Chapter 108 Asking for Trouble
Xin Li nodded, surprisingly not angry at all, and even echoed what those people said: "Maybe so, she's probably angry because I didn't give He Mingzhou to her."
“How about this, I’ll go find He Mingzhou right now and tell him that I’m not even getting clothes or food because of him. I also need to talk to the division commander. We’re all islanders, how could I be treated like this? It seems that not everyone on our island welcomes me. I’d better leave.”
The group of women were all shocked.
Putting everything else aside, Xin Li did so much during the typhoon a while ago, providing food, cooking, and building houses. Everyone is very grateful to her.
If she were to actually go and say those things to her superiors, wouldn't they all become gossipy old women talking behind people's backs?
Hasn't Xie Shuangshuang also become a despicable woman who schemes to covet other women's husbands?
"etc!"
"Wait for Xinli!"
The women weren't worried about Xie Shuangshuang being affected.
Even if they were indeed won over by the good things Xie Shuangshuang sent them, they would definitely choose themselves over Xie Shuangshuang.
Xie Shuangshuang is the deputy commander's daughter; they will still have to make a living on the island in the future.
Moreover, their family has lived here for generations. If they offend the people on the island, will they have a good life on the island in the future?
Who doesn't know that Zhang Jinhua is very fond of Xin Li?
If Zhang Jinhua knew that they were gossiping behind his back like this, would he be willing to help them in the future?
These are all neighbors; everyone needs help sometimes. If Xie Shuangshuang, an outsider, offends everyone on the island, it would definitely be a losing proposition!
After everyone understood this, they took the initiative to block Xinli's path.
Seeing the panicked look on everyone's faces, Xin Li knew what they were thinking. She didn't expose them, but crossed her arms as if she was going to stand her ground today and said, "Aunties, there's no need to persuade me anymore. I wasn't after someone's clothes or a few bites of food."
"But people don't just fight for their pride. I could tolerate Xie Shuangshuang targeting me before, but now she's treating me differently. I can't stand this humiliation."
"If she really wants to be fair and square with me, it's like when I made a bet with everyone to catch crabs. Everyone can see it, it's honest and straightforward, and it's also a way to have some fun and improve our relationships."
"What's with Xie Shuangshuang's underhanded tactics?"
"Do you really think I'm easy to bully because I don't have a powerful family?"
“I have to ask the commanders, is it because the people on our island are being bullied like this that they don’t treat us like family, or are the people on our island just so cowardly that they don’t dare to say a word when they see outsiders bullying us?”
That's a very serious statement.
Xie Shuangshuang may have had some ulterior motives, but in everyone's opinion, she didn't really do anything to target Xin Li.
But they dare not say that now.
Ren Xinli kept saying she would tell the teachers and even extended it to the whole island. If they were to side with outsiders at this time, wouldn't people criticize them for helping outsiders instead of their own?
After much deliberation, everyone realized that although Xie Shuangshuang had given them many good things, it was only temporary, and Xie Shuangshuang would be leaving soon.
Offending the rest of the island for someone who might leave at any time would definitely be a losing proposition.
So everyone quickly put on smiles and said, "Xinli, Xie Shuangshuang didn't say she wouldn't send you anything. She's probably just been busy lately and forgot to send it to you. How about we go and ask her? Shall we go and ask her?"
"You will definitely not lose anything you are keeping safe."
A sly smile flashed in Xin Li's eyes.
"Oh dear, isn't this too much trouble for you aunties?"
"Actually, if she doesn't want to give it, she doesn't have to. It's not like we're short of her things, right?"
“I’ve seen those great things in Shanghai before, but I still think the island is better. The food is fresh, and everyone is easy to get along with. It’s much more comfortable than outside.”
Xinli's words, a combination of rebuttal and criticism, deeply reassured the women.
Others looked down on them for being poor on the island, thinking that everything was better outside.
But this is their home.
They say nothing beats home, and they'd much rather stay in their own house than go outside.
Moreover, having been busy for half their lives, they are not very receptive to new things.
It's just that Xie Shuangshuang's visit this time was too ostentatious, and the good things she gave were indeed rare, which is why everyone gathered together to talk about it.
Now that Xinli had said that, everyone suddenly realized what was going on.
What does a temporary benefit matter?
Moreover, Xie Shuangshuang's purpose is so obvious, does she really think everyone is stupid?
As a woman myself, who wouldn't see Xie Shuangshuang's intentions?
"Xinxin, I never expected you to have such a clear mind at such a young age. No wonder Aunt Lu likes you."
"We know you have a conflict with Xie Shuangshuang. Don't worry, leave this to us. We'll handle it for you."
"Yes, yes, you'll get what's yours, and we won't take what's not ours."
Seeing the indignant expressions on these women's faces, Xinli's lips curled slightly.
"Then thank you for your hard work. After you bring those things over, let's share them. He Mingzhou and I don't need them. But you guys... actually, instead of preparing these novelties for everyone, you should prepare more grain, vegetable seeds, and other things. Isn't that what we need most right now?"
Strike the snake at its vital spot. Doesn't Xie Shuangshuang like to use underhanded tricks behind people's backs?
She then gave him a taste of his own medicine.
The islanders are simple, kind, and easily fooled, but that doesn't mean they are completely naive.
Everyone knew exactly what Xie Shuangshuang was up to.
"You're right!"
After Xin Li pointed it out, everyone understood, and their expressions immediately turned sour.
What does Xie Shuangshuang take them for?
Do you really think they are the kind of people who are easily fooled and can be dismissed so easily?
"Go home and wait for news. We'll go get the things for you right away."
The women stormed off.
Xin Li sat down right where they had been sitting, grabbed a handful of pumpkin seeds, and started cracking them open while laughing.
Xie Shuangshuang, it's your turn to experience what it's like to be morally blackmailed.
...
Xie Shuangshuang was quickly stopped by the women on the island.
She smiled and gently asked what these people were there for.
The women didn't mince words with Xie Shuangshuang; they directly asked her if she was adjusting her approach based on the client's preferences.
"What do you mean by that? I was just giving everyone some gifts because it's our first time meeting them. Is that a mistake?"
"Then why didn't you give it to Xinli? Do you look down on Xinli or on our Deputy Division Commander He?"
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