Chapter 47: The Evil Stepmother of the 1970s 14

Chapter 47: The Villainous Stepmother of the 1970s (Part 14)

Xu Xiuyun was cornered. To escape murder charges and avoid being branded a killer, she confessed that her actions stemmed from jealousy. She had envied Xu Ziyan since childhood and, as an adult, resented Xu Ziyan's better marriage and life, wishing only for her downfall.

However, she insisted she never intended harm or lured the wild boar down the mountain. She hadn't even known if Fang Lihai would return; her sole aim was to make Fang Lihai believe Xu Ziyan was a terrible person, hoping to spark an argument between them.

The police interrogated her repeatedly, but she stuck to her story. Lacking direct evidence that she had lured the boar or harmed Fang Lihai, they couldn't convict her on those counts. Her only charge was slandering Xu Ziyan in a letter, a relatively minor offense. She received three days' detention, was ordered to write a public self-criticism to be read aloud in the village, publicly apologize to Fang Lihai and Xu Ziyan, and pay Fang Lihai 50 yuan in compensation for his injuries.

When the news reached the village, discussions intensified. Everyone called her a murderer, questioning why she was released. Villagers largely shunned her. Only after the brigade leader promised to send her to a labor camp if she caused further trouble did the commotion subside.

Still, everyone anticipated drama, convinced Xu Ziyan and the Fang family wouldn't let Xu Xiuyun off lightly. After all, she had nearly caused a death, and such a lenient sentence infuriated many.

Yet, Xu Ziyan wasn't truly angry. Though her face remained impassive, she thought, *"I knew nothing serious would happen. If the female lead went to jail, how would the plot continue? That would ruin the world. She still has her uses. But from now on, life in the village won’t be easy for her."*

001 gloated, *"Serves her right for being so wicked!"*

Only then did Fang Lihai understand Xu Ziyan's insistence on reporting the matter to the police. For villagers, even a few days of detention was a lifelong stain on one's reputation. Xu Xiuyun still had to live in the village; her life would indeed be miserable.

As for tricking him into returning, it hadn't affected him much. He had already shown the letter to his military superiors, explaining that his family was fine but someone was anonymously spreading malicious rumors, possibly targeting him or his relatives. His return was merely to investigate; if nothing was amiss, he'd consider it a family visit.

Thus, he was indifferent to the outcome, leaving everything to Xu Ziyan.

For now, Xu Ziyan had no immediate plans. Fang Lihai was alive, so the original plot couldn't unfold. She was simply waiting for Xu Xiuyun's college entrance exam storyline while diligently writing articles and novels to submit to newspapers.

Occasionally, during meals, she would observe her family gathered together and sigh inwardly, *"This is too perfect—completely off-script. By now, Fang Lihai should be dead, my mother-in-law should have collapsed from shock, and my father-in-law should be bedridden from grief. The two children would be terrified, caring for their grandparents and begging for food. I should have run off with all the family’s money, leaving the old couple to die, the children to become orphans, and my parents to die of shame. Eventually, the children would suffer too. So much drama—it would make a great show. If only I could trick Xu Xiuyun into believing it, like in my past life, I could stage the events and complete the mission."*

001 echoed, *"Yeah, once the mission is done, even if Xu Xiuyun realizes it’s fake, it’d be too late. Too bad this era isn’t suitable for such schemes—we’re missing out on so many rewards."*

Xu Ziyan sighed, quickly finished her meal, and returned to her room to write. This was her new favorite pastime. Seeing her articles published in newspapers, sparking discussions, and leaving a small mark on this era filled her with a profound sense of accomplishment.

Since the plot couldn't proceed, she might as well enjoy herself. As she always said, *"Live each day to the fullest. If the world collapses, we’ll all go down together—it’ll be quick and painless. What’s there to fear?"*

Song Dongbo drove Xu Xiuyun home in silence. He felt utterly cursed. Everyone had warned him that Xu Xiuyun was a jinx, a harbinger of bad luck. Why had he been so foolish as to marry her?

