TSWPF – Chapter 50 Complaining

While Li Qingling was standing in line, she was chatting with Aunt Huang. At that moment, Madam Liu and Li Baozhu arrived. All the other spots were taken, leaving only a small empty patch next to Li Qingling, so the two of them walked straight over.

As soon as Li Baozhu saw Li Qingling, she rolled her eyes and snorted, brushing past her.

Li Qingling ignored her, pretending she didn’t exist, and simply greeted Madam Liu.

Madam Liu glanced at Li Qingling without nodding and walked past. Li Qingling didn’t mind; she had offered her courtesy, and Madam Liu’s reaction was her problem.

Aunt Huang looked on sympathetically and patted Li Qingling’s shoulder, signaling her not to take it to heart.

In her heart, she actually felt a little disdain for Madam Liu. How could a grandmother treat her own granddaughter this way? It was shocking to see.

“It’s fine, I’m used to it,” Li Qingling said with a bitter smile, secretly amused. The worse Madam Liu treated her, the more sympathy she gained from the villagers.

Even if Li Qingling ever did something wrong toward Madam Liu, the villagers wouldn’t overly blame her.

She almost had to thank Madam Liu for being so unpleasant!

Aunt Huang patted Li Qingling’s shoulder again, whispering encouragement, “Your grandmother will regret this in the future. Just wait—she will definitely regret it.” From Aunt Huang’s perspective, Li Qingling was destined for success.

Even just considering that Li Qingling could run a stall, she was already ahead of many others.

Li Qingling forced a small smile, pressed her lips together, and fell silent.

Li Baozhu glanced at her, sneered, grabbed a broom, and started sweeping forcefully, sending dust flying toward Li Qingling.

Frowning, Li Qingling immediately knew this was on purpose.

She ground her teeth, moved slightly to the side, and stayed silent. Li Baozhu wanted to provoke her, but she refused to give her the satisfaction.

Seeing Li Qingling didn’t fall for it, Li Baozhu snorted inwardly and swept even more vigorously, kicking up clouds of dust.

“Cough cough…” The dust made Aunt Huang start coughing. Frowning, she glared at Li Baozhu. “Baozhu, what are you doing?” This girl’s heart was really twisted. There were so many people around, yet she was sweeping so aggressively—did she want to choke everyone?

Seeing so many people glaring at her, Li Baozhu got nervous and quickly stopped, muttering softly, “There’s too much dust here, I just wanted to sweep a little.” She said it, but her eyes remained fixed on Li Qingling. If not for her, she wouldn’t be getting scolded.

Aunt Huang waved the dust away, then scolded gently, “Then why sweep so hard? Couldn’t you be gentler? Really, this child…” She could see right through Li Baozhu’s intentions.

Li Baozhu bit her lip and muttered “hm” after being rebuked.

Once everyone’s attention drifted away, she walked over to Li Qingling, holding the broom, expecting Li Qingling to sweep for her.

Her entitled attitude annoyed Li Qingling, but she didn’t say anything. She silently took the broom from Li Baozhu’s hands and began sweeping lightly. After all, she hadn’t brought her own broom; sweeping anyway would at least earn some goodwill in front of everyone.

As expected, everyone watching praised her.

Li Qingling nodded and smiled humbly, saying nothing.

Li Baozhu didn’t expect Li Qingling to be praised again and felt a surge of irritation. Seeing that Li Qingling was only sweeping the patch in front of her, she muttered, “So you’re not really that kindhearted—just sweeping your own patch.” She pointed to the empty space. “Come over here and sweep.” She couldn’t believe everyone could be so blind—how could Li Qingling be that nice?

Li Qingling didn’t look up. “Baozhu, wait a moment. Once I finish here, I’ll come help you. Don’t worry, I will help you.” Once she finished this patch, it would be time to transport her family’s rice home.

Hearing this, Li Baozhu opened her mouth to refuse but was interrupted by Aunt Huang.

“Xiaoling is kindhearted. She finished her own work and still wants to help your grandparents—she’s really admirable,” Aunt Huang said, glancing at the always-stern Madam Liu. “Chunhua, your granddaughter is amazing. If I had such a granddaughter, I’d wake up smiling from my dreams.” Unfortunately, Liu Chunhua was blinded by her own biases and couldn’t see what a good granddaughter she had.

