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Qu Zhaodi’s crying and antics failed to yield the desired effect. Onlookers observed her with a mixture of curiosity and indifference, none daring to intervene or speak up, leaving her to be the center of attention.
With a sudden cry, the elderly woman grabbed her nephew beside her and exclaimed, “The Zhang family is bullying us too much. Today, I won’t live anymore. Tell my son that it was the Zhang family who drove me to my death. Let them seek vengeance for me.”
Before she could act on her threat, Wang Qian stepped in to prevent any drastic actions. The elderly woman hadn’t intended to take her own life; she simply wanted to intimidate the young girl in front of her, demonstrating her resolve.
“Comrade Qu Zhaodi, I advise you to pick another place to meet your end. This isn’t our property; it belongs to someone else. We’re just temporary residents here. Don’t bring bad luck to this place. I see a large tree to the south; that might be a suitable spot for you to bid farewell. I’ll inform your son to collect your body. Besides, I suspect your sons and daughters-in-law would welcome your departure. With a troublesome elder like you, who would want the burden? It might be a relief for them if you pass on. So, hurry up and go die. I believe your family will be liberated after your passing,” Wang Qian remarked boldly, provoking laughter from the bystanders.
The spectators couldn’t help but chuckle at Wang Qian’s blunt words. One person on the wall nearby even explained to the elderly woman, who simply chuckled and lightly tapped her son, “I won’t turn into that kind of person. Even in life, you all are a burden to me.”
As Zhang Wei approached to kneel before Wang Qian, she was startled and quickly moved away. “Uncle, what are you trying to do? If you want to kneel, you should be kneeling to the ancestors of the Zhang family, to my grandparents. Kneeling to a young girl like me, are you intending to shorten my life or not wishing me well? I can’t accept this grand gesture from you,” she exclaimed, feeling uncomfortable with the situation.
Onlookers also found Zhang Wei’s actions excessive. Kneeling before his niece seemed inappropriate, especially considering his behavior when his father was present. It was seen as bullying a child.
An untimely voice interrupted, “What’s going on here? Since when does the Zhang family allow an outsider to speak? Know your place.”
Wang Qian glanced towards the voice, and a neighbor reminded her, “Qianqian, those people standing nearby are your grandfather’s brothers. Be cautious.”
Acknowledging the warning, Wang Qian recognized the elderly woman standing in the crowd. She had been introduced by Geng Lianhua as her elder sister-in-law. Despite her seemingly kind face, her harsh gaze diminished her appearance and demeanor.
Wang Qian immediately put on a smile, her vibrant face radiating warmth and sunshine. With a lively gaze, she addressed the elderly woman, “Are you the elder sister-in-law? It’s a rare occasion to meet you. Are you here to check on my grandfather’s health or to ensure justice? If so, I welcome it. Maybe you can enlighten us on how to handle a situation like my uncle’s according to the Zhang family’s customs?”
Wang Qian redirected the conversation back to the elderly woman, offering her a chance to intervene. However, she made it clear that if the woman dared to shield Zhang Wei’s family, she wouldn’t let it slide after years of neglecting their brothers. She challenged the woman to see how she would handle the situation.
With a disdainful look, Zhang Wanyou’s sister-in-law retorted, “You need to know your place, young girl. A junior like you dares to act presumptuously in this place. I wonder what your parents taught you. Family matters should be kept within the family.”
Infuriated by the comment, Wang Qian retorted with a sardonic smile, “Oh, dear elder sister-in-law, how my parents raised me is our family’s concern, not yours. And don’t forget, Zhang Wanyou is my grandfather. So, it does concern me. But even if we consider ourselves related, when my grandfather was near death in this house, where were you, his own siblings? Did you visit him in the hospital? And when my grandmother was in distress, were you present? You, his own siblings, didn’t bother. So, what gives you the right to come here and speak now? Are you picking on an honest man, or is it just easier to bully him? You call yourselves siblings, yet you’re worse than mere neighbors.”
Wang Qian’s words struck a chord with them, unsettling their intentions of merely spectating. Her boldness and directness left them silenced.
