I Became the Mother of His Child

"Aunt Song, you'd better stop calling her a 'little slut' every other breath. The Xu family's temper is not made of mud. If you dare to slander my sister's reputation again, just see if I don't go to the county to report you to the police. We live in a society governed by law now, and if you defame her and maliciously damage a girl's reputation, you could end up in prison. Aunt Song, don't say I didn't warn you," Xu Qingqing was a force to be reckoned with when pushed.

Having dealt with these rural folks year-round, Xu Qingqing knew all too well what they feared and respected. Naturally, the sight of someone in police or military uniform would instill fear in them. Feng Laidi might throw a fit and be aggressive, but after all, she was just an uneducated old countrywoman. When it came down to serious matters, she would shrink away as useless as a grandson.

"Who's been tarnishing her reputation? Don't think that just because you bring someone from the police, I will be scared of you. I'm not afraid to stand my ground if I'm right. And that Xu Jingjing of yours is shameless, don't think I can be easily deceived. She's nothing but trouble! Moreover, she's betrothed to my son and hasn't yet married into our family. As her future mother-in-law, don't I have the right to reprimand her?" Feng Laidi felt guilty when Xu Qingqing pointed these things out, but then she remembered that Xu Jingjing was engaged to marry into the Song family, and she regained some confidence.

Feng Laidi's clamorous objections suddenly reminded everyone of a crucial point. Right! Xu Jingjing and Song Wenshu were indeed engaged. Although the two families had now fallen out, the engagement had not been formally broken off yet!

"It's a bit early to be calling yourself a mother-in-law, and what kind of mother-in-law describes her own daughter-in-law with words like 'slut' and 'prostitute'! My family's Jingjing is the precious youngest daughter of the Old Xu Family, doted on and cherished, with no reason to suffer insults from another family. And Aunt Song, how can you even have the nerve to mention the engagement? Do you really believe your son can be released unharmed to get married? Let me tell you, even if Song Wenshu gets out, this bridegroom who's been to the police for his bad deeds is one that Xu Qingqing will be the first to disavow," Xu Qingqing made her disapproval of the marriage unmistakably clear as she spoke.

"Aunt Song, your precious son is so talented, able to eat for free in the lockup. It seems like quite the charmed life for him, relying on others for his food and clothes. Our Jingjing, gentle and honest, is best suited for a man of the same decent character, certainly not daring to climb high enough to match your precious son. So please, Aunt Song, find another bride for your son!" Xu Qingqing's words were calm and measured, yet they effectively planned to call off the marriage in a few sentences.

Speaking of Xu Qingqing's abilities, even Xu Xiuxiu was surprised by them. The Song family's wife, Feng Laidi, looked so peculiar and shameless. Xu Xiuxiu was at a loss for how to respond for a good while, but Xu Qingqing handled it easily, diminishing the opponent's momentum in just a few words.

"You wish it were that easy to call off the marriage, but there's no door for that," Feng Laidi had forgotten her real purpose of coming to the Xu family. All she knew was that she had to drag the Xu family down with her. If her son couldn't get out of the police station, she would make Xu Jingjing live like a widow for him; she would be brought into the home come the tenth of the month to serve as a maid, taking care of her future eating and clothing. She was confident she could tame Xu Jingjing to be obedient and submissive.

"Refusing to call off the wedding? You can't just decide on engagement matters all by yourself. Besides, don't people normally exchange betrothal gifts? With your family, forget the customary gifts, we didn't even touch a penny of the bride price. Do you really think your son is such a prize? He's nothing but a scoundrel," Xu Qingqing knew that Xu Jingjing hadn't received any betrothal gifts for her engagement and realized the other party had taken the Old Xu Family for granted, bullying them to no end.

"What do you mean there's nothing? The Song family gave over 100 yuan! Where did that money go? You talk, Xu Fangfang! She owes my family 132 yuan! Unable to pay it back, she arranged for Xu Jingjing to marry my son, and with that, our two families would write off the debt," Feng Laidi spoke indignantly, pointing in Xu Fangfang's direction to defend her own family. In this matter, Feng Laidi felt utterly confident.

But as soon as Feng Laidi spoke, Xu Fangfang, whose forehead was bleeding from a hit, immediately looked guilty as she lowered her eyes. Even her mother, Mrs. Xu, gave her a strange look. It was because what Xu Fangfang and Mrs. Xu said wasn't true—they talked about the Song Family providing a marriage betrothal of five hundred yuan. They had originally planned to buy a "three bangs and a turn," but Xu Fangfang, finding it hard to make ends meet, claimed that Song Wenshu had lent her the money out of gratitude for her matchmaking, to help her tide over her debts. She said she would repay the money to Xu Jingjing after some time.

In fact, Xu Fangfang's assurances were all a pretext; she knew Xu Jingjing had been taken advantage of by Song Wenshu. She figured that since Xu Jingjing was no longer a virgin anyway, if Song Wenshu was willing to marry her and take her home, it wouldn't be a disgrace for Xu Jingjing. Otherwise, it wouldn't be easy to find another suitable match in the future. In this day and age, there are few men who can tolerate marrying a non-virgin bride. She thought she was doing what was best for Xu Jingjing.

"Big girl, that's not what you told me!" Mrs. Xu looked at Xu Fangfang with hurt in her eyes.

Xu Fangfang, suddenly feeling guilty, said, "Mom, can we talk about this later?" She truly lacked the courage to discuss this matter. The more it escalated, the more secrets got revealed, and the more headaches she felt were piling up.

Indeed, one lie leads to more lies to cover it up, and Xu Fangfang didn't know if she could manage to smooth things over!

Xu Xiuxiu, observing from the side, glanced at Xu Fangfang and then said, "Yuanhuan, go to the village shop at the entrance and call the police. Say that the family of the person who was arrested for a crime yesterday is causing trouble at our house. I believe the Police Station will send someone very quickly once they receive the report." Xu Xiuxiu didn't intend to engage in a verbal battle with Feng Laidi. For now, it was best to resolve Xu Jingjing's marriage issue first.

"Alright, the chief of the police brigade happens to be my comrade-in-arms. I'll call him, and he should arrive soon," Song Yuanhuan said as he walked with steady steps in the direction of the entrance to Xu Village.

To call the police? This third daughter of the Xu Family meant serious business.

The onlookers who had been enjoying the drama suddenly felt uneasy, watching Song Yuanhuan head off to make the call, they all thought Feng Laidi, who had come causing such a fuss, was in for trouble.

"Don't you dare. Song Yuanhuan, we are all from Song Family Village, all part of the same clan. Seeing me being bullied by the Old Xu Family, you don't help, and now you even plan to join them in bullying me? Do you believe me if I say that I'll go back and have the Song Family Patriarch expel you from the family records?" Feng Laidi blocked Song Yuanhuan's path, her eyes filled with anger.