Chapter 20: Confronting the Stepmother

"I have a little bit of wild celery here. There isn't much, as I only dug it up last winter, but if you need it, feel free to take it."

When the shrewish woman emerged from her house, she was holding half a basket of wild celery. To preserve it, she had dried the celery, which now resembled shriveled kelp and required soaking before use. She Yuqi was not one to take advantage of others, so after taking the basket home, she decided to bring the woman some cured meat and sausages made from wild boar, which she had prepared using her secret storage space.

Just as she stepped into her courtyard, she noticed Han Xiangxiang peeking around, clearly up to no good. Curious, She Yuqi approached and asked, "What are you looking at? Why not just head inside?"

"I'm watching someone, but I'm afraid of being discovered if I walk straight in."

"Then why not come back at night?" She Yuqi suggested.

Han Xiangxiang’s eyes lit up. "That’s right, coming at night would work!"

Suddenly, Han Xiangxiang’s body stiffened as if she had realized something, and she turned around abruptly. A flash of cunning crossed She Yuqi’s eyes. Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped Han Xiangxiang across the face. The strike left a clear, swollen handprint on the other cheek, matching the one already there.

"Ah!" Han Xiangxiang screamed, clutching her right cheek as a burning pain flared across her face. She Yuqi’s method of striking was becoming increasingly ruthless and unpredictable, making Han Xiangxiang genuinely fearful of her.

"You... you hit me again?" Han Xiangxiang retreated a safe distance before she dared to speak, her voice trembling with rage. "You must have some unspeakable secret in your house!"

She Yuqi gave a faint, chilling smile that sent a shiver down Han Xiangxiang’s spine, causing her to turn and flee.

She Yuqi hurried inside to check on Xiaoxiao, who was busy tidying up, wiping down the cabinets with a small rag before preparing to sweep the floor and wash the dishes. Upon seeing She Yuqi return, Xiaoxiao threw herself into her arms and chirped, "Sister, why are you back so soon?"

"In the future, when I’m not home, remember to lock the door. No matter who asks you to open it, don't listen to them. Only open it when I come back."

"Why?" Xiaoxiao asked, tilting her head in confusion. She Yuqi’s face turned stern. "Never mind why. Will you listen to your sister?"

The sudden shift in tone startled the little girl, who quickly nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, Sister, Xiaoxiao will listen to everything you say."

Seeing Xiaoxiao agree, She Yuqi’s expression softened. She then went to the next room, grabbed the cured meat and sausages, and headed back out. The shrewish woman, seeing her return, looked puzzled. "Did you forget something?"

She Yuqi smiled and handed over the meat. The woman’s eyes widened. "No, this is meat, not vegetables. I can't take this! Besides, half a catty of wild celery isn't worth this much!"

"What does it matter? I'm happy to give it to you." She Yuqi cut her off before she could refuse further, forcing her to accept it.

"Wait a moment, let me give you a piece of advice: Lin Zhilan, the new wife Jiang Yunhai just married, is no good."

As She Yuqi walked away, the woman chased after her to the gate, waving her hands and shouting to ensure she heard. She Yuqi acknowledged her with a nod, though she didn't take it too seriously. "All right, I’ve got it."

...

Lin Zhilan was humming a tune while washing clothes in her courtyard when Zhao Xiufen arrived. "Oh, Xiufen, you're here! Let me get that wild celery for you. I dug it up with my eldest son myself. It makes for such fragrant dumplings during the New Year!"

Lin Zhilan stood up, wiping her hands hurriedly on her clothes before running to open the gate with a beaming smile. Zhao Xiufen arrived with her head wrapped tightly in a scarf, her posture stiff and haughty. Lin Zhilan felt a wave of annoyance; if it weren't for the fact that their maternal families were from the same village, she wouldn't bother with her. *Just because her husband is the village chief, she thinks she’s someone special?*

Zhao Xiufen snorted, glancing sideways at Lin Zhilan. Seeing that Lin Zhilan still had no wrinkles despite being in her thirties, she felt a pang of jealousy. She herself was a year younger, yet walking together, people would mistake them for mother and daughter.

"You really know how to take care of yourself, not a single wrinkle on your face. I wonder where you get the money—your husband really dotes on you! You sure know how to spend!"

Lin Zhilan ignored the jab and smiled. "Xiufen, why are you wearing a headscarf? What happened to your face?"

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Zhao Xiufen snapped, "Stop asking questions and just give me the wild celery!"

Lin Zhilan dismissed her attitude internally, keeping a smile on her face while glancing behind Zhao Xiufen, looking puzzled. "Is there a ghost behind you?"

Zhao Xiufen was so angry she nearly cursed aloud when Lin Zhilan ignored her. Instead, Lin Zhilan brushed past her and opened the courtyard gate, calling out in surprise, "You must be She Yuqi! When I first came to Xiaogou Village, you were still an unweaned baby. Look how much you’ve grown, and so beautiful too—a perfect match for our Jiang Bei."

She Yuqi was pulled into the courtyard, looking dazed. Hearing this, she frowned. "Jiang Bei and I are just friends. You’ve misunderstood."

*This smiling tiger must be Jiang Bei’s stepmother,* She Yuqi thought, feeling that despite her gentle demeanor, something was deeply wrong.

Seeing She Yuqi, Zhao Xiufen erupted. "Hmph! Beauty is useless when you’re a harlot, bah!" She despised She Yuqi, feeling as though their fates were cursed to clash whenever they met.

