Chapter 7: Top-notch, Alive
Su Mulan, bent over and weeding, heard the commotion and straightened up. “Taking advantage of the cool weather to weed in the corn fields. Do you need something, Sister Zhang?”
“Weeding? I think you’re putting on a show here. Everyone knows you never lift a finger in the fields. Today you suddenly come to weed, are you up to no good again? Let me tell you, if you dare lay a hand on Shuiliu and the others again, the village won’t tolerate you!” Zhang, hands on hips, spat out angrily.
Su Mulan tossed a handful of grass into the nearby bamboo basket and blinked at Zhang before responding calmly, “I’m here weeding in the fields. Sister Zhang says I’m putting on a show. If I stay home, you’d probably call me lazy. If I don’t come out to work, then what should I be doing?”
Top-notch, indeed.
Shaking off the mud from the grass roots in the corn field, washed away by the remaining rainwater, Su Mulan lowered her eyelids and softly added, “I came to weed in the field. Sister Zhang says I’m just putting on a show. If I stay at home, you’ll probably say I’m lazy and don’t come out to work. Then I don’t know what I should do.”
“Sister Zhang, you’re bringing up the matter of me hitting children again. If I were to hit a child again and you spoke up to intervene, it could be seen as helping to stop me. But here I am, earnestly weeding here, and you come at me. I can’t just let this slide. With my usual temper, I would definitely take it out on the children when I get back. So, Sister Zhang, are you warning me not to hit children, or are you trying to provoke me to hit them even harder?”
Zhang was stunned by these words, and her face changed color.
Su Mulan used to hit and scold children, but she was also known to be assertive only within her own circle and wouldn’t dare provoke others outside. She only dared to cause trouble for the four people in Bai family.
This time, Su Mulan not only retorted face to face but also completely hit the nail on the head with her thoughts.
Zhang’s face suddenly turned red. “What nonsense are you talking about? You’re just making things up. That’s not what I meant at all.”
“We’re all villagers here, no grudges between us. Why would I have any malicious intent towards Shuiliu and the children? You’re always so vicious and ready to blame others for everything.”
“I remember…”
Su Mulan looked up at Zhang, paused for a moment, and calmly said, “Years ago, Sister Zhang’s family arranged a marriage proposal for my family’s Shitang.”
Boom!
Zhang’s mind exploded.
In the past, Bai Shitang was the most attractive family in Baijia Village. With thick eyebrows, big eyes, tall stature, and even a touch of refinement and grace, he was nothing like the rough farmers who worked in the fields all day. What’s more, Bai Shitang was filial to their parents, kind to others, and earned money by escorting outside, making them the most sought-after match in the entire Baijia Village.
Not to mention Zhang, but throughout the entire village, and even in the surrounding villages, among women of similar age, at least eight out of ten had previously hoped to marry into the Bai Shitang family. It’s just that Bai Shitang quietly married outside, and even had several children one after another. This dispelled everyone’s thoughts, and they moved on to marry others.
Zhang was one of them. Although she married Bai Erniu, who was considered upper-middle class in the village, she couldn’t shake off the regret of not marrying into Bai Shitang. This dissatisfaction lingered, especially when she saw the group of children from Bai Shitang and Su Mulan now.
However, these thoughts were only in her heart, never spoken aloud or expressed in any way.
How could this despicable Su Mulan know about it and blatantly bring it up?