Shen Jianhua awkwardly smiled.
With both kids around, what could he say?
Xiaocui, who had been listening to the adults’ conversation, sympathetically tugged at Shen Mianmian’s hand. Shen Mianmian smiled back at her without saying a word.
As a daughter, if she publicly talked back to Zhou Lanfang, even if she was right, everyone would only criticize her sharp tongue—no one would praise her.
It was simpler to pretend she hadn’t heard anything. These people were just trying to put others down. Arguing until faces turned red and necks swelled was pointless.
"You’re all unnecessarily worrying about things that don’t concern you. Why do you care so much about someone else’s family affairs?"
Auntie Liu and Li Chunhua also came to watch TV. As soon as they walked in, they heard talk about Shen Mianmian. Auntie Liu always remembered how Shen Mianmian had helped her, so she couldn’t help but interject.
These people were just stirring up trouble. What business was it of theirs if Shen Jianhua was good to Shen Mianmian?
Zhou Lanfang had never been kind to Shen Mianmian. If Shen Jianhua were also unkind to her, how could the poor girl cope?
The Zhang family’s daughter-in-law felt a bit embarrassed by Auntie Liu’s words and laughed awkwardly, "We’re just talking, that’s all. We’re not strangers here."
"Being an insider doesn’t give you the right to meddle in someone else’s family matters," Li Chunhua also couldn’t help but speak up, taking a stand. "I find Mianmian to be a hard-working girl. Didn’t she do a lot of work in the fields during the busy farming season and take care of the cattle and sheep during the summer?"
How tiring can it be to wash some dishes at home?
Let’s not even discuss whether Zhou Siyu did it or not. Even if she did, so what? Which child hasn’t washed dishes before?
Having been called out by Li Chunhua, no one knew how to respond.
After all, Li Chunhua was the village chief’s wife, and it was none of their business. There was no need to offend her.
"I didn’t say she never did any work," Zhou Lanfang said sheepishly. "I was just commenting on her poor grades."
"If someone’s not doing well in studies, you should look for the reasons," Li Chunhua glanced in Shen Mianmian’s direction. "Look how sensible Mianmian is, not talking back to you. If it were any other child, there would have been a huge argument by now."
Until then, no one had really noticed, too busy chatting. Now that Li Chunhua had pointed it out, they thought about it and realized she was right.
"Being poor at studies means she’s not smart," Zhou Lanfang retorted with a snort. "Look at Zhou Siyu, she and Mianmian were taught by the same teacher, and Siyu received an improvement award."
"An improvement award isn’t the same as being top three," a child’s voice stood out among the adults’ louder ones.
Shen Mianmian looked at Xiaocui, surprised. She hadn’t expected the quiet Xiaocui to speak up for her.
Zhou Siyu also glared at Xiaocui. What did this have to do with her? Curiosity killed the cat.
Zhou Lanfang also glared fiercely at Xiaocui.
"Let’s watch TV, everyone just watch TV, no need to talk about this anymore." Seeing the atmosphere turn sour, the Zhang family’s daughter-in-law, as the host, quickly tried to smooth things over.
With her mood spoiled, Zhou Lanfang lost her interest in small talk. If it weren’t for the paid electricity bill, she wouldn’t even want to be watching TV.
"Thank you." Shen Mianmian whispered in Xiaocui’s ear, audible only to them.
"What are you thanking me for!" Xiaocui, who had just flinched from Zhou Lanfang’s look, smiled awkwardly when she heard Shen Mianmian’s words, "You helped our family, and we haven’t even thanked you yet."
"Your mom gave my sister sunflower seeds!" Even though she hadn’t gotten to eat any since Zhou Siyu took them, Auntie Liu’s kindness was appreciated. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⟡𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵
Xiaocui nodded her head, "Mianmian, if you have time, come to my house to play. Now that it’s winter, I don’t have much to do at home."