Chapter 287: Bold – Daily Melon Eating in the Courtyard of the Sickly Young Lady

Chapter 287 Boldness—The Sickly Young Aunt’s Daily Gossip in the Courtyard

Lin Qing walked home, pondering what wedding gift to give Fu Huihui for her upcoming marriage next week. Yet, after thinking the whole way, she still hadn’t come up with anything suitable.

Hmm? Was that Zhou Qin up ahead? His loud laughter could be heard from a distance.

What was he doing at the courtyard entrance?

But why was he off work so early?

As Lin Qing approached, she saw Zhou Qin shooting the breeze with a group of men.

She didn’t deliberately join them but overheard snippets as she passed by.

“Haha! Did you see that guy yesterday? He was walking like he’s got a stick up his ass! Hahaha!”

“Heh! Serves him right—what goes around comes around. Back then, he slashed me without even asking why. Now look at him—got what he deserved, ended up a eunuch…”

Lin Qing’s expression turned slightly helpless as she walked past. So, Zhou Qin was out here crowing over his downfall.

She suddenly didn’t know what to say.

Though Wang Gousheng hadn’t fully recovered yet and might not leave the courtyard, who knew if he’d suddenly step out to use the toilet and overhear their conversation?

Zhou Qin really was a total dumbass, has some nerve. Ever since news spread that Wang Gousheng had been neutered, he’d been the first to celebrate, spreading the news like a gossipy old biddy, running around sharing it every day.

Lin Qing had already run into him doing this two or three times at the factory.

“Nuan’nuan, you’re back?” Mother Lin quickly poured her a glass of water upon seeing her return. [Footnote: “Nuan’nuan” is an affectionate nickname used by family members.]

“Ma!” Lin Qing sat down and took the water.

“Nuan’nuan, what were you thinking about just now?”

“Nothing much! I just saw Zhou Qin outside in the alley, gossiping with a bunch of men about Wang Gousheng’s… castration.”

“He’s on the graveyard shift, so he doesn’t have to work today. I saw him this morning too—still at it now?” Mother Lin wasn’t surprised; she’d noticed earlier.

“Huh?” Now it was Lin Qing’s turn to be surprised. He’s been at this all day?

“That long? Guess Zhou Qin really holds a grudge!”

“Absolutely. He holds a grudge tighter than a miser’s purse.” Having spent more time in the courtyard, Mother Lin had gotten to know everyone better.

After Wang Gousheng’s downfall, Zhou Qin had even started chatting with her—though it was more like a one-sided gloating session.

After some more small talk, the mother and daughter began preparing dinner so that way, dinner would be ready when Dad got home.

West Wing room.

Lin Shu came home unusually late today. She didn’t want to face pots and pans all the time, so she figured if she returned later, someone else would surely have cooked.

Whistling a happy tune, she took her sweet time walking back.

But reality didn’t match her expectations.

Jiang Da Sao planted herself squarely in the doorway, while Jiang Da Sao was lounging against the wall by her own door, rubbing her small baby bump.

The two women she’d counted on to cook were both sitting idly outside. Lin Shu’s smile dropped on the spot.

"Why are you back so late?" Old Lady Jiang snapped, her face stern.

Lin Shu initially felt a pang of guilt but quickly convinced herself she wasn’t in the wrong. She shot back, "I had things to do, so I couldn’t come back sooner."

"What things? Everyone’s waiting on you to make dinner!"

"It doesn’t have to be me. Elder Sister-in-law Jiang could do it too," Lin Shu pinned it on Jiang Da Sao.

Jiang Da Sao braced herself when Lin Shu mentioned her. "What do you want me to do, sister-in-law? I’m not up to handling such heavy chores right now!" *(Note: Jiang Da Sao refers to Elder Sister-in-law Jiang)*

Lin Shu grew irritated seeing her play up her pregnancy. "Not up to it? What’s so hard about cooking? It’s not heavy work. Country women work the fields pregnant—cooking’s nothing!"

Jiang Da Sao knew cooking wasn’t hard labor, but if she could avoid housework, she certainly wouldn’t take it on. "Sister-in-law, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I really can’t stand the smell of oil and smoke now. Just a whiff makes me gag."

Lin Shu snorted. "Hmph! Can’t stand the smell of oil? Then how do you eat? I never saw you complaining about it before!"

Jiang Da Sao sighed. "Whatever, don’t believe me then."

Old Lady Jiang backed her up, even though she knew Jiang Da Sao was pretending to avoid chores—mainly because she couldn’t stand Lin Shu. Ever since Lin Shu refused to hand over her wages, Old Lady Jiang had despised her. Now that she had a chance to take her down a peg, she wasn’t about to let it slip.

"Why rope her into this? She’s pregnant! How can you expect her to cook?"

"Why not?"

"Because she’s carrying a child! If you’re so clever, why’s your belly empty?" Old Lady Jiang shot back mercilessly.

Lin Shu glanced down at her own flat stomach, wishing she were pregnant—but she wasn’t.

Old Lady Jiang gave her a once-over and said disdainfully, "Months into this marriage, and still no sign of a baby. Good for nothing!"

"How dare you say that to me?" Lin Shu bristled and glared at Old Lady Jiang.

Jiang Da Sao chimed in smugly, "No rush—it’s not like Second Brother’s short on sons." *(Note: "Second Brother" is a term of respect for her husband within the family hierarchy)*

Her words struck a nerve. Though Lin Shu hoped Jiang Dahu and Jiang Erhu would grow up quickly and become accomplished scholars, right now, the two little monsters were underfoot in her eyes.

Old Lady Jiang agreed. "Your sister-in-law’s right. Thank goodness Second Brother has two sons. With your useless womb, who knows if he’d even have an heir!"

Lin Shu trembled with anger, flounced to her room, and slammed the door.

Old Lady Jiang’s voice followed her. "Where d’you think you’re going? Get back here and cook!" But Lin Shu ignored her.

The moment she entered, she saw the two little hellions rummaging through her wardrobe, her few clothes strewn across the floor.

"Gah! I’ll skin you brats alive!" Lin Shu grabbed Jiang Erhu and started tanning his hide.

She knew to aim for the buttocks—less risk of real harm—so she held Jiang Erhu and spanked him hard.

Jiang Erhu went stiff with fear the moment he saw Lin Shu. He knew he’d been caught doing something bad.

The next second, he burst into tears—those swats stung!

"Waaah! Waaah! Waaah—"

"Ahhh! I’ll save you, little brother!" Jiang Dahu, who had been digging in the wardrobe, looked up, saw his brother getting spanked, and barreled into Lin Shu.

Lin Shu was bowled over by Jiang Dahu’s reckless tackle. She lost her balance and fell, taking Jiang Erhu down in the crash.

For a moment, Lin Shu almost crushed under the weight of the two little demons.