Chapter 63: Gossip

The more Dabao spoke, the more pitiful he felt. He started sobbing again.

[I treat you like my mom, but you don’t treat me like your son. When others bullied me, you just stood there and watched like it was funny. From now on, I won’t bother being the obedient little boy anymore.]

Qiu Yinuo gently patted Dabao’s little head, feeling a deep ache in her heart.

He had become an orphan at such a young age. Of course no one had explained to him that actions like a grandfather’s touch could be a form of affection. It was understandable that he couldn’t comprehend it.

“I didn’t comfort you in time when you were wronged. I’m really sorry. I promise I’ll pay more attention to your feelings in the future.”

Dabao blinked his tear-reddened eyes.

[You’re apologizing to me?]

“Yes.”

She didn’t see anything wrong with a parent sincerely apologizing to their child when they made a mistake.

Dabao seemed caught off guard by the gesture. Trying to act generous and forgiving, he cleared his throat and said,

[I—I’m not as petty as you. I have a big heart. Fine, I’ll forgive you.]

“…This little rascal really had some pride.”

[Make sure to tell them to stop touching me.]

“Or you could try coming up with a solution yourself.”

[What kind of solution? I fight them one-on-one?]

Qiu Yinuo clenched her fists. This boy really needed a spanking!

Now she understood why some mothers just couldn’t resist giving their kids a smack.

…

During the New Year festivities, there were constant visits between relatives. Once the Lantern Festival had passed, the celebration was officially over.

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Qiu Yinuo brought a bag of local goods to the post office.

She was mailing some local specialties to Shao Chengyuan’s teacher, also using the opportunity to send her belated New Year greetings.

After the call connected and she gave her name, Zhou Anbang’s cheerful voice came through right away.

“Yinuo, how have you been lately? Are the kids doing well? Is your mother in good health too?”

“Everyone’s doing great. The twins have been gaining some weight recently.”

“That’s good! Chubby babies are always cute. By the way, I had my wife send over some children’s clothes for you a while back. Did you receive them?”

Qiu Yinuo paused. “Teacher, I’ve been staying with my parents. I haven’t been home lately.”

“Are you planning to stay there long-term?”

“I’m considering it.”

Zhou Anbang added, “Actually, I packed some formula in with the clothes. Baby formula has an expiration date, and it doesn’t keep long. If you get a chance to go back home, make sure to use it before it goes bad.”

She didn’t want to decline too much—it would only make things awkward. “Thank you, Teacher. That was very thoughtful of you.”

They chatted for a while longer. Just before hanging up, Qiu Yinuo mentioned that she had mailed him some hazelnuts and wild mushrooms from the mountain.

Zhou Anbang immediately protested, “Food is scarce these days. You should keep such good things for yourself. You’re not exactly living in luxury either—don’t do this again.”

“Teacher, those are from the mountains near our home. I only paid postage. You sent milk powder for the kids—how could I not accept it in return?”

“Alright, alright. Let’s not argue about this. Chengyuan’s wife, thank you for your kindness.”

After hanging up, Qiu Yinuo strolled around town a bit, waiting for 3 p.m. so she could catch a ride back to the village on Uncle Zhang’s ox cart.

On the way back, they passed by the educated youth quarters. A ruckus could be heard inside—it sounded like someone was fighting.

Uncle Zhang, who had some distant ties to the Village Head, naturally couldn’t just ignore it. After all, if something happened to the educated youths in their village, the Village Head would be held responsible too.

He pulled the ox cart to a stop and quickly jumped down. “What’s going on with you lot? Why are you getting into fights?”

Qiu Yinuo looked up and recognized the girl being attacked—although she didn’t know the one doing the hitting, she had seen the victim a few times before. It was none other than Qian Zhiqing, the one that Qiu Qianjin had been constantly thinking about.

Good grief, her hair was a total mess like a bird’s nest, and her once-pretty face was scratched up. If Qianjin saw this, he would probably explode on the spot.

“Qian Zhiya, you little tramp,” the attacker shouted. “All you know how to do is hide behind Li Fangfang and act all high and mighty. Must feel great to have her fight your battles for you, huh?”

Qian Zhiya frowned. “Zhou Xue, watch your mouth. And let me say this one last time—I have nothing to do with your Comrade Zhen. It’s him who keeps bothering me. If you can’t control him, don’t blame me for reporting him to the commune for harassing a female comrade.”

Qiu Yinuo’s eyes lit up. The fire of gossip in her heart burned bright.

She’d been about to say goodbye to Uncle Zhang and head home—but with drama this good? No way she was leaving now.

When the scent of juicy gossip was in the air, nothing could stop her.

Relying on her build, she pushed her way to the front.

The man in front was too tall and blocking most of her view. Qiu Yinuo tapped him on the shoulder. “Comrade, could you please make some room?”

Luo Fei was momentarily confused. “Do you know them?”

She looked so eager—it seemed like she was here to break up the fight.

He shifted his feet, just about to step aside.

But Qiu Yinuo quickly waved her hand. “No, I don’t know them. I just came to watch the drama.”

In fact, most of the crowd—layer upon layer—were here for the spectacle, but no one admitted it as bluntly as Qiu Yinuo. Luo Fei’s mouth twitched hard.

“Right, right, you’re not involved with this guy, not involved with that guy, but every guy wants to be involved with you, don’t they, Qian Zhiqing?” Zhou Xue mocked. “Why don’t you make it clear and pick one? If you choose Yang Zhen, I’ll give him to you.”

Qian Zhiya’s expression turned grim. “Stop talking nonsense. I’ve barely even exchanged a few words with him—”

“Wow, Qian Zhiqing, you’re really something. You’ve got Yang Zhen wrapped around your finger, and even that village punk Qiu Qianjin is all sweet and caring to you. You really have all the men dancing in your palm, don’t you?”

Qian Zhiya’s face turned pale, and her body swayed slightly. “Stop slandering me!”

Li Fangfang gripped her hand tightly. “Zhou Zhiqing, you better have evidence for what you say. Zhiya doesn’t even know that Qiu Qianjin guy.”

Slandering a woman’s reputation, especially in this era, was a vicious thing to do.

Though she didn’t particularly like Qian Zhiya, she wasn’t going to let someone drag her brother into this mess.

Qiu Yinuo stepped forward immediately. “Zhou Zhiqing, my brother and Qian Zhiqing only nod in greeting. You better be careful with your words.”

Zhou Xue squinted at Qiu Yinuo. She didn’t recognize her at first, but with that figure, it was hard not to.

After all, no one in Ping’an Village was quite as plump as her.

She’d also heard about Qiu Yinuo lately. Word was, this woman could go toe-to-toe with any bossy aunt or difficult elder—and win. Zhou Xue instinctively didn’t want to mess with her.

Those thick arms and legs—what if they snapped her in two?

“I-I really saw it, though. During the harvest, Qiu Qianjin ran over to ask her if she was tired and even offered to help her. Sister Qiu, you’d better keep an eye on your brother. One day he might get his soul stolen by a little vixen.”

Qiu Yinuo frowned. That did sound like something only her brother would do.

Still, this Zhou Zhiqing was quite cunning. She was trying to drag Qiu Yinuo into her camp, to turn them into allies against a common enemy.

“Zhou Zhiqing,” Qiu Yinuo said sharply, “your thinking is problematic. A simple act of unity and helpfulness between comrades—how did that become something indecent in your eyes? My brother is kind-hearted, brave, and upright. He saw Qian Zhiqing struggling and offered to help. What’s wrong with that?”