Chapter 37: Ignoring Severity
“Can’t even manage your own wife properly, I doubt you’re any good at work. From now on, if anyone asks me to recommend a worker, I’ll have to think twice.”
Bai Erniu’s face turned red and his neck thickened under Bai Kangyuan’s scolding. He dared not retort to the first half of the statement, only repeatedly promising, “Uncle Village head, rest assured, I’ll definitely manage things properly. I won’t let her gossip outside anymore.”
As he spoke, he turned around and slapped Zhang, “You damned woman, always causing trouble for your husband. Look at the mess you’ve made. Are you unhappy with how easy your life is at home?”
Bai Erniu grumbled angrily, while Zhang wailed in pain from the beating. The courtyard was now livelier than when Su Mulan was here just a while ago.
However, at this moment, watching Bai Erniu and Zhang in such a state, it felt somewhat like they were acting.
Bai Kangyuan couldn’t be bothered to say much to Bai Erniu and Zhang, just snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and walked away.
Those who had been standing by the wall watching the commotion were now satisfied, rubbing their full bellies, and each went home.
But on the way back, they still couldn’t stop discussing what had just happened.
“Don’t mention it, Su is really fierce. Zhang was knocked down like a door. She’s ruthless too. Look at Zhang’s face, it might not fully heal for at least ten days or two weeks. From now on, let’s not provoke Su if there’s nothing to do.”
“True, Su Mulan is really ruthless. Just because Zhang said something stupid, she didn’t hold back…”
“I don’t like the way you’re putting it. What do you mean ‘just because’? You’re talking as if saying something stupid isn’t a big deal. How many incidents arise from loose talk? Look at Chunhua from Uncle Zhu’s family. Just because someone gossiped in front of her that she wasn’t liked by the family, she took scissors and cut off Uncle Zhu’s grandson’s tail. Isn’t that all because of gossip?”
“Yeah, Zhang said those things in front of Lixia. It’s lucky that Shuiliu and Su came back together. If Su had something to ask Shuiliu to do elsewhere and came back late, wouldn’t Su be blamed for everything Zhang said? If Lixia’s three children were cruel enough to mix rat poison, wouldn’t it be a big deal? Several lives would be lost because of Zhang’s loose talk.”
“So it’s important to watch what you say and not stir up trouble with your mouth…”
People from each household chattered as they entered their respective courtyards, busying themselves with preparing lunch.
When most people had dispersed, Bai Erniu finally stopped.
Zhang, having been beaten by Su Mulan earlier and now by Bai Erniu, felt increasingly aggrieved. With wounds on her face and body, she sat on the ground sobbing bitterly, tears and snot flowing.
“Crying, huh? Like you’re mourning someone dead! I’m still alive!”
Bai Erniu pointed at Zhang and scolded, “From now on, behave yourself, control that foul mouth of yours. Stop causing trouble for your husband all the time. If I end up earning less money and can’t afford good food, you’ll have nowhere to cry.”
Because Bai Erniu was capable of making money and had a bad temper, Zhang was already fearful of him. Realizing she was in the wrong, she quickly stifled her tears, but her sobbing still sounded choked.
Bai Erniu, annoyed, ignored her and sat under the jujube tree, eating his meal noisily.