Chapter 10: Whispers

Six o’clock in the evening, in the Chen family courtyard.

“Mom, Wen Wan is no longer pure. Are you really going to let my third brother marry her in a few days?” Chen Hongxia complained, pouting.

She had received a letter from Liu Xiaoling that afternoon and decided to help her.

Chen’s mother nervously glanced at the door, lowering her voice to ask, “Hongxia, where did you learn to say such things?”

She knew her daughter disliked Wen Wan, but these words absolutely could not come from her own daughter’s mouth.

“Mom, everyone in the village is saying that yesterday my third brother and Sister Xiaoling had physical intimacy, and Wen Wan had physical intimacy with a strange man,” Chen Hongxia said, her eyes darting around.

Of course, she wouldn’t say that she had gone around the village and gathered gossip from some children; her father would definitely break her legs if she did.

Chen’s mother frowned, sighing, “What can we do? The wedding is in a few days, and your father won’t agree.”

This third daughter-in-law was chosen by her deceased mother-in-law; even if she was dissatisfied, she had to accept it.

“Mom, it’s a new society now, marriage is free,” Chen Hongxia saw the conflict in her mother’s eyes.

Continuing in a tone of being for everyone’s good, she persuaded, “Mom, think about it, if you bring Wen Wan home, she can’t do any housework. Are you going to wait on her?

I really don’t like her, but it’s because I feel sorry for my third brother. Wen Wan failed the college entrance exam twice, she can’t cook, and she can’t do farm work.

My third brother is about to be promoted in the army; Wen Wan is simply not good enough for him…”

Listening to her daughter’s words, Chen’s mother increasingly felt that her third son would be at a great loss marrying Wen Wan. Good looks are useless; she needs to be able to work.

“Hongxia, I agree with what you said, but your father and your brother have to agree.” Chen’s mother’s heart was completely won over by her daughter’s words, hoping her younger daughter would come up with a solution.

The corners of Chen Hongxia’s mouth curled upwards, and she patted Chen’s mother’s hand. “Mom, during dinner later, we…”

Outside, Chen’s eldest daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law, who were busy cooking in the kitchen, looked at the closed door.

“Sister-in-law, what do you think my younger sister and Mom are doing in the room?” Chen’s second daughter-in-law, Yang Zhaodi, asked softly.

Zhao Guizhen said impatiently, “Why do you care so much? If you want to know, go in and ask now.”

She knew what the second daughter-in-law was up to. It’s really meddling in other people’s business, trying to find out everything, and unable to control her mouth.

“Sister-in-law, aren’t you curious? It’s already spread all over the village.” Yang Zhaodi didn’t care about Zhao Guizhen’s displeasure; her heart felt like it was being clawed by a cat, wanting to know the inside story.

Zhao Guizhen put the kitchen knife on the chopping board with a snap and said angrily, “Yang Zhaodi, if you want to jump into the pit, don’t drag me with you. I don’t want to know anything.”

Having been sisters-in-law for several years, she wasn’t a mind reader for Yang Zhaodi, but she could guess what she was up to.

After speaking, Zhao Guizhen quickly scooped up the steamed sweet potatoes from the pot and turned to tell her eldest daughter to call everyone to dinner.

“Grandpa, Dad… dinner’s ready.” Chen Chunhong called everyone one by one.

Old Mr. Chen patted Chen Jianbing on the shoulder, “Third son, don’t frown, let’s go eat.”

They had been sitting in the courtyard, smoking pipes, and asking about the third son’s life and training in the army.

At the dinner table.

Seeing that everyone had almost finished eating.

“Third brother, what are you going to do about you and Sister Xiaoling?” Chen Hongxia suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Chen Jianbing paused, involuntarily thinking of the weak but kind girl in his arms yesterday.

Chen’s mother frowned, “Hongxia, what are you saying?”

“Mom, everyone in the village is saying that my third brother and Sister Xiaoling were hugging and cuddling. My third brother has to take responsibility and marry Sister Xiaoling.” Chen Hongxia raised her voice again, deliberately exaggerating the matter, “If my third brother doesn’t marry Sister Xiaoling, he’s forcing Sister Xiaoling to die.”

“Do you know that your third brother is getting married in a few days?” Chen’s mother secretly glanced at Chen’s father’s face, deliberately bringing up the imminent matter.

Chen Hongxia shouted, “It’s perfect to get married, marry Sister Xiaoling.”

“Enough, what are you talking about? The third son is marrying Wen Wan.” Chen’s father angrily slammed his chopsticks on the table.

Seeing this, Chen’s mother quickly spoke to ease the atmosphere, “Husband, don’t be angry, the child is just worried about her third brother.”

“Exactly, if the third brother doesn’t marry Sister Xiaoling, and if the villagers’ words drive Sister Xiaoling to death, I wonder if Aunt Ding will go to the army to sue the third brother.” Chen Hongxia deliberately muttered loudly.

Hearing this, Chen’s father and the others were stunned. They had never thought about this possibility, but what Hongxia said was indeed possible.

“Ah… saving someone and getting into trouble, why did the third brother save the wrong person?” Yang Zhaodi subconsciously spoke.

Chen’s mother anxiously scolded, “Yang Zhaodi, shut your mouth! My third son was eager to save someone, how could he tell who was who?”

Then, she subconsciously turned to look at Chen Jianbing on her right, afraid that her third son would feel guilty and embarrassed.

Chen Jianbing lowered his eyes, concealing a trace of guilt in his eyes. After several years of training in the army, he certainly wouldn’t have mistaken the person.

When he went into the water, he was going to save his fiancée, Wen Wan, but when he swam to Liu Xiaoling, seeing her weak and helpless appearance, his heart softened, and he subconsciously saved her.

“Third brother, say something, do you really want to marry Wen Wan? Do you like her that much?” Chen Hongxia anxiously stood up, wishing to shake Chen Jianbing.

Chen Jianbing’s heart was in turmoil. Reason told him that he should keep his promise and marry Wen Wan.

Emotionally, he was afraid that Liu Xiaoling would commit suicide. At the thought of this, his heart ached slightly.

Seeing this, Chen’s mother secretly rejoiced. She knew her own son. The fact that the third son didn’t immediately refute meant there was hope.

“Hongxia, stop talking.” Chen’s mother gave a subtle signal, and then sighed to Chen’s father, “Husband, I know your difficulties, but what my daughter said is not unreasonable.”

Seeing that no one refuted her, she continued, “Xiaoling is very capable, she can handle everything at home, what a good girl. If she is driven to death because of this incident, I… I’m afraid the third son will live in guilt for the rest of his life…”

The more she spoke, the more tears welled up in Chen’s mother’s eyes. She truly believed in what she and her daughter were doing. They were doing everything for their son’s sake; their son couldn’t have a wife who would hold him back.

“Third brother, would you bear to force Sister Xiaoling to death?” Chen Hongxia feigned grief, “Sister Xiaoling fell into the water to save someone, she shouldn’t die.”