Liu Haiyun looked stunned. “Sister-in-law, that girl must be crazy.”
Zhou Huiru’s expression was grim, completely unprepared for the scene that just unfolded. She never imagined that this girl would embarrass them so publicly. Her face turned sullen, eyes wide and fierce.
The people waiting in line behind them hadn’t been in a rush before, but upon hearing the commotion, their anxiety grew. They still had to head to work after breakfast.
Time was money. If their labor was delayed, it would slow the country’s progress. Could these two afford such a consequence?
“What are you doing, lingering around and holding up the line? If you’re not going to eat, get out of here!” someone shouted from the back.
Zhou Huiru and her group quickly sped up, grabbing the buns and spicy soup before hurrying off with Luohuang in their arms.
Sun Lifang, watching the whole thing, couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Liu Haiyun caught sight of her and flushed red with anger. “She did that on purpose! She’s trying to make my sister-in-law look bad!”
Zhou Huiru’s face was cold. When had she ever suffered such humiliation?
The buns made by Xu Ying were clearly intended to make her feel inferior. No matter how delicious they were, they suddenly lost their flavor.
“These buns… were they really made by Xu Ying? How would she even know how to make something like this?” Liu Haiyun asked, clearly unconvinced.
“Who knows!”
“Daughter, I’ve finished up. I’m heading back now,” Mother Xu said as she stuffed the money she earned into her clothes, making sure it was tightly secured.
She stepped into the restaurant and told her daughter she was leaving, not wanting her to worry if she suddenly disappeared.
“Okay, Mom. Are you hungry? I’ll bring you some buns to eat on the way.” Xu Ying took a few large buns and stuffed them into her mother’s hands.
Mother Xu beamed. “Alright, but don’t take too many. That costs money.”
She was still smiling when she turned around—and saw Zhou Huiru and Liu Haiyun.
The two froze in place, awkwardly silent, their mouths opening and closing without words.
Mother Xu immediately sensed something was off. These two clearly didn’t have good intentions. Why else would they look so deflated the moment they saw her?
“Daughter, what are they doing here?”
“Auntie, I don’t think they’re good people. They walked in and started saying that Yingying’s cooking wasn’t any good. They were stirring up trouble,” Sun Lifang said while placing her order.
Upon hearing that, Mother Xu’s expression changed. She stormed up to Liu Haiyun and Zhou Huiru, her voice rising with pride: “You’re eating it, aren’t you? Is it delicious? My daughter made that.
This entire restaurant is popular now because of my daughter’s cooking. Chef Ge is talented too, but my daughter’s mind is quicker—she’s always coming up with new recipes.
Just look at those buns—fish-stuffed, fresh meat, spicy tofu… all her creations.
I don’t have much ability myself, but I’ve raised smart children, each better than the last.” She sat down like an old Buddha, full of pride.
“If you don’t have a daughter like mine, you might not even have children,” she added, and turned away without sparing them another glance.
Zhou Huiru trembled with rage. “Who is she talking about? Who can’t have children? I don’t want any!”
But Mother Xu, with sharp ears, called back from the distance, “If you don’t want kids, then why go to the hospital for treatment?”
A few days ago, when her daughter had fallen into the river and they’d taken her to the hospital, she and her husband had accidentally seen Zhou Huiru and her husband at the hospital as well—seeking treatment for infertility.
Liu Haiyun stared at Zhou Huiru in disbelief. “Sister-in-law, you can’t have children?”
“You can’t have them!” Zhou Huiru snapped. “I just went in for a check-up. The doctor said everything’s fine. I just need to rest and take care of my health.”
She was livid that someone had seen them at the hospital—and worse, it had to be her mortal enemy. That old woman must be laughing behind her back.
Liu Haiyun laughed awkwardly. “Well, that’s good. I was just worried about you.”
After all, what use was a woman if she couldn’t have children?
Zhou Huiru immediately lost her appetite. “Haiyun, my head hurts. Let’s just go back.”
Liu Haiyun wasn’t thrilled. She’d spent money on the trip and hadn’t even gone shopping yet. “Sister-in-law, why don’t you go back first? I want to check out the department store.”
“Alright, I’ll head back then.” Zhou Huiru grabbed her bag and left. She needed to rush home quickly, before the captain’s wife spread any gossip.
What a disaster this day had become.
Liu Haiyun nodded, followed her out of the restaurant, and then parted ways.
But just as she turned a corner, she ran into something big.
Chen Yanran was standing in an alley, flanked by two men.
“What do you want?” Chen Yanran asked impatiently.
Dong Wenqiang chuckled and reached out to touch her face, but Chen Yanran swatted his hand away, her expression full of fury. “What exactly are you trying to do?”
Dong Wenjie scoffed. “You still have the nerve to act all pure? I already slept with you.”
“Do you still think you can be our cousin’s wife? Fine—but you’ll have to listen to us now.”
From the beginning, they had tested the waters, but once they saw Chen Yanran didn’t dare report them to the police, the Dong brothers grew bolder.
Especially now—Chen Yanran looked soft and well-fed, clearly having lived well in the countryside. A girl like that surely wasn’t short on money.
Dong Wenqiang demanded outright, “Chen Yanran, my brother and I are broke. Give us ten yuan, and we promise not to bother you again.”
“Are you crazy? I don’t have ten yuan!” Chen Yanran shouted, turning to flee.
Dong Wenjie grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back.
“Don’t lie to us. We know you and our cousin live in Xujiacun. You think we don’t know you eat eggs every day?”
“That’s because your cousin gave them to me! I don’t have a single cent! Dong Wenjie, don’t push it! Or I’ll report you for rape. I’d rather die than let you get away with this!” Chen Yanran’s eyes burned with fury.
“Rape!” Liu Haiyun gasped, quickly clapping her hand over her mouth. She stared at Chen Yanran, a mixture of shock and sympathy in her eyes.
The Dong brothers were stunned by Chen Yanran’s threat. Dong Wenqiang grabbed his brother’s arm. “Back off a bit.”
“Fine, five yuan then!”
“I don’t have five yuan either. But if you really need money, I can give you an idea.” Chen Yanran looked down, her expression ashamed.
Her hesitation only piqued the brothers’ curiosity. “What idea?”
“You’ve seen Xu Ying before, right? She’s pretty, works at a county restaurant, and comes from a good family.
Dong Wenzhong used to live off her. If either of you can get close to her, you’ll be set for life,” Chen Yanran said with her head bowed.
“Yeah!” Liu Haiyun suddenly jumped in. “Chen Zhiqing is right. Xu Ying’s parents dote on her. They give her pocket money every month. Her brothers always buy her things. She’s loaded.”
The Dong brothers were shocked.
Chen Yanran’s eyes narrowed when she noticed Liu Haiyun. How long had she been here? How much had she heard?
“Really?” Dong Wenqiang asked curiously.
“Go ask around if you don’t believe me. Why would I lie to you?” Liu Haiyun huffed.
Then she turned to Chen Yanran and gave her a sympathetic smile, taking her hand. “Yanran, I was just heading to the supply and marketing cooperative. Want to come?”
Chen Yanran nodded quickly. “Okay.”
Once they left the alley, Liu Haiyun looked at her with pity. “Yanran, those two… they ruined you, didn’t they?”