A Monster
The two of them gazed at the scenery and remained silent. Then, Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an continued their way home.
Su Binglan carried a big basket filled to the brim with chilies and chestnuts. It looked heavy. Luo Jin’an wanted to help Su Binglan carry the basket, but Su Binglan refused to let him.
“Your back is injured. It’s not that heavy. I can carry it.”
Luo Jin’an looked at Su Binglan thoughtfully. Su Binglan wasn’t usually like this, as her predecessor never cared if Luo Jin’an was injured or not.
Su Binglan didn’t know what Luo Jin’an was thinking at the moment. The only thing she thought about was getting home. She wanted to share what she had found behind the mountain today with her parents.
When Su Binglan reached her front door, she heard cheerful laughter coming from inside. It was the laughter of children.
“Brother, wait for me.”
“Brother, be careful. The chickens are running this way.”
Su Binglan also heard a gentle woman’s voice, “Be careful, you two!”
As Su Binglan stood at the door, she saw two little boys running in the courtyard, catching the chickens that had flown out of their coop. There was also a young woman washing clothes in the courtyard.
Based on the memories of her predecessor, Su Binglan instantly knew that this woman was her sister-in-law, Liu Yinyin. These two boys were the sons of her elder brother and his wife. The older boy was six years old, and his name was Su Xuexuan. The younger one was four, and his name was Su Xuehai.
These two boys had clear, white skin. Their skin was so white that they didn’t look like village children.
Su Binglan’s sister-in-law was also very beautiful. She was a sweet and gentle woman. One look and one could tell that Liu Yinyin was of good character.
When Liu Yinyin saw Su Binglan at the door, she suddenly flustered, and her face turned pale.
“B-Binglan…” Liu Yinyin stuttered as she spoke. She almost spilled the contents of the basin she was holding in her hands.
When the two little boys heard their mother’s voice, they stopped running and looked toward the door. When they saw that it was their aunt, they dared not move. Then, the younger one hid behind his big brother, Su Xuexuan took a few steps back, but he still shielded his younger brother behind him.
They all looked at Su Binglan warily.
When Su Binglan saw this scene, the corner of her mouth twitched. Was she that ferocious?
Liu Yinyin recovered from her panic and hurriedly walked toward her children. She said anxiously, “What’s wrong with you two? Why aren’t you greeting your aunt? What did I tell you before we came here?”
Su Xuexuan was six years old. He was calm as he called out, “Aunt Binglan.”
The younger child was four and looked like he was about to cry as he stared wide-eyed at Su Binglan, but he still managed to choke out the word “Aunt” obediently.
Liu Yinyin forced a smile at Su Binglan. She said, “Binglan, these two children are still young and naive. Please forgive them.”
Su Binglan’s heart melted when she looked at the two children. She wanted to give good food to these two children to enjoy. It was already night, but she still wanted to make some delicious food.
Su Binglan smiled and said, “Forgive them? There’s nothing to forgive. We’re all family.”
Seeing Su Binglan smile, the two children became even more frightened.
Su Binglan wanted to get close to them, but they were so afraid that they hid behind their mother.
Su Binglan stood awkwardly. She suddenly remembered her predecessor’s horrible character. Her predecessor had always taken pleasure in bullying these two children. When no one else was around, she would bully these two children. She had threatened these two children into silence. She had also often snatched food from these two children.