Chapter 25: Open Scheme
“I said even if it doesn’t work today, as long as the thing is still there, could a little girl like her drag it all away and eat it?!”
“Now it’s great, look at the stupid thing you’ve done!”
If she really had any substantial evidence in her hand, one report and it’s guaranteed, off to farm reform and then dream on.
Xu Zixin’s eyes blazed with fury, his usual refined elegance scattering like grit in the wind.
The model couple in outsiders’ eyes were having a fierce quarrel at home.
Though they couldn’t hear exactly what it was about, the huge commotion made Xu Shanshan, who had come home early today, shrink in her own room, not daring to make a sound for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
The crowd not far away, enjoying the cool and digesting their food while chatting in the courtyard, vaguely sniffed the scent of gossip and, with the mindset of watching the excitement, all gathered at Xu’s doorstep, perking up their ears.
“Hey, Ning Ning is back!”
“Ning Ning, hurry home and see, your dad and Aunt Qian are quarreling!”
“Didn’t someone say today is Ning Ning’s coming of age birthday party? Why are they quarreling, what’s this about?”
Su Ning, who had come back right on time, didn’t choose to answer the onlookers’ questions, the smile on her face appearing very forced.
Her long, curly eyelashes were wet, her eyelids swollen red and the corners of her eyes reddened, clearly showing she had cried hard.
The crowd, spontaneously making way and tacitly falling silent, couldn’t help but exchange glances, the fire of gossip in their eyes and hearts burning even more fiercely.
Soon after Su Ning went in, a series of crashing sounds came from inside the house as things shattered all over the floor.
Xu Zixin, usually mild-mannered toward people, even let out bursts of angry roars.
Among them were Aunt Qian’s cries of pain and Xu Shanshan’s tearful curses.
“Boom——”
The door was kicked open hard by Xu Zixin, the usually calm and composed man now completely lost his reason, his bloodshot eyes like those of a beast about to go mad, filled with ferocity and menace inside——
“Su Ning, you really are my good daughter! If anything really happens to your Aunt Qian today, just wait for me!”
“I… want to go to Grandpa Fu’s house…”
“Before things are settled, you’re not allowed to go anywhere. If I come back and don’t see you, Su Ning, don’t blame me Xu Zixin for acting like I never had a daughter like you—once you’re out, don’t think about coming back!!”
No sooner had the words fallen than Xu Zixin had already rushed away holding Aunt Qian, whose lower body was covered in blood.
Xu Shanshan, lagging a few steps behind, hurled vicious words nonstop, chasing after them while cursing and crying.
“Hah~ what’s really going on here? Ning Ning, are you okay?”
“Aunt Qian like that, it looks like a miscarriage!”
“Deputy Director Xu usually dotes on Ning Yatou so much, how… could Aunt Qian like this be because she did something…”
“Pah! You black-hearted one, spouting nonsense, is Ning Ning that kind of person? We’ve watched the child grow up from little, don’t you know her? Spewing filth!”
“I think he brought it on himself from anger. Ning Ning hadn’t even come back yet and the couple was already quarreling, not even ten minutes after she entered the house— what could Ning Ning do to make her like this?”
“I think so too. Old Xu clearly doesn’t want his daughter now that he has a son, favoring sons over daughters!”
Everyone was chattering away, saying all sorts of things. Though the crowd hadn’t fully figured out the gossip, it didn’t stop them from speculating.
Some say there are families who cherish their daughters like the apple of their eye, but no one had heard of anyone not wanting a son.
For a man, having a son versus not is a world of difference, and sure enough, as soon as he has one, it’s immediately different.
Aunt Tan, who usually had great popularity, forcefully squeezed out of the crowd and came before Su Ning, who was hanging her head with shaking shoulders, asking gently, “Ning Ning don’t cry, what exactly happened? If your dad is really in the wrong, we are here, don’t be afraid!”
The obviously biased words drew nods from most around, especially the older aunts and old men.
No wonder they favored her. Among the children in this courtyard, one and all, there really wasn’t a smarter, more sensible, well-behaved, and kind-hearted child than her.
Far superior to their own troublesome kids by countless times. To make them believe such a good child would do something bad, they’d rather believe in red rain falling and Xu Zixin losing his conscience!
“I just said two sentences, and Aunt Qian suddenly said her stomach hurt. Dad he… I really didn’t do anything…”
No lashing out after being wronged, no wailing from grievance.
Just quietly shedding silent tears, simply and clearly recounting what happened.
Just this pretended strength, along with her increasingly swollen face, made her look infinitely pitiful, tugging at their heartstrings.
Aunt Tan even teared up along with her, cursing inwardly: Sure enough, a child without a mom is like a weed; once there’s a son, he turns into a stepfather!
Hah, ptooie~
Great men said women can hold up half the sky too! So what about a son, is a son a ginseng fruit that can make you live years longer without illness or disaster?!
“Grandma Tan believes you. If Ning Ning says she didn’t do it, she didn’t. Rest assured, if anything really happens, Grandma Tan will testify and guarantee for you. If your dad is unreasonable and dares to lay hands on you again, I’ll dare to act old and cheeky to beat him!”
“Right, Ning Ning don’t be afraid. In these times, justice prevails everywhere. Your uncle is still here and can deal with him. Even a father can’t be unreasonable!”
“Exactly, look at how he beat the child’s face! Outrageous!”
Su Ning, her eyes streaming nonstop from the ginger juice, hearing their words, actually felt a real urge to cry.
Her nose sour and throat choking with emotion, she gently bowed to the crowd in thanks.
Luckily she really hadn’t done anything, so she didn’t feel guilty toward their sincere care and unconditional defense.
Except for that pull Aunt Qian took herself in Minxiang Back Street’s small courtyard before leaving, she hadn’t touched her at all.
Using the foreseen scenes to tear off the mask of filial piety and fatherly love was undoubtedly very necessary before she could leave with her wings not yet full.
After all, in the future for a long time, cases of fathers suing daughters and daughters suing fathers, couples turning against each other, would be everywhere.
She absolutely wouldn’t give Xu Zixin any chance to control her.
After one or two times, even if Xu Zixin used filial piety to pressure her or sue her, she wouldn’t be afraid—the crowd here would all be witnesses.
Instead, they should live in fear every day. On the day something happens at Fu’s house, if they didn’t fulfill today’s promises, would she show no mercy to kin?
“Ning Ning, where are you going?”
“Grandpa Lian, I want to go find my Grandpa Fu.”
Children, when wronged, all want to find the closest person to cry to. The old master understood and nodded, “Then go quickly, it’ll be dark soon and might not be safe.”
“Don’t take your dad’s words to heart. If he really doesn’t recognize you, come to my house. He doesn’t want you, plenty of others do!”
“Hah, old Lian, you sure have beautiful thoughts, wanting to get such a big granddaughter for free. Hmph~ If she’s going anywhere, it’s my house. You have a granddaughter, but I don’t!”
She tugged at the corner of her mouth, wincing in pain and sucking in cool air. Su Ning thanked the lovely crowd one by one again, hand covering her face, and left Xu’s house with slightly heavy steps—
If that person saw this face, he’d probably explode directly… right?
Begging for votes~ Bowing in thanks~ Dear little cuties!
