My Wife, So Fierce! - Chapter 4

It was Old Xu.

Shen Baiyi’s expression turned cold as she casually picked up the hoe lying nearby and walked toward the door.

Unfortunately, by the time she stepped outside, Old Xu had already fled in terror without looking back.

Staring at the panicked figure retreating into the distance, Shen Baiyi sighed.

What a disgusting rat.

Why won’t he learn his lesson?

–

The heavens were unkind, it had been raining all afternoon.

Listening to the steady patter of rain outside, Zheng Yao’s face darkened with worry.

Such heavy rain made travel difficult.

Though she had already arranged for someone to pull the car out of the mud that morning, the downpour now made any journey risky.

She valued her life too much to take the chance.

She would have to stay another night.

Outside, voices gradually grew louder as Wang Yong directed people to set up a feast in the Shen household, preparing to host the entire village for dinner that evening.

By tradition, this banquet should have been held days ago. But back then, Zheng Yao was still abroad, and Shen Baiyi, just a child, couldn’t handle the arrangements. The Tan family, afraid of losing out, refused to front the money either, so it kept getting delayed until now.

Zheng Yao didn’t understand the local customs, but to her, this was all just meaningless formalities.

When the laughter outside grew so loud it drowned out the rain, that feeling peaked.

Look even though the family had suffered two tragic deaths, to everyone else, it was just an excuse for a meal and a gathering.

The laughter was shrill and grating.

Anyone unaware might think this was some kind of celebration.

Putting on her headphones, Zheng Yao turned the volume up to maximum, punishing herself with deafening music that drowned out the noise.

She closed her eyes.

–

After knocking yielded no response, Shen Baiyi glanced helplessly at the woman beside her. “Aunt Liu, Miss Zheng might be asleep.”

Aunt Liu’s expression darkened. “Her own mother died, and she can’t even show her face? Now she’s sleeping? City folk really are heartless!”

“Auntie, don’t say that,” Shen Baiyi murmured, lowering her eyes at the scolding.

“Baiyi, I’m just worried about you!” Aunt Liu sighed heavily, her gaze filled with pity as she looked at Shen Baiyi.

She had watched Shen Baiyi grow up.

Like many young men in the village, Shen Sanguang was rarely home. For a long time, Shen Baiyi had lived with the Tan family.

And the Tans were far from kind.

Back then, Shen Baiyi, still just a child, had to work in the fields with them. It was unclear whether the Tans even fed her properly she had always been as thin as a stick.

Even though Shen Sanguang sent money home every year, they treated her like a beggar, beating and scolding her constantly.

Meanwhile, their own children were plump as pigs, spoiled into acting like little lords and ladies.

Later, when Shen Baiyi was older, Shen Sanguang returned and took her back. But within a few years, he left again, only to come back with a beautiful woman by his side.

People said a stepmother meant a stepfather. Though Shen Sanguang didn’t mistreat his daughter, from then on, his heart and eyes were only for that woman, how could he spare any attention for Shen Baiyi?

In the village, every wife could handle fieldwork and household chores. But that woman, surnamed Bai, was pampered and delicate, leaving all the work to Shen Baiyi.

A veritable princess.

Recalling those past events, Aunt Liu’s expression darkened further. Indeed, the apple never falls far from the tree dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and rats’ offspring dig holes.

A living ancestor had birthed yet another living ancestor!

Times had changed, and Aunt Liu pulled Shen Baiyi aside, whispering urgently, “Baiyi, you must hold onto that money tightly. Don’t let anyone sweet-talk it away from you. Don’t give it to anyone keep it in your own hands, understand?”

The Shen family had suddenly met with misfortune, and the compensation they received was a substantial sum.

But it was obvious that entrusting such a large amount to a barely adult, still-studying child was no easy task.

Leaving aside the Tan family’s intentions, who knew what this daughter of Bai Yuanzhu might do?

Earlier that morning, she had heard the Tan family cursing the girl outside, calling her crazy and utterly unfilial not only refusing to arrange her mother’s funeral but even trying to extort them.

Though the truth was unclear, anyone who could make that family slink away and only dare to curse from afar was surely no simple character.

“I know, Auntie.” Shen Baiyi had always been obedient in front of Aunt Liu, the only person in the village who truly cared for her. “Don’t worry.”

Looking at Shen Baiyi’s meek and docile appearance, Aunt Liu sighed deeply. “Oh, heavens above misfortune always strikes the weakest. It’s truly pitiful for a young girl like you to go through all this.”

Shen Baiyi lowered her head, silent. She didn’t need to say much people would naturally feel pity for her just by looking at her.

But listening to the laughter and chatter from the kitchen, she couldn’t help but feel a chill in her heart.

The Shen household wasn’t large. Though they had set up a canopy outside and borrowed tables from neighbors to fill the courtyard, many still had no place to sit. Fortunately, these were all fellow villagers who didn’t mind much even standing, they made the meal lively and bustling.

Zheng Yao could shut the door and avoid it all without a care, but Shen Baiyi had no such luxury.

