Chapter 68 Insolence

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Cuifen reached out and interrupted her.

“I’ll take care of things, don’t worry about it. You’ve been busy all day, feeding the pigs and fetching water, you should rest now. You have to get up early tomorrow to cook pig feed, don’t stay up too late.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiuye ​​opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing more, and could only withdraw her hand and sigh softly.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned around, and said softly, "Mom, let me boil some hot water for you. You should rest for a while. You've been busy for so long; a foot bath will help you relax."

These words, like a warm current, quietly flowed into Shen Cuifen's heart.

"Okay, good boy."

She responded softly, her tone filled with affection.

After saying that, she didn't delay any longer. She reached out and grabbed Lu Zhongshun's wrist, leading him into the main room.

The door creaked shut behind them, plunging the room into darkness.

She fumbled in the cabinet and took out the kerosene lamp, lighting it with a "snap" of a match.

The flames flickered a few times before finally burning steadily, casting swaying shadows on the wall.

In the dim light, before Lu Zhongshun could even ask a question, Shen Cuifen quickly took out a small brass key from her pocket, inserted it into the lock of the cabinet, and gently turned it.

She opened the cabinet door and glanced inside.

Sure enough, the bowl of chicken soup she had deliberately left was gone, leaving only an empty bowl.

Shen Cuifen's lips curled up slightly, but her eyes turned cold.

Lu Zhongshun, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed that her expression was strange.

But he didn't have time to think about it; his eyes were already glued to the basket on his back in the corner of the main room, his eyeballs darting around.

"Mom, what delicious food is in the basket?"

He couldn't help but lean forward, but as soon as he reached out his little hand, Shen Cuifen slapped it away.

"Keep your hands to yourself!"

"Don't touch it now. First, tell me clearly, what exactly did you see tonight?"

Lu Zhongshun shrank his neck, his neck tightened slightly, and he felt a little uneasy.

“Mom, I did everything you taught me. I saw Dad limping as he carried that bowl of steaming chicken soup into the yard, his shoes dragging and making a 'pattering' sound. I quietly followed behind him, not daring to breathe. I watched him go into the main room, put the soup on the table, and even blew on it before turning away.”

He never really understood.

Mom clearly dislikes Lu Weidong so much, so why did she specially cook a pot of chicken soup today and have him secretly deliver it to her?

Maybe it's like what Er Gouzi from the village said—"Hitting is a sign of affection, scolding is a sign of love, the more you fight, the stronger the bond becomes."

As for why he could bear to watch him send the soup to that mistress, Zhou Wenjuan.

He could only explain it using the idiom he had recently learned: "love me, love my dog."

Shen Cuifen's eyes turned cold.

"Okay, I understand. This was handled well, no mistakes."

She paused, her tone softening slightly.

"Next time I go to the county town, I'll buy you new shoes. They're the kind with rubber soles and cloth uppers, sturdy, so your feet won't get wet in the rain. Now go wash up and go to bed, don't linger here."

Upon hearing that he would be wearing new shoes, Lu Zhongshun immediately beamed with joy.

He was already mentally planning how he would show off his new shoes at the village entrance.

"Then...can I see what treasures are in the basket?"

He asked tentatively, his voice soft and gentle, with a hint of coquetry.

Shen Cuifen suddenly looked up, her brows furrowed.

"No! Don't touch the things in the basket; they're not for you to see!"

Lu Zhongshun curled his lip.

"You stingy brat! You drink cold water, break the cup, and smash the bowl to pieces—"

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Cuifen raised her hand, as if to hit him.

Lu Zhongshun was so frightened that he ran away as fast as he could.

"Oh Mom! I was just kidding, you actually took it seriously! I'm not saying anything more, I'm going to sleep! Don't forget your shoes! I remember!"

"You little brat! If you utter another word, you can forget about the new shoes!"

Shen Cuifen cursed, her voice filled with anger, yet also tinged with helplessness.

"I won't say anymore, Mom, I was wrong! I was really wrong!"

Lu Zhongshun rushed into the house and slammed the door shut behind him.

"Oh my god, that scared me to death!"

He leaned against the door, his chest heaving, breathing heavily, his palms sweaty.

But he didn't know that Shen Cuifen had no intention of chasing him at all, and instead turned around and went straight to the kitchen.

When I opened the door, Lu Xiuye ​​was already boiling water in front of the stove.

Lu Zhongshun waited for a long time, but still didn't hear any movement from Shen Cuifen.

Gradually, I calmed down, slowly climbed into bed, and closed my eyes.

Over here, Shen Cuifen and Lu Xiuye ​​finished washing up together, and Shen Cuifen watched as Lu Xiuye ​​locked her room door.

When it was time to part ways, Shen Cuifen specifically gave Lu Xiuye ​​some instructions.

"No matter who knocks on the door tonight, don't open it unless it's me personally. Do you hear me? Even if the sky falls down, don't open the door."

Lu Xiuye ​​nodded, her face serious.

Shen Cuifen was relieved and turned to leave, her figure disappearing into the night.

She still felt terrified when she thought about what happened in her past life.

Those painful memories always send chills down her spine and make her hands and feet feel icy cold.

Fortunately, today is almost over.

She stood in the courtyard and let out a long breath.

Although the crisis has not been completely resolved, at least for now nothing unexpected has happened.

If that incident hadn't happened today, it's highly likely it won't happen again.

As soon as Shen Cuifen reached her door, she heard rustling sounds coming from Yang Juanhua's room.

Although she couldn't hear exactly what they were saying, she knew in her heart that they must be cursing her behind her back.

Over the years, Yang Juanhua's family has often gossiped about her behind her back.

Tonight's commotion is just the same old routine, but even more outrageous than usual.

Her eyes darted around, and she turned and went back to the kitchen.

Since others don't want her to have peace, she doesn't need to pretend to be indifferent anymore.

It's time for her to perform in some of these plays.

When he came out again, he was carrying a kitchen knife.

She picked up a small wooden stool, walked to the window facing Yang Juanhua, put the stool down, and placed the kitchen knife on it.

The wooden stool made a soft "thump" sound, which seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet night.

Then, she moved the whetstone over, placed a basin of water in it, and sat down steadily.

Then, she slowly immersed the cleaver in the water to wet the blade, her movements delicate and composed.

"Shhhhh!"

The cleaver was slowly pushed and pulled against the whetstone, producing a monotonous and continuous friction sound.

"Shhhhh!"

The sound rang out again, more continuous and more piercing than before.

Each rub sends shivers down your spine and makes your scalp tingle.

...

The sound continued intermittently, pausing for a few seconds at times before starting again.

Sometimes, if the force is uneven, it will make a "crackling" sound, which is particularly jarring.

It was as if she was reminding everyone—she was still there, she hadn't left.

In springtime, there are no insects chirping outside, and the yard is very quiet. The sound of sharpening the knife is particularly clear, and everyone can hear it.

Lu Xiuye ​​had already lain down and closed her eyes to fall asleep, but was awakened by the sudden noise.