Chapter 585: An Improper Woman
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Gu Zi glanced at the watch on her wrist, noting that it was indeed about time. Her two sons were unaware of her plans to be in town today. If she had gone straight home, she would have been nearly there by now. She had promised them a delicious meal tonight to celebrate the upcoming winter vacation.
Returning to the village from town, Gu Zi was met with a frantic villager as soon as she reached the outskirts. “Sister Su, your two boys are about to get into a fight with some other kids. You better hurry over, or there’ll be trouble. It’s happening right at your doorstep.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Zi tightened her hold on her younger daughter, Su Le, and quickened her pace towards home. She was certain that something must have happened for Su Bing and Su Li to be in conflict with other children. Her sons were not the type to bully others just because they had learned martial arts and boxing.
By the time she arrived at her front door, she noticed that some adults had already turned their attention to the scene. Some cast glances over their shoulders as they passed by, others stood by and watched, and a few seemed to be trying to persuade Su Bing and Su Li. They probably thought her sons were in the wrong, as they were older than the other four children. In this place, the prevailing belief was that the older ones should yield to the younger ones.
Gu Zi stepped forward to see Su Bing and Su Li easily pinning the four children to the ground. Su Bing’s face was grim, and he repeated the same words in a cold tone, “Apologize. Apologize now. Apologize to my mother!”
His eyes were filled with anger, and his body was trembling slightly, clearly a sign of extreme fury. The surrounding adults continued to admonish, “Su Bing, you and your brother can’t bully the weak. Just because you’re older and stronger doesn’t mean you can bully the village children. That’s not right!”
“Let them go. Your mother is here now, and these kids haven’t said anything. They’re just children, they don’t know any better. Let it go, there’s no need for violence.”
Su Bing ignored their words, keeping a firm grip on the two children’s shoulders. Seeing his older brother’s determination, Su Li also refused to let go.
Upon seeing their mother, Su Bing explained, “Mom, we didn’t start this. These kids were badmouthing you, calling you an improper woman, and even singing about it. We have to make them apologize, or we won’t let go!”
With this, Gu Zi understood. As she had suspected, Su Bing and Su Li were not the instigators. She approached them and said to Su Bing, “Pull them up, don’t keep them on the ground. But don’t let go yet. I want to ask them why they think I’m an improper woman.”
The adults around her thought Gu Zi was being ridiculous. They believed that children didn’t know any better, and were surprised that she seemed to be acting the same way.
However, out of respect for Su Shen, they refrained from voicing their harsh thoughts. Instead, they exchanged glances and expressed their dissatisfaction through their facial expressions. Even though they didn’t say anything, their feelings were clear to anyone who looked.
Gu Zi paid no mind to the surrounding voices, nor did she care about their expressions. She looked at the four children, the oldest of whom was probably no more than seven. The fact that such young children were spreading these rumors indicated that the gossip had spread quite thoroughly.
She asked the oldest-looking child, “Who told you that I’m an improper woman? Speak up.”
Her tone was not harsh, nor did she try to intimidate the child. However, the authority she exuded made the oldest child lower his head and become more submissive.
Soon, he confessed honestly, “My mom said it, not me. I’m sorry, Auntie, I won’t say it again.”
As he apologized, the other children followed suit. Su Bing and Su Li were amazed. The adults who had been defending the children earlier had failed to get them to apologize, but their mother’s authority had worked wonders. They thought their mother was truly impressive!
With that, Su Bing and Su Li finally let go, and the four children scattered like frightened mice.
Although the children had run off, the adults around them were still buzzing with discussion, their voices growing louder. They disagreed with many of Gu Zi’s actions.
Gu Zi ignored them. Unless they directly addressed her, she had no intention of engaging with them.
Recently, there had been many rumors circulating in the town and village. Although she didn’t know who was spreading them, the situation was clear when she considered the content of the rumors. It was simply a case of envy, of people resenting others for doing well.