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Because Mrs. Wang was busy, Chen Ming had lung disease, and Chen Feng was a simpleton, very few people visited their home. Only occasionally would Old lady Chen come to check on them, and a few women like Chen Lan, Mrs. Li, and Changgen’s wife would come to seek advice from Mrs. Wang on sewing.
Apart from Old lady Chen, the others generally wouldn’t enter the house. They’d call Mrs. Wang out to the yard, standing beyond the fence to ask her questions. Even those who got along well with Chen Dabao, like Shitou and Sixizi, perhaps with their family’s approval, would only call him out to play outside.
Even if these few people only caught a glimpse of Chen Feng occasionally, they thought she had become prettier. She smiled sweetly when meeting people, became more agile, and helped with simple household chores.
The word spread: “The silly girl from the second branch Chen family in the east side of the village has become smarter.”
Many remained skeptical, how could someone born a fool possibly improve?
So, more people started loitering outside Chen’s house. When they saw a graceful figure occasionally appearing in the yard, walking and working almost like a regular person, just slightly slower in movement, these people had to believe. Moreover, they noticed that even with a passing glance, this simpleton was extremely beautiful.
“The monk’s words at Lingyin Temple have come true. The silly one in the Chen family at the east end of the village has recovered from her illness. That fool is indeed blessed and a beauty,” rumors spread completely.
Chen Jue, who heard these rumors, didn’t believe them at all. How could a fool get better, let alone become beautiful? She went to ask Grandma Chen.
Grandma Chen was very worried about her granddaughter, fearing she might cause trouble at her second son’s house. So, she pacified her, saying, “Whenever I go there, that girl hides in the east room. I haven’t looked closely. Maybe she’s a bit better looking than before. But no matter how good-looking she is, she’s not as pretty as our A’Jue.”
Chen Jue was satisfied with Grandma Chen’s words, but she went to the Hu family and called out her cousin and plan to go to second branch Chen’s house to see for herself. She went with Hu Cuicui, Hu Laowu’s youngest daughter, above her was a 14-year-old brother, Hu Wei.
Hu Cuicui even joked, “If we call that fool out, let’s put pebbles in the back of her neck.”
Chen Jue said, “As long as she’s still a fool. But they say her foolishness is cured, and she’s become a beauty,” feeling particularly unconvinced at the last three words.
Hu Cuicui shook her head in disbelief. In Rongluo Village, only their Hu family produced beauties. Her four aunts were famous beauties when they were young, and now someone was saying that this girl was even prettier than her aunts.
The two arrived at the fence outside the Chen family’s house in the east.
Chen Jue was unwilling to enter the fool’s house, so she stood outside the fence and called to Chen Ming, “Second Uncle, where’s Feng sister? We heard she’s better and wanted to play with her.”
She surprisingly showed a good attitude.
Chen Ming and Chen Lu were weaving baskets under the eaves. They didn’t have a good impression of Chen Jue, especially since she had previously tricked Feng into going out and bullied her.
Chen Ming, with an impassive face, said, “A’Feng is taking a nap.”
Chen Lu also added, “My sister is resting and doesn’t have time to play with you.”
Hu Cuicui rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “Little cripple.”
At that moment, Chen Feng was inside the eastern room weaving a net. Upon hearing the voices, she looked out the window and asked Dabao beside her, “Who’s that girl next to Chen Jue?”
Dabao replied, “That’s Hu Laowu’s daughter, Hu Cuicui.”
No wonder, Hu Cuicui resembled the Hu family more than Chen Jue.
Chen Feng thought to herself that she couldn’t keep avoiding Chen Jue forever. They would inevitably meet, especially at their own doorstep, how could she show fear? Moreover, Chen Jue was spoiled and brainless, just a 12-year-old girl. If she couldn’t handle these two little girls, she might as well knock herself out with a tofu.
Furthermore, Chen Feng heard from the two little boys about how Chen Jue and Hu Cuicui used to bully her. Now that they had come to her door, it was a good chance to settle some scores.
She got off the kang, picked up a shoe awl from the sewing basket, and headed outside.
Dabao quickly held onto Chen Feng, saying, “Mother, don’t go. Those two are mean, they’ll bully you.”
Chen Feng patted him and said, “Mother’s better now and won’t be bullied by them.”
She walked out, telling Chen Ming, “Father, I’m up.” Then, she headed towards the door.
Lu and Dabao were afraid she’d be at a disadvantage, so they followed her.
Chen Jue and Hu Cuicui saw Chen Feng walking towards them, her eyes vacant, her body stiff as a stick – still appearing a bit simple. Although her face had improved, what use was it if she was still a simpleton?
Chen Jue felt a bit smug and said, “Chen Feng, come out to play with us, and I’ll buy you some candy.”
Chen Feng remained silent. She stood in front of them, a moment ago, she seemed vacant, but suddenly, her expression changed. Her eyes widened, revealing a menacing gaze. She spat at them, lifted the awl, and, in a rough voice, threatened, “Do you want to throw dirt in my hair again? Or shove pebbles down my neck? Believe me, I’ll use this awl to stab you! I’m a fool anyway, so it doesn’t matter if I stab someone!”
Chen Jue and Hu Cuicui were frightened to see Chen Feng’s sudden change, her spitting and threatening with the awl. They screamed “Mother!” and dashed away, Hu Cuicui even crying.
As they ran a few steps, Hu Cuicui fell and quickly got up, crying as she ran. In a blink of an eye, the two small figures disappeared behind the yard ahead.
Chen Jue and Hu Cuicui ran through a few yards. When they looked back and didn’t see Chen Feng following, they finally relaxed, but their legs were still trembling.
Hu Cuicui said, “Sister Jue, that fool isn’t a fool anymore, she’s crazier than before, like a ghost, so scary.”
Chen Jue patted her heart and said, “Yes, a fool isn’t scary, but a lunatic is.”
Meanwhile, in the Chen family’s courtyard, Lu and Dabao burst into laughter seeing Chen Jue and Hu Cuicui in such a disheveled state.
Dabao greatly admired Chen Feng, saying straightforwardly, “My mother is amazing! We won’t be afraid of Aunt Jue anymore.”
Chen Feng led them back and provided on-the-spot guidance, “I was just scaring them. But from now on, you’ll have to protect this family. You are young men, so you must eat well, exercise, grow tall and strong, and study. In this world, to make others fear you, it’s not just about fists, you also need brains.”
In the countryside, sometimes fists seemed more straightforward and effective than brains.
Chen Lu glanced at his left leg, curled his lips, and said, “Even if my fists were strong, I still couldn’t catch up to others.”
Chen Feng comforted him, “Let’s find a way to earn more money. Once we have it, we’ll quickly get your leg looked at.”
Chen Dabao opened his mouth but didn’t say anything. He also wanted to eat more, grow taller and stronger, but besides Grandpa, no one else could eat their fill.