He Xiufang grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, casually tossing the shells into the corner of the wall.
The moment she saw Jiang Yunshu’s clothes clinging tightly to her body, she rushed in front of Gu Zhiming and blocked his view of Jiang Yunshu.
“What are you doing at my house? And you even got your clothes wet on purpose so they stick to your chest—are you trying to seduce my man?”
Er Bao moved her lips. She didn’t know what “seduce” meant.
But her aunt’s voice was so loud, like a loudspeaker stuck to her mouth. Judging by the tone, it definitely wasn’t anything good.
Jiang Yunshu’s face turned cold. She had heard that He Xiufang had a sharp tongue, but she hadn’t expected her to spew lies so effortlessly.
“He Xiufang, is it? I thought you just had a foul mouth, but it turns out you’re blind too. Open your eyes and take a good look at what your man looks like—do I really need to go out of my way for him?”
What a coincidence—He Xiufang might be sharp-tongued, but Jiang Yunshu wasn’t someone to be trifled with either.
“Don’t worry, I’m not interested in ugly men. As the saying goes, every pot has its lid—his kind of useless pot suits no one but you!”
It wasn’t that Jiang Yunshu was being deliberately harsh.
Loving your wife isn’t wrong.
But letting your wife run wild at home regardless of right or wrong—that’s just spineless!
“You shameless hussy! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! I already heard about what happened today—maybe you were the one who seduced Old Wang into jumping into the water and then framed Jiang Yumeng. If you can even fancy someone like Old Wang, just how desperate are you for a man?”
Gu Zhiming quietly poked his head out from behind He Xiufang, his eyes roaming over Jiang Yunshu.
She was young, beautiful, and had a great figure.
If she hadn’t been slow-witted before, the number of suitors would have long worn down her family’s doorstep.
With He Xiufang around, he didn’t dare entertain any improper thoughts.
But sneaking a few glances to feast his eyes wasn’t a bad thing.
Er Bao clutched Da Bao’s hand tightly. Their aunt looked so fierce—would the pretty auntie get bullied?
Jiang Yunshu let out a cold laugh, set Xiao Bao down, and looked He Xiufang straight in the eyes.
“Oh really? Then didn’t you hear that I already reported today’s incident? Sun Yanhua is already in custody.”
She curled her lips slightly, her expression tinged with mockery.
“Do you think the police are incompetent, or do you think all the villagers who testified for me are lying?”
He Xiufang swallowed the words that had reached her lips.
This was a trap—either answer would offend someone!
She snorted coldly and pointed at Jiang Yunshu, cursing loudly.
“Maybe the police and the villagers were all fooled by you! You little vixen—do your legs itch whenever you see a man? My house can’t tolerate someone like you. Don’t you dare bring your tricks of seducing men here and corrupt our children!”
Then she sneered again. “Speaking of Jiang Yumeng, she’s pitiful too. Having a slut like you as a sister—because of your meddling, a perfectly decent girl won’t be able to marry anymore. If I were a troublemaker like you, I’d have hanged myself already!”
Her words were harsh, and her voice was loud. Quite a few people, hearing her, climbed up to peek over the wall.
Gu Zhiming gently nudged her. “Everyone’s watching—let’s go back inside.”
But seeing his spineless expression only made He Xiufang angrier. She grabbed his ear and raised her voice even louder.
“So what if they’re watching? She’s not afraid of being seen acting like a slut—why should I be? Gu Zhiming, are you even a man? Even a eunuch has more backbone than you! I must have been blind to marry into a family like this—old ones who won’t die, young ones who drag me down. What kind of life is this!”
As she spoke, spit flew everywhere.
Xiao Bao and Er Bao shrank into the corner, trembling.
Da Bao shielded them. Though he was afraid himself, he still patiently comforted them.
“Don’t be scared. Big brother will protect you.”
Jiang Yunshu’s expression changed. She curled her lips, so angry she laughed instead.
“I’ve already reported what happened today—everyone saw it with their own eyes. Who told you those things you just said? Call them out!”
She stepped forward, closing in, her gaze sharp.
He Xiufang swallowed nervously, her earlier arrogance fading.
“If you heard it from someone else, I’ll report them too. If it came from your own mouth, I won’t let you off either. Spreading rumors and slandering a woman’s reputation can land you in jail.”
Her voice was light, but the mention of jail made He Xiufang hesitate.
It wasn’t about pride anymore—going to jail over a few careless words just wasn’t worth it.
He Xiufang lost some of her momentum but refused to be intimidated by a young woman.
She widened her eyes and straightened her back.
“Stop trying to scare me! I—I heard it from someone else.”
Jiang Yunshu looked at her with disdain.
“Whether I’m scaring you or not, you’ll find out at the police station. Since you won’t say who told you, I’ll assume it came from you. Your slander has already harmed me—why don’t you go keep Sun Yanhua company in jail?”
He Xiufang’s stiff posture collapsed.
She hesitated, her gaze evasive, and pushed Gu Zhiming in front of her.
Jiang Yunshu looked at her coldly. “Why stop talking? Go on. Let me hear who’s been spreading rumors behind my back. It’s easy to talk—anyone can do it. Some people speak like knives, wishing they could stab someone to death. If someone really died, wouldn’t they have to pay with their life?”
Her voice suddenly rose, startling He Xiufang.
“You act so fierce, but now you’re hiding behind a man like a quail. Your mouth may be sharp, but can it speak anything decent? Maybe your brain was left behind in your mother’s womb, and all you got was a mouth.”
It was the first time the three children had seen He Xiufang at a loss.
Usually, she would hold a broom and boss them around.
Now, with neighbors watching, she was afraid Jiang Yunshu might really report her.
Her chest heaved several times. She opened her mouth, then forced herself to swallow her words.
When had she ever suffered such humiliation?
In the end, she smacked Gu Zhiming on the back.
“Are you even a man? Just watching your wife get humiliated like this? Heavens, open your eyes! What kind of family is this? I can’t live like this anymore!”
Gu Zhiming stiffened his neck and met Jiang Yunshu’s sharp gaze.
“If you don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke you. Why did you come to my house? You’ve already torn the Jiang family apart—now you want to stir trouble here too?”
Er Bao cautiously peeked out from behind Da Bao, trying to explain for Jiang Yunshu.
“Uncle, today my little brother fell into the pond. It was auntie who helped him, she—”
Only then did He Xiufang notice the three children behind Jiang Yunshu.
“You little burdens! Causing me trouble all day long isn’t enough? All you do is eat—do you think I won’t be the one washing your clothes later? Bastards with mothers who gave birth to you but didn’t raise you! You’re already siding with outsiders—what use are you to me!”