"Although Zhao Chunshui is no good, for the sake of Mr. Zhao’s mory, I still ca over. As soon as I arrived, the youngest son of the Zhao Family sought out Chunya, saying I didn’t agree to the annulnt, and forced Chunya to co too!"
Fifth Aunt, kind-hearted as she is, despite despising Zhao Chunshui’s behavior, rembers the years of goodwill between the two families. When she heard of Mr. Zhao’s passing, she still ca to pay her respects.
But after arriving, she realized it was all a ploy by the Zhao Family to lure her over!
"You truly are despicable! To joke about an elder’s death, aren’t you afraid of shortening your own lives?"
Not only did they use Mr. Zhao’s passing as a pretext to deceive her, but they also lied to Chunya that she refused to annul the engagent?
This family takes shalessness to a whole new level!
"Mother-in-law, please don’t be anxious, we really have no choice..."
"Who’s your mother-in-law? Don’t go around claiming relatives!"
Zhao Chunshui’s mother slapped her thigh: "I know my son Chunshui got into trouble, and your family wants to sever ties, but the children’s engagent has already been set!"
"I advise you to watch your words! It was just a joke between the two families’ parents. How can you not take a joke at your age? If you insist we’re engaged, let ask you, who did your family contact as matchmaker? How much betrothal gift did you give us?"
Mrs. Zhao awkwardly said, "We haven’t had the chance to discuss it yet."
"The two essential steps in engagent are the betrothal gift and the matchmaker setting the date. Your family neither gave gifts nor contacted a matchmaker, yet claims my Chunya is engaged to you. How shaless can you get?"
Fifth Aunt unleashed a tirade, leaving Mrs. Zhao wanting to retort but unable to deny their lack of propriety.
Seeing more and more onlookers gathering, Mrs. Zhao had no choice but to have her third son disperse the crowd.
"Why chase them away?" Lin Xiang spoke softly, "With so many witnesses, everyone knows that your families were never actually engaged. If you drive them away, who will witness it then? The two families live so far apart; what if you start badmouthing my Chunya behind our backs?"
"My girl is right! If you have sothing to say, say it openly here. From now on, our families will have nothing to do with each other!"
Originally, it was Chunya’s grandfather who saved Zhao Chunshui’s grandfather’s life, and logically, it shouldn’t be the Zhao Family repaying the favor, yet here they are, turning the tables completely!
The matter was urgent, and they hadn’t had the chance to inform Chunya’s uncles; otherwise, how would the Zhao Family dare to act so brazenly?
Mrs. Zhao could only seek help from the villagers, wanting them to persuade Fifth Aunt to discuss things privately.
But the people she signaled to just looked at the sky or the ground, avoiding her gaze altogether.
Mrs. Zhao used to be well-liked, but with Zhao Chunshui being arrested for hooliganism— the first case in the community! Who would dare associate with her family under such circumstances?
Afraid to lose her temper with Fifth Aunt and the villagers, Mrs. Zhao could only bitterly ask Lin Xiang, "What are you, a nobody? Who are you to interrupt adults talking? Clearly, you were raised in a barn!"
"Unlike you, at least I had soone to raise , while you raised a son guilty of hooliganism! Hooliganism, who knows how many girls he’s hard! With a Zhao Chunshui like yours, when he returns to the village, which woman or even married woman would dare talk to him?"
"As the saying goes, the son of a dragon is a dragon, the son of a phoenix is a phoenix, and a rat’s son can dig a hole. Your eldest is 24 and still single, and your second son commits hooliganism, who knows what kind of upbringing your family provides? With a brother-in-law guilty of hooliganism, who would dare marry their innocent daughters into your family?"
"You, you, you..." Mrs. Zhao, hit where it hurt, was so angry she couldn’t breathe. She wanted to pounce on Lin Xiang, but Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt protected Lin Xiang tightly.
Fifth Aunt said to Fifth Uncle, "I think she just called us over for no reason, we’ve got things to do at ho, let’s go back!"
Just as they were about to leave, Mrs. Zhao said, "Wait, wait, I need your help with sothing!"
"We don’t have the capability to help you," Fifth Aunt said sarcastically, "With how you insulted my niece, if I were to help you, wouldn’t that make people talk about behind my back?"
When weighed between an almost in-law and her own niece, Fifth Aunt would obviously choose Lin Xiang!
Unwilling to admit wrongdoing, Mrs. Zhao, needing help, softened her tone and offered a half-hearted apology.
Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt were about to leave when Lin Xiang stopped them.
"Niece?"
"Fifth Aunt, let’s at least hear what she has to say, so we have an understanding."
Without hearing Lin Xiang, Mrs. Zhao spoke on her own, "I heard that your Li Hua Team has an influential figure who secured a huge foreign order for the cotton spinning factory. This person can even speak directly with the Township Party Secretary! There is so connection between Chunshui’s case and the factory’s accountant. I want to ask for your help in speaking to that person and putting in a good word for my Chunshui."
Fifth Aunt was surprised that Mrs. Zhao would aim her request at Lin Xiang. She glanced at Lin Xiang and saw Lin Xiang’s smile, which didn’t reach her eyes.
The smile was a bit chilling.
"Your son Zhao Chunshui was charged with hooliganism, I’m not risking that!"
"I’m begging you, if you don’t help , I’ll get my master to beg you instead."
"How can you be like this..."
Lin Xiang gently tugged Fifth Aunt’s arm, "Let’s just agree to her. Whether we do it or not is another matter."
Given Mrs. Zhao’s stance, if Fifth Aunt doesn’t agree, there’s no telling how long they’d be held up.
Although the Red Temple Team villagers aren’t siding with Mrs. Zhao, there could be so with skewed values believing Zhao Chunshui was in the right who might block their way.
Leaving Red Temple Team is the right decision.
Following Lin Xiang’s advice, Fifth Aunt coldly said, "I can only pass your ssage along, whether they agree or not, I can’t say."
Mrs. Zhao grinned ingratiatingly, "We’re all from the sa team, as long as you ask, they’ll surely agree."
Fifth Aunt said irritably, "I don’t have that kind of influence! Fine, enough talk, I’ll go back and inquire for you. If they agree to help, since judgnt hasn’t been passed, he might be let out sooner."
"Yes, yes, as long as there’s no verdict, he can be released!" Mrs. Zhao said happily, "Please, take care of it."
She didn’t even ntion sending gifts, assuming Fifth Aunt would handle it all!
Though Fifth Aunt wasn’t seeking any benefits, this small matter revealed that Mrs. Zhao wasn’t soone with a clear sense!
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