Caught in the middle, Lin Zhilan looked awkward. "Yuqi, don't take it to heart. Auntie Xiufen is just sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. She might be in a bad mood today, so just don't provoke her." She winked at She Yuqi, hoping to avoid a fight. She didn't know She Yuqi at all. Zhao Xiufen continued to rant, emboldened by the absence of the shrewish woman.

"Wasting your days seducing those city youths and stealing your own sister’s boyfriend—what a shameless little slut!" Zhao Xiufen stood with her hands on her hips, spittle flying. "And you won't even let your sister live with you; a young girl forced to huddle in my west room, eating and sleeping poorly. Even an outsider like me feels sorry for her."

While Zhao Xiufen was busy ranting, She Yuqi leaned in to whisper to Lin Zhilan about buying the wild celery. Lin Zhilan cupped her ear to listen, then replied, "Why buy it? Auntie will give you half a catty! You and our Jiang Bei are close; that boy rarely speaks, but I’ve noticed he treats you differently. We’re all family, don't be a stranger!"

Without waiting for a reply, Lin Zhilan went inside to fetch the celery. She Yuqi watched her retreating back, speechless.

"Oh, so you've already hooked up with that boy Jiang Bei! Lin Zhilan wouldn't even spare me half a catty of wild celery without charging me, but she’s giving it to you for free. What a cheap bone!" Zhao Xiufen had overheard their conversation and was boiling with rage.

She Yuqi squatted down, her hands red with cold, and rolled a snowball filled with cow dung.

"I'm talking to you! Boo-hoo..."

"Blech!"

As Zhao Xiufen stormed forward, She Yuqi stood up and shoved the snowball directly into her open mouth. A foul stench hit Zhao Xiufen’s senses, and she immediately began to retch, her face turning bright red as she gagged.

When Lin Zhilan returned with the celery, she paused at the sight but quickly put on a concerned face, patting Zhao Xiufen’s back. "Xiufen, what's wrong? Are you pregnant again?"

"Pregnant your grandmother!" Zhao Xiufen shoved Lin Zhilan’s hand away. Seeing the celery, a malicious idea formed in her mind.

She Yuqi, keeping a close eye on Zhao Xiufen, saw her reach for the celery and knew she was plotting something. With all her might, She Yuqi slammed into Zhao Xiufen, sending her crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

"Ouch! It hurts!"

Lin Zhilan looked over in shock. She Yuqi took the celery and pressed a small coin into Lin Zhilan’s hand, insisting on paying for it.

"Oh, you child... I said I was giving it to you, no money needed," Lin Zhilan said hypocritically, her eyes darting around. She Yuqi finally realized her game.

She raised an eyebrow. "Fair is fair. Jiang Bei and I are friends, so I can't take advantage of him, right, Auntie?"

Lin Zhilan’s face dropped, and she frowned in silence.

"Also... a girl’s reputation is very important. I hope you won't spread rumors in the future. We all have to see each other around, and I’m a petty person with a bad temper."

She Yuqi turned and left, her smile fading. She realized that Lin Zhilan was the type to hide a dagger behind a smile. *A stepmother usually means a stepfather who doesn't care,* she thought. In that sense, she and Jiang Bei were truly in the same boat.

Lin Zhilan felt humiliated. *This little brat is ungrateful; just like that little mongrel.* She closed the gate, her mind racing with schemes.

...

Late that night, Jiang Bei returned from hauling cow dung. After tethering the ox, he walked into the house with an expressionless face. Jiang Yunhai had just finished his work and was preparing to eat. Seeing Jiang Bei walk past without a word, he exploded.

"You brat, am I dead to you? Can't you see me?"

Lin Zhilan, though pleased with herself, felt a bit anxious and tugged on Jiang Yunhai’s sleeve to quiet him.

"Come, I made dumplings today! Your younger brother has already eaten fifty!"

Younger brother Jiang Fatty was shoveling dumplings into his mouth, his face smeared with grease. Jiang Bei looked at Lin Zhilan’s hypocritical face and sneered, "Are you my mother?"

"How dare you! If she isn't your mother, who is?" Jiang Yunhai slammed his chopsticks down.

Lin Zhilan forced a gentle smile. "That's right, if I'm not, then who do you think I am?"

"A fart."

Jiang Bei said only that one word and fell silent, as if saying more would be a waste of breath.

"You brat! You dare call your mother a fart! You unfilial son!"

Jiang Fatty burst into inappropriate laughter, clutching his belly until he rolled onto the floor. "Hahaha, you’re hilarious! Mom, Jiang Bei said you’re a fart!"

Lin Zhilan gnashed her teeth, glaring at Jiang Fatty, who immediately went silent, his face turning beet red.

"You don't have to recognize me, but I’ve always been on your side. Do you like that girl from the She family... She Yuqi?" Lin Zhilan continued, "She came to buy wild celery today. I offered to give it to her, but she insisted on paying. I said you two would make a good match, but she claimed you were just friends. Hmph, with a reputation like hers, she’s actually looking down on our family."

Lin Zhilan continued to belittle She Yuqi, failing to notice the cold, murderous glint in Jiang Bei’s eyes. "She’s just a little—"

Before she could finish, Jiang Bei overturned the table. The dumplings Lin Zhilan had spent all afternoon making spilled onto the floor, and the bowls and plates shattered into pieces.

"You brat, I’ll kill you!" Jiang Yunhai raised his hand to strike, but as he met Jiang Bei’s cold, emotionless gaze, his hand froze in mid-air. His son had changed; he no longer feared his father’s violence, and Jiang Yunhai realized he might no longer be a match for him.

Lin Zhilan sat on the floor, weeping. "Oh, being a stepmother is truly thankless. I was only doing this for your own good! If you like her, I can help you pursue her."