Chapter 35: Jealousy Makes One Ugly

Meanwhile, Wen Jianguo, who had just returned to Erhe Village, was stopped by someone.

It was none other than Ding Guihua and Liu Xiaoling.

“Wen Jianguo, your family has climbed the high branch in the city now. Your siblings are either missing from work or constantly late and leaving early.”

Ding Guihua, hands on her hips, deliberately shouted loudly, afraid that those working in the fields wouldn’t hear. She clearly wanted to incite public anger and make the Wen family ostracized by the village.

“Heh… Aunt Ding Guihua, you need evidence when you speak. Don’t just spout nonsense all day; it’s foul-smelling.” Wen Jianguo feigned a sincere tone of persuasion.

Cui Yulan, who was working in the field, saw Wen Jianguo being stopped from afar. Upon closer inspection, she saw the hateful Ding Guihua and her daughter and immediately ran over.

Seeing that everyone nearby was listening intently, Ding Guihua became even more excited, acting like a righteous crusader.

“Wen Jianguo, I’m not lying. Everyone saw it with their own eyes.” As she spoke, Ding Guihua excitedly gesticulated. “Wen Wan said she was going to take the college entrance exam, so she took leave and didn’t come to work.

Now she’s failed twice. What’s she doing? Hiding at home like a coward, afraid to come out?”

Upon hearing this, the rational strings in Cui Yulan’s mind snapped. Old grievances and new hatreds surged together.

“You old hag, I’ll stop you from talking nonsense! You shameless bitch, you’re vile yourself yet you slander my daughter…” Cui Yulan suddenly pounced on Ding Guihua from behind, grabbing her hair fiercely with her left hand, and slapping her hard with her right hand, all while cursing incessantly.

Ding Guihua finally reacted. “Aaah… Help… Murder…” She cried for help while desperately covering her face with her hands.

Cui Yulan changed her target, pinching and pulling at Ding Guihua’s private parts; she knew exactly where to hit for maximum pain.

“Liu Xiaoling, you dead girl, come and help me pull her away!” Ding Guihua shouted angrily; she was only targeting the Wen family for her daughter’s sake.

Liu Xiaoling looked conflicted, but her eyes were filled with malice. She lunged forward.

Wen Jianguo, standing nearby, reacted quickly. He picked up a long pole from the ground and poked it towards Liu Xiaoling, shouting, “Stay back! Stay back!”

“Wuu… Ugh…” Liu Xiaoling, smelling the stench, couldn’t help but turn around, bending over as waves of nausea washed over her.

Seeing the seriousness of the situation, other onlookers dropped their work.

“Stop it… Cui Yulan, let go…”

“Someone might get killed! Stop it, stop it!”

More and more people gathered, soon alerting the village chief.

“What’s going on…? What are you doing…?” Liu Qingliang, arriving hurriedly, roared angrily. “Deduct work points! You must deduct work points!”

He was furious. It was the busy farming season, and these women were constantly arguing and now fighting. If he didn’t punish them severely, would they tear the sky apart?

With Wen Jianguo’s help, Cui Yulan stood up, slightly out of breath. “Village chief, you must help us. Ding Guihua and her daughter stole my daughter’s belongings,

and now they’re falsely accusing my daughter of being lazy. They should look in the mirror and see what kind of monsters they are.”

She was going to file a complaint and leave no face for Ding Guihua and her daughter; she would crush them.

Liu Qingliang was about to speak when Ding Guihua grabbed his arm.

“Village chief, don’t listen to Cui Yulan’s nonsense. The Wen family doesn’t care about anyone else.” Ding Guihua said aggrievedly. “I did it for everyone’s good. Wen Wan, from childhood to adulthood, has only ever picked up a few stray grains of wheat in the fields.

Now Wen Wan has found a man from the city, and even Wen Jianguo doesn’t work properly. Why should they still get work points?

Those of us who work honestly, early and late, suffer so much.”

Cui Yulan snorted coldly, raising her voice. “My Xiaowan didn’t work, and she didn’t earn any work points from the village, unlike your Liu Xiaoling, who is good at slacking off and earning work points. Everyone knows who’s taking advantage.

Besides, my Jianguo took leave when he worked early and late. Hasn’t anyone here ever taken leave?”

She wasn’t afraid of Ding Guihua’s accusations; their actions were aboveboard. She had to protect her daughter’s reputation.

“You… Who knows if what you’re saying is true?” Ding Guihua’s face flushed red with anger, refusing to admit defeat.

Cui Yulan didn’t speak, not even giving Ding Guihua a glance.

Liu Qingliang coughed twice, his tone somewhat awkwardly envious. “Cui Yulan is telling the truth; they did everything according to the rules.”

He didn’t dare to offend the Wen family now. Wen Wan was a city dweller working for the government; he might need her help in the future.

Cui Yulan looked at Ding Guihua’s livid face with amusement, feeling a surge of satisfaction. She deliberately said, “Ding Guihua, my Xiaowan is working in town, not at home.”

“Impossible…” Liu Xiaoling roared uncontrollably. She was still working in the fields; why didn’t Wen Wan have to?

“You’re lying…” Ding Guihua questioned incredulously.

Cui Yulan clapped her hands, looking calmly at the shocked Liu Xiaoling. “It’s true. My Xiaowan works at the supply and marketing cooperative. You can go and see for yourself if you don’t believe me.”

“Goodness, Wen Wan is working in town. She’s got a golden rice bowl now.”

“Yeah, I knew it. Wen Wan has been smart and quick-witted since she was a child. She’s bound to succeed…”

“Liu Fuming, I remember you said last time that Wen Wan was unlucky and Liu Xiaoling was luckier.”

“You heard wrong. Liu Xiaoling is nowhere near as good as Wen Wan.”

Hearing the whispers around her and seeing the confidence and pride in Cui Yulan’s eyes, Liu Xiaoling walked away dejectedly, her steps faltering.

She was filled with resentment. Was she destined to be inferior to Wen Wan?

She had tried to steal Wen Wan’s city official boyfriend, and Wen Wan then found an even better partner, with a higher position, better looks, and a house in the city.

She had to please Chen’s mother and daughter, doing housework and field work. But Wen Wan didn’t have to do any work and had become a saleswoman in town.

The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became. Liu Xiaoling felt a sweetness in her throat, and with a “pfft,” she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Seeing her daughter leave, Ding Guihua wanted to chase after her.

“Ding Guihua, where do you think you’re going?” Cui Yulan stepped forward, stopping her and questioning her.