C16 A Villain will Always be Bullied!

"You still have injuries, so you won't be able to work. Just grab a small stool and sit nearby. Mom and I will earn your share," Qingqing said, picking up a steaming sweet potato. She wrapped it in a corner of her shirt, which was now too short, and began eating it, blowing on it to cool it down.

In her memory, this shirt was made by a town tailor two years ago when her older sister got married. Over the past two years, her sister had grown quite a bit, and the shirt was now too short. If it weren't for her high-waisted pants, bending over would reveal her midriff.

"Take it easy, no one's going to take it from you," Yu'e remarked, watching Qingqing devour the sweet potato.

Qingqing, unbothered by her eating habits, was saving the corn porridge for Jianmin. "Mom, I'm heading out now. You all take your time," she said, hoisting a hoe over her shoulder and heading out the door without looking back.

Xinrann and Yu'e walked along the narrow path to the work site. The village women eyed Xinrann with curiosity, but she ignored them, holding her head high and walking confidently with her hoe.

She hadn't done anything shameful, so why should she bear the brunt of such petty gossip? With that thought, Xinrann scoffed, raising her chin like a lotus rising unstained from the mud. Let them talk; it wouldn't hurt her one bit.

The women sneered at Xinrann's attitude. Who did she think she was to act so arrogantly? Everyone knew today was the day Xinrann was supposed to repay Fann Jian, and they were eager to witness the drama unfold while they worked.

Feng Xia spotted Liu Yu'e and her daughter, and recalling the harsh words Jianmin had said yesterday, she couldn't resist mocking them.

Jianmin had been quite ruthless yesterday, and her back was still sore from it.

"Well, isn't this Xinran? Why aren't you resting a few more days before getting back to work? Or are you just pretending to be bedridden to get a divorce from Fan Jian?"

Feng Xia wore a smug smile, eager to see Xinran's reaction. As expected, Qiuxiang's mother chimed in.

"Xinran, as your aunt, I have to say, even if you're not fond of Fan Jian, there's no need to ruin the young man's reputation. You're a young woman, already married, yet you act so immature. Are you really planning to elope with your lover?"

Qiuxiang's mother looked triumphant, her face full of smug satisfaction. Xinran knew their game; they were taking advantage of her usual timid nature, hoping to humiliate her in front of the neighbors.

Xinran just smiled calmly and said, "Auntie, Fan Jian and I never got a marriage certificate, so legally, we're not married. And I don't know which eye of yours saw me with someone else, but I did see your daughter with a man in the cornfield the other day. Unlike Yang Xue, who might meet many men but has a job, if Qiuxiang does something disgraceful, it won't look good for you."

Xinran's casual remark left Qiuxiang's mother fuming with rage.