Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Clang!

As soon as Jinhua finished speaking, Zhou Jiaojiao jumped to her feet, so agitated that her chair toppled over. Staring at Jinhua as if she had seen a ghost, Zhou Jiaojiao felt an intense jealousy burning within her, leaving her in utter disbelief.

How could this be?

Shouldn’t such good fortune in the village come to her?

She had always been so lucky these past years. Why wasn’t she chosen for the Women’s Federation?

Though it didn’t offer much money, how prestigious would it sound?

Her sudden outburst startled Jinhua.

The rest of Wang’s family were equally incredulous, each one looking from Bai Xiuxiu to Zhou Jiaojiao.

It was as if they had truly seen a ghost.

Bai Xiuxiu observed their reactions and, amidst their disbelieving gazes, smiled as she spoke: "Thank you, Auntie Jinhua. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, and for making so many trips on my behalf."

"What’s there to thank? You’re the most educated woman in our village. With your frail health, and neither your sister nor mother around, this job is perfect for you."

Jinhua’s cheerful words only deepened the family’s doubts about reality.

"But... How can she do it? Jinhua, you don’t understand. My daughter-in-law here is lazy and gluttonous. If there’s a vacancy in the Women’s Federation, why not consider our younger daughter-in-law? She’d be the right choice."

Zhao Guifen pushed Zhou Jiaojiao forward, unwilling to accept the situation.

What a joke! If Bai Xiuxiu worked in the Women’s Federation, wouldn’t it cause them endless trouble?

Even without working there, she frequently went to the county’s Women’s Federation to complain. What would happen if she joined the local branch?

Prestige was one thing, but how would they continue to take advantage of others?

No, absolutely not!

Hearing Zhao Guifen’s words, Jinhua was displeased. "When has there been a vacancy in our Women’s Federation? Your eldest daughter-in-law has been my top choice for a long time. Your younger daughter-in-law won’t do. Zhao Guifen, I know you’re biased, but you can’t go too far.

To say such things in front of me, and then claim you want this job for your younger daughter-in-law, what else would you do behind my back?"

Embarrassed, Zhao Guifen remained silent. Though she was domineering at home, she was intimidated by the captain’s wife.

Wang Shoucheng, calculating in his mind, quickly pulled his wife aside. "Guifen, what nonsense are you spouting? Even if you’re worried about our eldest daughter-in-law’s health affecting her work, you can’t suggest sending our younger daughter-in-law instead. The Women’s Federation doesn’t have to choose someone from our family.

While our younger daughter-in-law is capable and well-educated, who decides the selection isn’t something we should interfere with."

Jinhua was thoroughly disgusted by the family’s behavior. "Choosing Xiuxiu for this position was a decision made by our village, and it has already been reported to the commune, which agreed. Zhao Guifen, we chose Xiuxiu to prevent anyone from bullying her.

Her sister has gone to join the military, and we can’t let her sister suffer alone in our village.

You’d better watch yourself. As a mother-in-law, if you continue to mistreat her, it won’t be as simple as before.

Xiuxiu, tomorrow morning, follow me to our brigade. I’ll show you around and introduce you to our work."

"I’ll wait for you tomorrow, Auntie Jinhua." Bai Xiuxiu saw her off.

Her obedient demeanor only reinforced Jinhua’s belief that she had made the right decision.

After seeing Jinhua off, Bai Xiuxiu returned inside, no longer as docile as she appeared earlier.

Upon entering, she met their strange gazes and calmly sat down to resume eating.

Zhao Guifen expected an explanation, but when Bai Xiuxiu simply continued eating, she couldn’t contain her frustration. "Eldest daughter-in-law, what’s going on? Why didn’t you tell the family about something so important?"

"What should I have said?" Bai Xiuxiu glanced at her, asking in return.

"About joining the Women’s Federation. It’s a big deal. Can you even handle it? You can’t even cook properly. Giving you this job would be a waste! If you had spoken up earlier, we could have given it to our younger daughter-in-law, and our family’s future..."

Smack.

Before Zhao Guifen could finish, Bai Xiuxiu’s bowl flew and struck her face.

This sudden action silenced everyone in the room.

The bowl fell from Zhao Guifen’s face onto the table. Her face darkened, and her eyes flared with anger. "You... You dare hit me?"

"What’s wrong? If you, as a mother-in-law, can spew nonsense, can’t I stop you?" Bai Xiuxiu showed no fear, shooting her a disdainful look.

"You dare insult me?" Zhao Guifen was seething.

Bai Xiuxiu scoffed. "What’s wrong with insulting you? Giving the Women’s Federation position to our younger daughter-in-law, my husband hunting for your beloved second and fifth sons, to bring game to the city for gifts and jobs. Once the fifth son marries, you keep hinting at taking my room.

You’re getting too arrogant. What’s wrong with me scolding you?"

"Listen to this! This daughter-in-law is rebelling. I’m going to find Jinhua right now. I’ll report you for being disrespectful. Let’s see if you can still join the Women’s Federation." Zhao Guifen trembled with rage, rising to leave.

"Go ahead. Actually, I wanted to make a suggestion. We’ve obtained quite a lot from the mountains recently. I think organizing the village women to go together for shared prosperity would be great. Although there would be less to share among more people, every little bit counts, right?"

As she spoke, Bai Xiuxiu also stood up to leave.

Zhao Guifen grabbed her arm. "You’re not going!"

"Eldest sister-in-law, your mom is being foolish; why are you being foolish with her? If we reveal our quiet path to wealth, how will we live our lives?" Wang Shoucheng was also taken aback. Has the eldest sister-in-law really lost all sense?

"Yeah, big sister-in-law, Mom just feels sorry for me. You know I was pampered by my parents since childhood and have never done any farm work. Mom thinks I'm two years younger than you, so she wants you to give in to me." Zhou Jiaojiao spoke up pitifully.

"Do you know that you're two years younger than me? I thought you were still breastfeeding, always needing others to yield to you. Your parents may dote on you, but I'm not your parent. Why tell me these things?" Bai Xiuxiu glanced at her with a mocking expression, which only fueled Zhou Jiaojiao's anger even more.

She had never suffered such indignity! Why is Bai Xiuxiu so annoying? She gets all the good things and doesn't spare anyone with her words?

Zhou Jiaojiao managed a strained smile: "I don't mean anything by it. I'm just worried that big sister-in-law might misunderstand Mom."