At the table, someone asked about her age again. Before Shen Baiyi could even lift her head to answer, someone else chimed in.

“I think she’s almost eighteen?”

“Oh my, that makes her a grown woman already! Baiyi, when I was your age, I’d already given birth to several children!”

The moment those words were spoken, many burst into laughter.

Shen Baiyi couldn’t bring herself to laugh.

The others continued:

“Honestly, I know a few young lads fair-skinned and tender, just the type girls adore. Baiyi, how about I arrange for them to meet you someday? Just to get acquainted, make some friends!”

“What’s the use of good looks? Baiyi, I’ve got a nephew honest, hardworking, and doting, and he makes good money! Bought a house in the county town a few years back and opened a car repair shop!”

Zhang Cui spat in disgust. “Pah! As if our Baiyi would ever fancy your toad-faced nephew!”

Of course, she had no good intentions either. She forced an awkward smile at Shen Baiyi. “Baiyi and Baosheng have always been close, childhood sweethearts. Back when Old Third was alive, he even mentioned wanting our families to be joined by marriage. Now that he’s gone, it’s only right we take care of you. From now on, we’ll treat you like our own daughter.”

A hint of mockery flickered in Shen Baiyi’s eyes.

Suddenly, the door to the right room swung open from inside. A stunningly beautiful woman stepped out, radiant and dazzling. The villagers, who had been drinking and chatting, fell silent in unison.

“Continue your chat, don’t mind me.” Zheng Yao’s expression was calm, but her voice carried a mocking edge. “This is the first time I’ve seen someone rush to arrange a marriage right after the father’s death. Truly eye-opening.”

The surroundings fell silent. Though she didn’t raise her voice, her words reached everyone.

Then she turned to Zhang Cui: “If I recall correctly, you’re Shen Sanguang’s aunt-in-law?”

Zhang Cui’s heart skipped a beat. She had already witnessed the sharpness of this wretched girl earlier that morning. Now that Zheng Yao singled her out, an ominous feeling crept in.

Sure enough, the next moment, Zheng Yao smirked. “This is your own niece’s daughter, yet you’re eager to make her your daughter-in-law? Aren’t you afraid she might bear you a deformed grandchild? Or perhaps your son isn’t even from the Tan family maybe he’s Old Wang’s from next door?”

Zhang Cui’s face turned livid with rage. “How dare you spout such nonsense! Shen Sanguang was adopted by my sister-in-law from the Tan family!”

Zheng Yao nodded indifferently. “Oh, alright then.”

Crossing her arms, she swept a glance over the onlookers and curled her lips. “Since I’m practically half a member of this household, and since everyone’s gathered for this matchmaking session, I might as well lend my judgment to help those two pick a good son-in-law.”

With that, she strode to the memorial portraits.

She glanced up at the two photos, her face betraying undisguised disgust. She didn’t bother hiding it.

Her movements were brisk as she reached up and took down the two large framed portraits. They were too big to carry both at once.

She walked straight to Zheng Yao and shoved Shen Sanguang’s portrait into her arms. “Hold your own father.”

Then, cradling Bai Yuanzhu’s portrait against her chest, she pulled up a chair and sat down, smiling. “Alright, which family has a young man to introduce to Shen Baiyi? Now’s the perfect time while Shen Baiyi’s father hasn’t even passed his seventh-day memorial, and all the elders are here. Bring him over, and he can meet the parents directly.”

As if on cue, the lights overhead suddenly dimmed.

“Aaaaaah!”

Someone screamed first, followed by a chorus of shrieks that pierced eardrums.

In the darkness, Zheng Yao’s expression remained unchanged.

Behind her, Shen Baiyi gripped the edges of the portrait tightly, her gaze fixed on the blurred figure in front of her.

The sudden blackout threw the Shen household into chaos. Those with guilty consciences panicked, stumbling and scrambling to flee in disgrace.

The house quieted down almost instantly.

In the dark, Shen Baiyi whispered, “Thank you.”

Zheng Yao ignored her. Casually setting Bai Yuanzhu’s portrait aside, she stood and called out calmly, “Uncle Wang.”

The lights flickered back on.

Shen Baiyi blinked against the sudden brightness. By the time her vision cleared, Zheng Yao had already retreated to her room. Wang Yong stood nearby, looking sheepishly at her.

Clearly, the “haunting” had been staged.

The two exchanged a silent glance before Shen Baiyi spoke first, thanking him as well.

Wang Yong’s face flushed with deeper shame. He had ruined the funeral banquet and felt guilty toward this young woman.

But he had no choice, he’d taken the money, so he had to deliver. When he received the message instructing him to cut the power at the right moment, he’d been baffled. Of course, Miss Zheng’s subsequent actions quickly made her intentions crystal clear.

Choosing the right moment naturally meant selecting a time when everyone felt guilty, the effect would be most pronounced.

Looking at the chaotic mess of chairs and tables, Wang Yong didn’t dare meet Shen Baiyi’s eyes. He quickly said, “I’ll clean this up. Baiyi, you’ve worked all day go rest.”

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