Who has been spreading such idle gossip? The culprit is now being thoroughly scolded with their ear in someone’s firm grip.
"Ay, mum, you’re about to twist my ear off; why are you so heartless? I’m your own son, not some foundling from a filthy ditch," Cheng Zhi tilted his head and pleaded with his mother, "Besides, it’s not like I’ve done anything. Wasn’t I just sticking up for my sister? Instead of praising me, you scold me; where’s the justice in that?"
"Pah! You little rascal, you could talk a flower into blooming. What’s there to praise? You spread gossip about your sister’s in-laws, and I should praise you for that?" Mother Cheng retorted incredulously.
She too had heard the idle chatter of Huangtian Village. The two villages weren’t far apart, and there were plenty of marriages between them. With all the gossip that goes on, I tell you, you tell me, there simply are no secrets between the two hamlets.
The gossip didn’t just stay within the villages; it spread to the town as well.
If there was gossip, how could it not reach Mother Cheng’s ears? She was somewhat puzzled—during arguments, isn’t it customary to close the doors? How could the details have spread so clearly?
Just as she was mulling over this, her son cheerfully admitted that he was the one who had let the cat out of the bag, which infuriated her so much that her hair nearly stood on end.
"Of all things to spread, you had to spread gossip about your sister’s marital home. Are you so eager for everyone to know that they can’t even have peace during the New Year? How is your sister supposed to save face?" Mother Cheng fumed in exasperation.
Cheng Zhi finally managed to wriggle away from his mother’s clutches and snorted, "It’s the Qi family who doesn’t care about losing face, not my sister. Let everyone see how domineering the Qi relatives are, driving a wife to return to her parents’ home in frustration! Let’s see if they dare to do it again in the future."
Mother Cheng thought about it and it seemed to make sense.
"But your sister, she won’t have an easy time either. She’ll still suffer," Mother Cheng sighed deeply.
Cheng Zhi’s lips curled in a half-smirk, "Mom, worry less. Do you think Susu is someone who gets easily troubled? I think she’s becoming more and more capable. Does she even care about what others think? Besides, she’s not living here anymore, so whatever people say, she won’t hear. You still think Susu is the type to not get over it? As if!"
From childhood to adulthood, his sister Cheng Su was never the type to dwell on things. Before she got married, so many people said she was not worthy of Qi Taiguo; did she care? She still married him anyway.
Now that she was married and running a business, he believed that his older sister was becoming increasingly prestigious. He, who had once barely acknowledged her, was now, begrudgingly, somewhat impressed.
Mother Cheng was left feeling somewhat abashed by her son’s words.
"You, you’re not as clear-sighted as your son," Father Cheng, who had been silent so far, suddenly interjected.
Mother Cheng defended herself, "Isn’t it because I worry she might find it hard in her husband’s family? After all, women have it tougher than men."
"No matter how hard it is, it’s still not as important as one’s own peace of mind. If it’s really not working out, just stay distant. I didn’t expect that her father-in-law would be so open-minded and would actually come over to fetch Susu himself," Father Cheng remarked thoughtfully.
That was true, Mother Cheng said, "Luckily that family has at least one sensible person!"
"That’s why let it be. Let the rumors spread. It’s good to let the Qi family see their own actions have ultimately left them without dignity," Father Cheng actually approved of the gossip.
Cheng Zhi proudly declared, "It’s all thanks to me. You should credit this as my achievement."
Mother Cheng glared at him, "Credit you? You think I don’t know your sister gave you fifty yuan? Hand it over, we need to pay for your school fees."
Feeling a shiver on his scalp, Cheng Zhi took off, "Ah, I’ve made plans with Gouzi to hunt wild pheasants, I’m off!"
"You little rascal, get back here!" Mother Cheng chased after him for a few steps and huffed, then thought again and added, "No, I should talk to Susu later so she’s aware of this too."