Xie Sui stood on the periphery, watching coldly as she was cornered, unable to defend herself. His face was impassive, devoid of any pity.
Zhang Wenfeng glanced at him, his heart chilling. Brother Xie was truly a man of great ambition; if it were him, he certainly wouldn't be able to be so ruthless.
Zhao Xuefei wished she could die at that moment. If there had been a crack in the ground, she would have crawled into it. She hadn't expected things to become so serious.
She was merely vain, wanting to gain some advantage and a little benefit. She hadn't done anything truly heinous, so why were they treating her like this?
If Xie Sui knew her thoughts, he would surely call her a green tea bitch, disgusting.
Deceiving someone's feelings to extort wealth was more abominable than deceiving a man's body. After all, men's bodies could be deceived, but their feelings, no!
Lu Tianxing and the other men felt a pang of sympathy watching the tearful Zhao Xuefei. However, at this point, their concern was more about their own dignity.
"Everyone, move aside. What are you doing? Making such a racket? Don't you need to rest this afternoon?"
The village head, Zhao, arrived after receiving the news. He didn't quite understand what was happening, only that someone was involved in scandal, a serious offense that corrupted public morals and needed to be handled properly.
"Village head, our village has produced a talent! Who has the mood for an afternoon nap? Your Zhao family has raised a good niece, a real talent!"
The villagers taunted. Zhao Xuefei was the village beauty, aloof and proud. Now that she had lost face, everyone wanted to step on her.
"My niece is naturally wonderful. Do I need you to tell me?"
Zhao Tiegang hadn't yet grasped the sarcasm in their words. His elder brother often said that Xuefei was destined to marry into the city, and the Zhao family doted on Zhao Xuefei.
"Haha..."
Everyone burst into laughter, clearing a path. Zhao Tiegang saw his niece surrounded by three men and was bewildered. What was going on?
"I didn't do anything. They're framing me, Uncle. You have to stand up for me. I want to go home!"
Zhao Xuefei cried, wanting to flee and escape this place. However, Lu Tianxing and the others wouldn't allow it. Their hatred now was as strong as their affection had been before.
"Stop! Clarify things. What about the money you scammed from me?"
"And mine! The hair clip you're wearing, I bought it for you. It cost me two yuan!"
"You also asked me to buy you leather shoes. You were so demanding! A pair of shoes cost almost twenty yuan. I was a fool, working myself to the bone to earn money for you, my skin was practically peeling!"
Zhao Tiegang felt his face burning. His elder brother's family had treated this niece well, never shortchanging her in food or clothing. How could she be so shallow?
Cai Jinhua chimed in playfully, "So generous, aren't you? You must have received plenty of benefits. You always act as proud as a peacock. Such conduct in private! No wonder you dress so flamboyantly, with so many patrons keeping you. We can't compare!"
"Who can compare? If you were half as attractive as her, many men would be lining up to shower you with gifts!"
"Get lost! I find that dirty. I earn my money honestly with my own abilities and spend it comfortably. Not like some people, selling their flesh and face. I wouldn't want that kind of disgrace!"
The wave of cold mockery and sarcasm made Zhao Xuefei wish she could die on the spot.
"Enough! All of you, say less. You young man, let go. Are you trying to assault her? Believe it or not, I'll report you to the police!"
Zhao Tiegang glared at Cai Jinhua. What was she babbling about in front of outsiders?
Cai Jinhua tilted her head back to gaze at the sky. Anyway, it wasn't her who was being shamed. The one shaming herself to outsiders was her good niece.
Zhao Xuefei also calmed down, shaking off Lu Tianxing's hand. She adopted a defiant attitude, "You all gave it to me willingly. Did I beg you to give it to me?"
"We're both unmarried. If you want to pursue me, shouldn't you give me gifts? I accepted your gifts to give you a chance. What's wrong? Can't handle losing? You cheapskates will be single forever!"
The men were stunned by her shamelessness and were speechless with anger.
Xie Sui couldn't help but applaud, "Well said, brilliantly said, truly a fantastic performance!"
"You three suckers deserve to be played for fools. Just go wherever it's cool. Do you really expect her to return your money?"
"Even if you reported this to the police, they'd be on her side."
"If you make a bigger scene, and she accuses you of assault, you'll have to pay damages."
"Go back. You've taken this loss. Next time you look for a girl, keep your eyes open."
Zhao Tiegang looked at Xie Sui with admiration. Xie Sui was quick-witted; that was the crux of the matter.
Lu Tianxing's hair seemed to stand on end with anger, yet he had no retort. His face flushed red with suppressed rage. "Fine, you win. I've kissed you, I've held you today. Consider it a treat!"
Zhao Xuefei was consumed by shame and fury, tears streaming down her face. But no one felt pity for her.
"Disperse, everyone, disperse. You're all idle all day. Go weed the fields if you have time. If you can't pay the public grain tax in the autumn, we'll see what you do."
The three sons-in-law could only leave. They were in someone else's village, and making a bigger scene wouldn't benefit them.
Xie Sui walked last. Zhao Xuefei blocked his path, her face contorted with rage. "It was you, wasn't it?"
How could it be such a coincidence? They all came together, and the villagers swarmed to watch the spectacle. Zhao Xuefei understood, and her heart turned cold. Xie Sui was so heartless, so vicious!
"Zhao Xuefei, you need evidence when you speak. You did those things yourself, why are you blaming me? Am I the one dating multiple people?"
"If you dare to do something, you must accept the consequences when it backfires. You're all adults, be more mature."
Xie Sui hummed a tune and walked away. He had more important matters to attend to; who had time to bicker with her?
Zhao Xuefei gnashed her teeth in hatred but could do nothing about Xie Sui. She ran home crying.
Scandals like this always reached the involved parties last. Zhao Xuefei returned home in tears, and the elder Zhao couple still didn't know what had happened.
"Good daughter, what's wrong now? Eldest, go quickly and check on your sister! She hasn't even eaten lunch, and she's crying again. Everyone shuts themselves in their rooms like mutes. Sister, you don't even care!"
Zhao Youfang came out. "Wasn't Sister sleeping at home? When did she go out?"
Ding Xiulan, without thinking, found an excuse. "Your sister was in a bad mood. Can't she go out for some fresh air!"
"Aunt Ding, don't you know yet? Your daughter has brought honor to the family! She's found you a good son-in-law!"
"What? Stop spewing nonsense! My daughter is going to marry into the city and live a good life. Don't ruin my daughter's reputation!"
"The whole village is talking about it, and you're still keeping it like a treasure. You're such a good mother-in-law. More than one person is filial to you. We can't compare."
Ding Xiulan's face turned green. Zhao Youfang looked bewildered. "Mother, what are they talking about?"
"What could they be talking about? They're slandering your sister's reputation. You're so dense. Hurry up and go find out!"