Chapter 11: Trying to Find a Hoodlum to Tarnish Her Reputation

Chapter 11: Plotting to Ruin Her Reputation with a Thug

Lu Xiang ultimately didn't go with them. When Third Sister-in-Law Fu and Fu Qinhui emerged from the Lu family home, the villagers immediately swarmed them, eager for gossip. "Well, is Lu Xiang not coming with you?" they asked.

Third Sister-in-Law Fu replied, "The girl is scared. Let her mother comfort her a bit more!"

The onlookers chimed in, "Exactly. Anyone would be terrified after something like that. It's truly pitiful."

Third Sister-in-Law Fu led Fu Qinhui away. Back at the Fu household, Xiao Cailian inquired, "Where's Fourth Sister-in-Law?"

Fu Qinhui responded, "She wants to stay at her parents' home for a few more days."

Xiao Cailian didn't press the issue. After a moment, she turned to her youngest son and said, "After all, you've already exchanged wedding vows!"

Fu Qinhui nodded.

Xiao Cailian, concerned that he hadn't eaten since morning, quickly urged him to eat, but Fu Qinhui declined and went straight back to his room.

The news of Lu Xiang not returning with Fu Qinhui quickly spread throughout the village.

Lu's eldest aunt also learned of it, feeling a surge of schadenfreude.

Lu Zhaodi, knowing her mother held grudges, fanned the flames. "Mom, now the whole village is laughing at me for not being able to get married!"

Lu's eldest aunt bristled at this. "You're still far better than Lu Xiang. Don't worry, Mom will find you someone ten or even a hundred times better than Fu Qinhui. As for Lu Xiang, she won't find anything good!"

Lu Zhaodi countered, "But the Fu family has their eyes on Lu Xiang. If she marries into their family, she'll definitely seek revenge on us, especially since we've already had a falling out."

Indeed, Lu Zhaodi did not want Lu Xiang to marry Fu Qinhui!

The Fu family, with their four sons, was considered quite influential in the village. Moreover, Fu Qinhui was handsome and had attended college. Since she couldn't marry him, she certainly didn't want Lu Xiang to.

Lu Zhaodi was truly her mother's daughter—they thought alike!

Lu's eldest aunt declared, "Exactly. This match should have been yours. We need to have some pride and not let others take advantage."

With Lu Xiang's interference, the Fu family's three hundred yuan was gone, and the Li family's goodwill was lost. Her clever scheme had failed, so how could she let Lu Xiang off easy?

Having said her piece, she took a box of high-grade cigarettes and left.

Lu Zhaodi watched her mother depart, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Lu's eldest aunt went to find her nephew, Lin Mu, her own sister's child. Sadly, her sister had passed away young, and her brother-in-law had remarried. The new wife couldn't tolerate the child and found an excuse to kick him out. With no one to support him, Lin Mu often went hungry and ended up associating with local ruffians, picking up petty thievery and other bad habits.

No one had paid him much attention before, but now that he had gone astray, everyone looked down on him even more.

When Lu's eldest aunt arrived at his home, the place was a disaster, with smelly socks strewn everywhere. Peanut shells littered both the bed and the floor, leaving no clear path, and mice scurried about the room.

Lu's eldest aunt was a meticulous person, and the sight of his slovenliness disgusted her. There he was, a grown man, lying on the *kang* (heated brick bed) like a lump of mud in broad daylight.

Lu's eldest aunt began, "Lin Mu, how did you end up like this?" She immediately adopted the authoritative tone of an elder.

Lin Mu had been out with his buddies the previous night, robbing cars on the highway and making a good sum of money. They had drunk until dawn before parting ways. Lin Mu was sound asleep when her sharp voice startled him awake. He opened his eyes and saw it was his "aunt-by-marriage."

Lin Mu was thirty years old. Usually, his aunt would avoid him, but having had enough sleep, he smirked without warmth and asked, "What do you want?"