At the time, he thought he had found a treasure—such a good girl, who, if not for being a widow, would never have married a black-market dealer like him, a man with a failed marriage. Yet, she constantly caused trouble. She neglected their child, terrifying him into nightmares, and now he cried every night, saying he didn’t want to be a murderer’s child.

His business had suffered these past few days. It was a golden opportunity to make big profits, but his wife had ruined everything, constantly holding him back. He was filled with deep regret.

Xu Xiuyun was terrified that Song Dongbo would divorce her. Her own family already disapproved of her; they only tolerated her because Song Dongbo earned money. If he abandoned her, she would be ruined, with no place in the village. So, facing Song Dongbo, she was no longer manipulative but cautious and submissive, for she had no other recourse.

As they entered the village, many people gathered to stare. She walked quickly, head down, feeling their gazes like daggers in her back. Listening to their whispers, she couldn't imagine how she would ever face them again.

Just as they reached their yard, the neighboring gate swung open. Fang’s mother threw a basin of water straight at Xu Xiuyun, making her shriek.

Xu Ziyan rushed out at the commotion to see Fang’s mother pointing at Xu Xiuyun, yelling furiously, *"You know exactly what evil you’ve done! Keep committing sins, and sooner or later, you’ll pay for it. Get the hell out—I don’t want you living next to us! Who knows when you’ll try to kill us next—"*

Xu Xiuyun couldn't admit to anything. She rushed forward, crying, *"Auntie, I swear I never meant to hurt anyone! I wouldn’t dare—"*

*"Don’t touch me!"* Fang’s mother violently shook off her hand, then suddenly staggered and collapsed.

Fang’s father caught her and turned to Song Dongbo and Xu Xiuyun, his voice filled with grief and anger. *"Get out! Move away now! After what you’ve done, how dare you pretend to be innocent? Do you want to kill us with rage? Get lost!"*

Song Dongbo immediately grabbed Xu Xiuyun and snapped, *"Shut your mouth!"* Then he apologized to Fang’s father, his heart pounding. The old couple had always been frail—what if they got seriously ill from anger? He’d be forced to compensate them. Xu Xiuyun was truly a walking disaster, always tripping him up.

Song Dongbo forcibly dragged Xu Xiuyun back into the house, shutting out the villagers' gossip and disdainful glares. Fang Lihai also carried Old Mrs. Fang inside, while Xu Ziyan wet a towel to wipe the older woman's face, urging, "Fang Lihai, hurry and fetch a doctor—no, borrow an ox cart. We need to go to the hospital."

The Fang family felt a surge of warmth. Even though this situation could have been used to complete a task, Xu Ziyan didn’t even think about it, focusing instead on Old Mrs. Fang’s health. For that alone, they knew they had to treat her well.

Old Mrs. Fang grasped Xu Ziyan’s hand and said, "I’m fine, just a bit worked up. I’ll be all right after resting. I know my own body—don’t worry."

Old Mr. Fang nodded and lay down on the heated brick bed. "Besides, if we don’t make it seem serious, will they ever move out? The old woman and I are genuinely upset and worked up. If we pretend to be too sick to get up, just call the doctor to take a look." He lowered his voice. "The village doctor can handle minor ailments, but he won’t be able to diagnose something like this. He'll believe whatever we tell him. Let’s use this momentum to drive them away."

Xu Ziyan was taken aback—she hadn’t expected them to fake illness to force the neighbors to move. What a great idea! Did this mean she could complete her task now? She immediately got to work and stepped outside, ready to put on a show.

When the doctor arrived, he examined them and, predictably, said they needed rest and to avoid agitation, leaving some medicine.

Xu Ziyan promptly dragged the doctor to kick open the neighbors’ door. "Xu Xiuyun! Foot the doctor's bill! You’ve made my parents so angry they’re sick, you jinx! Get out of here—just looking at you makes me furious!"

The villagers who had gathered to watch the spectacle immediately joined in condemning Xu Xiuyun. When the village head arrived, he frowned and advised, "Song Dongbo, look at the mess you’ve caused. Your family should cover the costs. There’s another house in the village—a bit out of the way and needs work, but you can move there for now. Sell this one later and build a new place."

