Chapter 4 This is a rumor
Shen Zhixia frowned: "Who are you?"
The old lady's face immediately lit up with a smile: "I'm Officer Li's mother, and I live right next door. A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. If you need anything, you can come to me for help anytime."
Seeing how enthusiastic the other party was, Shen Zhixia nodded and said, "So it's Grandma Li."
Officer Li's mother swayed over, leaning on a jujube wood cane. The cane made a "thump, thump" sound as she walked, like beads from an abacus being dropped onto a stone slab: "I heard you went to the clinic to make an appointment? You're going to abort the child and divorce Commander Huo. Have you already had the abortion?"
As she spoke, her eyes darted around, and a malicious smile played on her lips.
Shen Zhixia's face turned cold. She said coldly, "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just going to check on the child. I don't intend to abort the child, nor do I want a divorce."
Grandma Li took half a step forward, no longer pretending: "Stop trying to fool me! Someone saw you have an abortion."
Huo Chunyan was carrying a washboard and was about to go wash clothes when she heard what Old Lady Li said, and she immediately rushed over.
"Which old geezer is talking nonsense here?"
She slammed the washboard heavily on the ground, startling Old Mrs. Li so much that her cane wobbled three times. "Is it any of your business to gossip about my brother and sister-in-law?"
She didn't mean to help Shen Zhixia, but Shen Zhixia was still her sister-in-law no matter what. Behind closed doors, she could complain however she wanted, but others couldn't gossip about her.
Grandma Li was stunned for a moment, then leaned on her cane and cried out in a shrill voice, "What do you know, you unmarried girl? She is Shen Zhixia..."
"It's your ancestor!"
Huo Chunyan took half a step forward, her rolled-up sleeves revealing tan lines on her forearms. "Last month you stole cornmeal from the cookhouse, and I haven't even reported you yet. Now you dare to gossip about my sister-in-law?"
Grandma Li's face flushed red to her ears. How dare this girl reveal this?
They all lived in the same residential compound, and there was something interesting to watch. Gradually, passersby stopped and stood watching the show, and some even grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds.
"You...you're spouting nonsense!"
Grandma Li waved her cane, but Huo Chunyan grabbed it.
"What's wrong with spraying me?"
Huo Chunyan raised an eyebrow, revealing a sharp canine tooth. "I also know that you hid Officer Li's grain coupons under the kang mat, replaced them with fine cloth, and sent them back home to your son to make a cotton-padded coat! What, do you want me to go and talk to the instructor about this?"
The cane fell to the ground with a clatter.
The women in the military dependents' compound started whispering among themselves, and some began to murmur quietly.
Looking at the unfriendly gazes around her, Old Mrs. Li suddenly changed to a sobbing voice: "Your Huo family, relying on your power and influence, bullies an old woman like me."
"Bullshit!"
Huo Chunyan spat and said, "My brother and sister-in-law have never taken advantage of the public funds! It's you who's always stirring up trouble at the military dependents' home."
"Spring Swallow".
Shen Zhixia suddenly spoke, her voice soft but carrying a hint of restraint.
Her reputation was indeed not good. When the original owner made a fuss about getting a divorce, everyone in the military dependents' home heard it.
Now that there are so many people around, she can change everyone's opinion.
She will be living in the family compound for a long time, and she will inevitably have interactions with some people.
Huo Chunyan turned to look at her, slightly softening her tone, and then turned to glare at Old Mrs. Li.
Shen Zhixia pulled a red booklet out of her pocket. It was a "Pregnancy Health Handbook," and the gold lettering on the cover that read "Serve the People" was dazzling in the sunlight.
“Dr. Liu said,” Shen Zhixia deliberately flipped to the cover, revealing the examination record stamped with the clinic’s official seal, “that the fetus is developing very well and we will be able to hear the fetal heartbeat next month. If Grandma Li has time, she should go to the clinic and get a copy of the ‘Parenting Guide’ so she won’t believe everything she hears and spread rumors everywhere.”
When she decided to keep the child, she told Dr. Liu that she wanted to keep it a secret. Dr. Liu was an upright person in the book, and helping patients keep secrets was her duty. She was not worried that Mrs. Li would actually confront her.
People around immediately started pointing and whispering about Old Mrs. Li.
"You win!"
Old Mrs. Li was criticized by those around her. She picked up her cane, spat it on the ground, and said, "Just you wait, you'll regret this..."
"Take care!" Huo Chunyan laughed, hands on her hips, the red string at the end of her braid swaying dizzily in the wind. "If I hear you gossiping again, I'll throw you to feed the rats!"
"I have no intention of getting a divorce, nor do I intend to have an abortion."
After Mrs. Li left, Shen Zhixia's voice suddenly softened, but it was like a stone thrown into a well, "I used to just argue with my man and say hurtful things. Now we've made up, and I'm ready to live a good life."
These words were like a spark that ignited the crowd. Sister Zhang slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "What couple doesn't quarrel? I've been married to Old Wang for ten years and we've fought three times! Once, he gave all the relief supplies to the wounded, and in a fit of anger, I threw his insoles into the well. The next day, it rained heavily, and he was soaked to the bone, spending half the night fishing for the insoles at the well!"
"It's normal for couples to argue; as long as you can make up, that's fine."
Shen Zhixia glanced at Zhang Saozi. Her hair was combed into two short braids, casually tied with red yarn. The ends of the braids were covered with bits of grass or flour. What was most striking were her hands. Her palms were large and rough, with thick calluses on the base of her thumbs and her fingers were short and strong.
She smiled at Sister Zhang and said, "You're right."
With this person's help, she was able to spread the news that she wouldn't get a divorce, and it wouldn't be long before the news spread throughout the family compound.
She doesn't need these people to believe the news. Anyway, she has already made her stance clear. If anyone dares to gossip, then they are spreading rumors.
These people will at least not mention her miscarriage and divorce anymore, and as for what happens in the future, they can take it one step at a time.
"Alright, everyone disperse, stop watching the commotion." Huo Chunyan began to shoo people away.
When everyone realized there was no more excitement to be had, they dispersed.
Shen Zhixia turned to look at Huo Chunyan, a smile appearing on her face: "Chunyan, thank you this time."
Huo Chunyan turned her head away, not even glancing at her: "I'm not helping you. I just don't want my brother to be pointed at and gossiped about. Besides, I can't stand Old Mrs. Li's mouth. She's like a gray rat, biting anyone she can get her hands on."
She suddenly shouted, "Nobody in this courtyard likes Old Mrs. Li. You should stay away from her from now on. That old woman has too many bad intentions."
As she finished speaking and was about to leave, Shen Zhixia suddenly said, "I'm not very familiar with this place either. Could you tell me about Old Mrs. Li?"
Huo Chunyan looked at her with some suspicion.
Shen Zhixia used to look down on these people the most. Not to mention an old lady Li, she was arrogant and looked down on everyone.
This is the first time she's ever asked about other people's affairs?
Could it be that he has really changed his nature?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com