Even Xun Liangfen, who had been keeping a low profile these past few days, said irritably, "Your place may be small, but it's still manageable if you squeeze in."
"It's so late at night, if you don't sleep, other people still need to."
Then he turned to look at Hua Xiangyun and said, "Don't just stand there, go back to sleep."
"Isn't she enough of a nuisance? Now you've dragged other people into this mess, and you won't be able to get rid of her."
Hua Xiangyun looked at Xun Liangfen with some surprise, but she understood perfectly well.
Xun Liangfen didn't want to deal with this troublesome child. She walked to the courtyard gate and said loudly, "Zhou family girl, you'd better leave quickly. Everyone in this compound knows each other. It's not like your family is really too crowded."
Besides, given what you did to Xiangyun, our two families can no longer have any dealings. Even if we need to ask someone else for help, they won't come to us.
"Stop making a scene outside, or I'll throw water out!"
Zhou Xiaolan was stunned. This was really the kind and gentle Aunt Hua. She used to always greet her with a smile, but now she could say such harsh words.
"Auntie, even if I was wrong before, I've been apologizing for so many days, and Xiangyun is alright. Can't you forgive me just this once? Have pity on me..."
Even if Xun Liangfen were confused, she wouldn't side with an outsider. "I'm so sorry, our family doesn't have that kind of magnanimity."
When my husband and I heard the news, we wanted to go to their house, but we didn't because we were mindful of our long-standing neighborly relationship.
"If you keep making a scene, I'll have to go to your parents and see how your Zhou family raises children. Who stays up all night and causes trouble at someone else's doorstep?"
The people around had long been annoyed by the noise, and since this wasn't the first time Zhou Xiaolan had done this, no one could stand it and they all started to speak up.
“Zhou Xiaolan, you should go back and ask your parents for help. If all else fails, you can share a bed with them. It’s not like you have nowhere else to sleep. Why bother others?”
Now that everyone is preparing to close their doors for the Lunar New Year, and with the catch of fish these days, who would want to invite a stranger into their home?
Moreover, Zhou Xiaolan had only harmed Hua Xiangyun for a short time, yet she shamelessly came knocking on her door so soon; it was simply outrageous.
Anyone who encounters such a terrible person would be furious!
"If you want to make noise, go to the backyard. There are plenty of people in the backyard who can stay overnight. Why do you have to come to the front?"
They usually live in one courtyard, but the courtyards are all separate.
"What else could it be? It's because the Hua family is easy to talk to. Don't forget, she used to stay at the Hua family's house all the time. It's become a habit. She didn't get any benefits this year, so she had no choice but to shamelessly come to their house again."
"Why is Tian Guihua so quiet today? It's like his wife is taking charge now?"
“What mother doesn’t love her child? I think Xun Liangfen only spoke up today because she probably didn’t have the chance. If my daughter were being bullied like this, I would have rushed over and fought her long ago.”
"That's right. You see, even people who are usually quiet are now saying tough things. So even the best-tempered mothers have moments when they show their teeth."
Tian Guihua glanced at her daughter-in-law. In the quiet of the night, the conversations of the neighbors on both sides drifted to their ears.
Xun Liangfen glanced at Hua Xiangyun with complicated emotions. She had been angry with her daughter, not that she was mean to her.
No matter what, the child was her own flesh and blood, and she hoped for the child's safety and health.
Hua Xiangyun became wary, though she hadn't done anything today.
Xun Liangfen, “…”
Zhou Xiaolan looked around and found that everyone there was just there to watch the show. She knew that these people would never take her in.
She felt a pang of sadness. She had gone to see her great-aunt, but she hadn't expected that she would only send Bai Shuangmei out to get rid of her.
After going around in circles and being refused no less than ten times, she had no choice but to go to the Hua family.
If the other party softens tonight and lets her in, she will never suffer such torment again because she has nowhere to stay.
"Xiangyun, we've been friends for so many years, don't you care about this at all?"
"Alright, my granddaughter is already asleep, stop making noise here." Tian Guihua told Hua Xiangyun to stop talking. "If you have nowhere to go, we neighbors aren't heartless. We'll take you home together and see how crowded your house is. There's no room for your little body."
After Tian Guihua finished speaking, she shouted to her family, "Alright, you all go back to sleep. I'll go with the other neighbors to check on things. With them coming to make trouble every few days, how are we supposed to live our lives?"
Hua Zhian was worried about the old lady going out so late and wanted to follow her, but Tian Guihua pushed him away, saying, "You always have things to do everywhere. You've worked all day, aren't you tired? Then go with your brother to collect another cartload of firewood early tomorrow morning."
Hua Zhian, “…”
Xun Liangfen stepped forward at that moment and said, "You all go back and rest. I'll go with Mother."
This time, Tian Guihua did not refuse. She should teach this troublesome daughter-in-law a lesson so that she wouldn't suffer in this compound in the future.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law opened the door and stopped Zhou Xiaolan from rushing in, one on each side.
"Come on, come on, come on, I'll take you home." Tian Guihua grabbed Zhou Xiaolan's arm and shouted to the neighbors watching the scene, "This constant commotion is getting unbearable. Let's go and get an explanation from the Zhou family."
Although the others wanted to retreat, they thought it made sense and, coupled with their desire to watch the show, they all put on their clothes and followed behind.
It was dark at the Zhou family's place, and when a nosy neighbor pushed their door, it turned out to be locked from the inside.
"That's really cruel, leaving such a grown girl to fend for herself in the yard."
"Ha, they're not being ruthless, they've calculated it perfectly. They're all neighbors in the same courtyard, someone's bound to have a soft spot and take them in."
Those familiar with the Zhou family's character exposed their plans.
Tian Guihua pounded on the door, her hand still gripping Zhou Xiaolan tightly.
Looking at so many neighbors around her, Zhou Xiaolan didn't dare to struggle, nor did she want to.
She remembered that the door was ajar when she left, but now it was locked from the inside, which made her feel a little disheartened.
"Why are you making such a racket in the middle of the night?" Bai Ailian was pushed out of bed by her husband to open the door. She had just fallen asleep, and this was simply unbearable.
"Bai Ailian, how can you still sleep? Don't you even think about your daughter wandering around outside?" Chen Meili said irritably. "You think it's noisy, but don't you think about how your daughter is disturbing us in the front?"
Bai Ailian was a little confused when she saw so many neighbors at the door. "I just asked her to go out and find a place to stay. How could I have disturbed you?"
"Everyone's housing situation is tight these days, so I can offer you lodging."
"Take your daughter home right now, or we'll take our anger out on you if she makes a scene again." Sister-in-law Liu was also seething with anger; she'd been exhausted from dealing with fish these past few days, and the nights were never peaceful.
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