Many of the villagers, previously unclear about the facts concerning Second Aunt Qin, now believed her.
You really can’t blame the villagers for their lack of discernment, since Qin Cuifen had always had a good reputation throughout the ten miles and eight villages, being sociable with a sweet tongue.
Before she joined the General Union, there were so many suitors nearly trampling her doorstep flat.
As for Sheng Ning’s reputation, it’s really indescribable. It had been rumored throughout the ten miles and eight villages that Sheng Ning was indecent, with questionable lifestyle choices.
Now, hearing Qin Cuifen saying this, everyone was nodding in agreement.
Some even said, "Exactly! I said from the start we shouldn’t have sent that girl to the General Union." After saying this, looking at the pale-faced Sheng Laosan, they added with disdain, "But you, blinded by lard, insisted on sending her to the General Union. You’ve brought shame all the way to our grandmother’s house!"
"It’s one thing to bring shame upon us at home, but she even ran off to the big city to disgrace us! What for? Thinks she’s got such a big face that our little Shixi Town isn’t big enough for her to lose face in, is that it?"
For a while, the villagers were angrily accusing Sheng Laosan, some becoming so emotional and ill-tempered that they even pointed fingers in Sheng Laosan’s face.
"Get out of the way!" Sheng An angrily pushed the other’s hand away.
"Look at that, the Sheng family has no manners. Even a little girl dares to lay hands on someone!"
"That’s right! We’re elders, after all. Are we not allowed to speak? And she even dares to get physical with us."
"I’m telling you! If you dare touch me again, be careful, or I’ll break those fingers of yours. Try to touch me then!" A sturdy middle-aged man living at the edge of the village pointed directly at Sheng An’s forehead.
Sheng An wanted to retaliate, but the obvious difference in height and the current circumstances meant that getting physical would just disadvantage her. She could only keep stepping back, but this just encouraged the man more, as he kept pressing his finger forward.
It didn’t take long for Sheng An’s smooth forehead to sport an angry red mark from the prodding.
Qin Cuifen watched with schadenfreude, and her previously gloomy mood suddenly improved greatly. Hmph! As long as the Sheng family was unhappy, Sheng Ning would definitely be even more miserable.
As long as Sheng Ning was unhappy, she would be happy. Her life was already ruined anyway, she had nothing to lose, so from now on, she would make sure to make Sheng Ning miserable.
"Behave yourself!" Sheng Laosan lost his temper, and although he was unwell now, he had been strong in the village in his younger days.
The memory of his former dignity still had its effect, and it was quite frightening when he truly got angry.
The middle-aged man slunk back into the crowd.
"Cuifen, you say our Ningning harmed you, so why is it you who got fired and not her?" Sheng Laosan tried to remain calm, analyzing the situation methodically.
"Eh! That’s right! Someone like Sheng Ning should be put in a pig cage."
"Why hasn’t she been fired, but you have?"
Qin Cuifen clenched her fists tightly and hesitated before saying, "Because she hooked up with a leader in the General Union, an old man. She has a backer, and me, coming from the countryside with no support, could only be the scapegoat."
"That’s right! Sheng Laosan, hearing this I have to say, that Ningning is out of her mind. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do. You should distance yourself from her as soon as possible!"
"Yes! Sheng Laosan, we know you’re a good person, but the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This kind of disgrace, this eyesore, you should just cut ties with her!"
"Get lost! You’re talking nonsense!" Sheng An was furious, glowering at Qin Cuifen, "It’s all your doing, definitely your tricks. You’re talking nonsense, all of it!"