6 The Incident

Wang Fang could no longer bear it; she had never heard such utterly unfilial words before! The fifth sister must truly be possessed by a ghost! Otherwise, how could she behave like this? Furious, her blood pressure soared. She pointed at Yao Zhizhi and stammered for a long while—wanting to scold but fearing it would make things worse; not scolding only made her more distressed. In the end, she could only feign sorrow and began to cry, “Yingzi, you must talk to your sister. Listen to her—does she still see me as her mother? She wants me to abandon your father and become a mercenary who only cares for money! Where did I ever fail her for her to do this to me?”

Yao Yingying was heartbroken and quickly supported Wang Fang, patting her back gently. “Mom, the fifth sister is still young. Don’t take her words to heart. Let me try to persuade her, okay?”

“My life is so bitter! I’ve cared for you all from the moment you were born, through all hardships, yet I receive no gratitude and am humiliated by my own daughter. I might as well die!” Wang Fang knew the eldest daughter was more trusting, so she seized the moment to get her to agree.

Yao Yingying quickly comforted her, “Mom, the fifth sister recently had a near-death experience. It’s a miracle she’s alive. Let’s not argue with her. You still have the four of us. We’re sensible and obedient.”

That was the answer Wang Fang wanted to hear. She immediately pressed, “Really? Then are you willing to marry into the city?”

“I’m fine marrying anyone. I’ll follow the family’s arrangements.” Yingying hesitated for a moment before lowering her gaze silently.

Wang Fang was thrilled, pretended to cry a few more times, and then took Yingying to the courtyard. “Yingzi, go talk to the fifth sister and make her marry Director Hu. You’re more sensible and understand the bigger picture. I don’t want you marrying some old man, so you might as well marry Factory Manager Cao.” Wang Fang spoke honestly.

After all, Yingzi was always someone people cared about.

Yao Yingying clenched her fists tightly and forced a smile, “Okay, I’ll try.”

Wang Fang was satisfied and went to take a shower.

Yao Yingying sighed and silently unclenched her fists.

Accept your fate.

A widow with no prospects has no room for choices.

But…

Is it really good for the fifth sister, with her current temperament, to marry Director Hu?

Yao Yingying entered her room, heavy with worry.

Looking up, she saw Yao Zhizhi casually fanning herself with a banana leaf fan, calm and indifferent as if unaffected by anything.

As for the other three sisters, they were still immersed in Yao Zhizhi’s rebellious words, staring at her cross-eyed, each suspecting she might really have encountered a ghost.

Yao Yingying sighed again. As the eldest sister, she had to set an example for her siblings, so she advised, “Zhizhi, I know you despise that man because he’s old and that’s why you want to upset Mom. But Zhizhi, this is all our parents can manage. If we want a good life, sacrifices are inevitable. You may say they’re incapable, but you cannot humiliate Mom like this! She gave birth to us, raised us, and we owe her basic respect.”

Yao Zhizhi raised an eyebrow, said nothing, and looked at the second sister.

Yao Taotao disliked this logic and retorted, “Eldest sister, you’re being unreasonable. The fifth sister is somewhat rebellious and speaks harshly. But our parents have already weighed us five sisters like meat on a chopping block. You still want to use gratitude for upbringing to pressure us? Are you out of your mind? Over the years, haven’t we done plenty of housework and farm work? What about Genbao? She does nothing! And whenever there’s something good at home, it’s all for Genbao alone. Do you think we get any share? With such biased parents, you still defend them?”

Hearing this, Yao Zhizhi felt relieved; at least the second sister was sensible.

Unfortunately, only she and the second sister had the courage and backbone to say no in this family.

She didn’t want to waste more breath and cut them off: “Stop arguing. I’m not marrying a divorced man. You four, tell me who wants to marry these two secondhand men and who doesn’t. If you want to, I won’t stop you. If you don’t, I can help you come up with ways to refuse.”

“Only eldest sister and third sister might obediently listen. I won’t. Mengmeng, what about you?” Yao Taotao originally didn’t want to bother with Yao Mengmeng.

That afternoon, she had beaten Mengmeng over tattling.

Now, Mengmeng was still rolling her eyes at her.

But marriage matters were far more important than sisterly quarrels, so she had to ask.

Yao Mengmeng looked disdainful. “I can handle my own affairs. None of your business.”

