Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 145 - 145 145 Talking to Oneself

?Chapter 145: Chapter 145 Talking to Oneself Chapter 145: Chapter 145 Talking to Oneself Hao Fang saw that no one was paying attention to her as everyone kept to themselves, eating from their bowls.

She had no choice but to put down her chopsticks, “I came here today to tell you something. Bai Mei will get married on the sixth of July in a few days, and you all should come over early to help out. You are all her sisters, and you don’t need to give much for the wedding gift, just five yuan per person will do.”

Bai Xiao sneered, Hao Fang really had the nerve to ask.

In this village, for any wedding or funeral, the most anyone gave was just a few dimes, and giving three to five dimes was already generous. Here Hao Fang was, asking for five yuan from each of the sisters–she really had some big ideas.

“Auntie, I’m sorry, but my sister and I don’t have any income, we can’t afford to give five yuan for a wedding gift. So, we feel embarrassed to go there without a gift. We won’t go on that day. After all, Bai Mei did not give a gift when my sister got married. I don’t think you or my uncle did either, did you? Don’t worry, if I ever get married, I definitely won’t notify you folks, so you don’t have to trouble yourselves about preparing a gift,” Bai Xiao thought about whether she even wanted to let them give money.

Hao Fang was furious, “Xiao, what you’re saying isn’t right, we’re family no matter what, and you as her sisters have to be there, don’t you? If you don’t go, what would people say about you not having a conscience? No matter what, you grew up in our family. You ate our food… drank…” She mumbled and could not continue.

Bai Yue slammed her hand on the table, “Auntie, since you’ve said that, I’d like to ask you, every month each of us three siblings has been sending you 19 yuan, so why is it that my sister can’t even get a decent meal and has to eat pot-washing water? How can you still have the gall to come to our house and freeloade? I’d like to know who really has lost their conscience.” Mentioning this matter made Bai Yue seethe with anger.

Hao Fang tried to defend herself, “What do you mean she didn’t eat? She ate. We provided her with good food and drink; if she didn’t want to eat, how could we control her?”

Bai Xiao and Bai Yue were infuriated by her blatant shamelessness; it was useless to say anything to her.

Bai Xiao grabbed Hao Fang’s wrist, “Auntie, what goes around comes around. If you keep doing bad things, you’d better watch out for a lightning strike from the heavens.”

Hao Fang felt as if her wrist was about to break, the pain shooting through her, and she forcefully shook off Bai Xiao, “Hmph, even if the lightning strikes, it won’t hit me. There’s still the old lady waiting for it upfront. Anyway, I’ve delivered the message. I have things to do at home; I’m leaving.” Hao Fang hastily left.

Bai Xiao slowly picked up her bowl and took a big gulp of the cornmeal porridge. As the hot porridge filled her stomach, she immediately felt much warmer.

Bai Yue was indignant, “I really didn’t expect my younger aunt could go this far. They weren’t like this when our parents were alive. How could they have become like this without any shame?”

“Sister, let them be. We’ll live our own lives. After all, if they have no shame, we must remember we have no money to give. It’s not like we should give them money just because they are shameless.” Bai Xiao was worried that Bai Yue might still think about giving Bai Mei a gift.

Bai Yue chuckled, “Sister knows.”

Bai Xiao was somewhat looking forward to seeing what kind of end Bai Mei and Fang Dashan, whom she sent off together, would have in this life. Thinking back, she wondered if she was a bit too cruel. Hmph!

In her previous life, her family had been harmed so terribly, and she herself had met such a fate. It seemed that no matter what she did in this life, it wasn’t enough to quell Bai Xiao’s resentment. She probably wouldn’t be satisfied until she saw the Bai family broken and destitute.

The suffering she had endured in her past life, she wanted every member of the Bai family to taste at least once.

Heaven should be fair.

Bai Mei had a hard time these past few days. Fearing that she might run away again, Bai Jianguo truly confined her at home, not allowing her to step outside. Bai Mei nearly went mad with frustration, clamoring to an unheeding heaven and an indifferent earth. She was completely oblivious to what was happening outside; the only thing she knew for sure was that her wedding was imminent.

A couple of days ago, she had seen Fang Xiaoshan.

Fang Xiaoshan had come to deliver the betrothal and dowry gifts, and of course, to catch a glimpse of his future wife.

Bai Mei had now resigned herself to her fate, knowing she couldn’t escape. Besides, even if she could, running away with 500 yuan in her possession had resulted in this outcome. Not to mention, she was now penniless. Her one experience in the county town had been lesson enough.

In that unfamiliar place, treated as a thief, Bai Mei felt defenseless and thought, even if Fang Xiaoshan indulged in all vices, his family’s wealth was undeniable.

If that were the case, marrying into his family might not be so bad. Influencing Fang Xiaoshan, her days could turn out to be better than the helplessness she’d felt outside.

So, upon meeting Fang Xiaoshan this time, Bai Mei greeted him with a smile. She was skilled at ingratiating herself with others, and Fang Xiaoshan already harbored some affection for her. This time, the two seemed to hit it off quite well.

Once Fang Xiaoshan had left, Bai Mei actually looked forward to being married. At least once she was married off, she would belong to the Fang Family. They couldn’t possibly keep her confined at home, and then she would be free.

Therefore, she had been preoccupied with dressing up these past two days, making sure she looked neat and tidy.

She organized the clothes in her wardrobe, and the new clothes prepared by the Fang Family had also been delivered. Bai Mei began to take on the appearance of a bride, sorting through her belongings.

Li Chunhua sat at the head, eyeing the betrothal gifts. Bai Zhuang was especially happy; although the three rounds and one sound were somewhat old-fashioned, they were considered the best of their kind in their village.

Wu Xiaoyue had already mentioned it several times; her mother was pressing them to get the betrothal and dowry ready to get married this year.

Bai Zhuang was eager too. Seeing these gifts, he had been circling them with joy.

He was finally going to take a bride.

“Dad, Mom, Grandma, how about we go to the Wu Family tomorrow to settle the wedding details? It’s perfect timing, with my sister just married off. Bringing home a new bride will make the house lively if we hold the ceremony together. Grandma, next year she could bear you a great-grandson.” Bai Zhuang had everything planned out.

Li Chunhua took a look and said, “There’s no rush with the Wu Family’s marriage arrangement. Their daughter isn’t so precious to demand a 200 yuan dowry and the likes of a ‘three rounds and one sound’ ceremony as if they were city folks. They should know their place. If Fang Xiaoshan is willing to provide such betrothal gifts, it’s because he’s hopeless, unable to find a wife. You’re not in the same situation, Bai Zhuang. Why the hurry? They should be the ones in a hurry. Wu Xiaoyue will be twenty-three soon; she’s considered an old maid here in our village. Stretch it out!” The matriarch made her decision.

Bai Zhuang became anxious, “Grandma, let’s not stretch it. What if my bride-to-be runs away?”

“Look at you, spineless. Once the new bride comes in, you’ll end up under her thumb. After all these years of raising you, in the end, you marry and become someone else’s man,” Li Chunhua bemoaned, angry at Bai Jianguo and Hao Fang, yet unable to hold any resentment toward her grandchildren.

After all, she had raised them; besides, the two grandsons had never wronged her.