Zhou Siyu thought more and more that things were quite strange, "Why would someone suddenly change so much?"
After thinking it over, Wang Jingjing said uncertainly, "I heard that those who are weak and frail are easily possessed."
Wang Jingjing’s parents were quite superstitious; once, her younger brother got scared by a stray dog and would suddenly wake up from his sleep crying. The family said his soul got frightened away, so they performed a ritual to call back his soul in the middle of the night.
At that time, Wang Jingjing slept right beside him and the memory was deep-seated.
Zhao Xinlan, who was sitting nearby, shivered with fear, "You’re not saying, Shen Mianmian is possessed, are you?"
"I didn’t say Shen Mianmian is possessed," Wang Jingjing quickly clarified, "I’m just saying, those with frail bodies are more likely to catch those... "
In elementary school, the textbooks contained lessons not to believe in superstitions, and Teacher Chen disliked feudal superstitions the most. If word got out that she believed in superstitions, she could say goodbye to her position as the group leader.
In Zhou Siyu’s mind, the phrase "those who are weak and frail are easily possessed" kept flashing.
Shen Mianmian had always suffered from malnutrition, and indeed she had been beaten severely that day; her body was more than weak. The way she lay on the bed, she looked as though she was about to die.
Could it be... She shivered, her skin breaking out in goosebumps, and she had to share a bed with Shen Mianmian that night.
Worried about Shen Mianmian’s excellent performance in the exam, and having been frightened, Zhou Siyu’s spirits were not great for the entire afternoon. When she arrived home and saw Zhou Lanfang picking vegetables at the kitchen door, she called out listlessly.
Zhou Lanfang noticed her mood was off and put down the vegetable leaves immediately, asking with concern, "What’s the matter? Did someone at school bully you?"
Just as she was about to complain, Zhou Siyu caught sight of a pair of rain boots at the kitchen door; it was the pair Shen Jianhua wore when he worked.
As soon as she spoke, Shen Jianhua walked out of the kitchen, seeing only her, he asked, puzzled, "Why didn’t Mianmian come back with you?"
"My sister..." Zhou Siyu hesitated.
"Did that wretched girl run off to mess around again?" Zhou Lanfang asked impatiently.
"Uncle, please don’t be mad at her," Zhou Siyu said protectively of Shen Mianmian.
"Tell me." Shen Jianhua’s expression became serious, sensing that what Zhou Siyu was about to say was definitely not good news.
"My sister... She wasn’t paying attention in class and was chatting with boys. The teacher called her to the office for a talk," Zhou Siyu said cautiously.
"..." Shen Jianhua’s face darkened instantly.
"That no-good girl," Zhou Lanfang bit her molars angrily, complaining, "See, I told you she wasn’t cut out for school, but you wouldn’t listen. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on her, it’s a waste. She’s a hopeless cause." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Actually..." Zhou Siyu looked unsure whether to continue, but finally as though she made up her mind, she added, "A while ago because she wasn’t paying attention in class, she was made to stand as a punishment. She even went to the boys’ restroom to fight, and Teacher Li was shouting about expelling her. He said when it comes time to get the report card at the end of the term... the parents should come..."
"Listen to this, just listen. She’s worse than those little thugs on the streets. I disciplined her and you still defended her, look at what she’s become because of it," Zhou Lanfang said, almost jumping in agitation.
"What are you yelling for?" Shen Jianhua glared at her angrily. This was not a matter to be proud of, so why make a scene that the whole village would know?