Song Dongbo, forced to move from a home he was perfectly content in, was furious. But since Xu Xiuyun had caused all this trouble, he couldn’t blame anyone else. He had no choice but to swallow his pride and agree, though his gaze toward Xu Xiuyun grew even colder.

Xu Xiuyun, meanwhile, burned with hatred, convinced that she and Xu Ziyan were destined to clash. Why else was she suffering while Xu Ziyan thrived? Those two old folks had to fall ill at the worst possible time, making her the scapegoat. If they’d gotten sick at any other moment, she could’ve blamed Xu Ziyan for bullying or exhausting them—even called her a jinx. But no, nothing ever stuck to Xu Ziyan.

"Congratulations, Host! Two plot points completed: in-laws falling ill, and the children caring for them. Reward: two skill points."

Xu Ziyan was overjoyed. Who knew stumbling into the plot like this would work? She really was lucky. The village head made Xu Xiuyun pay some compensation for "recovery costs," and Xu Ziyan specifically instructed Fang Lihai to buy two good portions of meat with it. That night, with the door firmly shut, the family ate heartily, relieved that the annoying neighbors would soon be gone and no longer watching their every move. Xu Ziyan even happily drank several cups of wine in celebration.

As they say, liquor loosens inhibitions. Under the moonlight, the handsome man before her looked even more irresistible, and that very night, Xu Ziyan ended up sleeping with Fang Lihai!

At first, Fang Lihai tried to make her behave and stop undressing him. But then Xu Ziyan muttered, "So tall and strong, but maybe all looks no action? What a waste of those eight-pack abs." She even ran a hand over his stomach.

That lit Fang Lihai's fuse, and he made sure she understood just how capable he was. Xu Ziyan, thoroughly satisfied, kept demanding more, leaving Fang Lihai red to his ears—he’d never been so flustered in his life. In the end, he had to pin her tightly against the wall just to get her to sleep.

The next morning, when Xu Ziyan remembered what happened, she flushed crimson. It wasn’t like she’d lacked handsome men in her past life—she was used to it! Plus, she’d never slept with a soldier before, and she’d had her eye on Fang Lihai for days. Thankfully, she held her liquor well and didn’t drunkenly blurt out any wrong names—that would’ve been mortifying.

Fang Lihai, however, was visibly awkward around her in the morning, avoiding eye contact but stealing glances whenever she did anything, always rushing to help.

Amused, Xu Ziyan teased him, "I’m not even embarrassed—why are you? Want to go see a movie?"

Fang Lihai caught her mischievous hand, his gaze darting away as he called into the house, "Mom, Dad, I’m taking my wife to the movies. You two eat without us."

Once they got a response, he pulled Xu Ziyan outside, one hand pushing the cart and the other gripping hers tightly.

Xu Ziyan thought, *What a secret softie*, and squeezed his hand back, happily heading out for their date.

Meanwhile, Fang Nan and Fang Bei had been playing with mud in the corner. Seeing their parents leave, Fang Nan suddenly had an idea. "Little brother, our chance to complete a task is here! Mom and Dad are out, and Grandpa and Grandma are too sick to cook. So we have to go beg for food from others!"

Fang Bei nodded excitedly. "Finally, something we can do! Brother, what if they refuse? Should we bring some candy to trade?"

"Good idea! Let’s do it!"

Xu Ziyan and Fang Lihai were still riding high after their movie date when the system notification chimed.

"Congratulations, Host! Plot point completed: the two children begging meals from neighbors. Reward: one skill point."

Xu Ziyan did a double take, suddenly remembering the elderly couple was still faking illness—probably to sell the act better and smoke Xu Xiuyun out faster. She loved this method—another freebie reward!

Fang Lihai noticed her delighted expression and guessed she’d earned another reward. But strangely, this time, he couldn’t hear her or 001’s inner thoughts.

Had becoming the fairy's husband cut him off from her mind?