Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 4 - 4 4 Harassing and Entangling

In her past life, Guiying had caused several scenes, but Chiang Xiao had been too incapacitated by a delirious fever to notice. By the time her health returned, her grandparents had already been bullied into submission. To appease the Ding Family, they had surrendered a roll of high-quality fabric and a basket of their carefully saved chicken eggs.

Simultaneously, a malicious rumor regarding her reputation had begun to spread rapidly throughout the village.

The mere memory of that gossip and the misery that followed caused a fierce anger to boil within Chiang Xiao. Forcing herself up, she climbed out of bed and struggled toward the door.

Meanwhile, another figure entered the main hall of the Chiang residence—Song Xiyun, the wife of Chiang Songhai’s nephew from the neighboring branch of the family.

Upon entering, her eyes scanned the room, narrowing with calculated curiosity.

“Oh, I was wondering who was making such a fuss. Sister Guiying, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at your stove? Da Qiang might lose his temper if his dinner isn't ready when he returns from the fields.”

In the village, people ate early, and dinner prep usually commenced around five o’clock.

Song Xiyun was notoriously lazy and frequently visited at this hour to spy on what her second uncle and aunt were eating. If she spotted something appetizing, she would find a pretext to snatch a portion for herself.

Her mother-in-law was well aware of these habits but chose to ignore them.

“None of your damned business!” Guiying, already incensed, rolled her eyes and snapped back. It was no concern of Song Xiyun’s whether her husband had been fed or not.

Song Xiyun merely pursed her lips, unbothered by the hostility. Her gaze continued to wander before she drifted toward the cooking area.

“Auntie, let me help you tend to the fire.”

Ge Liutao was far too preoccupied to deal with her. Seeing Guiying attempting to force her way into Chiang Xiao’s bedroom, she moved quickly to block the path once more.

“Guiying, regardless of the problem, can’t we wait until Little is feeling better?”

“No way!” Guiying’s eyes bulged with fury as she shoved the older woman. “It’s been two days. Who knows how long that damned girl plans to stay in bed? Don't think you can dodge paying us back by feigning illness! My Da Ni is heading to town the day after tomorrow, and she needs that new dress!”

She was a robust woman with significant strength, and the force of her push sent Ge Liutao stumbling backward.

Chiang Songhai moved fast to catch his wife, breaking into a cold sweat. At her age, such a fall could result in a devastating injury; it was a serious matter.

He glared at Guiying, shouting, “Hey, Da Qiang’s wife, use your words! Why are you resorting to pushing people around?”

“What’s stopping her?” Guiying felt a brief flash of guilt, but seeing the woman had been caught and wasn't actually hurt, her arrogance returned. She puffed out her chest and challenged Chiang Songhai, “Why don’t you try pushing me back?”

She began to wail loudly, “I want the whole village to see how heartless the Chiang Family is! My Da Ni kindly went to rescue someone, only to have her clothes torn to shreds, and now the Chiang Family’s Young Lady plays sick to avoid compensation! If I had known, I would have told my Da Ni not to bother and let her be dragged away by the Water Ghost in the stream…”

Those final words ignited Chiang Songhai’s temper. With teeth clenched, he raised his hand, ready to deliver a slap.

She was essentially cursing his granddaughter to drown!

Seeing the raised hand, Guiying aggressively thrust her chest forward, continuing her tirade, “What, you want to hit me now? I’m telling you now, we aren't finished until you pay for those clothes! You want to get violent? Go ahead! Hit me!”

Given her sturdy build and ample bosom, her posture made it look as though she was practically offering herself up to Chiang Songhai’s strike.

Song Xiyun, who had just peeked under the pot lid, turned toward the shouting. “Second uncle, you can’t strike her. A man who hits a woman will be spat upon and drowned by the villagers' gossip!”

Just as she lifted the door curtain, Chiang Xiao saw Guiying standing with her chin tilted in brazen defiance, taunting her grandfather. His face was crimson with rage while her grandmother desperately held him back.

A surge of protective emotion gave Chiang Xiao a sudden burst of strength. She charged at Guiying, slamming her shoulder with full force into the woman’s protruding chest.