Although Lu's eldest aunt disapproved of Lin Mu's conduct, a quick glance around showed that this "little bastard" was living quite well. The liquor bottles on the floor were high-end brands from the co-op store, and there was even half a can of milk powder in the corner. She wondered how he'd managed that.

Lu's eldest aunt had brought a pack of cigarettes with her—something intended as a gift for a man taking the county clerk exam. People in the village typically smoked rolled cigarettes; who could afford such a luxury?

Calmly, she took out the cigarettes and handed them to him, saying, "Your uncle got these fine cigarettes. There were only two packs, and I brought one for you. Make them last."

Lin Mu was blunt: "Well, I'll be damned. You're actually willing to give me good cigarettes? Just tell me what you want from me."

Lu's eldest aunt felt a little embarrassed. "Watch your mouth! If you don't want them, forget it." She made as if to take the cigarettes back.

But Lin Mu snatched them away. No matter what his aunt wanted him to do, he was keeping the cigarettes. He opened the pack right in front of her, expertly took one out, lit it with a match, and soon began blowing smoke.

Lu's eldest aunt coughed from the smoke but didn't forget her purpose. She said, "Look at you, you're not young anymore. Haven't you thought about finding a wife?"

Lin Mu sneered and said shamelessly, "Where would someone like me find a wife? Only that widow is willing to give me the time of day." But the widow wasn't foolish—she'd been with him several times but refused to marry him.

Lu's eldest aunt sighed, "Ah, you really worry people." Then she added, "Lu Xiang recently stole your cousin Lu Zhaodi's marriage prospect. But who knew the Fu family would be so rotten? They had their way with her and then abandoned her. Now Lu Xiang can't easily marry anyone."

At the mention of Lu Xiang, Lin Mu's eyes lit up. That little beauty—when he'd seen her washing clothes by the river before, he couldn't stop staring at her.

Talking about Lu Xiang perked him right up. "She dared to bully my cousin Lu Zhaodi? That's unforgivable. I'll put her in her place." He had never dared to entertain hopes about Lu Xiang before, but now that her reputation was ruined, she was a perfect match for him.

A young man like Lin Mu was desperate for a woman. Now that one was being offered to him, he said, "Aunt, don't worry. If she marries into my family, I'll be the one in charge." There was an old saying in the village: a subdued wife is like kneaded dough. No matter what kind of person she was, a few lessons would make her obedient.

Hearing this, Lu's eldest aunt added a few more general remarks: "Alright, I need to go back and cook for your uncle. I won't say more!"

Then she left.

Lin Mu wasn't paying her any mind now. His heart and soul were completely captivated by Lu Xiang. He could only wait for evening, his mind filled with thoughts of that enchanting beauty. He grew restless, anxious for night to come.

...

Lu Xiang didn't leave the house all day. She cooked some rice porridge for the family—so thin you could see the bottom of the bowl. With over a month left until the next grain ration, the family's grain jar was empty.

Lu's mother said, "Tomorrow, tell your father to borrow four pounds of grain from the village head."

Lu Xiang knew these words were meant to comfort her. Where would they easily borrow grain? Most villagers borrowed from relatives, repaying them after the distribution.

But they couldn't possibly borrow from Grandma Lu. Every time the grain was distributed, Grandma Lu would still demand some from Lu Xiang's family.

Outside, the sky had turned completely dark. Lu Xiang was also worried—without money, even a hero is helpless. Just as she was thinking of a solution, she heard a dull thud outside the courtyard wall.

Lu Xiang and her mother immediately stood up. Before they could say anything, they heard a sleazy voice: "Xiangxiang, my dear, your brother has missed you like crazy." It was especially creepy in the late night.

Lu Xiang was both angry and anxious. She shouted loudly, "There's a hooligan!"

Lu Danian hadn't gone to sleep yet. He immediately grabbed a charred piece of wood and rushed out, yelling furiously, "Who's out there?"