Chapter 78: Still Want More?

Li Zilan and Su Qingwu looked at each other, eyes wide as they stared at Qiu Zhiyang.

Qiu Zhiyang analyzed, "Pei Huaiye, that kid, had his legs broken by Pei Fugui and his wife when he was thirteen, and they even forced him to live in a mountain cave alone for several years. Is this something biological parents could do?"

"Moreover, Pei Huaiye doesn't look like the couple Chen Lianzhen and her husband at all. Pei Huaigang and Pei Huaimei have eyebrows and eyes that look quite similar; their single eyelids are like Chen Lianzhen's, and their broad faces and pointed chins are like Pei Fugui's."

"But look at Pei Huaiye: he's one meter eighty-eight, with a high nose and a lean face, his features sharp and well-defined—a top-tier appearance. Where on his body is there even a shred of Pei Fugui's shadow?"

This analysis left everyone at the dining table lost in thought.

Su Mingqiang took a puff of his pipe and said wistfully, "He doesn't look like them, but rural people raise children roughly; which family's child doesn't get beaten? Back then, every household couldn't afford to eat and was busy with their own lives, so no one questioned what Pei Fugui did... Saying these things now doesn't provide any evidence."

Qiu Zhiyang sighed deeply, "Perhaps Pei Fugui and his wife know something; we must find a way to pry their mouths open."

Su Qingwu shook his head, "Pei Fugui and Chen Lianzhen are too biased. They aren't just bad to my brother-in-law; they are practically bloodsuckers. Since they rely on Huaiye for living expenses, they will definitely insist that Pei Huaiye is their biological son. We probably won't be able to get any information out of them."

Li Zilan pondered, "Master, why don't you tell my brother-in-law about this suspicion and see what he says? By the way, there is one more thing."

Li Zilan said indignantly, "I heard that after the wedding banquet, Su Qianqian bragged to everyone that she is about to become a salesperson at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and she even said that Qingyue promised her eldest brother she would help."

"If Su Qianqian doesn't get into the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, everyone will say Qingyue doesn't know what's good for her and has failed to repay the kindness of her adoptive family."

"And if Su Qianqian does get into the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, wouldn't she be smug to death?"

Su Mingqiang looked worried, "Isn't the salesperson position a unified exam? How can she make Qingyue help?"

Li Zilan cleared the bowls and chopsticks, "I'm just afraid she has some bad intentions. I wonder if Qingyue and the others have eaten yet? Let's take some food over and ask."

On the day of the wedding banquet, Su Qianqian sat at a table with Widow Liu. Su Qianqian kept praising Qingyue in front of them for being blessed and lucky, being cherished and protected by her biological parents, going straight to work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative upon returning to the village, and receiving the Three Rounds and One Sound, along with so many valuable dowries and bride prices, upon marrying Pei Huaiye.

The young women and aunts eating at the banquet were all envious and jealous of Su Qingyue.

Widow Liu, sharp as a tack, saw at a glance that Su Qianqian was deliberately putting Su Qingyue on a pedestal, "If you ask me, Qingyue should help you get into the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. She spent seventeen years in the city eating well, drinking well, going to school, and learning to read, which changed her life; otherwise, this job should have been yours to begin with."

Jiang Meng fanned the flames from the side, "That's right! You can't compare those who have been to school with those who have no education! One is in the sky, the other is in the dirt!"

"Besides, Su Qingyue is pretty, too! Yo! Ever since she went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, customers have been lining up at her counter to pay, especially the male customers..."

As she spoke, she covered her mouth with a suggestive smile, then spat twice, "Oh my, I just meant to say that Qingyue is not only smart and pretty but also loves to dress up, and her flesh has grown in all the right places..."

She successfully diverted the topic, and the younger girls, who were at an age where they cared about beauty, hated Su Qingyue even more.

Everyone compared Su Qingyue and Su Qianqian: the fake daughter was living a flourishing life, while the real daughter was still working in the fields to earn Work Points, her hands covered in calluses and scars, without a proper job. Although she married Young Master Shen, their wedding didn't cause a ripple; the villagers didn't come, and even her own family didn't show up.

