Chapter 63 The Shameless Old Woman Wang
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up, boil water, remove the hair, gut them. We're going to give the men a hearty lunch today."
Wang Xiuying deftly directed a group of aunties who knew how to cook to get busy.
The aroma of meat overpowered the smell of blood, filling the entire construction site and making everyone's stomachs rumble with ravenous hunger.
The women worked quickly and efficiently, distributing bowls of sweet potato rice with glistening oil and steaming hot wild boar meat to the men. The women who helped with the cooking also received half a bowl, and everyone's face was filled with satisfied smiles.
The children circled around the stove, their mouths watering.
This unexpected "hard dish" not only filled their stomachs, but also subtly imbued Xu Zhili's "nemesis" image with a golden aura that commanded respect and admiration.
Xu Zhili ignored the cheers and grateful glances around her.
She walked to the bucket, scooped up a ladle of cold water, and carefully washed the bloodstains off her arms and face.
The cold water washed over the dark red skin, revealing the fair skin underneath.
Only when her gaze swept over Xie Yunze, who was surrounded by the crowd and gesturing excitedly, did a barely perceptible hint of...satisfaction flash across her clear eyes.
The noise gradually subsided, and the men rested, rubbing their round bellies. The air was filled with the smell of oil and the sound of burps.
The women were clearing away the dishes, their faces glistening with smiles.
Captain Xie Jianguo's "special approval" and the pretext of "protecting the collective" successfully circumvented the restrictions on collective property, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable feast.
Xu Zhili did not participate in the commotion.
She took An'an and sat on a flat stone a little distance from the stove shed.
Before Xu Zhili lay her "spoils of war"—a plump wild rabbit and two brightly colored pheasants. These were small game she had hunted on the way while carrying the wild boar. According to the unspoken rules of the village, whoever hunted it kept it. No one dared to object, and no one dared to be envious of anything other than her share of wild boar meat. The small game belonged to the individual.
After all, the fearsome reputation of fighting wild boars with bare hands is enough to deter any restless heart.
However, there are always those who are oblivious to their own mortality and are inherently greedy.
Granny Wang, the old mother of Wang Laizi, a good-for-nothing in the village, was like an old fly drawn to the smell of fish. Her cloudy old eyes were fixed on the small prey at Xu Zhili's feet, and her throat bobbed involuntarily.
The half bowl of wild boar meat they received was hardly enough to satisfy the cravings that had been aroused in her and her lazy son.
Looking at Xu Zhili's cold, beautiful face, and then at the plump wild game, a bold and shameless thought grew like a poisonous weed.
"If we could marry this jinx... would we ever be able to live without her? Once she's in the Wang family, no matter how good she is at fighting, she'll have to listen to her mother-in-law. With all that strength, she should be used for hunting for the Wang family."
This delusion excited her so much that her fingers trembled. She completely ignored her son Wang Laizi's idle and petty demeanor, and selectively forgot the horror of Xu Zhili fighting wild boar. Her mind was filled only with the delusion of 'meat' and 'controlling this woman who can hunt prey'.
She puffed up her wrinkled face, forced out a smile that she thought was kind but was actually obsequious and twisted, leaned close to Xu Zhili, and deliberately raised her voice, filled with exaggerated gratitude.
"Oh! Educated Youth Xu, this meat today is really... really thanks to you! This old woman is so grateful and warm-hearted!"
As she spoke, her eyes darted like hooks towards the wild rabbits and pheasants behind Xu Zhili.
Xu Zhili didn't even lift her eyelids, carefully wiping a little oil stain from the corner of An'an's mouth, her voice as cold as ice: "Get to the point, stop beating around the bush and talking nonsense."
Granny Wang was choked and couldn't save face.
She rubbed her hands, which looked like withered tree bark, to suppress her displeasure. She shamelessly moved closer and lowered her voice.
“Hey… Xu Zhiqing, look how capable you are… hunting is just a piece of cake for you, isn’t it? My wife and son at home are both weak and we’re craving some wild game to nourish ourselves… could you… go for another stroll in the woods? Get me some? Just one… one rabbit will do.”
It's better to take the prey behind you. They won't be greedy for your catch; a rabbit or a pheasant will suffice. After all, Xu Zhiqing is incredibly capable; he can even take down a wild boar. What are a few rabbits and pheasants compared to that? You're just a pampered city girl. How would you know how to handle these things?
It's just a waste to leave it there, so why don't you... take it to my house and let my capable son help you put it away?
He's a kind and caring young man. Xu Zhiqing, it's good that you're strong, but to live a good life, you need someone to rely on, right? Once you're in my Wang family, I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury. I, your mother-in-law, know how to pamper my daughter-in-law the most..."
Upon hearing this, the previously noisy and delicious wild boar meat feast instantly fell silent, and even the little kids stopped playing.
All eyes turned to Xu Zhili in alarm, then quickly glanced at Old Lady Wang, their eyes filled with disbelief: "Has this old woman gone mad?"
She actually dared to make a move on Xu Zhiqing, and even dared to use such a condescending, almost "buying a wife" tone to covet this ruthless star who could kill wild boars with his bare hands?
Especially the line "Once you enter the Wang family... the mother-in-law dotes on her daughter-in-law," it's as if "control" and "exploitation" are written all over their faces.
Xu Zhili finally raised her eyes. Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes were devoid of any emotion, only a cold indifference as if she were looking at a clown.
She chuckled softly, but her voice, though not loud, clearly reached Granny Wang's ears, carrying undisguised mockery.
"I hunted wild boars before to help my uncles and brothers build their houses, all for my house. Who do you think you are? You have a face bigger than a millstone? If you want to eat meat, send your man and son into the mountains themselves. If you can't handle it, then go hungry. If you dare to come and make a fuss in front of me again, I'll throw you into a ravine to feed the wolves, believe me?"
Granny Wang trembled at Xu Zhili's gaze and merciless insults, and subconsciously took a half step back.
But the allure of the flesh and the delusion of controlling the other person outweighed the fear.
She steeled herself and actually reached out to grab Xu Zhili's arm, urgently saying, "Oh, Xu Zhiqing, you can't say that! We're all neighbors..."
"Get out of my way!" Xu Zhili shouted sharply, swinging her arm violently.
"Ouch!"
Granny Wang felt a tremendous force come over her, and as if she had been hit by a car, she staggered back several steps and fell heavily to the ground. She grimaced in pain, and her old face instantly turned a deep purplish-red.
This caused quite a commotion, and people resting nearby all came to look.
Old Mrs. Wang was in pain, ashamed, and angry. She simply sat on the ground and refused to get up. She slapped her thigh and began to wail, "Oh dear! This is outrageous! The educated youth is beating me up! She's bullying this old woman! Everyone come and see! How could Xu, the educated youth, be so vicious..."
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