Aunt Huang was eager to see Chunhua’s regretful face someday.

Madam Liu glowered at Li Qingling, pulling a sneer. “Since you want to, fine. Take it. A granddaughter like this, I don’t need her anyway.” She had suffered losses at Li Qingling’s hands repeatedly; any affection she might have had was long gone.

If possible, she would have preferred not to have this granddaughter at all.

But since they were blood relatives, she couldn’t sever that connection.

“…“ Aunt Huang had no words left. Speaking to this kind of person was utterly infuriating.

Li Qingling lowered her head, ignoring Madam Liu’s words, and continued sweeping.

The villagers saw her like this and felt sorry for her. Being disliked by her own grandmother was truly heartbreaking.

“Chunhua, that’s not how it should be said. No matter what, Xiaoling is your granddaughter. If you don’t treat her well, that’s one thing, but to despise her like this—you’re not honoring your ancestors from the Li family!”

One aunt couldn’t hold back and shouted.

Liu Chunhua was really getting worse with age. How could she treat her granddaughter like this without fear of the Li ancestors seeking revenge?

Flustered, Madam Liu’s face alternated between red and white, glaring at Li Qingling, blaming her for being scolded.

“This is my family matter. Why are you saying so much? If you care about her so much, take her home yourself.”

The aunt was infuriated by Madam Liu’s reply. “You’re becoming more unreasonable. I want to ask old Li—does he agree with you?” Truly, this shamed the Li family.

If word got out, how would other villagers see them? Would anyone dare marry their daughters into this family?

Thinking this, the aunt’s expression darkened further. She decided to report this to the village head. Madam Liu couldn’t be allowed to continue like this; if left unchecked, she might cause a bigger problem, one that couldn’t be fixed later.

Mentioning “old Li,” Madam Liu felt vexed and snorted, not responding further. She feared the aunt might tell old Li about her antics and get scolded again.

Little did Madam Liu know, the aunt was already determined to report it. There was no chance she would let it slide.

“Xiaoling, don’t take your grandmother’s words to heart. She’s just saying that—she wouldn’t really do it. If she dared, your grandfather would punish her.” Aunt Huang saw Li Qingling lowering her head and thinking she was sad, so she whispered comfortingly.

Li Qingling blinked, her eyes slightly red, and finally looked up at Aunt Huang, forcing a smile. “Yes, I understand. Thank you, Auntie.” The villagers may love gossip and sometimes be selfish, but their hearts were still kind.

At the very least, seeing Madam Liu’s actions, they couldn’t stay silent and would speak up in her favor.

Though she wasn’t too affected by Madam Liu’s cold words, the villagers’ kindness warmed her heart.

She resolved that if her chicken farm became successful, she would work with the villagers to prosper together.

Seeing Li Qingling’s reddened eyes, Aunt Huang sighed and whispered a few comforting words before sitting down.

Li Qingling miscalculated. She had finished sweeping her patch, but her rice hadn’t been transported home yet. Meanwhile, old Li had already moved his family’s rice home.

But their patch hadn’t been swept yet; it was full of dust. Old Li’s eyes widened, and in a gruff voice, he asked, “You’ve been here so long—why isn’t this swept yet? What have you been doing?” His gaze swept over Li Baozhu and Madam Liu, who shivered under his stare.

Li Baozhu spoke first, pointing at Li Qingling and preemptively complaining, “Li Qingling took our broom, so we couldn’t sweep!” Now that grandpa was here, she dared to be audacious?

Old Li’s brows furrowed as he looked at Li Qingling.

Li Qingling met his gaze calmly and said lightly, “Baozhu asked me to help her. I thought it better to sweep from this side first, but I hadn’t finished before you returned, Grandpa.” If Baozhu could complain, why couldn’t she?

“If you don’t believe me, you can ask Aunt Huang.” After what had just happened, she didn’t think Aunt Huang would side with Li Baozhu.

Before old Li could respond, Aunt Huang nodded vigorously. “Exactly! Baozhu is hopeless—she didn’t want to sweep and even lied to you, Old Li. You need to teach her properly; otherwise, no one would want to marry her!” In her family, they certainly wouldn’t want such a daughter-in-law.