Chapter 261: He Yushui: I Offended My Sister‑in‑Law

Jia Zhangshi also saw Nan Yi — tall, thin, with a bitter‑gourd face.

At a glance you could tell this person had no good fortune.

But whether his fate is good or bad doesn't matter; what matters is the atmosphere Liang Ladi is creating in the corrupt courtyard.

Moreover, Qin Huairu is very close to the Liang widow, often going fishing together, making her easily led astray.

Jia Zhangshi worried about this for several days straight.

It just so happened that the New Year was coming, everyone was off work and at home, with people coming and going in the courtyard, making it livelier.

With more people gathered, they liked to gossip about nothing but the Zhang family's elders and the Li family's shortcomings.

Thus Liang Ladi's affairs became the hot topic in the courtyard.

"I don't know where Liang Ladi found this partner — she wants someone for all four of her children."

"That depends on her ability; if she has it, you can't envy her."

"Liang Ladi looks good, she can earn money herself, and she has no burdens."

"Widows who can't support themselves and their children worry about remarrying; Liang Ladi, like this, is a high‑quality widow."

"Heh, isn't she just raising someone else's children?"

Jia Zhangshi interjected.

"I think she's just a flirtatious fox who can't hold onto a man; she already has four kids and is still looking for a man — what if he mistreats her children?"

"I think she's just too selfish, looking out for herself and not the kids."

"Is she being faithful to her husband?"

When others saw it was Jia Zhangshi speaking, they immediately understood what she meant.

"Aunt Jia, finding a man would be great — more people to help raise the children."

"Free labor that can earn money, warm the bed, and when she's old and useless, you can kick her out with no burden."

Afterwards they whispered.

"I've heard that to this day the Bai widow still hasn't borne a child for He Daqing."

"She gives everything without asking for anything in return — who wouldn't like such labor?"

"Hey, since you brought it up, I just remembered that Liang Ladi's prospect also seems to be a cook."

"If you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have noticed — indeed, He Daqing is a cook, and this Nan Yi is also a cook."

"Two widows, both with children."

"You say it's strange, but why are cooks so fond of widows?"

Another voice spoke up.

"It's not that cooks like widows; it's widows who like cooks."

"A widow with kids living alone — how hard must that be?"

"Finding a cook is good — at least you won't starve."

"I heard the Bai widow went to great lengths initially to get He Daqing into bed."

"Women fear clingy men; men fear women who go all‑out. Once a man can't control his belt, he's done."

"You mean, Liang Ladi…?"

"Nine out of ten, it's true."

Jia Zhangshi spat in disgust.

"Shameless."

"Women like that should be driven out; they ruin our courtyard's reputation."

As soon as Jia Zhangshi said that, everyone turned to look at her in unison.

That look made it clear — if anyone were to bring disaster to this courtyard, it would be you, Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi felt a surge of indignation at the sight.

Second Aunt spat resentfully.

"It's not like we haven't tried to drive her out before."

"Yeah, Second Aunt tried to drive her out before, but it didn't work."

"Liang Ladi hasn't done anything wrong — what right do we have to expel her? Besides, she works at the Mechanical Factory; we have no authority to kick her out."

"Unless Aunt Jia can bring the Mechanical Factory's security over to catch Liang Ladi in the act, getting her to leave is impossible — just one word: difficult."

Another woman spoke up then.

"She's looking for a man — nothing wrong with that. These days the state encourages remarriage."

"Jia Zhangshi, are you afraid Qin Huairu will also find a cook?"

"You say that, and I think it's not bad — if Qin Huairu found a cook, her life would definitely improve a lot."

"Speaking of which, Qin Huairu actually once had a fated good match."

"You mean Sha Zhu?"

"Exactly — back then Sha Zhu and the Jia family…"

"Oh dear, Jia Zhangshi, look at my mouth."

Jia Zhangshi's face darkened.

"Want to remarry? Qin Huairu can go eat dirt."

"She has to stay and guard my family's Dong Xu, or else she won't be able to take anything with her."

"She has nothing — I don't see anyone daring to take her."

Everyone listening felt like a cold wind had blown through.

"That woman is truly vicious."

But the reality is indeed like that; if Qin Huairu had nothing and still had two children, it's really hard to say anyone would want her.

Although she is good-looking, no matter how good-looking, she is almost thirty.

Who could support them? You can't find anyone like that.

Unless you find someone good-for-nothing, marrying into that would just be asking for trouble.

All I can say is that Jia Zhangshi is truly vicious; back when she let Qin Huairu go to work, she had already dug a pit for her.

"Jia Zhangshi, I have to say, you're really formidable!"

Everyone said a couple of sentences, then stopped talking about this topic—they were really disgusted by Jia Zhangshi.

But Jia Zhangshi, through their conversation, put her mind at ease.

As it turned out, she still had Qin Huairu under her control.

"Keep watch over my son."

Although the topic had dispersed, the gossip still reached the He family.

He Yushui was on vacation, strolling around the courtyard, and overheard these old women's conversation.

After hearing it, she broke out in a cold sweat.

"Thanks to my brother getting married; otherwise, with him like that, he'd probably fall into a pit and not be able to climb out."

"Indeed, Lu Xun was right—this world is full of tragic scenes of people eating people."

She wanted to go back and share this information with He Yuzhu, but thinking about her life these days, she hesitated again.

Since Liu Shumin gave birth to a child, let alone clothes—aside from her rations, she only has two yuan pocket money each month.

She can't afford anything else at all.

Fortunately she got into a technical secondary school this year; otherwise she might have to keep living off her sister-in-law's breath.

As the children grow up, and with Liu Shumin continuing to bear children, her life will probably only get harder.

Leave this place, leave as soon as possible—living here is too hard.

She doesn't understand why she keeps clashing with her sister-in-law; at first it was because of this sister-in-law Qin Huairu, she almost couldn't even afford watery gruel, and now this sister-in-law not only doesn't earn money, but also supports her natal family without limits.

"I swear, why do I keep clashing with my sister-in-law?"

She was very annoyed.

"Yushui, go look after the kids; I'm going with your sister-in-law to my mother-in-law's place."

He Yuzhu shouted while carrying big and small packages as he walked out.

Liu Shumin also had a lot in her hands—a big string in her mesh bag, not knowing what it was.

Seeing this, He Yushui felt her heart turn cold.

But she still said.

"Fine, brother, you go; I'll head back now."

Her heart felt as if blown through by the twelfth-month wind, icy cold.

Toward her mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, she treats them several times better than her own younger sister.

All in all, is she picked up? Is she an outsider?

She returned home feeling low-spirited.

Her sister-in-law's room is warm and cozy, while her room is as cold as her heart.

She held her niece, who was cute, played with her a bit, but in her heart she could no longer like this niece.

It seemed as if her appearance had occupied all of her happiness.