Liu Xifeng had never feared the gossip in the village, but no matter how thick-skinned she was, she had never been openly condemned to her face.
So many people were standing at her doorstep badmouthing her Chengyan—how could she tolerate that? She roared furiously at Gu Yuerou:
"Get the hell out of here right now! We don't welcome you in this house!"
With that, she grabbed the big broom leaning against the base of the wall, swinging it with fierce momentum, making as if to chase the woman out.
This little vixen actually dared to covet her family's money? Dream on. Her son's money was her money—how could it possibly be lent to someone else? Pah! Shameless bitch.
Liu Xifeng cursed inwardly while swinging the broom.
Gu Yuerou's pupils contracted at the sight of the broom raised high above her, and she hastily retreated backward.
"Auntie! Please don't! There are children here."
She pushed her son to the front, hoping that this old hag would hold back for the sake of the child.
But she had overestimated Liu Xifeng's decency—why would she stop just because of a child in front of her?
It wasn't her grandson anyway. She already envied every family that had boys equally.
She fled, the old woman chased—the three of them circled around the courtyard.
The crowd burst into laughter.
Perhaps the arguing and the laughter at the door were too loud, for they actually woke Zhao Chao in Zhao Chengfang's arms.
The moment she opened her eyes, she happened to see Qian Xudong running past her.
A three-year-old child could tell right from wrong. She naturally remembered clearly the person who had nearly caused her death. So the instant she saw Qian Xudong—the one who had pushed her into the river—she burst into loud wails.
"He's bad, he's bad! Auntie, it was him who pushed Chaochao."
"He pushed Chaochao into the river…"
Hearing this, Liu Xifeng stopped chasing, panting heavily with her brows furrowed as she looked at Zhao Chao in her daughter's arms.
Gu Yuerou also stopped to rest, clutching her heaving chest.
The people outside stopped laughing…
The courtyard fell completely silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop—except for Zhao Chao's earth-shaking cries and accusations.
The child's ability to express herself was quite good. Though her speech was a bit slurred, everyone could roughly understand. So the child hadn't fallen into the water by accident—she had been pushed by that brat.
Gu Wanxing hadn't expected things to be like this either. In her previous life, this incident hadn't happened. She and Zhao Chao had gone to the hospital, and around this time, Zhao Chengyan had probably come back, grabbed the bankbook, and given it to Gu Yuerou.
So that's how it was?
Zhao Chengyan came out of the house and happened to hear exactly this.
He had searched every cabinet in the house and couldn't find his bankbook, thinking Gu Wanxing must have taken it.
He never expected things to be like this.
"What do you mean—Chaochao fell into the river because Xudong pushed her?" His voice broke the silence that had fallen over the courtyard.
The people at the door erupted in commotion again, whispering among themselves.
Liu Xifeng snapped back to reality, her small eyes bulging like copper bells. She immediately refused to let this go. Throwing down the broom in her hand, she cursed:
"Damn it! I was wondering how Chaochao ended up in the water when I only looked away for a moment. So it was you who pushed her, you little beast! Watch me teach you a lesson!"
She spat into her palms, rolled up her sleeves, and made to go teach him a lesson.
Zhao Chengyan was already furious about losing his money, and now hearing this news, he was beside himself with rage.
Just moments ago, he had even specially ordered a plate of braised pork for this kid. Looking at the boy's build, then at his own daughter—that thin, small little body—he felt a surge of anger.
So he selectively ignored his mother's cursing.
Gu Yuerou's temples throbbed violently. She had been wondering why this brat had run back this morning with his face pale as a sheet—so this was what he'd done.
But she still tried to make excuses.
"That's not true, A-Yan. You were with us this morning—Xudong never had a chance to go near the river."
Gu Wanxing watched this absurd scene with a face full of mockery.
She just wanted to see what Zhao Chengyan would do.
While Gu Yuerou was speaking, Liu Xifeng had already charged forward.
Smack—
"Ah—" Gu Yuerou took a solid slap from Liu Xifeng.
She covered her face, looking at Zhao Chengyan with grievance.
A faint, barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of Gu Wanxing's mouth. She hadn't expected the old woman to have some cunning after all—knowing she couldn't hit the child, so hitting his mother would do just as well.
But she had overestimated the furious old shrew.
Just as she gave Gu Yuerou a slap, she then turned and dealt the little fatty one too.
That wasn't enough. Before the little fatty could even react, the old woman's foot had already landed on his stuffed little belly.
The little fellow was kicked to the ground, landing on his bottom.
Immediately, heart-wrenching wails filled the air.
Zhao Chengyan momentarily forgot about the bankbook and had to first restrain his mother—mainly because she was hitting too hard. Qian Xudong's face was already swollen so badly. What if his family came looking for trouble?
"Mom. Mom."
"Mom what?! This little slut and her son pushed your own daughter into the water! If she hadn't been rescued in time, your daughter would be dead! What? You still want to protect them?"
Liu Xifeng had rarely spoken such sensible words.
Gu Wanxing felt that this old woman wasn't quite so detestable at that moment.
Zhao Chengyan seemed to want to say something but held back. He was angry too, but seeing Xiaorou crying so pitifully, his heart clenched into a knot.
"Get out of my way, let me beat this seductive fox to death! Ugly as she is, still trying to seduce my son! You piece of trash, worn out by who knows how many men…"
Liu Xifeng, blocked by her son and unable to reach Gu Yuerou, kept jumping up to strike at her.
Gu Yuerou's face had been scratched with several bloody marks, and she cried from sheer grievance.
Qian Xudong also grimaced, rubbing his feet and wailing desperately.
The scene was somewhat chaotic.
Gu Wanxing, watching the spectacle, felt this situation was quite good. She planned to step back a bit to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
But Zhao Chao once again reached for her as if it were his due.
"Mommy, hold me."
Gu Wanxing's expression turned slightly cold as she pretended not to see.
"Sister-in-law, you hold Chaochao. I'll pull Mom away." Zhao Chengfang observed for a moment and felt that if this continued, it wouldn't do.
Better to take the opportunity to make that little wretch pay some compensation.
So she handed Zhao Chao over.
Gu Wanxing clutched her head, staggered back a few steps, shook her head, and squinted as she reached out her hand.
Her series of movements flowed smoothly, so seamless that no one could tell she was faking it.
But little Zhao Chao, watching his mother's staggering appearance, felt a bit disdainful and hugged Zhao Chengfang's neck instead: "Don't want Mommy anymore. Auntie, hold me."
Zhao Chengfang knew Gu Wanxing had been running a fever.
"Are you alright?" She asked with feigned concern.
Gu Wanxing weakly shook her head and again offered to hold Zhao Chao.
This time she was refused by Zhao Chengfang: "You'd better take care of yourself."
Zhao Chengfang pursed her lips and carried the child up to persuade her mother.
Gu Wanxing took the opportunity to lean against the wall, avoiding being caught in the conflict.
The farce ended ten minutes later, under Zhao Chengfang's persuasion.
Whatever she had whispered in her mother's ear, Liu Xifeng instantly quieted down and stopped her scratching.
They pushed Gu Yuerou and Qian Xudong toward the house. Zhao Chengyan, afraid of another fight breaking out, was tense, as if he wanted to shield them every step of the way.
"Inside, let's talk inside."
Liu Xifeng shoved Gu Yuerou along, afraid she might run.
Gu Wanxing watched them enter the house and hurriedly staggered after them. This time she wasn't faking it—her fever had likely worsened, her head heavy and feet light, struggling to keep her balance.
"Wanxing, are you alright?" Suddenly a worried voice came from the doorway.