The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 52: Should One Meddle in Others’ Affairs?

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Should One Meddle in Others’ Affairs?

Tong Huaqiong was attracted by the cry tinged with fear and turned her head to look over.

The cry came from Liu Qiaoyun, the young wife on Mr. Xu’s cart.

Liu Qiaoyun was discussing with Aunt Wang about what kind of silk thread to use for hemming her clothes when she felt a hand slide over her buttocks, which scared her into yelping.

Tong Huaqiong focused her attention on Liu Qiaoyun’s surroundings, and upon a closer look, she saw that the hooligan Xu Si had somehow moved to Liu Qiaoyun’s side, his salty hands sliding from her buttocks to her back.

He gave a firm grope and then casually let his hand drop down.

Initially, Gu Taohua had been sitting next to Liu Qiaoyun, but now that Gu Taohua had gotten off the cart, the seat beside her was empty.

Taking advantage of the situation, Xu Si, who was sitting at the back of the cart, moved over to sit next to Liu Qiaoyun.

"Xu Si, what are you doing?"

Liu Qiaoyun turned her head and saw Xu Si sitting where Gu Taohua had just been. She clearly realized what had happened, and her shoulders trembled as she looked very frightened.

Despite being in broad daylight, the fear of being cornered by Xu Si in the wheat field near the village entrance flooded her heart.

"Sister-in-law, what do you think I’m doing? Just taking a ride," Xu Si said with a sly smile, squeezing closer to Liu Qiaoyun.

"What’s wrong, Qiaoyun?"

Liu Qiaoyun’s cry naturally drew the eyes of all passengers on the ox cart. Most of them, with a quick glance at Xu Si, understood what had happened.

It was just Aunt Wang who didn’t know, asking concernedly.

Liu Qiaoyun felt both ashamed and angry, unsure of how to respond.

If she shouted that Xu Si had touched her, not only would Xu Si deny it, but Xu Si’s mother, Yan Pozi, would jump up and slut-shame her, calling her seductive as the mildest insult.

In broad daylight, making a scene would shame Liu Qiaoyun, not Xu Si.

"Nothing much," Liu Qiaoyun forced a smile at Aunt Wang, squeezing a bit towards her.

Xu Si gave a sinister laugh.

Yan Pozi curled her lips in disdain.

Why was it that every other eligible bachelor in the village had gotten married smoothly, but no one would see Xu Si?

Could a decent man not be driven mad? In her opinion, a fresh young wife like Liu Qiaoyun deserved to be bullied by her son. Why else would she dress so brightly for work, if not to seduce men?

If Xu Si was behaving like this, it was all because of an unsettled young wife like Liu Qiaoyun.

Yan Pozi was all set, just waiting for Liu Qiaoyun to shout out so she could fling her slew of insults.

Liu Qiaoyun and her in-law’s old Qin family would only embarrass themselves throughout Yan Guan Town.

Xu Si, confident that Liu Qiaoyun wouldn’t dare to speak up, laughed even more wantonly.

While laughing, he squeezed closer to Liu Qiaoyun, practically half his body was draped over her.

He couldn’t bully Gu Taohua, but surely he could a timid young bride like Liu Qiaoyun?

Liu Qiaoyun was the most striking young wife in the village, and he had long wanted to mess around with her.

When she had just gotten married, he had the chance, but it was ruined by Gu Taohua passing by.

Now he finally had the opportunity.

Liu Qiaoyun’s husband, Qin Qingyou, was as shy as a woman. He didn’t show an ounce of masculinity, so he figured even if he bullied Liu Qiaoyun, Qin Qingyou wouldn’t dare confront him.

Thinking this, Xu Si’s hands grew restless again.

Today, there were especially many people from Qinghe Bay coming to the fair. The entire cart was full, and Liu Qiaoyun had nowhere to escape, with Aunt Wang on the left and Xu Si on the right, pinning her in the middle.

She was utterly in distress.

In fact, many people on the cart noticed Xu Si’s actions towards Liu Qiaoyun, but they all minded their own business.

