Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Bai Xiuxiu: ...

So that was the big secret?

Seeing that Bai Xiuxiu didn’t seem to believe her, Zhao Cuihua grew anxious. "I’m telling you the truth! Last time we went up the mountain together, look at what happened to Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law. But Zhou Jiaojiao? Nothing happened to her! And she even found a bunch of medicinal herbs.

Where do you see such good fortune?

This time when we went up the mountain, Mother had bad luck as soon as we entered the woods, but nothing happened to Zhou Jiaojiao again.

We ran into a wild boar as soon as we entered the forest. It was like it was crazy, charging straight at us. I turned and ran, but Mother was too slow. She grabbed Old Fifth’s wife and tried to use her as a shield.

But... the wild boar chased after Mother and didn’t touch Old Fifth’s wife at all.

Isn’t that strange?

Later, it killed itself by running into something!

The whole time, Old Fifth’s wife wasn’t afraid at all. She even scolded me just now.

When I thought about it, I felt like something was off with her!"

Zhao Cuihua became more convinced the more she spoke.

After listening, Bai Xiuxiu wanted to laugh inside.

No wonder her mother-in-law was so unlucky. She was using Old Fifth’s wife as a shield. Of course, the wild boar wouldn’t step on her.

However, this third sister-in-law still had some brains.

In the current Wang family, Zhou Jiaojiao hadn’t won over her mother-in-law or brought significant benefits to the household. After all, everything was divided equally! They all went into the mountains together.

So there was nothing to highlight her uniqueness.

As for the other sisters-in-law, Zhou Jiaojiao had offended them all.

She was now very curious about what Zhou Jiaojiao would do next.

"Big Sister, say something!" Zhao Cuihua was feeling uneasy. Seeing that Bai Xiuxiu remained silent, she grew anxious.

Bai Xiuxiu looked harmless as she asked, "What should I say? Based on your wild speculations? There’s no such thing as coincidence. If it really was that coincidental, then we would have taken what was hers. Why haven’t we had any problems?"

"You’re right..." Zhao Cuihua also felt that it didn’t make sense.

"Third Sister, regardless of Old Fifth’s wife’s situation, we just need to focus on our own lives. Mother and Father only think about finding jobs for Second Brother and Old Fifth. Don’t you want your husband to go to the city?"

Bai Xiuxiu began painting a picture.

For now, Zhao Cuihua was a decent ally, and Bai Xiuxiu needed to win her over.

Once she had Zhao Cuihua under her control, it would be easy to incite discord in the family!

There was no way she would let this family work together harmoniously like they did in her previous life, striving for wealth and success together.

Dream on!

They should all remain mediocre and accomplish nothing!

Hearing her sister-in-law’s words, Zhao Cuihua’s eyes lit up. "Can there be such a good opportunity? My husband didn’t go to school."

"There are jobs in the city that don’t require a degree. As long as someone is willing to let your husband take over or find a way to get him a physical labor job, it’s done." Bai Xiuxiu continued painting the picture.

Zhao Cuihua was swayed. "But... that must cost a lot of money, right?"

"As long as you listen to me, I can always help you. We can cause a family dispute later, and then you’ll have money. Although I’m not capable, my sister is." Bai Xiuxiu looked at Zhao Cuihua and started making things up.

However, finding a job wasn’t difficult.

In six months, a brick factory would open nearby and require many laborers.

With a primary school diploma and a bit of money, one could secure a position.

"I’ll listen to Big Sister."

Zhao Cuihua couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of becoming the wife of a worker someday.

The two didn’t have much else to talk about, and after Bai Xiuxiu dismissed Zhao Cuihua’s suspicions, they didn’t mention it again.

Once Zhao Cuihua left, Bai Xiuxiu took out the buns.

These buns were filled generously, and one bite was enough to whet anyone’s appetite.

However, she only ate one.

It had been a while since she had meat buns, and she wanted to wait for the children and Qinghe to come back and enjoy them together.

There had to be a sense of ceremony!

In the evening, the family returned from the fields.

Before they came back, they had already heard that Old Lady Guifen had been attacked by a wild boar in the mountains.

When they returned home, the whole family gathered in the main room.

Upon seeing her sons and husband return, Guifen burst into tears. "Why is my fate so bitter? I have five sons who are all married, yet I’m the only old lady going up the mountain!

None of my daughters-in-law care about me. Who can I rely on in the future!"

Guifen's voice was hoarse to begin with; this sobbing made everyone feel even more uncomfortable.

Wang Shoucheng's face darkened. "Elder Sister-in-Law, we can let the others off. But you're the eldest daughter-in-law—why aren't you taking care of your mom?"

"Dad, what do you mean? I'm sick myself. Uncle Zhang said if I don't take care of my health, I might not even make it. Today when I went to the county to call Mom, she said she was worried about me and wanted to come back to see me.

If I were to take care of Mom and something happened, how would the village perceive our family?

I'm doing this for the good of the family."

Bai Xiuxiu spoke with righteous indignation.

Guifen was so angry that she wished she could get up and fight Bai Xiuxiu.

"Father, Xiuxiu is also doing this for your own good," Qinghe interjected before Wang Shoucheng could question him.

This left Wang Shoucheng speechless.

But thinking about his eldest son's hunting skills, he held back.

Everything must wait until after winter!

Now was the most important time for the family.

"Fine, forget about Elder Sister-in-Law. Starting from tomorrow, the rest will take turns taking care of your mom. No excuses! Who’s cooking dinner tonight?" Wang Shoucheng asked discontentedly.

The main reason he was so upset was that he came home to no warm meal!

He was almost at the end of his life—when had he ever come home from work to find no food waiting for him?

Even during the years of famine, there was always a portion set aside just for him!

"I called Old Fifth, but she hasn’t returned yet." Guifen was far from pleased when mentioning Zhou Jiaojiao.

As if on cue, Zhou Jiaojiao entered the room just as her mother-in-law started berating her.

Though angry inside, she didn't show it on her face. She smiled and said, "Mom, I’m back. I went to Mom’s place today to fetch some pain-relieving ointment for you. Oh, by the way, Mom said she’s coming over tomorrow to see you.

She said she’s going to kill a chicken for you."

Guifen's expression changed instantly upon hearing this. "Really? You specially went back home for this?"

"Yes, seeing you in such pain, I felt heartbroken too. Oh, right, Mom, I’ll go make dinner now." Zhou Jiaojiao moved to leave.

"No need. Second Daughter-in-Law, you do it."