A familiar voice rang out. Mu Fengqie, already a frail girl, couldn't help but stagger.
She knew this voice all too well. Even if reduced to ashes, she would never forget it.
Jing Xunce noticed Mu Fengqie's movement. He stepped forward and grabbed her hand, his face full of worry. "Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, no one will dare to bully you."
Mu Fengqie was stunned for a moment. A warm current seemed to be flowing through her heart, and her voice softened. "I'm not afraid. Do they really think I'm a sick cat just because I'm not showing my claws?"
Her eyes gradually dimmed, and a chill seeped out from her body.
She still remembered the day she was reborn. She was almost buried alive by Mrs. Kong. She was a vengeful person. Considering the tough life the original owner had endured at home, Mu Fengqie had long been planning to get even. She never expected that this woman would come to her first!
The two of them walked out together. Sure enough, they saw Mrs. Kong leading a group of people glaring at her menacingly. There was a hint of calculation in Mrs. Kong's eyes.
"What's going on? Why are so many people blocking my door?" Mu Fengqie's eyes were cold, and her face was as frosty as ice.
Mrs. Kong was preoccupied with the money Mu Rendong had mentioned. Her eyes towards Mu Fengqie were filled with more hatred.
"You little slut! You beat your elder brother to serious injury, but now you're denying it. I really raised an ungrateful child. Everyone, come and judge for me!"
After saying that, Mrs. Kong sat down at Mu Fengqie's door and wailed. If Mu Fengqie didn't know Mrs. Kong well, she might really have thought that Mrs. Kong was worried about Mu Rendong.
Thinking of this, Mu Fengqie clicked her tongue. Her acting skills deserved an award for the best supporting actress. But Mu Fengqie wasn't falling for it!
"Mother, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't talk nonsense. Elder brother did come to my place to cause trouble today, but I didn't beat him. Why are you making a scene here?"
What Mu Fengqie said made sense. She didn't beat the man. It was her grandson's husband who did it. What did it have to do with her?
Mrs. Kong became even more furious upon hearing this.
She stepped forward quickly, staring sharply at Mu Fengqie. There was a wild look in her eyes, as if anyone who angered her would be doomed.
"You ungrateful child! Do you want to starve our whole family to death by beating your elder brother? Now that you've had a good life, you want to sever ties with us. I won't stop you, but you should at least be able to pay for your elder brother's medical expenses!"
Mrs. Kong portrayed herself as a kind mother in front of everyone. Some villagers began to whisper among themselves.
"Although a married daughter is like spilled water, she shouldn't have beaten her elder brother."
"Logically speaking, she should not only pay the medical expenses but also pay more!"
Listening to the villagers' accusations, Mu Fengqie seemed unfazed. She watched coldly and occasionally curled her lips. She waited until it was completely quiet before speaking calmly.
"Everyone in the village knows that elder brother is good-for-nothing, idle all day long, and indulges in drinking, gambling, and whoring. I think his injury might be due to some revenge from someone he offended outside."
Seeing this, Mrs. Kong gave Mu Fengqie a suspicious look. She always felt that Mu Fengqie was different today.
After a careful look, she still couldn't figure out what was different.
But these didn't matter to Mrs. Kong. After making such a big fuss, she must make that little slut spit out some money!
"Considering our mother - daughter relationship, as long as you pay your elder brother's medical expenses, this matter will be over. Otherwise, if it gets out, neither of us will look good."
"Let's not even talk about whether elder brother's injury has anything to do with me. If I had the money, I would definitely pay for his treatment. But now my husband and I are barely making ends meet. How can we afford so much money?"
After saying that, Mu Fengqie lowered her head and wiped her tears silently. No one noticed the slight upward curve of her lips except Jing Xunce. His heart seemed to bloom with her smile.
"My wife was oppressed by you before she got married. Now that I'm here, let's see who dares to bully my wife." Jing Xunce's face darkened slightly.
Mu Fengqie looked up and met Jing Xunce's determined eyes. For a moment, her mind was in a whirl. She never expected that there would really be someone in this world who would protect her.
"Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Your elder brother clearly saw that you have money. I think you little slut just don't want to pay for your elder brother's treatment! Whether you have money or not, we'll know once we go in and take a look. Everyone, you must stand up for me!"
Many villagers were touched by Mrs. Kong's act of being a kind mother. They began to defend Mrs. Kong. Seeing that Mrs. Kong was about to lead people in, Jing Xunce couldn't sit still anymore.
He stepped forward and was about to take action when Mu Fengqie stopped him. Jing Xunce looked at Mu Fengqie in surprise, seemingly puzzled as to why she stopped him.
Mu Fengqie didn't say a word. Instead, she looked at him firmly and nodded, looking confident as if she wasn't worried at all.
Jing Xunce had no choice but to wait and see. No one could take what he wanted from his hands. As long as Mu Fengqie gave the order, the people in this yard were no match for him.
The group rushed into the house angrily. But the next second, they were stunned.
It was just a shabby thatched cottage. Some parts were even pitch - black and worn out. There were a few holes in the roof. The room was smaller than expected, and there wasn't a decent piece of furniture. The only decent things might be the two quilts.
Mrs. Kong didn't care about these things. She began to rummage through everything recklessly. But after a cup of tea's time, she still didn't find anything. Instead, she got covered in dust.
Mu Fengqie sat calmly on one side, waiting. Seeing Mrs. Kong's incredulous expression, she felt extremely satisfied.
"I've already said that I don't have any money. You've all seen the situation of my family. Mother, you shouldn't be so heartless. You should leave me a way out, right?"
Seeing is believing. After many villagers saw the miserable situation in the house with their own eyes, they began to sympathize with Mu Fengqie. Their attitudes took a 180 - degree turn.
"She married her daughter into such a family and still has the nerve to ask her daughter for money. She's so shameless!"
"I think Mrs. Kong is the real wolf, a wolf that eats people without spitting out the bones!"
Just like this, Mrs. Kong left under the villagers' scolding. Before leaving, she didn't forget to glare at Mu Fengqie fiercely. The villagers all returned to their own homes.
"What happened?" Jing Xunce asked puzzledly.
Mu Fengqie was overjoyed. Her little face was full of happiness at this moment. "Fortunately, I made preparations in advance. Based on my understanding of them, after they saw our money, they would surely try every means to get it. So I hid it long ago. How could I let them have it for free!"