"I don’t care, it’s really okay, truly okay!" Sang Rou said with hopeful eyes: "Then, how about you just say I’m a maid you bought, and not mention that we’re sisters? Good sister, please do me a favor, help me, will you? Pretty please, good sister!"
Sang Wan couldn’t help feeling angry and scoffed silently. Not mentioning they were sisters? Was that even possible with Sang Rou’s character? She would claim not to tell anyone, but she would certainly disclose it in secret! And once exposed, she would undoubtedly feign ignorance!
"Absolutely not!" Sang Wan’s gaze shifted slightly, her expression turning a bit colder as she said indifferently: "What would people think if this got out? Wouldn’t they say Sang Wan is heartless and despises her own sister! I cannot shoulder such a reputation! It’s better if cousin sister doesn’t mention this!"
Sang Rou felt utterly disappointed, but not giving up, she said with a smile: "Yes, yes, I was shortsighted, I was shortsighted! Please don’t be mad, Sister Wan! Then how about this, the Shi family owns so many properties, right? Could you introduce me to a place that needs female labor? I promise to work diligently and not bring up our connection at all!" As she spoke, she begged earnestly, "Good sister, I just want to earn my own living! Really! I won’t disgrace you, I swear!"
Enough already! Sang Wan felt impatient and tried to dismiss the idea: "I don’t understand business matters, and I wouldn’t know if there’s a place suitable for my cousin sister. Besides, would your second uncle and second aunt agree? After all, they are your parents!"
This sentence completely shattered the last sliver of hope in Sang Rou’s heart! Indeed, as long as her father and "mother" were involved, whatever she wanted to achieve would be impossible!
Her father was only interested in money, and luring him with that might give her a chance to deceive him into agreement, but as for that "mother"—she knew she never had a chance to fool her!
"You damned girl, where did you run off to! Get back here and cook for me! All this housework waiting to be done and you still have the leisure to gossip! Expect me to wait on you, do you! The moment I turn my back, you’re gone; are you in heat or what!"
Mrs. Li’s shrill and vulgar scolding echoed throughout the courtyard, and the sound of her angry, stormy footsteps followed.
Are these words befitting of an elder? Sang Wan couldn’t help but feel angry. Looking at Sang Rou, she saw that her cousin sister had already stood up, her face full of fear and confusion.
The indignation that rose in Sang Wan receded immediately. Some people are , lamenting their misfortune yet failing to put up a fight!
Mrs. Fang was unable to stop her in time, as Mrs. Li barged in like a gale, grabbed Sang Rou by the ear and started berating her. She scolded for a moment before noticing Sang Wan was there too, paused, then made certain she wasn’t mistaken, and pushed Sang Rou to the side. With a smile plastered on her face, she flatteringly said to Sang Rou: "Oh, Miss Wan, you’re back! Was I dreaming?" She cast a cold, sour look at Mrs. Fang who had followed inside and said with a sneer: "Why didn’t you visit your second uncle and second aunt first after coming back? Could it be that having climbed high, you now look down upon your elders?"
Seeing this, Sang Rou hurriedly tried to curry favor, laughing awkwardly: "I was just inviting Sister Wan to our house for a visit as she came in!"
Sang Wan could only respond with a smile: "Not at all! For second aunt to say such a thing is too much! I was actually planning to swing by very soon!"
Mrs. Li snorted dismissively and, without taking Sang Rou’s attempts to please her seriously, turned to Sang Wan with a smile: "Heh, I always knew our Miss Wan is the most courteous and respectful to elders! Without anyone stirring trouble, you surely would have visited earlier!"
Mrs. Li said this while glancing at Mrs. Fang.
"Oh, second aunt couldn’t be talking about me, could she?" Mrs. Fang said cheerily: "Second aunt should speak with evidence. I am busy preparing lunch with Mrs. Xu and was thinking of inviting second uncle and second aunt over for a meal once it’s ready. If you say that, I won’t be pleased, ha!"
Mrs. Li sniffed vigorously and indeed smelled the rich scent of chicken soup, pleasing her heart as she laughed: "Ah, I didn’t mean you! You and my elder son wouldn’t dare to disrespect the elders! I was talking about this damned girl!"
Mrs. Li turned around and jabbed Sang Rou’s forehead with a finger, scolding without any kindness: "What are you standing there for, waiting for the New Year? Get back and invite your father and sister over for lunch! You stay out of it, just grab something to eat and get to work in the Donglong vegetable plot; it still needs tending! Always lazy and expecting to be fed, thinking rice falls from the sky?"
Sang Rou was seething with resentment but dared not talk back to Mrs. Li, only glancing slightly with her eyes and quickly throwing a pleading look at Sang Wan.