Chapter 369: Chen Guihua’s Lack of Integrity
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi- Bo Studio
“Shut up! You’ll be the next.” Xu Xiaoxiao threatened, winding up another kick.
Su Xuefang quickly shut up.
Zhou Hengyang surveyed Trinity Village with a frown. There was no time to waste. Instead of interrogating Su Xuefang, he might as well assess the situation for himself.
“Question these two. I’ll head on ahead.” Zhou Hengyang hopped into the car and sped through the village entrance, leaving Xu Xiaoxiao behind. Xu Xiaoxiao was not upset by this latest development; he had noticed something amiss from his interactions with the two women.
It was always good to gain a few merits, especially if he landed a big fish while on vacation. That would be a bonus.
Living close to the center of the village, Sun Yunyun’s family was naturally alerted to the commotion. A fire was no small matter. Old Man Sun took his three sons with him for a closer look. Only Zhu Yueju, Sun Yunyun, and her daughter-in-law, who had just been begged to return from her parents ‘home, were left at home.
The women would stay home to guard the house from petty thieves who might use the fire as a distraction. It was enough that the men had gone to help put out the fire; there was no need for the women to tag along.
Zhu Yueju was fine with staying home, but she did not want Old Man Sun or his sons to leave the house. Old Man Sun was a clear-headed man despite his age. If he did not lend a hand tonight, would anyone come to his aid should something similar happen to him?
A fire in the village was more serious than petty disputes between families. Had it been any other time, no one would have said a word if they did not lend a hand. Fires and robberies were the exception; everyone was expected to pitch in.
‘Go, go… Why should you go?” Zhu Yueju cursed in dissatisfaction, “It’s Su Wen’s house that is on fire; I want to see her burn!”
Zhu Yueju wanted nothing more than for the fire to burn bigger and brighter.
“Mom, don’t say that.” Sun Yunyun chided softly. While she shared her mother’s thoughts regarding the situation, she knew it was best if no one heard her. Sun Yunyun firmly believed that the fire resulted from Su Wen’s wicked deeds. She had stolen her pendant and swallowed the treasure that should have been their family’s ticket to wealth and security.
This had to be the heavens punishing Su Wen with bad luck for all her misdeeds.
This was divine retribution.
Still, Sun Yunyun would never voice these thoughts of hers. After her sister-in-law and second sister-in-law returned from their parent’s home, their relationship with them had soured. They were no longer as close as before, each caring more about their respective lives than the common good they could achieve together.
If her sister-in-law heard her thoughts, they would soon spread to the rest of the village.
Sun Yunyun thought to herself, ‘After I get into university and marry
Hengyang, I’ll get Big Brother and Second Brother to find better wives.’
The fire had been put out, but the courtyard was burned beyond recognition. Where a lush pomegranate tree once stood, only ash remained. The chicken coop had been reduced to cinders; the hens Little Sister Su fed and collected eggs from daily were charred black.
The smell of burnt feathers and roasting meat filled the air.
Chen Guihua inhaled deeply. “It smells so good!” She made a beeline for the chicken coop, rummaging through the coal-like boards and bits of blackened straw, and picked up a freshly roasted chicken. It was probably still safe to eat.
It was a pity the chicken had not been killed before it caught fire. Tidying the mess she had created, she picked up the char-grilled chickens, wrapping them in her clothes before returning home, happy with her prize.
Dinner had been delicious, but she always had room for more. No one had expected Su Wen’s house to catch fire, so she was making the best of the situation.
Chen Guihua’s shameless behavior elicited curses from those around her.
“Who is she?”
“So you weren’t here trying to help put out the fire; you were trying to take advantage of the situation!”
“She’s pure wicked.”
Chen Guihua ignored all of them, bouncing home with her spoils..