Chapter 258: Can’t Handle It – Daily Gossip in the Courtyard of the Sickly Young Aunt

Chapter 258: Overwhelmed—The Sickly Young Aunt’s Compound Gossip Routine

Lin Qing found everything quite normal, so why were the reactions of the other aunties in the compound so unusual?

At Lin Qing’s question, Auntie Li’s face revealed a hint of unease—or maybe it was just hard to put into words.

"So, what else happened?"

Seeing the clear curiosity in Lin Qing’s eyes, Auntie Li decided not to hold back.

As it turned out, Bai Fengxia, who seemed overly friendly, and she really was.

On her first day, perhaps because it was late or she didn’t want to waste time with Uncle Zhou, she kept to herself.

But the next day, after Uncle Zhou left for work, Auntie Li had planned to show Bai Fengxia around the compound since she was new. However, before Auntie Li could act, Bai Fengxia came knocking on her door herself.

"Good morning, Sister Li!"

"Good morning, good morning! I was just about to come find you—what great minds think alike!"

"Ah, seems like we’re meant to be friends!"

The two chatted for a while, and then Bai Fengxia, while appearing cheerful, started whining about her troubles.

Auntie Li nodded along politely, though inwardly unsure how to react. Life’s tough for *all* of us—who am I to pity anyone?

Assuming Bai Fengxia simply lacked someone to vent to, Auntie Li just humored her and listened. But as the conversation went on, something felt off.

Bai Fengxia kept glancing around Auntie Li’s home, hinting heavily that Auntie Li should take pity on her and give her certain things.

"Oh, is that a thermos? I’ve never seen such an expensive item before!"

"Haha, really? Then why not ask your Uncle Zhou to buy you one?"

"As if!" Bai Fengxia gave her a disapproving look. "Something so valuable—my Uncle Zhou can’t afford it. How long have you had this thermos?"

"A few years, I suppose?" Auntie Li, thinking she was just curious, didn’t read into it.

"Sigh, if only I could have one too..." Bai Fengxia gave Auntie Li a hopeful look.

At first, Auntie Li didn’t catch on. But as Bai Fengxia kept steering the conversation back to the thermos, even she couldn’t miss the hint.

Auntie Li wasn’t about to just hand over her thermos—those didn’t grow on trees—so she pretended not to notice and quickly changed the subject.

Realizing her scheme had failed, Bai Fengxia shifted to other items, but Auntie Li didn’t fall for any of it. Eventually, Bai Fengxia gave up, though she did manage to snag a few vegetables from Auntie Li’s home before leaving.

Lin Qing didn’t know what to say after hearing this.

"Auntie, I never would’ve guessed! When I came back earlier, this… lady—wait, auntie—what should I call her?"

"Just call her ‘Auntie’ too." Auntie Li still harbored a grudge. If she was an "auntie," then Bai Fengxia had to be one as well.

"Alright, then I’ll call her Auntie Zhou." Lin Qing didn’t argue, and just like that, Bai Fengxia got demoted to “Auntie Zhou.”

"This Auntie Zhou seemed quite friendly when I first got back—just the friendly type you mentioned earlier. I really didn’t notice that shady side of her personality!"

Auntie Li gave a dry laugh. "You’ll see it if she ever shows up at your door one day."

"Yeah, no thanks!" Lin Qing laughed awkwardly. She wasn’t exactly eager to experience that.

Lin Qing quickly changed the subject, "So, Auntie, you hid away in the afternoon?"

"What else could I do? She’d come over the moment she knew you were home, dropping all these sly, roundabout hints—it’s downright annoying."

"Uh…" That was truly unexpected!

"So, the other aunties did the same?"

Auntie Li nodded with a pained expression. She’d talked with the others, and sure enough, they’d all been going out more because of this.

Bai Fengxia didn’t care whether people liked her or not—she’d cling to people with her overly familiar attitude and start making those backhanded comments. They were fed up with it.

Lin Qing chuckled. So, all the aunties in the courtyard had been taken in by the seemingly warm and sociable Auntie Zhou?

"I don’t know about the others, but she came to my place twice and sneaked off with some veggies both times," Auntie Li said, exasperated.

Only then did Lin Qing realize she’d accidentally voiced her thoughts out loud.

"Haha! That’s impressive!"

"Heh!" Auntie Li let out a cold laugh.

"Haha! It must be because you’re too nice, Auntie, that she pulled one over on you."

Auntie Li felt a little better hearing that. Exactly! She was just too soft-hearted, which was why she got bullied. Those vegetables cost money too—if she hadn’t let it slide, Bai Fengxia wouldn’t have had the chance.

Lin Qing wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. So, this new Auntie Zhou wasn’t someone to be trifled with either. She’d thought the courtyard was finally getting a somewhat normal auntie—well, not *normal*, but at least one who was straightforward and generous.

Too bad reality had other plans.

If she’d managed to make all the aunties in the courtyard avoid her, this Auntie Zhou was no pushover. No pushover at all!

Lin Qing thought to herself. This was beyond her—better keep her distance in the future.

After gossiping for half an hour, Auntie Li glanced at the clock and prepared to leave.

"It’s about time—I should head back for dinner."

"Alright, Auntie, you go ahead!" Happy with the juicy details, Lin Qing saw Auntie Li out.

Now that she’d had enough excitement for one day, Lin Qing could finally focus on cleaning her room. She swiftly dusted the place, then moved to the kitchen to wipe down the stove before starting dinner.

Cooking for one was easy—just stir-fried greens with a few slices of meat, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and some brown rice.

As she ate, she heard another ruckus outside.

This courtyard always had something going on!

Listening closely, she recognized the voices of Su Shengnan and Wang Qiaomei arguing.

Speaking of which, Su Shengnan’s identity had already been exposed. She was now living under surveillance by people Cen Xi had arranged, waiting to see who else was involved.

Mostly because it was clear Su Shengnan had been bribed—she wasn’t a trained spy, so the threat level wasn’t that high. Just a minor player. Otherwise, what kind of spy would lose focus before even completing their mission?

Lin Qing could tell because, aside from seeing Su Shengnan in the courtyard, the woman never reached out to her otherwise.

And compared to Lin Qing, her supposed target, Wang Qiaomei—her bigger rival—seemed far more important. Lin Qing mostly enjoyed the show.

Besides, Lin Qing already knew why Su Shengnan had moved in. Cen Xi had told her earlier.

She was here because of Wang Gousheng’s missing loot, but her real mark was likely their family. Though honestly, Lin Qing hadn’t noticed a thing.

Hard to say whether she was playing it smarter or had completely forgotten her real mission.