Everyone had come down the mountain—so why were they still walking? They decided to halt the moving group and said, “Sister-in-law is back! I saw her bringing Xiao Anguo and the others toward us. Let’s just wait here!”
Everyone stopped and waited for Ye Xiaoxiao and the children to arrive.
The old secretary and the team leader gritted their teeth in frustration. The ten work points promised—there was no way they could take them back! The two whispered together, realizing they still had work to do later, but everyone would still get the ten points.
The crowd was pleased. Fair enough! No one went up the mountain to find her, did no work, and still got ten points—nice.
The old secretary and team leader were focused entirely on Ye Xiaoxiao’s return. They didn’t immediately call the men back to work, so everyone pretended to be clueless, staying right where they were. What for? Of course, to watch the drama.
Never think that men don’t enjoy “watching the show.” Their appetite for gossip is often stronger than women’s—it’s just that gender conventions limit their play. Once they fully indulge, women have to step aside.
Normally, men are careful not to appear too interested, afraid of being called sissies, meddling in everyone else’s business. But now, it was perfectly legitimate—they could openly watch the spectacle, more excited than the actual participants.
“Xiaoxiao, why did you take Xiao Anguo and the others into the mountains? And gone for two whole days! There’s a limit to mischief—you do realize how dangerous the mountains are, don’t you? Hm!” That “hm” unleashed the team leader’s full aura of authority. Many felt a chilling cold radiating off him, as if free of cost, except Ye Xiaoxiao remained unfazed.
The team leader furrowed his brows so tightly he could crush flies between them.
He was angry, though the consequences weren’t severe—at least for him personally. If the news spread that the Li family had forced military dependents into the mountains to forage, where wild beasts got them, his career would be over.
“Yes, yes, you shouldn’t go into the mountains without food—there are so many wild beasts there,” someone added. The tone seemed normal, but anyone wanting to ask more dared not, instead skirting around the topic, pretending concern.
The old secretary, more direct, asked plainly, “Child, how did you get through these past two days?” He abandoned his usual commanding tone, asking a question everyone wanted to know but dared not. The villagers perked up, waiting for an answer.
Ye Xiaoxiao looked embarrassed, glancing timidly at Li Father, Li Second, Li Third, and Li Fourth. Soon, she lowered her head to look at her straw sandals, her toes peeking out, and said nothing.
The villagers followed her gaze—to her feet, her sandals, toes visible. At first, they thought, what’s so interesting? But then, seeing the Li men—all in thick rubber-soled shoes—they couldn’t help but change expressions.
The thing about humans: comparison is deadly, socially devastating!
Li Father was met with strange, scornful, mocking looks from the villagers. He fumed, blowing his whiskers, eyes bulging, pointing a smoking pipe at Ye Xiaoxiao, his fingers shaking uncontrollably. Even a Parkinson’s patient’s tremor wouldn’t match his frequency.
“Your old mother bought you new shoes, and you won’t wear them! Why act so pitiful?” Li Father argued, standing on the “wall” of villagers, shouting, “Ah!”—then unsure who to trust.
Ye Xiaoxiao was speechless. Life was a stage, and it all depended on acting. The worst part? She faced people who wanted to be the lead actors, improvisational masters.
The crowd glanced between Ye Xiaoxiao and Li Father, excited for the showdown. They were waiting to see the battle unfold.
Ye Xiaoxiao remained silent, waiting for the Li family to speak. Whatever they said would dig pits for themselves; she just had to guide them in and bury them.
Sure enough, Li Second couldn’t hold back. “Sister-in-law, with our eldest brother in the army, you live most comfortably in our house. If you’re unhappy, say it!” Seemingly caring, he really wanted to paint her as ungrateful for enjoying the best life in the Li household.
“You, Second Brother, your eyes are in the back of your head, so you can’t see the household situation. I don’t blame you! You could add after those few words: ‘If you’re lying, may sores grow on your head, pus flow from your feet, choke on tofu, get run over, have no descendants, be beaten alive, and die in vain!’ That would make it even more convincing!” Ye Xiaoxiao’s glare radiated so intensely, it could be felt from miles away.
Li Second was stunned. The curse was vicious—his small body couldn’t handle it.
Most importantly, he knew he had lied. He wasn’t blind. His mother often tormented Ye Xiaoxiao; he just pretended not to notice. He had indeed seen everything.
Curses might not work—but they were infuriating!
“You call that proving your innocence? Can’t you swear without me? Don’t get twisted—I didn’t mean to wrong anyone!” Li Second tried to recover, attempting a counterattack.
“Being upright, you need not fear lightning. You’re dodging—doesn’t that show guilt?” Ye Xiaoxiao pressed.
“You’re talking nonsense! I’m not guilty!” Li Second wanted to spit blood.
“Fine, then explain how I supposedly lived most comfortably in your house,” Ye Xiaoxiao said. She wanted to hear what stories the rusty brain of Li Second—so used to narrative tropes—could spin. Could he rival the inventiveness of the Eastern Depot eunuchs?
Li Second paused for a few seconds, dumbfounded. How could he know? As a man, he didn’t pay attention to household minutiae—especially not to the inconspicuous little “quail-like” sister-in-law.