Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man-Chapter 195 - 79: Suffering in Silence
She didn’t make a habit of eavesdropping, but when it came to Xu Chunyan and Aunt Zhang, failing to listen would put her at a disadvantage. Besides, she was curious to hear how they were plotting against her.
It was working hours, yet Xu Chunyan was at home. She must have received news that Xu Anshan had been taken to the Public Security Bureau again.
Xu Chunyan had come home to settle scores with her. Regarding this matter, if Xu Chunyan were smart enough, she’d best just watch from the sidelines. Trying to stand up for her father would only get her burned.
She and Jing Qi had gone out to eat when they ran into Second Auntie Jing. The woman invited them over so enthusiastically that their polite refusals were useless. Second Auntie Jing was so insistent that she grabbed Jing Qi’s wheelchair and started pushing him toward her house. Qin Mei couldn’t just leave Jing Qi, so she had no choice but to follow obediently.
The medicinal plaster she had given Second Auntie Jing had run out. While the older woman was busy cooking, Qin Mei came back to fetch some more for her, only to stumble upon Aunt Zhang and Xu Chunyan scheming in a room.
"Auntie, what’s with that look?" Xu Chunyan raised an eyebrow at Aunt Zhang. The woman was looking at her as if she were an idiot.
"Second Daughter-in-law Jing, no wonder," Aunt Zhang said, lowering her gaze as she slowly and methodically fastened her buttons.
"What do you mean?" Xu Chunyan didn’t understand. ’Did I say something wrong? Words alone are no proof, but the bruises on Auntie’s body are the best evidence.’
"You’re no match for the Fourth Wife of Jing." Aunt Zhang shot Xu Chunyan a sideways glance, stopping just short of calling her a fool. ’Honestly, between the wives Jing Er and Jing San married, I’m more satisfied with Xu Chunyan. Shen Qing is too cold and deliberately keeps her distance from me. I don’t like Shen Qing.’
’Xu Chunyan is different. She tries to get close and curry favor with me. Her only faults are being petty and not the least bit generous. It’s one thing for Xu Chunyan to be stingy with others, but being stingy with me is unacceptable. I’ve hinted indirectly for her to give me some tangible gifts as a sign of respect, and I know she understands, but she just plays dumb.’
’She’s a stingy miser, always thinking about what she can get from me. To keep her close, I occasionally spend money generously. Xu Chunyan is easy to buy off; as long as I give her money, she’s willing to act against her conscience.’
"Auntie, you’re Jing Er’s own flesh-and-blood aunt," Xu Chunyan said, displeased.
Standing was tiring and made it easy to be spotted. Qin Mei decided to lean against the wall and sit down, shuffling slowly until she was right beneath the window where she could hear their conversation more clearly.
"Second Daughter-in-law Jing, can you please use your brain before you speak?" Aunt Zhang fastened the last button and tugged at the hem of her clothes.
"Auntie," Xu Chunyan muttered, still unconvinced.
Aunt Zhang glared at Xu Chunyan, then picked up her enamel mug and took a sip. "The Fourth Wife of Jing didn’t hurt my face. She specifically pinched me in private places. In that respect, she’s much smarter than you."
Xu Chunyan fell silent. When she disciplined her misbehaving students, she would hit their palms directly, but she never dared to hit too hard for fear of complaints from the parents. She had considered targeting areas hidden by clothing but never dared, afraid the students would go home and tattle.
Qin Mei looked at her own fingers. ’My nails aren’t long enough. Even if they were, they wouldn’t be much of a weapon and would just break easily.’ When she got tired of pinching, she switched to squeezing. When she got tired of squeezing, she went back to pinching. Switching back and forth, she had really put Aunt Zhang through the wringer.
"Qin Mei is too vicious! You should tell Dad," Xu Chunyan insisted. ’If you win a fight, you let it go. If you lose, you report it. Isn’t that normal?’
’Judging by Auntie’s expression, she doesn’t plan on reporting it. Is she trying to protect Qin Mei?’
Aunt Zhang set down her enamel mug. With someone as dense as Xu Chunyan, she had to spell things out, or she’d never get it. "Do you think I dare to take off my clothes in front of your father-in-law? Do I dare show him the bruises on my body?"
"If you weren’t hurt, of course you wouldn’t dare, but you *are* hurt," Xu Chunyan said, her confidence wavering. ’It’s improper for a sister-in-law to undress in front of her brother-in-law, but if she doesn’t, how can Dad see the bruises on Auntie’s body? Should she ask me to describe them for her? Would Dad even believe my words? Only seeing is believing; he’d have to see it with his own eyes to be convinced.’
’Dad trusts Shen Qing’s words, but with Shen Qing’s personality, she would disdain getting involved in this mess.’
Aunt Zhang sighed. "If I listened to you, not only would I fail to get justice, but I’d also end up with the wicked reputation of trying to seduce my brother-in-law. My name would be ruined. And with Qiao Yanqiu’s temper, do you think she’d tolerate me staying here?"
Xu Chunyan said nothing. Aunt Zhang had made it so clear that if she still didn’t understand, she’d have to be stupid beyond belief.
But Xu Chunyan was indignant, unwilling to let this opportunity slip away. She felt too stifled whenever she had to face Qin Mei.
"Auntie, let’s report it to Qiao Yanqiu," Xu Chunyan said, not ready to give up. "If you can’t take off your clothes in front of Dad, then do it in front of Qiao Yanqiu."
"Qiao Yanqiu will only cover for Qin Mei," Aunt Zhang stated with certainty. She then added, "Don’t be fooled by Qiao Yanqiu’s indifferent and seemingly easy-to-bully demeanor. She has her limits. Once you cross her line, well... your brother, Xu Chunwang, is a perfect example."
