone else came to make trouble for her, she couldn’t just stand still. Her mother-in-law would definitely complain about her later.

“Niu Laosan’s wife, let’s talk calmly. Don’t get so worked up!”

Niu Laosan’s wife shot her a glance. “You don’t need to worry about this.”

She then turned back to Old Lady He and said, “I heard from others that you’ve been saying it was me who told you that my Old San helped Xiao Mountain’s wife kill the wild boar, and she didn’t give us any money.”

Old Lady He denied it, “I never said that. You can ask anyone who was there.”

“You still won’t admit it? On my way here, I was stopped and asked about it. Now, the whole village knows!”

Realizing no one else was around, Old Lady He said, “When I was at your house, you told me not to mention it was you who said that Xiao Mountain’s wife didn’t give you money for killing the pig.”

“At the time, I promised I wouldn’t mention your name. After all, who would I share the rabbit meat with if I mentioned you? For the sake of that rabbit meat, I wouldn’t bring it up.”

At that moment, Zhang La’er’s wife spoke up. “Xiao Mountain’s wife, why did you bring two pieces of pig meat to our house?”

When Shen Xuezhu entered the house, no one noticed her. But she overheard some important information.

Just as she was about to speak, Zhang La’er’s wife called out to her.

“I’ve just received a wild boar, weighing over two hundred jin. I’m sending some to every household in the village.”

They hadn’t had pork at home for months, so since someone was kind enough to send it, they would accept it and return the favor later.

“Thank you, Xiao Mountain’s wife.” Zhang La’er’s wife took the pig meat from Shen Xuezhu and turned to head to the kitchen.