She touched the back of her head where she had been cracked open a few days ago, and said faintly:
“It’s all my fault. When Wang Zhaodi wanted to beat me to death, I shouldn't have dodged.
Who told me I was the Brigade Leader's niece? If I fought back, people would just say the family of a Brigade Cadre was bullying someone.
I should have just stuck my head out and let Wang Zhaodi hit me…”
The young girl had red lips and white teeth, and her voice was clear and pleasant to hear.
It greatly saved the eardrums of everyone who had been severely tormented by Wang Zhaodi’s sharp, pig-like squeals.
The villagers’ gazes fell upon Lin Tang.
They suddenly recalled the incident a few days ago where she was beaten until her head was bloody, almost turning into a small dirt pile.
Involuntarily, they felt a surge of pity for the Lin Family daughter, who had been sensible and studious since childhood.
Lin Tang had always been well-behaved since she was little and never caused trouble.
It was this Zhaodi who bullied Lin Tang every day; they wondered how much hatred she held.
Hearing that Lin Tang wasn't complaining about being wronged at all, the village women felt wronged on her behalf, and their looks toward Wang Zhaodi became tinged with annoyance.
They quickly comforted Lin Tang, saying:
“Tangtang, what you said is wrong. How can you eagerly invite a beating?
You didn't do anything wrong; you’re just too soft-natured, which is why you’re easily bullied.”
“Exactly. If you were just a little more fierce like your grandmother and mother, who would dare bully you?”
...
Sensing that the villagers were on her side again, a deep look flashed in Lin Tang's eyes.
People’s hearts are hard to fathom.
If she were consistently tough, the villagers would surely think her family was overbearing and unforgiving.
She only needed to show a little weakness, and everyone would lean toward them.
This is human nature!
They are most sympathetic to the weak.
Li Xiuli felt heartbroken hearing her daughter’s words.
She almost couldn't restrain herself from slapping Wang Zhaodi a few more times.
“What good is this!” Zhao Shuzhen said coldly when she saw this scene from afar.
When Lin Tang saw her grandmother, the expression on her face cracked slightly.
Was she being disliked?
Looking at the villagers' reactions, her practiced skill at playing the victim still had some use, right?
At least it turned the situation around, didn't it?
Zhao Shuzhen walked out from the crowd.
She reached out and pulled out Wu Chunhua, who was sneakily watching the drama unfold in the back, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
“Can you control her or not?” She pointed at Wang Zhaodi, who was playing the innocent victim on the ground.
“If you can’t control your family member, I’ll do it for you!”
Her voice was light, yet it seemed to strike a heavy blow in everyone’s hearts.
Several ill-intentioned people nearby immediately lost their gloating expressions.
One by one, they dared not even breathe heavily, afraid of being targeted by the female bandit.
Wu Chunhua, as the person involved, showed a visible degree of terror.
She was too scared to meet Zhao Shuzhen’s gaze.
A drop of sweat fell from her forehead into her eye, and she didn't dare wipe it away.
I didn’t tell her to bully people. Didn’t I discipline her last time?”
“If you really can’t vent your anger, I’ll kick her out of the house and let her fend for herself, is that okay?”
Wu Chunhua just wanted to cry loudly.
She hadn't done anything; she was just watching the excitement.
How did she get spotted by Zhao Shuzhen, that fierce goddess?
Recalling the 'glorious' incident from her youth when she pestered Lin Lu for days, and Zhao Shuzhen chased her to her doorstep with a knife.
Wu Chunhua wished she could just faint.
It was too miserable!
Wang Zhaodi, hearing her mother was going to kick her out, rushed over and hugged Wu Chunhua’s leg.
“Mother! You can’t kick me out! What will I do if you kick me out?
Mother, you can’t be so heartless! I’ll work hard, don’t abandon me…”
She only wanted the two hundred yuan promised by that young lady, which is why she targeted Lin Tang so relentlessly. How did it suddenly end up like this?
It was all Lin Tang’s fault; why was her life so lucky?
If she had died, none of this would have happened…
Wu Chunhua was barely able to look after herself, so how could she care about her?
She kicked her away fiercely.
“Get lost! You caused your own trouble; don't expect Old Mother to clean up your mess.”
After speaking, she held her breath and looked at Zhao Shuzhen with a fawning expression.
“Aunt Zhao, this wicked girl really wasn't taught by me. Lin Tang is your granddaughter; how would I dare to covet…”
Wang Zhaodi’s entire body was swollen, and having not eaten, she was weak from hunger.
Wu Chunhua’s kick sent her backward, and she fell heavily onto the ground.
She wailed loudly, “How is it not you who taught me? It was you who taught me!
You said Li Xiuli was a slut who stole the man you fancied.
You said Lin Tang is a little slut, looking like a Vixen, and she’ll end up…”
Wang Zhaodi hadn't finished speaking.
Li Xiuli stepped forward and slapped her several times, interrupting the foul language spewing from her stinking mouth.
She was trembling with anger.
She used twelve parts of her strength, hitting Wang Zhaodi until blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Wang Zhaodi met Li Xiuli’s murderous eyes.
Her body flinched, and she didn't dare say another word.
Seeing that Wang Zhaodi was quiet, Li Xiuli
walked over to Wu Chunhua and slapped her across the face with both hands alternately.
“Wu Chunhua, have you no shame! I stole the man you fancied? Ask Lin Lu—does he admit he’s your man?
People should have self-awareness. What about you? After being married for so many years, you’re still coveting someone else’s man.
You are shameless and indecent. Let everyone judge who is the low-class one…”
How long ago was that? Wu Chunhua was still dwelling on it and even told the junior generation.
Li Xiuli found it unbelievable.
Lin Tang quietly walked over and suddenly spoke.
“Another person’s Family is a treasure carefully guarded by that person. No matter how much an outsider covets it, it’s useless.
If you can’t snatch it, you can’t snatch it. Even after twenty years, fifty years, or even a hundred years, it can’t be snatched away.”
Her voice wasn't loud, but her expression was solemn, startling the others.
The women of the Production Brigade only cared about their own inch of land, guarding their families fiercely.
They also didn't much like women like Wu Chunhua who coveted other people's men.
Some women advised her, “Chunhua, we are all honest village women. You should stop thinking about coveting other people’s men.
After all, you have a family; don't let things end up looking bad…”
Wu Chunhua’s face flushed and paled, and she retorted, “I didn’t…”
The villagers didn't believe her at all.
If her daughter said it word for word, how could it be false?
A woman who had a conflict with Wu Chunhua laughed sarcastically, “Oh, Wu Chunhua, you’re ugly yet you imitate the ways of a Vixen.
You’re old enough to be thinking about someone else’s man. You are low-class, you have no shame.”
Wu Chunhua was surrounded and attacked, her eyes almost popping out from anger.
“You’re ugly! Your whole family is ugly.”
That person spat, “Whoever is ugly knows it. Look at your donkey face—and you still want to act like a Vixen? I spit on you.”
When the crowd heard the woman mention a donkey face, some felt like laughing.
Then they looked at Wu Chunhua’s long, thin face and large, cow-like eyes, and burst into loud laughter.
Actually, Wu Chunhua’s features weren't bad; she had a small face and big eyes.
It was just that she was older, too dark, and too thin.
It wasn't the appearance currently favored, so many people didn't think she was good-looking.
Seeing the villagers laughing at her mother, Wang Zhaodi jumped up as if she had been stung in the backside.