Chapter 24

Liu Yu suddenly appeared, startling Nie Xiaocui, who instinctively shielded her daughter behind her. As a mother, she wanted to keep her child away from any conflict. “Girl, this has nothing to do with you. Go back to your room!”

This time, however, Liu Yu stepped forward and stood in front of Nie Xiaocui, her eyes locking onto Bai Xueling’s. “I’ll go back once we sort this out! Who said I like Li Qinghua?”

Bai Xueling felt Liu Yu’s sharp gaze and sneered internally. After being away from home for days, this fat woman still hadn’t changed a bit. Still the same old eyesore—disgusting.

Of course, she wouldn’t say that out loud. Instead, Bai Xueling put on a pitiful, teary-eyed expression. “Liu Yu, it’s good that you’re here. Quickly tell Aunt that you were the one who jumped into the river that day, not because I bullied you!”

Liu Yu remained silent. While it was true that the original Liu Yu jumped into the river of her own accord, Bai Xueling was far from innocent. Li Qinghua’s insults, calling the original Liu Yu a fat and ugly wretch, were all motivated by Bai Xueling. And what did this so-called “Snow White” do? She stood by as if watching a grand play, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

Moreover, Bai Xueling knew full well that the original Liu Yu couldn’t swim. She watched as Liu Yu jumped into the river and began choking on water, crying out for help. Yet, despite Li Qinghua knowing how to swim, Bai Xueling chose to pull him away and avoid the scene, afraid of getting herself involved.

Tell me—how is this any different from murder?

Now, when the matter was brought up again, Bai Xueling wore the face of someone who had suffered the greatest injustice, looking like a pure, innocent lily while painting everyone else as villains trying to trample her.

“I didn’t jump into the river because of Li Qinghua…”

Liu Yu took a dramatic pause, her eyes still locked onto Bai Xueling’s, observing if there was even the slightest hint of regret in her expression.

But no, there wasn’t.

“I tripped that day and accidentally fell headfirst into Duobao River! Also, I don’t like Li Qinghua, nor do I have anything to do with him. Let me make this clear in front of everyone right now, so no one gets the wrong idea and spreads rumors that I’m some toad lusting after a swan!”

Liu Yu’s gaze swept toward Bai Xueling, her words carrying both overt and subtle jabs at the other woman’s gossiping tendencies.

Bai Xueling froze for a moment. This fat woman—this was the first time she publicly denied having anything to do with Li Qinghua! Not to mention, the way Liu Yu spoke carried thinly veiled sarcasm that felt like needles pricking her skin.

Tears welled up in Bai Xueling’s eyes as she donned her usual pitiful expression, her voice trembling. “Sister Liu Yu, what did I ever do to you? Why are you being so harsh?”

Harsh? How was she being harsh?

Liu Yu felt like she was choking on air. Tears truly were a woman’s weapon, especially for someone like Bai Xueling. A pretty woman like her only had to cry a little, and everyone else would instantly lose.

Thankfully, Nie Xiaocui, a capable and straightforward woman, came to the rescue. She had long been annoyed by Bai Xueling’s fragile and delicate act. “Crying, crying, crying—you only know how to cry! If you keep this up, the roof beam’s going to collapse from all your wailing. Back in the day, women like you were called jinxes! Come on, girl, let’s go back to the room and not stoop to her level!”

Bai Xueling was left dumbfounded. It was the first time someone had called her a jinx!

Meanwhile, Nie Xiaocui dragged Liu Yu back to the room. Liu Yu leaned in close and whispered, “Mom, everyone in the family listens to you. Tomorrow, get Dad to assign Bai Xueling a job—send her to the cornfield to spread fertilizer! That job earns the most work points.”

Nie Xiaocui instantly caught on to Liu Yu’s sly intent and grinned. “Absolutely. That job earns the most points!”