Chapter 102

Chapter 102

How could the things in the mountains suddenly become hers? She had said such infuriating words before...

Zhou Jiaojiao knew she had spoken out of turn this time. If she didn't handle it well, it would cause trouble!

Crying as she explained, "Captain, that's not what I meant. Aunt Xia misunderstood. What I meant was, could I join in picking some of these? After all, Widow Xia was here first. I couldn't just rush over. She was far away and heard my sister-in-law shouting nonsense.

That's how the misunderstanding happened."

Zhou Jiaojiao decided to deny it. As long as she denied it, the blame wouldn't fall on her.

"Pah! Stop your lies. Could your sister-in-law harm you? And I heard clearly what you said." Widow Xia didn't believe her for a second.

"It was my sister-in-law who misunderstood," Zhou Jiaojiao said, grabbing Zhao Cuihua, who was watching the commotion, and urging her to explain.

"Sister-in-law, you misunderstood earlier. How could you spread rumors so casually? You caused people to misunderstand, which led to me being pushed. Now look at Aunt Xia... You..."

Zhou Jiaojiao cried even harder in frustration.

Zhao Cuihua was stunned.

Was Zhou Jiaojiao shifting the blame too smoothly?

Zhao Cuihua looked to Bai Xiuxiu, who was watching the commotion, for help.

Bai Xiuxiu had come to watch the drama unfold but suddenly found herself being stared at by Zhao Cuihua. Seeing Zhou Jiaojiao trying to diffuse the situation, she almost laughed.

To figure out the truth, why not ask the onlookers?

There were people from both Xiahe Village and Shanghe Village around, and not everyone from Xiahe Village would side with Zhou Jiaojiao.

Zhao Cuihua was confused by the sudden shift of blame.

Bai Xiuxiu discussed with Aunt Jinhua and the captain, "Isn't it simple to clarify this? There can't be only a few people in the mountains.

Ask others who heard what happened."

Zhou Jiaojiao hated Bai Xiuxiu for always being involved.

The captain agreed with Bai Xiuxiu, "That's right. Those of you who arrived quickly, did you hear anything? Whoever heard what, please tell me clearly. We cannot have anyone claiming ownership of everything in the mountains."

This is a serious matter; no one should cover up the truth.

The onlookers looked at each other.

Soon, someone stepped forward, "Captain, I wasn't far away. I heard a young voice say, 'This is mine.' Another woman repeated it, saying her sister-in-law said it belonged to her sister-in-law.

Then the fight broke out."

"I heard it too."

Some were from Shanghe Village, and some from Xiahe Village.

After hearing this, Zhou Jiaojiao turned pale.

"Zhou Jiaojiao, you can't claim everyone misunderstood you, can you?" The captain grew angrier looking at Zhou Jiaojiao. Admitting the mistake would have been enough, but she still tried to argue.

Zhou Jiaojiao remained silent, crying softly.

"Crying won't help. Your attitude is wrong. You need to apologize to Widow Xia. As for medical expenses, both of you are at fault, so you'll pay half. Also, tomorrow at noon, you must make a public apology."

The captain sternly gave Zhou Jiaojiao the notice.

This wasn't the first time Zhou Jiaojiao had made such remarks. Over time, it would harm her!

The captain felt he was doing this for the girl's own good.

Zhou Jiaojiao now hated the captain too. Making her give a public apology? How humiliating, especially in front of Bai Xiuxiu, that wretched woman.

"The stretcher is here; let's lift her up quickly." The voices of the Yang brothers echoed from afar.

Amidst the chaos, Widow Xia was carried away. The captain called out to Zhou Jiaojiao, "You're coming to the hospital too."

Zhou Jiaojiao was reluctant but had no choice.

Chen Jinhua handed her child to Bai Xiuxiu, "Xiuxiu, I need to go see what's happening. Take the child back slowly."

"Okay." Bai Xiuxiu took her son.

After Chen Jinhua left,

Zhou Jiaojiao whispered to Bai Xiuxiu as she passed by, "Sister-in-law, we are family. Why would you harm me for an outsider?"

Bai Xiuxiu smiled slightly and, under Zhou Jiaojiao's accusing gaze, calmly asked, "Are you sick?"

"You!"

Zhou Jiaojiao wanted to argue further, but Bai Xiuxiu ignored her.

She called to Zhao Cuihua and handed her the two children, "Hold them for a bit; they're heavy."

Zhao Cuihua was speechless but willingly held them, grateful for Bai Xiuxiu's earlier help.

On their way down the mountain, when there were fewer people around, Zhao Cuihua shared her shock with Bai Xiuxiu, "Sister-in-law, you didn't see it, but it was truly bizarre! Widow Xia's misfortune was shocking. It's the first time I've seen a snake drop from a tree and bite someone in this season."

"Really? Then why did you dare to oppose her?" Bai Xiuxiu was curious about what Zhao Cuihua was thinking.

Zhao Cuihua was not afraid at all: "I didn’t hit her, and I didn’t do anything. She brought it upon herself. Besides, if she’s unlucky, so be it. I don’t get along with her, so any misfortune that befalls her won’t involve me.

When the time comes, I can still share in the benefits at home without having to suffer too much. How good is that?

Look at Chen Fang and Liu Xiaoe? And our mother-in-law.

Liu Xiaoe hasn’t fully recovered from her injuries yet, and Chen Fang is still limping. Our mother-in-law has to limp around while carrying manure.

How miserable is that?"

Zhao Cuihua had now figured things out. She wasn’t destined for great wealth or honor; as long as she wasn’t hungry and had enough money.

If her husband gets a chance to go to the city in the future, that would be even better.

If there’s no opportunity, begging won’t help.

Anyway, her mother-in-law and father-in-law wouldn’t let her husband live poorly. She needed to keep a distance from Zhou Jiaojiao—neither too far nor too close.

Bai Xiuxiu didn’t expect Zhao Cuihua to have such thoughts, but this was indeed the most suitable path for Zhao Cuihua.

"Eldest Sister-in-Law, you’ll eventually move out on your own. When that happens, if you occasionally give me some benefits, I can tell you everything about our family, how about that?" Zhao Cuihua probed for a new source of income.

There would definitely be plenty of benefits from Eldest Sister-in-Law in the future.

After all, if they separate households, Eldest Brother would listen to Eldest Sister-in-Law, and their money would all be in Eldest Sister-in-Law’s hands. Not to mention, Eldest Sister-in-Law has a wealthy family!

Bai Xiuxiu was a bit tempted.

But it wasn’t the right time yet.

Back at home, Wang Shoucheng was directing his sons to finish up the house extension, which was almost complete.

This simple house was built much faster than a regular one.

Seeing Bai Xiuxiu and Zhao Cuihua return, they were a bit surprised: "Why are you two back? Where’s Old Fifth’s wife?"