Chapter 12: An Unexpected Visitor—The Malevolent Grandmother's Regret?

“Xiumei?” Dong Qiufen greeted the arrival with a delighted smile.

The visitor, a woman just over fifty, energetic and capable, was none other than Zhang Xiumei, the village chief’s wife.

“Auntie!” Qin Feng quickly stepped forward to greet her.

Zhang Xiumei was the women’s affairs director of the village. Previously, when Qin Feng’s mother was mistreated by his grandmother, only Zhang Xiumei’s presence kept Zhao Xiulian, the grandmother, from acting outrageously.

In other words, Zhang Xiumei was the bane of Zhao Xiulian.

Zhang Xiumei’s family home was in Zhangjiawa, a village adjacent to Panlong Village, closer to the outer mountains and with a much larger population.

Boisterous and bold by nature, Zhang Xiumei was already well-known in Zhangjiawa before she married. In the surrounding villages, the infamous fights among women—tearing faces and pulling hair—were almost always led by her.

After marrying the village chief Zhao Xicheng, she became more restrained, but her reputation still cast a long shadow.

Straightforward and fearless, with a strong sense of justice, she commanded great respect among the women of Panlong Village.

When she became the women’s affairs director, bound by organizational discipline, she somewhat tempered her fiery nature.

“Xiumei, what brings you here?” Dong Qiufen pulled out a stool, inviting her to sit and chat.

She held Zhang Xiumei in the highest regard. After her husband’s death, her mother-in-law’s oppression made life unbearable, and only her determination to raise her children and Zhang Xiumei’s support kept her going.

“Qiufen, I came to ask you for a favor…” Zhang Xiumei was direct and forthright, never one for beating around the bush.

“I heard that Xiaofeng received a commendation from the township and is organizing people to go up the mountain for work.”

“I want to ask if Xiaofeng could spare a spot. My brother-in-law injured his hand in the fields last year and now has no way to make a living.”

“My sister begged me, crying, to find a solution…”

“You know your brother Xicheng’s temper—he’s a stickler for rules and just obsessed with his official position.”

“He values organizational discipline more than his own life and is always trying to show off within the township,” Zhang Xiumei said, her voice full of grievance.

“I tried asking him to arrange something, but before I could even speak, he refused.”

“I was at my wit’s end, and knowing that Xiaofeng calls the shots, I came to you for help…”

Explaining the situation, Zhang Xiumei looked earnestly at Dong Qiufen and Qin Feng.

Qin Feng knew that the brother-in-law she referred to was Zhao Fanyong from their village. Last year, he broke his hand while threshing, but he was a sturdy man.

“No problem, Auntie Xiumei. I’ll just put Uncle Fanyong’s name down,” Qin Feng said with a smile, already having a plan in mind.

“Finding goods up the mountain isn’t all about brute strength. Uncle Fanyong is clever. Having him along might be a great help.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiumei felt a huge weight lift off her chest and thanked him profusely.

With the matter settled, Dong Qiufen took Zhang Xiumei’s hand and the two sisters fell into conversation.

“I heard you’ve cut ties with Zhao Xiulian?” Zhang Xiumei lowered her voice.

“Yes, just a few days ago. Brother Xicheng witnessed it.”

“It should have happened long ago. I tried to advise you but you wouldn’t listen.”

“That woman is a cold-hearted wolf!” Zhang Xiumei said through gritted teeth, furious at Zhao Xiulian.

“Don’t worry, sister. Now that you’re no longer related, you have no reason to hold back.”

“If Zhao Xiulian or your sister-in-law Sun Xiao’e dares to spread rumors or gossip in the village…”

“Just watch me rip their lies to shreds!”

The sisters shared their private thoughts at length.

When Zhang Xiumei left, Dong Qiufen reminded her to take some gifts others had brought, but Zhang Xiumei refused. Qin Feng’s willingness to help was already a great favor.

Taking gifts back might look bad and probably would earn a scolding from Zhao Xicheng.

“You’re a good person, Auntie Xiumei,” Dong Qiufen said softly to Qin Feng after seeing the guest off.

“If it weren’t for her, Mom wouldn’t have lasted long in the village.”

“I know,” Qin Feng nodded. “Once we’re up the mountain, I’ll watch out for Uncle Fanyong.”

That day was full of ups and downs. Gifts from villagers piled up by the kang stove in Qin Feng’s home.

Originally, Dong Qiufen didn’t want to accept these gifts, fearing it might harm her son’s reputation if word got out.

But Qin Feng insisted it was no problem—just some potatoes, eggs, and other small items, nothing valuable.

When they earn money with the villagers in the future, these gifts would be nothing.

What Qin Feng truly wanted was to let his mother vent and ease the grievances she had suffered in the village over the years.

After tidying up, Dong Qiufen placed the villagers’ gifts neatly by the stove.

Just as she was about to close up and leave the hospital, a familiar voice called out from outside.

“Qiufen? Are you inside?”

Sitting by the kang stove, Qin Feng heard the voice and sneered inwardly, “I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Zhao Xiulian had actually arrived at Qin Feng’s doorstep earlier but hadn’t dared to enter.

After the recent unpleasant break, and considering she had never shown kindness to Qin Feng’s mother, it was humiliating to come begging now.

She couldn’t bear anyone seeing her grovel and speak softly to her daughter-in-law Dong Qiufen—it was worse than being killed.

Yet, seeing the villagers eagerly bringing gifts to Qin Feng’s house made her envious.

At worst, it was a loss of face, but at her age and with her poor reputation in the village, what did that matter?

Reputation was worthless; what mattered was pulling some benefits from her daughter-in-law’s family.

“Qiufen, your mother came to see you,” Zhao Xiulian put on a forced, unpleasant smile, trying to appear kindly.

“What are you here for? We just cut ties a few days ago, and you’ve already forgotten?” Qin Feng blocked the doorway with a cold face.

Taken aback but still wearing a smile, Zhao Xiulian pushed past him into the house.

She knew she couldn’t count on her ruthless grandson; her only hope was to persuade Dong Qiufen.

“I’m confused, don’t take it personally…” she began.

“I’ve been unwell and bedridden for days, feeling uneasy.”

“I worry about you living alone with Xiaofeng and Xiaoyu, having a hard time.”

“Now that I’m better, I hurried here to see you,” she lied with a pained expression.

Dong Qiufen had long seen through this wicked mother-in-law’s true nature and wasn’t fooled by such words.

“There’s nothing to say. We’ve cut ties.”

“We have nothing to do with you anymore. Don’t come again,” Dong Qiufen said firmly, glancing at her son.

“What are you saying? We’re family. Even if bones are broken, the sinews still connect…”

“Don’t take it personally, I regret it… I shouldn’t have treated you like that…”

“I’m begging you on my knees!”