Yao Taotao sneered, “With your pig brain, you’d get fooled and still help count the money! Tell me, where do you stand with Zhao Hesheng?”

“We’re just normal friends.” Mengmeng was guilty, avoiding the second sister’s gaze, twisting her clothes nervously, and changing the subject: “Ah, the fifth sister cleaned up this place so well. She’s living alone. Can you all accept that?”

As the eldest sister and next in age after Yingying, Yao Taotao had even managed Mengmeng’s bathroom habits. She knew Mengmeng’s character well.

Seeing these little signs, she guessed Mengmeng was in trouble. She grabbed Mengmeng’s wrist firmly, face stern, and demanded, “You slept with him!!! Didn’t you? Say it!”

“What nonsense! No way! Is the fifth sister spreading rumors? Don’t listen to her vile lies!” Mengmeng panicked. How did her second sister know? It must have been the fifth sister tattling! That wicked fifth sister! Couldn’t stand to see her do well, huh?

Mengmeng was frantic and yanked open the mosquito net, ready to fight Yao Zhizhi.

Zhizhi seized the moment as Mengmeng bent over and grabbed her by the ear. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll kick you in the stomach?”

Mengmeng was frozen by this threat.

She could feel the gaze of the three other sisters suddenly converging on her in unison.

Fear made her break out in cold sweat; guilt made her breathe rapidly.

Though her shame was almost gone, her cheeks burned hot and her ears felt aflame.

She dared not move, afraid Zhizhi would really kick her and reveal her secret miscarriage, and also afraid the three sisters would notice something and guess she was pregnant out of wedlock.

She was truly doomed by the fifth sister!

Indeed, Yao Taotao had already realized the truth. She yanked Mengmeng outside and asked sharply, “You’re pregnant? With Zhao Hesheng’s child?”

Tears immediately streamed down Mengmeng’s face.

She felt so wronged and embarrassed that she turned the blame around: “Fifth sister, how can you say that? It was all to save you! That day you were harassed by a scoundrel, I could only beg Zhao Hesheng. But he’s not related to you—why would he help? I had to sacrifice myself.”

Yao Zhizhi was disgusted and retorted, “Oh? Then why didn’t you call the police and have that Zhao Hesheng arrested and shot?”

Mengmeng was dumbfounded. How could Zhizhi say such things?

Her eyes were full of anger, silently urging Zhizhi to stop.

Zhizhi sneered, “Don’t tell me you’re lying?”

Mengmeng was suffocated.

Her mind was a mess, spinning, ears buzzing.

She couldn’t think or speak.

No matter—Yao Taotao spoke for her: “Fourth sister, what are you talking about? The day the fifth sister got into trouble, you weren’t at aunt’s house delivering bamboo leaves? The accident happened at the river leading to the commune, but aunt’s is in the opposite direction! Even if you sprouted wings, you wouldn’t have made it back in time to save her! Besides, did you save her? She escaped by hiding on her own. What savior act are you pretending here? You really make me sick!”

Mengmeng couldn’t make up any more excuses and just cried silently.

Wang Fang came back from her shower and, hearing the commotion, asked, “What’s going on?”

“She’s pregnant with Zhao Hesheng’s child!” Yao Taotao blurted out, lowering her voice to avoid neighbors overhearing.

What? Wang Fang exploded with rage and lunged to beat this shameful disgrace to death.

Yao Yingying quickly intervened, “Mom! Stop! Stop! The neighbors will hear!”

Still furious, Wang Fang slapped Mengmeng hard.

Mengmeng was deeply wronged, crying and cursing, “Yao Zhizhi, you promised not to tell, but you secretly told second sister? May lightning strike you—may you never have a good end!”

“Don’t falsely accuse! The fifth sister never told me! You’re the one who goes to the reeds to meet him! Do you think I didn’t see that?” Yao Taotao immediately defended Zhizhi.

Now Mengmeng was truly finished. Wang Fang had no idea about the meetings, and from second sister’s tone, this wasn’t the first time fourth sister acted like this.

Wang Fang angrily slapped Mengmeng twice more. “Shameless wretch! No wonder you don’t want to marry into the family! You’ve even got a wild child! I’ll beat you to death!”

Without hesitation, Wang Fang let loose her pent-up fury.

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