Bai Zhi looked at Aunt Niu with a gaze that verged on worship, as if she were some kind of hero who always enjoyed helping others, which greatly satisfied Aunt Niu’s vanity.
Aunt Niu looked at them somewhat sheepishly.
"You silly girl, why say such things? We’re all people from Bai Family Village. You’re just like my nieces, it’s what I should do."
Though Aunt Niu could be a chatterbox, she was genuinely protective.
"Bai Xin, let me tell you, don’t be afraid of those kinds of people. Just tell us, and we’ll gather some folks and give them a beating. As a woman, you can’t just endure it quietly; if you do, they’ll only get more brazen."
It was clear Aunt Niu was speaking from experience, advising Bai Xin that some malicious mothers-in-law just take advantage, and if you relent just once, there’s no end to it.
"Sister Niu, I know, it’s just..." It was a direct stab to the heart.
"I know you have a kind heart. Next time he comes, just let me know, and I’ll come help you." Aunt Niu realized that not only was Bai Zhi simple-minded, but Bai Xin was, too.
What was that saying again? A kind person is easily bullied, a good horse is easily ridden.
Bai Xin and Bai Zhi were the epitome of naivety; it seemed as though all the cunning in the Old Bai Family had concentrated in Bai Da, and then there was Bai Yu.
Otherwise, how could those two be so shrewd and sneaky, the kind with an abundance of petty tricks?
Bai Xin: "..." She truly wasn’t naive.
"Yes, yes, you’re right, Aunt Niu," Bai Zhi nodded continuously, as if to affirm that everything Aunt Niu said was correct.
"Bai Zhi, weren’t you complaining about foot pain? Why have you stood up again? You should go back and rest. Those are needles that have been in your body for so many years; you must take care to rest properly."
Now, everyone knew that Bai Zhi had suffered, with so many needles in her body and having done so much work; her health must have been affected. To the villagers, Bai Zhi now seemed not much different from a clay figurine.
"Okay, thank you, Aunt Niu."
Once again, Bai Zhi expressed her gratitude, indeed, she owed thanks to Aunt Niu, as well as for Bai Da’s matter.
"All right, I’ll be going now. You two should head back."
Aunt Niu ruffled Bai Zhi’s hair and then finally left, not without inwardly sighing for poor Bai Zhi, poor Bai Xin. What’s the use of good jobs if they don’t meet a good family to marry into?
Bai Xin, supporting Bai Zhi, returned to their home and closed the courtyard gate before finally speaking.
"Xingxing, why wouldn’t you let me mention divorce?" At that moment, Bai Xin had wanted to just blurt out the word divorce.
"Auntie, if you bring it up now, you’ll be blamed. Why should you be? Their family is disgusting. Even if we get a divorce, it should be because they’ve wronged us; they’re at fault, not us."
Bai Zhi didn’t want her aunt to be misunderstood, even in the slightest.
"Xingxing you..." Bai Xin’s nose felt a bit sour; for the first time, she was being protected unconditionally. Although Xingxing was just a child, Bai Xin felt a real sense of security from her.
It was a feeling of safety within her family that she hadn’t experienced with Bai Da.
"Auntie, we’re here for you. If it comes to it, we’ll just storm their door. Why should they bully you? But I still think you should have my master check on you to see how your health is. Even without Mu Yi, we can still have a little brother or sister."
Auntie really wanted a child; she must dearly wish to have one of her own.
Bai Xin’s face turned beet red instantly, like the deep hue of a ripe red apple.
"You child. How can you say such things? You’re still a child. And me... I don’t want to think about it anymore; from now on, I’ll just take care of you."
Even if she got divorced, she had no intentions of remarrying. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for her to start her own business?