The family member who had been the most vocal earlier raised her voice again, shouting, “Well, aren’t you something, Lin Hongying? How shameless of you—making a mistake and then turning around to blame others?”  

Another woman, who seemed to be stepping in to mediate, but was actually taking sides: “Alright, stop arguing. Aiying, Yingchun, you two go change your clothes before you catch a cold. If you do, make sure to get Battalion Commander Shao to cover the medical bills—let him discipline Lin Hongying properly!”  

“These country folks are so crude, always throwing water at people at the drop of a hat…”  

In the past, the original host would have been so ashamed she’d wish to vanish on the spot, trembling in silence as she endured all the accusations.  

But… does being loud automatically mean you’re right?  

Lin Hongying refused to be swayed by their logic. A faint dimple appeared on her cheek as she calmly retorted, “Hmm, you must be the epitome of manners here. First, it’s ‘country bumpkin,’ then it’s ‘plenty of girls here would kill to marry our Battalion Commander Shao—what kind of woman wouldn’t be a good match for him?’”  

“You’re so eager to play matchmaker, why not set one up for your own husband? I’m sure he’s such a catch that any woman here would be lucky to have him!”  

He Yingchun’s eyes widened in shock—how dare Lin Hongying talk to her like that?  

Everyone here was experienced enough to know that arranged marriages never ended well. Anyone with eyes could see these two weren’t a good match. Just because Battalion Commander Shao had good prospects didn’t mean she could shamelessly cling to him, right?  

These days, it was rare to see someone pack a few belongings and trek thousands of miles to chase down a fiancé, only for the man to have to call home to confirm who she even was.  

Call it an arranged marriage if you want, but let’s be honest—it was more like a forced sale.  

Liu Faying, who had also been drenched by the bucket of water, wiped her face, her impression of Lin Hongying sinking even further.  

Someone suddenly snorted with laughter.  

Had the sun risen from the west? Lin Hongying, who wouldn’t make a peep even if you beat her with a stick, was actually talking back now?  

No one here was a fool. Before, they’d just bullied her because she was an easy target. But now, she wasn’t letting them push her around anymore.  

A round-faced woman, unable to stand it any longer, spoke up fairly, “Stop ganging up on Lin Hongying while Qingfeng isn’t here. He Yingchun, you should talk less—we all heard what you said earlier, and it was out of line.”  

“Unless you want her to report you to the higher-ups. Then not only will you lose your New Year’s subsidies, but you’ll also have to make a public self-criticism!”  

The New Year’s subsidies were a recent decision by the military to distribute extra rations to the families. Thanks to a good harvest this year, each person was entitled to two extra pounds of rice, one pound of high-quality flour, half a pound of peanuts, and half a pound of sugar. The peanuts could be pressed for oil or eaten as snacks during the holidays.  

These supplies were incredibly valuable, especially during times of famine when many places didn’t even have basic rations. Only the resource-rich Northeast could afford to hand out such benefits.  

The others stared at Lin Hongying in disbelief, unable to fathom that she’d dare to do something like this.  

Liu Faying’s heart was as narrow as a needle’s eye—even the slightest criticism would earn you a grudge that lasted forever. By dousing her with that bucket of water, Lin Hongying had made a lifelong enemy!  

But Lin Hongying didn’t care. The original host’s constant concessions had only made her seem weak and easy to bully. Kindness had to have limits—otherwise, it was just weakness.  

She turned her gaze to the political commissar’s wife. “I had no idea discrimination against rural folks was still a thing these days…”  

The political commissar’s wife narrowed her eyes and scolded the two gossipers with exasperation, “Today, Qingfeng’s wife has called you out. You two better apologize to her—sincerely.”  

“One of these days, your big mouths are going to land you in real trouble!” The political commissar’s wife shot them a sharp look.  

He Yingchun opened and closed her mouth, unable to bring herself to apologize to Lin Hongying.  

