“Caifeng is a girl, so naturally she takes after her mother. She’s just like my Sister-in-law Yulan,” Wang Chaomei said warmly. “Sister-in-law is wonderful—hundred times better than Shen Fuyao. She bought me a wool coat, gave Dad a pack of cigarettes, got you the latest sweater from the provincial city, and even bought toys for the two kids.”
Wang Chaomei opened the bag, ready to pull out each item one by one. These were all high-quality goods—things unavailable at the Taohuayuan Commune supply store or the county department store.
“Chaomei, don’t rush,” Zhou Lanxiang said, steadier than her daughter. “What are you planning to do with the poison in there?”
Wang Chaomei paused. “Sister-in-law Yulan said that four years ago, her stepfather, the commander, didn’t want her to marry my brother when he was just a squad leader. So she had to send the kids back to my brother. Now that he’s performed a great deed and become a battalion commander, the commander has agreed to them being together.”
“My brother knows Shen Fuyao is difficult. He was afraid if he told her to separate, she’d make a scene at the army. So he let me ruin Shen Fuyao’s reputation, make her ashamed to stay in our house, and send her back to her family. That way, she wouldn’t dare go to the army to make trouble.”
“You’re going to put the poison into the hands of Chen the bachelor next door,” Zhou Lanxiang said firmly. She knew her daughter well.
“Mom, you’re so smart!” Wang Chaomei grinned proudly. “When I came back, I gave the spiked wine to Chen Dajun.” All the drugs had been given to her by Xia Yulan.
Chen Dajun was thirty-seven this year. His parents died early. He was poor and ugly, living in a thatched shack, and at his age, still unmarried.
Zhou Lanxiang gave her daughter a nod of approval. This girl may look like Wang Daren—triangular eyes, flat nose—but she inherited her brains from her mother and was clever and resourceful.
“All right, we’ll first carry the poison to Chen’s house, then you go to the warehouse to find your father. I’ll come back for the kids.” Zhou Lanxiang raised her eyebrows while giving instructions. “Your father will be at the warehouse tonight with the militia captain, Li Gangpao. He can’t stand this kind of mischief. He’ll definitely catch the culprit and hang her by the neck with broken shoes, out in the street.”
“Ha ha ha,” Wang Chaomei laughed in relief. Since Shen Fuyao entered the house, she’d been getting less meat.
“Perfect. Even if Shen Fuyao has thick skin, she won’t be able to handle this. Sister-in-law said once Shen Fuyao is dealt with, she’ll get me into the Arts Troupe.”
“Mom, hurry up! Let’s move quickly. I want to get into the troupe and marry another officer, so I can have a good life,” Wang Chaomei fantasized about her bright future.
“Heh,” a cold, sharp laugh rang out. Shen Fuyao appeared in the space, sipping her osmanthus drink and watching Wang Chaomei with a sneer. “Join the troupe? Live a good life? Marry an officer? Why should you?”
“Because of your 1.5-meter height? Or your 150-pound weight? Maybe your upturned nose? Or your singing that sounds worse than a drake?”
Shen Fuyao spoke inside the space, invisible to Wang Chaomei outside, who was still imagining herself entering the troupe and marrying a handsome officer, her face glowing with excitement.
Shen Fuyao rolled her eyes in disgust, picked up a small stone, and threw it—striking Wang Chaomei on the forehead with a “thud.” The plump girl collapsed onto the floor.
Zhou Lanxiang screamed in shock. Shen Fuyao threw another stone, and Zhou Lanxiang herself fell to the ground.
“Wah wah wah! Grandma!” The two little ones woke up at the commotion, didn’t see Grandma, and started crying loudly.
Shen Fuyao stepped out of the space, glanced disdainfully at the room, ignored the two little “white-eyed wolves,” and carried mother and daughter quickly to Chen’s house.
When dealing with villains, using their own methods against them is always the best choice!