Chapter 541: Chapter 541: Panicked and Desperate Chapter 541: Chapter 541: Panicked and Desperate “Isn’t this all your masterpiece?”
Mo Daoyan muttered under his breath, as last night while going to sleep, Madam Ruan had proudly recounted to him how she had spread rumors in the village. Thus, he was well aware of the entire situation.
The June sun was brutally searing, baking the entire farmland as the heat assaulted them.
They had quarreled for several Shichen Chinese Time and, before they knew it, it was noon, the most scorching part of the day.
Old Lady Mo was drenched in sweat, her clothes completely soaked, but thinking about taking over the watermelon patch and the heaps of silver that would soon come, she didn’t mind the hardship. However, sweating profusely, she became very thirsty. She walked over, planning to eat a slice of watermelon to quench her thirst, and faintly overheard Mr. and Mrs. Mo Daoyan’s conversation. Inquisitive, she asked, “What are you talking about?”
Mo Daoyan, thinking that Mother-in-law always looked out for them, especially the second branch of the family, felt he had nothing to hide and was just about to speak.
But then Madam Ruan fiercely stepped on his toe.
“Ouch!” The pain made him squat down, clutching his leg and grimacing.
Old Lady Mo glared at Madam Ruan in confusion, “What’s the matter? Is there something you’re keeping from me, an old maid?”
Madam Ruan immediately put on a smile, bent down, picked up a slice of watermelon from the ground, and handed it to Old Lady Mo, “Mother-in-law, what are you saying! I was just anxiously getting you some watermelon. I accidentally stepped on my husband; it wasn’t on purpose. You’re so good to us, I wouldn’t hide anything from you.”
“Of course, it’s true. Here, Mother-in-law, please sit down and rest for a bit, have some watermelon to quench your thirst. Look at you, all drenched. It’s so hot today, you mustn’t get heatstroke,” Madam Ruan said with a pleasing smile.
Old Lady Mo took the watermelon while still eyeing Madam Ruan skeptically, clearly not believing her words.
By now, Mo Daoyan’s foot was no longer hurting. Seeing his wife’s signals and knowing he shouldn’t mention her spreading rumors, he also chimed in, “Yes! Mother, my wife was just eagerly trying to please you, she didn’t mean to step on me.”
“Hmm!” Old Lady Mo then dismissed her suspicions, bowed her head, and sat on the ground to eat the watermelon.
Madam Ruan breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t let Old Lady Mo find out about her spreading rumors, as she still hoped to use her to deal with Xuexue. If Old Lady Mo knew Xuexue was actually innocent and that everything was fabricated by her, what play would there be left to perform?
Mo Xiaoqiang arrived at the Xie Residence, his face flushed with frustration, only to find that the gate was tightly locked and no one was inside.
Mo Xiaoqiang knocked on the gate several times, but there was no response. He suddenly remembered that Madam Xie might have gone to his house to deliver watermelons, so he hurried home without delay.
As soon as he returned home, he heard Mo Xiuzhi’s shrill voice rising from the kitchen.
“Aunt, be quick about it. If Grandma comes back and there’s no food ready, you won’t be able to handle the consequences.”
Madam Xie’s soft, faint voice rose hesitantly, “It’s almost ready; I just need to cook one more dish.”
Mo Xiaoqiang arrived at the kitchen door just in time to see Mo Xiuzhi arrogantly ordering Madam Xie around.
“Have you been enjoying comforts for too long? Even frying a dish takes ages,” Mo Xiuzhi’s finger nearly poking Madam Xie’s nose.
Madam Xie looked like a victim, her face covered in sweat from busying herself.
“Mo Xiuzhi, is that how you speak to your elders?” Mo Xiaoqiang stood at the doorway and shouted sternly.
The sudden shout startled both people in the kitchen, they turned around and saw Mo Xiaoqiang, then breathed a sigh of relief.