"Qianqian, why didn't your family come to your wedding, but Qingyue's brothers came to hers?"

Su Qianqian smiled innocently and naively, looking like a fragile little white flower, "My family found out the truth and realized they had misunderstood me. My two brothers coming this time was also to make up for my dowry with eight hundred yuan."

Everyone continued to ask what had been misunderstood.

They were interrupted by Widow Liu, who nudged them with her elbow, "It must be that we were all led astray by previous events. Can you say a rabbit can outrun a fox?"

With this analogy, everyone started guessing again. Su Qianqian was busy smoothing things over, "Good sisters, good aunts, don't guess randomly. Qingyue is really very good; she is so kind. Everything between us was a misunderstanding. Now that it's in the past, let's not bring it up again."

As she spoke, tears hung in her eyes, and she obediently used serving chopsticks to put meat and vegetables for everyone, looking like someone who had been wronged but would never speak of it.

Everyone immediately felt a sense of pity for Su Qianqian.

Widow Liu sneered inwardly that Su Qianqian was just as sly as she was. She didn't eat a single bite of the food, putting all the meat and vegetables she was served into a large bowl.

Taking these home would be enough for her three children to have a full meal.

Seeing that she was speaking up for her, Su Qianqian invited her to come to her house tomorrow to get some fruit candies.

Widow Liu smiled and agreed. The next day at noon, after finishing work and eating, she came to find Su Qianqian to chat and get the fruit candies, and incidentally, she wanted to strike up a conversation with Shen Xunbao.

"He hasn't even gotten out of bed all day; that Pei Huaiye is really something!" Widow Liu made a gesture to Su Qianqian, her eyes darting around, but she didn't see Shen Xunbao.

Her house was not far from Su Qingyue's, and she had been observing the other side's movements for the past two days.

Her eldest son was eight years old and had to be sent to the County to study; the tuition and book fees were a large sum of money.

Raising three children alone by earning Work Points was only enough to keep them fed. If she wanted her children to change their fate, they had to study!

But Shen Xunbao had been ignoring her lately, which was very strange; he had been so enthusiastic the first time! Recently, she had secretly cast flirtatious glances at him several times, but he treated her like air.

Su Qianqian put down her enamel mug. Hearing Widow Liu's words, her smile turned bitter; now, Shen Xunbao was even stingy with his hugs.

"Why is Su Qingyue's life so good? They even have a television at home. I wonder if it's good to watch?"

Su Qianqian's eyes lit up. As she thought of something, her pupils darted around, "Sister Liu, Sister Qingyue is a kind person. Why don't you bring your three children, and we'll go to their house to watch TV together? She will definitely agree."

Su Qianqian carried a basket of eggs, smiling and greeting neighbors along the way, "That's right, we're going to see Sister Qingyue and take a look at what the television is like. Are you coming?"

"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"Not at all, Sister Qingyue is kind. Everyone come and see what the TV looks like!"

Su Qianqian walked and shouted all the way until she was nudged by Widow Liu, "Qianqian, everything we do should be done step by step."

Why take so many people? With too many monks and too little gruel, her own children wouldn't get many snacks.

Su Qianqian was stunned, and only then did she carefully look at Widow Liu. She had three children, yet her skin was still firm and fair, and her eyes were very bright; she looked clean, but her true nature was unfathomable.

"Qianqian, you have to take the exam for the Supply and Marketing Cooperative in three days. The most important thing now is to have Su Qingyue help you with your studies!"

Widow Liu smiled sincerely.

Pei Family courtyard.

Pei Huaiye was holding the person in his arms, feeding her mouthful by mouthful. Seeing the spots of bruises all over her tender, white skin, he felt a pang of heartache, yet he felt inexplicably more restless.

Su Qingyue was still very sleepy, leaning in Pei Huaiye's arms with her eyes half-closed as she ate. Her cheeks bulged as she chewed, like a small animal eating before hibernation, revealing a dazed, charming, and cute appearance.

Pei Huaiye felt an itch in his heart; he put down the bowl and chopsticks and kissed the person in his arms several times.

He looked at his wife's delicate, pink face and asked in a hoarse voice, "Wife, do you want more?"