Chapter 19

Gao Meihua roared, “Xia Yunxuan, Yunrou’s, what’s wrong with your sister saying a few words to you? You actually dared to hit her. You’re truly a white-eyed wolf. We raised you for so long, and this is how you repay us?”

Xia Yunxuan dug her ears and said, “Ms. Gao Meihua, could you please lower your voice? My ears are going deaf from you. I’m not deaf. I can hear you.”

Several nosy women nearby, who loved to gossip, said, “Yes, Girl Yun, you’re truly unfilial. You’ll be struck by lightning. They raised you for so long, and you actually dare to break off the relationship. You’re the first person in our village to do this.”

“Now you’re on your own. Who will dare to marry you? Since ancient times, no one wants a woman without a family to support her. Even if someone wants to marry you, it’ll probably be an old widower who can’t find a wife.”

“We women need to be obedient and sensible. At home, we listen to our parents. At our husband’s house, we listen to our in-laws and husbands. You’re always hitting people. You’ll probably end up alone.”

“If you were in ancient times, you would have been thrown into a pig cage. You’re so heartless that you don’t even want your own parents.”

Gao Meihua was delighted to hear the women’s words. This girl dared to treat them like this. She had to let her know that her life would be miserable without their family.

She knew that the women in the village loved to gossip and spread rumors. They would drown her in their saliva. It was always wrong to disrespect elders. No one knew that Xia Yunxuan wasn’t their real child.

They raised her for so long. She should repay them somehow. Nothing comes for free. If they hadn’t raised Xia Yunxuan, she would have died long ago.

Xia Yunxuan calmly said, “You old women are all cut from the same cloth. You love to stick your noses into other people’s business. Whether I break off the relationship or not, whether someone marries me or not, is none of your business. Did I use your money or tickets? You’re really just meddling in other people’s affairs.”

“If I didn’t break off the relationship, would I have been beaten to death in that house? If you think that kind of life is good, then I can let you experience what my life was like.”

“Don’t thank me. After all, I’m a good person. Unlike you, I’m not cruel. I remember how they treated me from childhood. I’ll make sure you experience it all, and I won’t let you miss a thing.”

“You’ll experience what it’s like to be freezing in the winter, with your hands covered in frostbite. You’ll have to wash the clothes of the whole family in the river. You won’t be allowed to use hot water, and you won’t be allowed to eat. You won’t even be allowed to drink rice soup.”

“You’ll be constantly scolded. ‘Useless girl,’ ‘Bad luck.’ Whenever they’re unhappy, you’ll be their punching bag. You’ll live in a dark, cramped storage room, sharing your space with rats. If you think this is good, I’ll make sure you experience it. You’ll never forget it.”

“If you don’t know the situation, don’t talk nonsense. It makes you look stupid. You’re still spreading old ideas. You’re bored with your lives, aren’t you? I don’t know what you’re using that thing on your neck for.”

“Don’t you know that this is a new era? Women are not inferior to men. They can also hold up half the sky. They’re not the same as before, staying at home and only serving others.”

“I think you’re tired of living. You dare to spread feudal dregs. At this time, the Captain also roared, “You old women! You don’t do your work properly. You’re always meddling in other people’s business. You’re always the first to gossip. Anyone who dares to do this again will be assigned to pick manure for a year.”

“The little girl’s decision to break off the relationship was approved by several cadres in our village. Anyone who dares to talk about it again will not be spared. I will punish you.”

“You’re really too free. You have too little work assigned to you. You’ve wasted so much of my time. Anyone who dares to gossip again, I’ll put a seal on your mouth.”

The Captain continued, “Okay, the farm tool manager is Xia Yunxuan. No one is allowed to talk about it again. Also, Xia Yunxuan wants to build a house. She needs to find some people in the village to help her. No meals provided, 70 cents a day. Those who are good at working can sign up with me.”

Someone asked, “Captain, will Girl Yun really be able to pay? Is it really 70 cents a day? What if we work and don’t get paid?”

Xia Yunxuan said, “Don’t worry. As long as you work hard, I’ll give the money to the Captain. You can go to him to collect your wages every day after you finish work.”

“I won’t shortchange you. But you have to work hard. No slacking off. You have to do it according to my instructions.” Someone said, “Girl Yun, we’re strong men in the village. Don’t worry. We’ll build your house beautifully.”

The Captain said, “Old Zhang, take the ox cart and come with me. We’re going to pick up the educated youth. Bring Mrs. Li to the hospital.” Old Zhang said, “Okay, Captain.”

“Your task today is for the women to weed and pull up the sweet potato vines. The men will do the heavier work. Carrying water, carrying manure, and removing any stones in the fields.”

“Also, the men should clear more wasteland. Otherwise, with so many educated youth coming, we won’t have enough grain. Someone said, “Captain, since there are so many educated youth, let them clear the wasteland together. We can’t just feed them for nothing, can we?”

The Captain said, “Since you’re so capable and can make arrangements, why don’t you be the Captain? The key is that they just arrived today. They’ll rest tomorrow. They can start working the day after tomorrow. I haven’t even thought about making them clear the wasteland. Have I been in the village for a day?”

The person had to shut up. Didn’t he want to think about how tiring clearing the wasteland was? Who wanted to do that? Let those educated youth do it. Who would be happy about that?

The Captain said, “That’s the task for today. Go get your tools and go to work. I’m not here, so no one is allowed to slack off. The record keeper, keep an eye on them for me. If anyone slacks off, deduct their work points.”

The record keeper, Du Xiaohua, said, “Okay, Captain, I understand. I’ll keep an eye on them.” The Captain nodded and left with Old Zhang and Mrs. Li to go to town.

Seeing that the Captain had left, the others had to go get their tools and go to work. It was Xia Yunxuan’s first day distributing tools. She did it well. Hu Guiqin said, “Girl Yun, I didn’t expect your handwriting to be so beautiful. It seems like you really need to study.”

“Heh, thank you, Auntie. This is your hoe.” She gave Hu Guiqin a knowing look.