Chapter 32: Teasing

Could it be that Shen Jiaojiao had changed genders?

No, it must have been Shen Jiaojiao deliberately treating Liu Xiaolan well just to anger her.

She must have resented how she had been harsh with her before and refused to let her marry Fang Qinghe.

So, in a fit of anger, Shen Jiaojiao wanted to use this method to get back at her.

Hmph, she would never compromise.

Shen Jiaojiao could forget about ever stepping through the doors of the Fang family.

She should not even think about seducing her son.

However, when she saw so much delicious food all going into Liu Xiaolan’s hands, she could not help but swallow her saliva.

Her once firm heart began to waver again.

If Shen Jiaojiao kept pursuing her son, it might not be entirely unacceptable.

As long as her son did not marry her, it would be fine if he just played around with her.

That way, Shen Jiaojiao would start sending things to their family again.

Then she would not have to wake up early and work hard every day.

Meanwhile, Shen Jiaojiao and Liu Xiaolan had finished shopping and walked out of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Mother Fang immediately said: “Now we can go back, right?”

Liu Xiaolan did not even glance at her and directly climbed onto the ox cart.

“You don’t control me. We still have more things to buy. If you want to leave, go by yourself! Your legs are on your own body. It’s not like I tied you up.”

At this point, Mother Fang finally understood—Liu Xiaolan was deliberately making things difficult for her.

Fine, she could not win against her now, so she could only let herself be manipulated.

She refused to leave and insisted on following along.

So, Liu Xiaolan took Shen Jiaojiao and drove the ox cart around town, wandering aimlessly.

Naturally, after they had visited enough places, people started whispering about Fang Qinghe.

“Why does this person look so badly beaten? It’s so scary!”

“Did he commit some crime? Look at his fierce expression—he’s definitely not a good person.”

“Let’s stay away from him, just in case he targets us.”

Fang Qinghe: “……Damn.”

By the time Liu Xiaolan took Shen Jiaojiao to another Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Fang Qinghe felt too ashamed to be seen. He immediately found a secluded corner and hid himself.

Mother Fang naturally stayed with him.

At this moment, the sun was setting in the west.

The evening sky was bathed in a crimson glow.

Liu Xiaolan noticed that Fang Qinghe had hidden himself, so she quickly pulled Shen Jiaojiao onto the ox cart and urged Xu Zhengyang to leave immediately.

Xu Zhengyang skillfully drove the ox cart and took off at once.

Xu Mo also rode his bicycle, disappearing at the end of the street in no time.

By the time Fang Qinghe realized what was happening, it was already too late.

The ox cart and the bicycles had long since vanished.

“Damn it, they tricked us.” Fang Qinghe cursed.

Mother Fang was so anxious that she stomped her feet.

“What do we do now? How are we going to get back? It’s almost dark! If we walk, we won’t make it home until the middle of the night!”

“Shut up! You’re so annoying.”

With no other choice, and having left in a hurry without bringing any money, they could only walk back on foot.

Meanwhile, Shen Jiaojiao was completely stunned by their series of outrageous actions.

She looked at her future mother-in-law with admiration.

If it were allowed, she would have called her “Mom” right then and there.

She was simply too adorable.

With such a mother-in-law around, who would dare bully her?

Once the ox cart had traveled far enough, Liu Xiaolan finally burst into laughter.

“Haha… Let them walk back! It’d be great if they break their legs—then they won’t have the energy to go out and cause trouble anymore.”

She then reached out, gently touching Shen Jiaojiao’s leg with concern.

“My poor Jiaojiao! You’ve suffered so much. That Fang Qinghe is nothing but a good-for-nothing scoundrel.”

Liu Xiaolan was still fuming.  

If Xu Mo hadn’t rushed over in time back then, wouldn’t that little bastard Fang Qinghe have gotten his way?  

Then, Jiaojiao’s reputation would have been ruined even further.  

Fang Qinghe was truly vicious.  

She thought to herself that she had to find another opportunity to give him a good beating so he would learn his lesson.  

A wave of warmth surged through Shen Jiaojiao’s heart.  

“Auntie, do you really believe me?”  

Everyone in the village knew that she had once persistently chased after Fang Qinghe.  

Her reputation had already been ruined long ago.  

Now, anytime someone mentioned Shen Jiaojiao and Fang Qinghe, there would be endless gossip.  

Things like, It takes two to tango. Neither of them are any good.  

Or, That Shen Jiaojiao is a vixen. She must still be restless, trying to cuckold Xu Mo and make him a laughingstock.  

“You are my daughter-in-law. Of course, I believe you.” Liu Xiaolan declared firmly, without hesitation.  

She knew exactly what Shen Jiaojiao was worrying about.  

So she reassured her: “I’m not someone who understands grand principles, but I do know that no one goes through life without making mistakes. As long as someone can change, they’re still a good kid. And besides, I really like you. I have never misjudged a person before. In the future, you will definitely be Old Third’s virtuous wife. For him to marry you is his blessing—and ours, too.  

Sometimes, I even think, with how poor our family is, we are surely not worthy of you. I don’t know if you’ll ever look down on us.”  

Xu Mo, who was riding his bicycle nearby, immediately perked up his ears to listen.  

Shen Jiaojiao shook her head.  

“I have never looked down on you. Being able to marry Xu Mo is my blessing. I really like him.”  

The certain someone who had been eavesdropping turned red at the ears again.  

But at this moment, he felt utterly refreshed, as if even his feet pedaling the bicycle had gained wings.

Liu Xiaolan glanced at her foolish son, a gentle and affectionate smile appearing on her face.  

She patted Shen Jiaojiao’s head and praised her: “Such a good child. Why do I adore you so much?”  

By the time they returned to the village, the sky had turned completely dark.  

Xu Mo carried Shen Jiaojiao back to the educated youth dormitory.  

Liu Xiaolan followed along.  

After all, it was late at night.  

The two of them were not yet married, and it wouldn’t look good if anyone saw them.  

Xu Mo carried Shen Jiaojiao into her room and placed her on the bed.  

Then, he poured some hot water, took out a pill from the medicine they had brought back, and handed it to Shen Jiaojiao.  

“Take this first.”  

Shen Jiaojiao obediently accepted it.  

She actually hated taking medicine, but with Liu Xiaolan here today, she didn’t want to seem overly delicate.  

So, she swallowed the pill without complaint.  

Liu Xiaolan eyed her son suspiciously and spoke in a tone that was slightly sinister: “Old Third, how come you’re so familiar with Jiaojiao’s bedroom?”  

“Pfft—cough, cough…”  

Shen Jiaojiao, who had just taken a sip of water, immediately sprayed it out upon hearing those words.  

She started coughing uncontrollably from choking.  

Wasn’t this the classic case of a guilty conscience betraying itself?  

Liu Xiaolan understood instantly.  

But she said nothing.  

Instead, she walked over and patted Shen Jiaojiao’s back to help her breathe.  

“You silly girl, why are you drinking so fast?”  

Once Shen Jiaojiao finally caught her breath, Liu Xiaolan said: “Jiaojiao, it’s getting late. You’ve had a tiring day, so rest early. We’ll head back now.  

Remember, don’t even think about going to work these next few days!”  

Shen Jiaojiao instinctively glanced at Xu Mo.  

She wondered if Xu Mo would get beaten up by his mother when they got home.  

Sure enough, the moment they returned, Liu Xiaolan didn’t say a word.  

She simply grabbed a willow branch and swung it straight at Xu Mo.  

“You little rascal! How did I raise you? You actually dared to sneak into Jiaojiao’s bedroom? You ungrateful brat, I’m going to beat you to death!”

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