Chapter 37: Plastic Sisters 

“Li Zi, what’s this?” 

Zhao Xueling seemed ready to come over and affectionately link arms with Xia Li. 

However, as she approached, she noticed the grass clippings in Xia Li’s hair and a bit of mud on her clothes. A flicker of disdain flashed in her eyes, and she stopped, feigning curiosity as she asked Xia Li. 

Even though Xia Li didn’t notice the disdain in her eyes, she had no good feelings toward this so-called good sister of the original owner. 

She acted as if she hadn’t heard, maintaining her smile. 

She asked, “Xueling, what brings you here? It’s getting late; we should cook dinner.” 

Zhao Xueling playfully winked at her, deliberately asking in a cheerful tone, “Li Zi, I can’t tell—this is your… thing, right?” 

The man had not paid any attention to Zhao Xueling at all. He glanced at Xia Li, saw her talking to someone and not paying attention to him, and quietly unloaded two bamboo baskets, heading straight into the house. 

Xia Li shook her head, “No.” 

As she said this, she prepared to close the door. 

Zhao Xueling froze for a moment, then quickly grabbed her arm, pouting, “If it’s not, then it’s not! Why are you getting upset over a joke? Li Zi, you’re really something; can’t you lighten up a bit?” 

Compared to the original owner, Zhao Xueling might not have been as pretty, but she excelled in social skills. 

With a good temperament and a way with words, she was well-liked in the village and was among the most popular of her peers. 

However, it was clear that her social skills did not extend to Xia Li. 

Or rather, they were used against Xia Li. 

Her warm and friendly tone seemed harmless, but the sarcasm and barbs were plentiful. 

The original owner often felt frustrated by the implications hidden in Zhao Xueling’s words. 

These were not direct insults but subtle remarks, like her earlier joke, “Can’t you lighten up a bit?” 

Such comments might seem trivial, but repeated often enough, they indirectly labeled the original owner as petty and overly sensitive. 

The original owner was timid and weak, with a thin skin, making it hard for her to respond. 

Sometimes, she even thought she was being too petty. 

Seeing that Xia Li’s expression was not very good, Zhao Xueling, habitually wanting to continue talking, smiled as if nothing was wrong and said: 

“With your personality, once you’re married, will you end up bickering with your husband under the same blanket all the time…” 

Xia Li couldn’t be bothered to deal with her and directly interrupted, “With that mouth of yours, you always like to talk nonsense. You’re young, but you sound like a nagging old woman.” 

Zhao Xueling’s hand, which had been affectionately holding Xia Li’s sleeve, suddenly fell away. Shocked by the words, she let go, her smile fading and turning into displeasure: “…Xia Li? Why do you say that about me?” 

In her heart, she prided herself on being different from country folk, let alone those uncouth and uneducated village women. Being called a nagging woman particularly displeased Zhao Xueling. 

Moreover, Xia Li had never spoken to her like this before. 

“No, I was just joking with you.” Xia Li looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, feigning surprise. “Xueling, you’re not really upset with me, are you?” 

“…” 

Zhao Xueling was momentarily speechless. She was always gentle in front of others, so she could only force a smile and say, “Of course not… I just think it’s not nice for you to say that.” 

“Oh.” Xia Li nodded slightly, nonchalantly looking away. 

Not only did she not apologize, but she also didn’t say anything else. The atmosphere between them grew cold, leaving Zhao Xueling with a lump of frustration in her chest. 

However, looking at Xia Li’s innocent face and her dirty clothes and shoes after a long day’s work, she felt strangely balanced out. 

“Li Zi, don’t rush inside just yet. I came specifically to tell you something.” She grabbed Xia Li, who was about to go back into the house. 

Seeing that Xia Li showed no reaction, she lowered her voice and asked mysteriously: 

“Did you know? I heard that this morning, before dawn, someone saw Brother Tianhong coming back from town, looking dejected. It seemed like… something happened.” 

She stared at Xia Li, waiting for her to express surprise and concern. 

After a pause of two or three seconds, Xia Li looked up at her: “Ah.” 

Her bright almond-shaped eyes blinked slowly: “And then what?” 

Zhao Xueling: … 

Xia Li’s calm reaction caught her off guard. 

She raised her voice and asked, “Aren’t you fond of Brother Tianhong? If something happened, aren’t you even a little worried?” 

Now, Xia Li stared directly at her, frowning in confusion, giving her a strange and subtle look: 

“Xueling, what are you talking about? How can you say such things so loudly? Are you trying to get me in trouble?” 

Zhao Xueling froze for a moment, raising her hand to partially cover her mouth, realizing she had been too blunt. 

In this village, to exaggerate a bit, which young girl didn’t have some feelings for Wei Tianhong from the Wei family? 

With his graceful demeanor, respectable job, polite speech, and charming smile, he was completely different from the rough young men in the village who only knew how to toil in the fields and were covered in sweat. 

Having a crush was one thing, but openly admitting to liking someone was another matter. 

Zhao Xueling had once harbored fantasies about Wei Tianhong, but she had never explicitly said anything. 

At her age, she was of marrying age, and if someone overheard her and it spread around, her reputation would be tarnished.