Chapter 14: Biting Back

Lin Chunju carried Yue Qingqing out of the courtyard.

The little baby in her arms was excessively curious, her round and big eyes always liked to look around, appearing both naive and cute.

Just as they reached the entrance of the courtyard, they happened to come across Er Gou's wife scrubbing clothes at the door.

When the woman caught a glimpse of Lin Chunju, she bolted into the house as if she'd seen a ghost.

She moved so quickly that she nearly tripped over the threshold.

As the door creaked shut, a faintly panicked scream could still be heard from inside.

Zhang Ying was getting ready for work and raised her eyebrows in surprise at the scene.

"Mom, she acted as if she had met with evil spirits."

Lin Chunju snorted lightly, "She's guilt-ridden."

The rumors in the village these few days had been getting more and more far-fetched. Some said the heavens couldn't stand Wang Jinshun repaying kindness with ingratitude while others claimed Yue Dashan's spirit had returned and was showing its might after seeing his family bullied.

There were a hodgepodge of stories; the village head even held a meeting specifically to tell everyone not to spread idle gossip without reason.

The more he emphasized this, the more seriously people gossiped privately.

Er Gou's wife was ignorant, and remembering that she had cursed Lin, the widow, she would rather bury her head under the blankets when sleeping at night.

Zhang Ying, who had also been frequently asked about these matters, smiled at the words.

"Now, no one will dare to speak about you again."

Lin Chunju didn't care about it, "Let them be. We can't control other people's mouths."

Zhang Ying changed the subject to the unfortunate Wang Jinshun.

"His leg is broken, and even if it's set correctly, it won't be as agile as before. Now, he's even claiming that the people who saved him should compensate him, saying that when they knocked him unconscious, they also broke his leg."

Lin Chunju had long experienced that man's ability to turn things around and blame others.

"He's extorting them. With so many villagers watching, can he even blame them?"

"Exactly, and besides, the village head found blood on the rocks by the river, where Wang Jinshun injured himself when he fell. It can't be blamed on others."

Zhang Ying couldn't help but feel relieved, "Jiandong and Lao San were also on the bank at the time. It's fortunate that they didn't go down to rescue him, or else they would have been accused by Wang Jinshun."

The Yue Family and Wang Jinshun had a feud, and even if they could prove their innocence, people would inevitably gossip in private.

As they spoke, Yue Qingqing was quietly listening on the side, occasionally blinking, as if pondering something.

Seeing this, Zhang Ying took her daughter from Lin Chunju's arms, her nose affectionately brushing against Yue Qingqing's cheek.

"My little darling, what are you looking at?"

Yue Qingqing was tickled by the rub and giggled.

Zhang Ying immediately kissed her several more times, causing Yue Qingqing's laughter to grow louder.

"Mom, I'll have to trouble you and my sister-in-law to take care of Qingqing while I go to work."

Zhang Ying looked back three times with each step she took, clearly finding it hard to leave.

Seeing this, Lin Chunju said, "The autumn harvest is almost over. You and your older brother can stay at home and spend some time with the child for the next few days."

Although tempted, Zhang Ying shook her head, "No, we still have to plow the fields."

In the village, after the autumn harvest, diligent families would plow the fields before the freeze, so that the seedlings would sprout faster, have fewer diseases and pests, and yield a bit more the following year.

Lin Chunju feigned dissatisfaction, "There's still some time left. Resting at home for a few days won't delay anything."

Her daughter's big eyes were staring at her, her skin, growing whiter, shining like a freshly steamed bun in the sunlight, tempting one to pinch it.

However, thinking of the Yue Family's situation, Zhang Ying still steeled her heart.

"I heard that taking advantage of the end of the autumn harvest, Village Head Zhang is planning to organize people to dig ditches."

Digging ditches was physically demanding work, but the government would not skimp on payments, and all the able-bodied men in the village were eager to sign up.

Zhang Ying would also have to deliver water and food, leaving her no time to rest.

After hearing this, Lin Chunju sighed inwardly and did not persuade her further.

Alas, in the end, it was because the Yue Family was too poor. It would be better if they could be a little richer.

Although there was still money from the last ginseng sale hidden away in a cabinet, relative to the overall situation of the Yue Family, it was merely a drop in the bucket, not enough for urgent needs.