“Ugh… young women these days only like these pretty-faced boys,” one old lady complained.
“What did Xiaohua and Luo Zhiqing say to each other that Xiaowan heard? Why can’t they just explain it properly? It’s killing me!”
“Oh my, look! Jiang Xiaowan’s brothers are back. This is bad news for Luo Zhiqing.”
Song Wei: You all seem to be enjoying this a bit too much.
“Quick, quick-does anyone have a stool? I want to climb up and peek over the wall.”
Hearing the drama wasn’t enough; they wanted to see it unfold.
Song Wei had already climbed up using a stone at the base of the wall and was quietly watching. The elderly women sighed enviously. “Ah, youth! Look how agile she is.”
Soon, they were all standing on whatever they could find-stools, benches-and leaned over the wall, their curiosity insatiable.
What they saw didn’t disappoint.
Luo Yecheng’s Misery
Luo Yecheng was surrounded by Jiang Xiaowan’s brothers and taking a serious beating. He tried to run, but there was no escape.
Between his cries of pain, Luo Yecheng kept calling out to Jiang Xiaowan, hoping to gain her pity.
But Jiang Xiaowan, who had seen him with other women and heard his heart-shattering words, was beyond any feeling of affection. No matter how much she had loved him, she was now completely disillusioned.
The elderly women, masters of piecing together gossip, quickly deduced the entire situation from the brothers’ angry shouting.
The conclusion was unanimous: Luo Yecheng deserved it.
“This wedding is definitely off,” one woman remarked. “Poor Xiaowan-her reputation is going to take a hit because of this.”
Unfortunately, the reality was that while Luo Yecheng was clearly at fault, Jiang Xiaowan’s name would also be dragged through the mud. It would be difficult for her to find another match locally unless she met someone truly understanding and open-minded.
The beating continued until the team leader arrived with reinforcements to break it up.
The Aftermath
Luo Yecheng was sent to the village clinic, bruised and battered. The team leader stood with a grim expression, facing Jiang Xiaowan’s parents.
“You really went too far. If something serious happens to him and the authorities come asking, what then?”
Jiang Xiaowan’s father, puffing on his pipe, furrowed his brows. “Anyone in our position would feel justified. Luo Yecheng was about to marry my daughter and still went behind her back to mess around. How could we not be furious?”
Jiang Xiaowan’s mother, sobbing and trembling with anger, added: “How could my daughter be so unlucky to fall for a useless and dishonest man like that?”
The team leader huffed. “Well, wasn’t it your daughter who insisted on marrying him in the first place?”
He rubbed his temples and asked, “And who’s the other girl? Is she from our village?”
Jiang Xiaowan’s mother spat angrily, “Not just one girl-two! The village chief’s daughter, Wang Xiaohua, and Lin Xiaocao from the Lin family!”
The team leader’s eyebrows twitched. Two girls, both from our village.
His frustration with Luo Yecheng reached new heights. This troublesome educated youth was sullying the reputation of the entire brigade.
“Don’t any of you know how to raise your daughters properly?” he snapped, glaring at the crowd.
Just then, he noticed a line of heads peeking over the wall, their curiosity shamelessly on display.
“Get down from there, all of you!” he roared.
The elderly women and Song Wei quickly ducked out of sight, embarrassed to be caught.
Song Wei and the eavesdroppers: Well, this is awkward.
The team leader grumbled, “A bunch of idle women! Don’t you have anything better to do?”
He glared at Song Wei in particular. “And you, Song Zhiqing! Why is it that wherever there’s trouble, you’re always there?”
Song Wei sheepishly pulled her head back down.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaowan’s family felt their humiliation deepen. This day had been an utter disgrace for them.
Though they dispersed, the gossip-hungry women didn’t go far. They gathered nearby, munching on peanuts and sunflower seeds while chatting animatedly.
“Poor Xiaowan. How could she fall for someone so useless and unfaithful?”
“Educated youths from the city look down on us villagers, yet they…”
Realizing Song Wei was among them, one of the women paused mid-sentence, awkwardly amending her words. “Uh, not you, Song Zhiqing! You’re different. You’re a good one.”
Song Wei smiled graciously. “I understand, Auntie. Every group has a few bad apples, but most of the educated youths in our commune are good people.”
“Yes, yes…”
The topic soon shifted.
“Speaking of trouble, is the Lin family still at it?”
“Oh, definitely,” one woman replied, pursing her lips. “Lin Lao’er’s family is insisting on splitting from the main household, but old lady Lin refuses. The arguments have been nonstop.”
Another woman chimed in, “Now with Lin Xiaocao’s mess, things are bound to get worse. That family is a real spectacle.”
Song Wei’s interest was piqued. “Tell me more!”
The women were happy to oblige, their excitement renewed.
“Lin Lao’er may seem honest, but he’s cunning when it suits him. He used to dump his work on Lin Laosan whenever he could. And his wife? A real piece of work-always stirring up trouble and trying to take advantage of others. She’s definitely behind this push for separation.”
“Old lady Lin thinks she can control everyone, but with Lin Laosan’s family gone, the other daughters-in-law won’t just fall in line. They’ve had grievances for years. This split won’t be resolved easily.”
Song Wei nodded, impressed by their insights. These women, despite never leaving the village, had sharp instincts honed by a lifetime of experience.
“Ladies, if anything interesting happens at the Lin household, let me know, okay?” Song Wei offered them another handful of roasted pine nuts.
The women beamed. “Of course! My grandson runs fast-I’ll have him bring you news immediately!”
Satisfied, Song Wei headed home.
Back at Home
Li Juan pounced as soon as Song Wei walked in. “Well? What happened?”
“Mission accomplished,” Song Wei declared, grinning. “The wedding is off. Luo Yecheng got beaten so badly he’s now in the village clinic.”
Li Juan’s eyes widened. “Seriously? They beat him up?”
Song Wei recounted the entire drama, including the incriminating words Luo Yecheng had exchanged with Wang Xiaohua.
Li Juan didn’t sympathize with Luo Yecheng at all.
“Serves him right!”
She shook her head in disdain. “What a vile man.”
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