But under the political commissar’s wife’s glare, she knew there was no way out. She forced out a stiff, “S-sorry!”  

The other family members stayed silent, acting as if they’d already forgotten everything that had just happened.  

Lin Hongying could tell the political commissar’s wife was also taking sides. She hadn’t stepped in when the others were badmouthing her earlier—only now, after Lin Hongying fought back, did she pretend to be fair.

Lin Hongying could understand—after all, on one side were neighbors they’d known for years, and on the other was an “ignorant country girl” from an arranged marriage. But understanding didn’t mean she had to tolerate it.  

[He Yingchun’s Resentment +10]

Huh?  

What was this? Did it represent their inner resentment?  

Lin Hongying noticed Liu Faying’s face darkening further, her gaze sweeping over the women who had just joined in the gossip.  

She needed to test this further.  

Her eyes flicked over the chatty aunties before she shook her head at the political commissar’s wife and said, “I clearly heard quite a few people pointing fingers and cursing at me earlier, but now they’re suddenly silent. What a waste of your good intentions, Sister. Looks like I’ll have to take this matter to the higher-ups after all.”  

Reporting it to the authorities would change the nature of the situation entirely.  

“You hear that? All of you, apologize to Comrade Lin right now!”  

Under the political commissar’s wife’s stern glare, the three women dared not refuse, though fury simmered beneath their forced words:  

“Comrade Lin, we were just running our mouths earlier. Don’t take it to heart.”  

“Yeah, it was all a misunderstanding. We’ve been around longer, so we speak bluntly. You should learn to take it in stride.”  

“Comrade Lin, I didn’t mean anything by it. You’re young and thin-skinned—can’t handle even the slightest grievance. It’s best for youngsters to stay humble. We’re just looking out for you—”  

Their voices were scattered, but their eyes remained haughty.  

These women were all seasoned veterans. An apology? In her dreams! What could a soft-spoken young girl possibly do to them?  

If this had been the original host, things would’ve ended here—she’d have taken the offered olive branch and backed down. But Lin Hongying was stubborn.  

Dissatisfied, she shook her head. “Forget it. How could I possibly accept such a gracious apology from you all? It must be so hard for you to lower yourselves for someone like me.”  

“I wanted to give Sister Zhao some face, but it seems that’s not happening. I’ll just file the report later! Everyone here today is my witness—I remember every word said. Might as well remind everyone to mind their manners while we’re at it.”  

Her displeasure couldn’t have been more obvious.  

[He Yingchun’s Resentment +100]

[Liu Faying’s Resentment +100]

[Hong Zhaoxia’s Resentment +100]

[Liu Xiaolian’s Resentment +100]

“You—!” He Yingchun glared furiously.  

“You little nobody! You’d actually file a report?!”  

“We apologized, and you still want to tattle?!”  

The women closed in on Lin Hongying, their fiery eyes making her feel like she was about to be devoured alive.  

She was certain now—this “resentment” truly reflected their inner rage.  

But Lin Hongying wasn’t the timid original host. She tsked and shook her head. “Sister Zhao, look at this—calling me a ‘country bumpkin’ and a ‘nobody’ to my face.”  

“How many poor peasants are there in China? How uneven is regional development? These are the nation’s pains, yet they treat them as jokes! If this kind of attitude spreads, I fear it’ll bring shame to the collective!”  

The moment she finished speaking, her vision blurred slightly as strings of resentment notifications flooded in—too many to count.  

[He Yingchun’s Resentment +1]  

[Liu Faying’s Resentment +2]

[Hong Zhaoxia’s Resentment +3]

[Liu Xiaolian’s Resentment +4]

…  

[He Yingchun’s Resentment +150]

[Liu Faying’s Resentment +150] 

[Hong Zhaoxia’s Resentment +150] 

She was numb. Completely, utterly numb.  

Lin Hongying blinked in surprise. Wow, they really were pissed.  

Her words had stunned everyone.  

The crowd stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.