Zhang Wanyou’s elder brother, with a stern expression, responded, “Young lady, mind your words. You can eat freely, but you can’t speak recklessly. We did go to visit your grandfather. We only just heard the news. Today, we came to check on him.”
Wang Qian chuckled, “Dear elder sister-in-law, you seem to be observing my grandfather with your eyes only. You are quite frugal. You’ve truly embodied the traditional virtue of thriftiness. Admirable.” With a gesture towards Zhang Wanyou’s brothers, her actions also indirectly embarrassed the onlookers who had been reveling in the situation.
The cold gazes from the others towards the eldest brother indicated their disapproval. Without the woman’s interference, they wouldn’t have allowed themselves to be ridiculed in front of so many people.
The eldest brother addressed Wang Qian, “Young granddaughter, your words are a bit harsh. We are your elders. Children should speak kindly. We aren’t all villains. Regarding this matter, as Zhang Wei and his wife are first-time offenders, let’s not dwell on it. Report to the authorities, have Zhou Ping released, and Zhang Wei, be more cautious in the future. Avoid getting involved in unsavory activities that bring shame upon you.”
Before Wang Qian could respond, a voice from the crowd interjected, “Who the hell is interfering? When did it become your business to meddle in our affairs?”
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Wang Qian felt a surge of relief as her grandmother had arrived.
Geng Lianhua had a bad feeling due to her husband not visiting, coupled with her right eye twitching all week. Consequently, she closed her shop early and rushed back home. En route, she coincidentally met her husband returning with Mingcheng, who promptly briefed her on the recent events.
The elderly woman, being quick-tempered, grew furious upon hearing about the situation. Concerned for her husband’s well-being, she urged him to stay back due to his unclear explanations, insisting that she and Wang Qian would handle the situation with the troublemakers.
Despite Mingcheng’s desire to accompany the elderly woman, Geng Lianhua stopped him, reminding him of the need to uphold a respectable image in his military uniform. She reassured Mingcheng, emphasizing Wang Qian’s sharp wit and ability to handle challenging situations effectively.
Arriving at the doorstep and observing the commotion, Geng Lianhua refrained from entering immediately, choosing to observe from a distance. Witnessing her granddaughter engaging in verbal sparring with those lacking decency, she felt a sense of satisfaction. These individuals, who were usually absent, had gathered to harass a child, displaying a shameless lack of respect.
Unable to bear the situation any longer, Geng Lianhua finally intervened. Stepping into the courtyard, she cast a disdainful glance at the eldest brother and his companions, addressing them sternly, “Elder brother, when did our family affairs become your concern? You dare to speak about the Zhang family’s matters? Disgraceful! When my daughter was ill, why didn’t you claim it was the Zhang family’s problem? Now you have the audacity to come here, uttering empty words. You shamelessly bully our young granddaughter. Look behind you; my daughter’s spirit hasn’t departed far. Let her witness the actions of her own uncles and granduncles in the past.”
The eldest brother and his companions felt uneasy upon hearing Geng Lianhua’s words. They recalled the time they had refused to lend money to help their brother’s child get medical treatment, vividly remembering the child’s pleading eyes.
Despite the discomfort, they stood their ground, facing the consequences of their past actions.
“Uncle and aunt, what are you talking about? How is your daughter’s death related to us? You can’t pin this on us,” the elderly woman retorted.
Geng Lianhua coldly remarked, “Indeed, my daughter’s death cannot be blamed on you. It’s because we were poor, and you, her uncles and granduncles were indifferent. That’s just my daughter’s ill-fated destiny. But I distinctly recall your words in the past. You mentioned splitting our ways and not meddling in each other’s affairs. Isn’t that what you said? So, why are you suddenly concerned about our family matters today?”
Geng Lianhua’s words left the relatives speechless, stirring memories of past events. Some elderly residents in the village also remembered the situation. The loss of her daughter had always been a deep pain for Geng Lianhua, a topic she rarely brought up. Revisiting it now elicited sympathy from those who knew of her past struggles.
Acknowledgments were made to friends who had sent gifts and votes of support. The chapter concluded with gratitude for their contributions.