Some thought of standing up to switch seats with Liu Qiaoyun, but were held down by those nearby.

There was no benefit in offending Xu Si.

Everyone had families, wives, daughters, and granddaughters, all afraid that if they stepped up now, Xu Si would target their women next time.

Besides, Xu Si had three brothers strutting around the village. Who dare provoke them?

Having four sons was Yan Pozi’s confidence in indulging Xu Si.

Liu Qiaoyun was desperate, her eyes brimming with tears.

In that moment, she truly missed Gu Taohua, who had been sitting next to her earlier.

She just hoped Mr. Xu would return soon. Perhaps Xu Si wouldn’t dare go too far in front of his elder.

Tong Huaqiong saw Liu Qiaoyun’s eyes reddening and couldn’t help but want to shout, "Liu Qiaoyun, can’t you stand up and fend off Xu Si? Can’t you learn from Gu Taohua to pin him down and feed him to stray dogs?"

For someone like Xu Si who bullies the weak and fears the strong, how long can you bear it?

Tong Huaqiong wanted to intervene but seeing Liu Qiaoyun’s weak demeanor, she hesitated, not knowing if she should get involved, fearing it would just invite trouble.

She remembered a past life when she and a classmate were on a bus going shopping, encountering a groper touching a stranger girl.

She intervened and asked the driver to stop and call the police.

When the police arrived, the girl quietly slipped away.

She nearly spat blood in anger and vowed never to meddle again.

"Sister, you’re truly a rich young lady," 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Gu Dashu and Jingzhe, the two brothers, usually doted on Gu Taohua immensely, teasing and complaining aside, they’d never make their sister walk no matter how heavy the load.

"Go!"

Gu Dashu gritted his teeth and lifted the cart handle, while Jingzhe struggled to push from behind.

Gu family’s flatbed cart passed by Mr. Xu’s cart.

Tong Huaqiong saw Xu Si’s hand like a wandering snake, sliding across Liu Qiaoyun’s back.

Liu Qiaoyun and Tong Huaqiong locked eyes, and her gaze was a silent cry for help, seeing Gu family’s flatbed cart pass by Mr. Xu’s cart, despair filled Liu Qiaoyun’s heart.

"Xu Si, have you no shame?"

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t hold back anymore.

All eyes on the cart turned to Tong Huaqiong.

Everyone wondered what Xu Si did to offend Widow Tong this time.

Tong Huaqiong ordered Gu Dashu to stop the cart and carrying two bags of flour, she moved to Liu Qiaoyun and Xu Si’s side.

"Mom, what nonsense is Xu Si up to again?"

Gu Taohua quickly jumped off the cart, rolling her sleeves beside Tong Huaqiong.

This morning, she wasn’t afraid even when alone with her mother, and now she had two brothers backing her up, she was even less worried.

The mischievous blood in Gu Taohua was boiling.

Gu Dashu and Jingzhe put down the cart and came to Tong Huaqiong’s side, glaring fiercely at Xu Si.

The image of Xu Si, who feared nothing and behaved shamelessly, was notorious. They both thought Xu Si had harassed Tong Huaqiong.

Both reached out and pinned Xu Si, who flinched in fear, his hand retreating from Liu Qiaoyun.

"Mom, did Xu Si bother you?" Gu Dashu asked, his bloodshot eyes wide open.

"Dashu, Jingzhe, Xu Si he didn’t..."

Yan Pozi waved her hands in panic, worried that Gu Dashu, who feared nothing, might actually do something to Xu Si.

"Yan Pozi, save your breath," Tong Huaqiong twisted and knocked on the cart rail beside Xu Si, saying, "Every day I pay Mr. Xu for four spots, but now someone’s taking Taohua’s reserved seat."

Gu Dashu and Jingzhe breathed a sigh of relief, confident that even if Xu Si had the guts of ten men, he wouldn’t dare harass their widowed mother.

Still, taking their sister Taohua’s reserved seat was also worthy of a beating.