After hearing Juhua’s words, Liu’er’s mother’s mouth hung open, and she was stunned into silence. She no longer dared to curse anyone, but just stared fixedly at Juhua, looking as if she wanted to kill her!
She was filled with regret. ’I was such a fool! I just got caught up in the mont and forgot how much of a scene this would make for Liu’er’s reputation. And is what Juhua said true?’ She glanced at Liu’er, who stood pale-faced in the crowd, and cursed her inwardly.
Juhua, however, completely ignored the murderous glare. She turned her head, slowly scanned the faces of everyone present, and announced in a voice both crisp and resolute, "My brother and I will not be entertaining any marriage proposals for the next four years. From now on, please stop spreading any idle gossip about our betrothals. Otherwise, if I hear of it, I will not let the person responsible get away with it!"
Seeing a little girl talk so big, Liu’er’s mother muttered disdainfully, "Well, aren’t you impressive..."
Juhua raised her right hand, stuck out her index finger, and pointed it right at the woman’s nose, bellowing, "You dare say that again? Believe when I say I’ll make you regret this for the rest of your life!" That formidable presence, combined with the hideous rash on her face, made Liu’er’s mother flinch. She took a step back and was forced to clamp her mouth shut.
The scene stunned the onlookers!
Everyone stared as the little girl stood there, radiating a chilling aura, furiously berating Liu’er’s mother while completely ignoring Sun Jinshan and Sun Tiezhu, who were right beside her. In that mont, though the rash on her face was unsightly, her eyes were incredibly sharp.
Although Sun Jinshan had no intention of getting involved in a won’s squabble, he couldn’t bear to see his wife being told off by a little girl. He said with displeasure, "You’re a feisty one, little girl! Is this how Changhe taught you to behave?"
Juhua turned to him, her gaze cold and nacing. She enunciated each word clearly, "My father is a better teacher to his daughter than you are to yours!"
Fearing her daughter would be at a disadvantage, Yang Family and Qingmu hurried to Juhua’s side. The three of them stared grimly at Sun Jinshan and his son.
Liu’er’s mother rushed forward and grabbed Sun Jinshan. "Don’t say any more! Why get worked up over a little girl? Let’s go ho!"
She shot Juhua a look filled with a mixture of fear and loathing, yet it was obvious she didn’t want to continue the argunt. This made everyone’s jaws drop in disbelief!
Having subdued Liu’er’s mother, Juhua held her head high and swept her gaze over the crowd of gawkers. Her icy stare and baleful aura made her seem completely unassailable.
For a mont, the younger children were so frightened they backed away, thinking, ’From now on, we’d better not ss with that scabby girl.’ The adults, too, were utterly astonished.
Zhang Huai watched Juhua, his heart aching for her, yet at the sa ti feeling a strange sense of unease. ’Is this still that timid, ugly little girl? Before, a single glance from would make her scramble to look away, only for her to try and sidle up to a mont later. But now... it’s like she doesn’t care about at all. Then again, she doesn’t seem to care about anyone else, either!’
Juhua shot a cold glance at Liu’er in the crowd. ’If it weren’t for your naivete, none of this would have happened today,’ she thought. She wanted to say sothing but ultimately held her tongue. ’Today’s events have been a huge blow to her as well. If I pile on, she might not be able to take it. Forget it. I’ll let her off this once. Hopefully, she’ll learn her lesson.’
She turned, supported Yang Family’s arm, and said softly, "Mom, let’s go ho! Dad’s still waiting. Brother, let’s go!"
"Yes!" Yang Family was still in a daze, seeing the unparalleled power her daughter had just displayed. ’My Juhua has really grown up!’
Li Gengtian watched Juhua, a look of admiration in his eyes. He waved a hand. "Alright, break it up. It’s ti to go ho and cook dinner." The crowd gradually dispersed.
Gou Dan and Little Shitou walked off together. Thinking back on Juhua’s behavior, Gou Dan hunched his shoulders fearfully and said, "I never knew that scabby girl was so fierce. From now on..."
Little Shitou stopped in his tracks, shook a fist at him, and yelled, "Don’t you call Sister Juhua ’scabby girl’! If you ever call her that again, see if I don’t punch you!"
Gou Dan was flabbergasted. "Shi Tou," he stamred, "you... how co you don’t hate the scabby— I an, Juhua anymore?"
Shi Tou said earnestly, "Sister Juhua is really nice!" After a pause, he added, "And her cooking is amazing!"
Gou Dan looked at him doubtfully.
Shi Tou said impatiently, "Just rember, you’re not allowed to call her ’scabby girl’ anymore, and don’t let anyone else either! If you hear soone say it, you tell them off!"
Gou Dan quickly nodded in agreent.
Li Laoda had also gone to watch the commotion earlier. When he got ho, he clasped his hands behind his back, his face grim, and told Granny Hua what had happened.
He said, "See? Even a cornered rabbit will bite! Are you still going to run your mouth all over the village? You should have seen how fierce Changhe’s wife was today. She beat Sun Jinshan’s wife so badly she couldn’t even fight back. Even their little girl, Juhua, was ferocious—she tore into Liu’er’s mother until the woman didn’t dare say a word back! If you keep carrying on like you always do, sooner or later you’ll provoke soone into coming to our door ready for a fight to the death! Changming, Changling, you two listen up. We three n need to keep a tighter rein on your mother. No going out unless it’s necessary, lest she brings disaster upon our house one day!"
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