When Su Yun saw the gifts Su Xiu had brought, she deliberately picked them up and said loudly, "Sister Xiu, you didn't have to bring anything! This box of pastries requires queuing to buy. You had work during the day, so you wouldn't have had time to line up—Second Aunt must have bought this, right?"
Zhao Manfen snorted and shot Su Yun a stingy look that clearly said, At least you know your stuff.
Chen Xiue immediately rolled her eyes at Zhao Manfen, took the pastries and brown sugar, and locked them in the cabinet.
"A miser like you finally willing to spend money—I'd better hide these well, in case someone takes them back on their way out."
Zhao Manfen's eyes widened, and she snapped, "Chen Xiue, if you've got something to say, say it to my face! Try being sarcastic again and see what happens!"
Chen Xiue wasn't afraid. After locking the cabinet, she turned around and faced Zhao Manfen directly, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Just as the two were about to start arguing again, Widow He barged in uninvited. The moment she saw Zhao Manfen, her face lit up with gossip-fueled excitement.
"Oh! Isn't this Su Yun's second aunt? What's the matter—are you here again to arrange a marriage for Su Yun? Is it still that fool from last time?"
That remark hit a sore spot.
Chen Xiue shot her a fierce glare and said through gritted teeth, "You shameless Widow He! Always up to no good, wishing misfortune on my Su Yun. Smashing your kitchen last time was too merciful—I should have torn your roof off and left your whole family sleeping on the streets!"
Zhao Manfen, mindful of Su Xiu being present, didn't argue directly with Chen Xiue. Instead, she turned her fire toward Widow He, planting her hands on her hips and scolding loudly:
"Where did this shameless old hag come from? Walking into someone's house without even greeting anyone? There are two grown men here—who are you trying to seduce?"
"What, are you jealous because I tried to set Su Yun up with a fool? I heard you've got a daughter too. Since you like fools so much, no problem—I'll bring a whole bunch from my area for your daughter to choose from. And if she can't pick one, I'll just send them all to live in your house as live-in sons-in-law. Maybe you, this old widow, will even find one you fancy and start a second spring!"
Zhao Manfen's furious outburst left Widow He's face turning dark, almost unable to catch her breath!
Clutching her chest, Widow He collapsed onto the ground, slapping her thighs and wailing, "I don't want to live anymore! How can people bully others like this? I've been widowed for years and never suffered such humiliation—what's the point of living?"
"He Daguang, open your eyes and see this! Our orphaned family is being bullied like this!"
"I can't go on…"
Her cries quickly drew the attention of neighbors in the courtyard.
Aunt Wang and several others hurried over and asked curiously, "What's going on now? Widow He, why are you making a scene in the Su family's house?"
Zhao Manfen immediately stood at the doorway and shouted sharply, "Come take a look, everyone! This widow is desperate for a man! There are women inside, yet she barges in shamelessly, trying to seduce my husband! What kind of family raised such a disgrace?"
"She won't even spare fools—she begged me to find her a foolish man to bring into her home! One isn't enough—she wants a whole group!"
"All you women in the courtyard better keep an eye on her! Once she gets restless, she won't care if your men are in their twenties or forties—as long as they're male, she'll pounce!"
"And the household with the dog at the entrance—watch your dog carefully! This shameless widow might not even spare the dog!"
That household happened to belong to Aunt Gao.
Aunt Gao and Uncle Gao had just arrived. Hearing Zhao Manfen's words, Uncle Gao quickly said, "That won't happen—our dog is female."
Zhao Manfen sneered, "Tie up your female dog too! When a shameless widow gets desperate, she won't care whether it's male or female!"
These words nearly infuriated Widow He to death!
Tears streaming down her face, she lay limp on the ground as Aunt Gao and the others carried her away. Her grievance was almost tangible!
Watching the whole scene, Su Yun couldn't help but marvel—her second aunt's combat ability was truly at a king-level. In comparison, her mother Chen Xiue was only bronze-tier.
And this bronze-tier had fought with a king for over twenty years!
It seemed her second aunt had been holding back against her mother.
In truth, Su Yun didn't know—it wasn't that Zhao Manfen was going easy on Chen Xiue, but rather that she felt an invisible inferiority toward her.
Both were daughters-in-law of the Su family. Chen Xiue had five children, including three sons, while Zhao Manfen had only Su Xiu, a daughter.
Over the years, whenever Zhao Manfen fought with Chen Xiue over the in-laws' favoritism, she subconsciously restrained herself, fearing that in old age, she might have to rely on Chen Xiue's sons to perform funeral rites for her and Su Yonghe.
These thoughts were known only to Zhao Manfen herself.
After Widow He was taken away, the neighbors dispersed, but Zhao Manfen's words left a deep impression.
Especially on Aunt Gao. As she left the He household, she saw her husband still standing at the door. She grabbed him and dragged him toward the front yard, scolding nonstop:
"Come home with me! What's so interesting about Widow He? What are you trying to do? Did she secretly seduce you, just like they said?"
Uncle Gao immediately protested, "How is that possible? Even if I went blind, I'd never choose Widow He…"
"What do you mean? Besides Widow He, who else would you choose? Gao Fengxiang, if you don't explain yourself tonight, don't even think about coming inside to sleep!"
Uncle Gao was speechless as he was dragged away.
At the door of the east wing across from the He family, Chen Jie stood holding a teacup, watching Uncle Gao's retreating figure, finding it amusing.
He had just laughed a few times when his wife, Jiang Yuling, stared at him expressionlessly. "What's so funny? Seeing Widow He makes you happy?"
Chen Jie was stunned—he hadn't expected to be dragged into this. "Honey, that's not fair! I'm only in my twenties—how could I possibly be interested in Widow He?"
Jiang Yuling replied sarcastically, "Why not? Didn't they say she doesn't reject anyone? Even men in their twenties are fair game. I think you fit that condition perfectly."
Chen Jie cried out, "That's unfair! Honey, you're so young and beautiful—even if I went blind, I'd never choose Widow He…"
Wait… why did that sound so familiar?
At that moment, Chen Jie had no time to laugh at Uncle Gao anymore. He shut the door and immediately switched into "coaxing his wife" mode.
At the Su family's doorway, Xia Ying, who had come out to watch the commotion, laughed so hard her stomach hurt.
With the common enemy gone, Zhao Manfen and Chen Xiue seemed ready to reignite their quarrel.
Su Xiu quickly stepped in and said to Chen Xiue, "Aunt, we came today specifically to thank you. Thank you for putting aside past grievances and letting Su Yun give me such a good job."
"Well, it's getting late, so we'll head back now and won't disturb your rest."
"Dad, Mom, let's go home…"