As Jiang Wanwan and her two companions stepped into the last rays of light on the horizon, they returned to Dashui Village.

By this time, it was dinnertime, and many villagers and children were eating and gossiping under the big locust tree at the village entrance.

Liu San Niang and Feng Xiu'er each held a bowl, chatting animatedly with the other women in the village.

"Aunt Liu, Aunt Feng, what are you two talking about? I'd like to hear too," Jiang Wanwan said quietly, sitting on the oxcart.

Upon hearing Jiang Wanwan's voice, Liu Sanniang and Feng Xiuer reflexively looked back, their faces filled with fear, as if they had seen a ghost.

They instinctively reached out and covered their rice bowls, not wanting this brat to see the cornmeal porridge in their bowls, otherwise she would shamelessly come to their door to borrow it!

"Hehe, no, we didn't talk about anything." Liu San Niang and Feng Xiu'er chuckled awkwardly, stood up from the ground, covered their bowls, and ran away quickly.

Watching the two flee in disarray, Jiang Wanwan couldn't help but chuckle.

Aunt Wang, Zhang Guilan, and others looked down on the behavior of Liu San Niang and Feng Xiu'er.

Who are you trying to impress with that act of guarding against thieves?

They're just a little wealthier than most families in the village, is it really necessary to make such a fuss?

Fearing that Old Jiang's family might actually come to borrow their grain, they spread all sorts of rumors, saying that Old Jiang's oxcart was bought with interest, and with interest compounding, the money would never be able to pay back the money they borrowed. They claimed that Old Jiang's family had already gone up the mountain to cut mugwort and tree bark to eat, and that it wouldn't be long before the money lenders came with knives to attack Old Jiang's family.

Aunt Wang and Zhang Guilan were also very angry when they heard this, and they cursed Liu San Niang and Feng Xiu'er a few times. However, they didn't plan to tell Jiang Wanwan's family about these things, so as not to spoil their good mood.

"Aunt Wang, Aunt Guilan, Aunt Li..." Jiang Wanwan greeted the village elders one by one with grace and poise.

"Wan'er, you're back? It's getting late, hurry home. Your fifth uncle and fifth aunt have been eagerly waiting for you to come back," Aunt Wang said with a stern face and no expression.

"Alright, thank you for letting me know, Aunt Wang. Everyone, keep chatting. I'm going home now." Jiang Wanwan waved and slowly rode away in the oxcart.

After Liu San Niang and Feng Xiu'er spread their rumors, many villagers in Da Shui Village no longer felt jealous or envious when they saw Old Jiang's oxcart. Instead, they shook their heads and sighed, saying that Old Mrs. Jiang and Old Mr. Jiang didn't stop their younger generation from borrowing money from the bank at interest, and secretly cursed the two old people for being foolish.

Zhang Guilan watched Jiang Wanwan and the other two leave with concern, and whispered, "Ergui, do you think Fifth Uncle's family really borrowed money at interest?"

Aunt Wang rolled her eyes at Zhang Guilan. "Guilan, you actually believed what Liu Sanniang and the others said? Haven't you noticed that Xun, Jiasheng, and their families have changed a lot?"

"Changes?" Zhang Guilan thought carefully. "Hmm, Xun and Jiasheng seem to be in much better health, and their faces, well, they seem to be a bit rounder?"

"That's right!" Aunt Wang raised her eyebrows. "Have you ever seen anyone get fat by eating tree bark? You should stop worrying about them; they're doing just fine."

I live closest to Lao Jiang's house, so I know the situation best.

The aroma of meat wafting from Old Jiang's house often wafts from her yard.

Aunt Wang wasn't one to meddle, so she naturally didn't tell anyone about these things.