Chapter 15: Sister-in-Law Cheng Guixiang

“Why are you just getting back now?”

The elderly woman with white hair, Cheng Guixiang, the eldest sister of the deceased old man, pointed sharply at the corner of the wall, her voice piercing.

“Why did you change where the key is kept? Who are you trying to guard against?”

“Against you.”

Su Li snapped back without patience, pulling the key attached to a lanyard from her pocket and unlocking the front door.

That day, watching Cheng Jundong rummage under the rock to find the key had filled her with dread—how was that any different from handing money to someone else?

Right then, she took the key away.

The second daughter-in-law was home, but she couldn’t even get up from the kang bed, so there was no point in staying, and Su Li locked the door.

“Oh my heavens! You have to see this! My brother is dead and my eldest sister-in-law just showed up—”

“Bang!”

The door opened and shut again before Cheng Guixiang’s eyes.

Halfway through her outburst, Cheng Guixiang couldn’t continue, as Su Li calmly waved to the several children of Da Ya in the Cheng family courtyard.

“Come on, you all have some sweet water.”

Su Li led the children inside. Behind her, the door was being hammered noisily, accompanied by Cheng Guixiang’s tirade accusing Su Li of bullying.

The children glanced between Su Li and the door, tension in the adults’ confrontation making them nervous.

“You don’t need to worry. Adults will handle adult matters.”

Su Li opened the door to her room and fetched some white sugar from the cabinet. Da Ya had already brought out the bowls.

Su Li put a little sugar into each bowl.

“Later, you can pour your own water. And remember, when you visit others, be polite. Your aunt is rude, and that’s not good.”

Su Li put the sugar bag back in the cabinet. Ignoring the shouts outside, she leisurely fetched water, washed her face, cleaned the towel, and hung it on the clothesline in the yard.

The children’s anxious moods gradually settled with a bowl of sweet water and Su Li’s calmness.

It was one o’clock in the afternoon, the hottest and sunniest time. Cheng Guixiang had shouted herself hoarse.

“Su Li—open the door!”

“Open the door!”

No one was home in the neighboring houses; everyone who could walk had gone to the autumn harvest. Even those delivering lunch would do some work in the afternoon, at most returning early to cook.

Su Li was truly an oddity in Sanhong Village.

So Cheng Guixiang’s noisy display attracted no audience.

“Su Li, open the door.”

Cheng Guixiang stopped shouting, resentful in her heart. When you do open that door, just wait and see how I deal with you!

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Seated on a chair in the shade, Su Li slowly rose and walked toward the door.

“Oh, isn’t this the eldest sister-in-law? A rare visitor, a rare visitor! What brings you here?”

Su Li acted as if she had just seen Cheng Guixiang, infuriating Cheng Guixiang so much that she jabbed a finger straight at Su Li’s forehead.

Su Li, hiding a feather duster behind her back, swung it without hesitation.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

“Coming to our house to bully me—who gave you the nerve!”

“If you dare lay a finger on me today, I’ll desecrate the Cheng family ancestral grave!”

Cheng Guixiang: “???”

Cheng Jianguo, the lazy fifth brother wanting to sneak home: “……”

The second daughter-in-law, Li Meilan, weak and bedridden, thought: Grandma is really fierce!

Su Li snorted, setting down the feather duster, facing Cheng Guixiang.

“Cheng Guixiang, out of respect for the old man before, I didn’t bother to fight with you. Don’t think I’m scared of you!”

“Go ask around—who have I ever been afraid of?”

“If you think you can still control me and bully me like before, you’re dreaming!”

Having said her piece, Su Li glared at Cheng Jianguo standing by the door.

“What are you back for?!”

Cheng Jianguo felt a chill down his spine under the watchful eye of the feather duster.

“Mom, I just went to the bathroom. I’m not wasting anything outside the family. I’ll leave right after, really!”

If he didn’t leave, he’d be in big trouble!

A seventeen-year-old guy being chased and hit by his own mother—that would be humiliating.

Cheng Jianguo ran to the bathroom, and Su Li snorted, folding her hands behind her back as she entered the yard.

Cheng Guixiang was still stunned, unable to grasp that Su Li had threatened to desecrate their ancestral grave.

“Su Li, how dare you!”

“Nonsense! I’m surnamed Su. Do you think I don’t dare?”

Su Li sat down heavily, radiating dominance. Er Niu, clever as ever, came over with a palm fan and began to fan her.

“Grandma, is it cool?”

“Yes, cool.”

Su Li smiled warmly. Er Niu felt a sense of recognition that was even more satisfying than when Grandma gave him eggs. Of course, eggs would be even better.

“Grandma, I’ll pour you some water!”

Da Niu moved too. Da Ya was puzzled when Er Ya gave her a tug, but Er Ya, disappointed by her stubbornness, immediately followed along.

“Grandma, I’ll rub your shoulders.”

“All right, all right, good children all know manners. Some people don’t grow up even after decades.”

Cheng Guixiang felt the sting of that remark.

After repeated setbacks, she realized Su Li was no longer the young new bride she once bullied.

Cheng Guixiang was frustrated but swallowed her grievances, thinking of the matters she had to attend to, and approached Su Li.

“Su Li, I was wrong earlier. I’m just so heartbroken. You know, my brother just passed away—he was only fifty—”

“If you want to wail, go cry at your brother’s grave. What good does crying in front of me do? What, you want me to send you there?”

Su Li’s words silenced Cheng Guixiang completely.

Li Meilan, leaning out the window watching the drama, wished she had some sunflower seeds in hand.

Well said!

Cheng Guixiang was indeed unpopular. She relied on her status as the eldest sister-in-law to come to the Cheng family and scavenge whenever she pleased.

The old Cheng was the only son in the family, raised by three sisters. Grateful for their care, he always tolerated them.

Even though Su Li had given birth to five sons, she never overshadowed Cheng Guixiang.

Knowing he was in the wrong, the old man allowed the old lady to dominate the household.

Whenever Cheng Guixiang came, the old lady’s already difficult temper worsened, and her bad moods were vented on the family.

“Su Li, let’s talk properly. Why are you always choking me up?”

Su Li snorted and raised a hand, stopping the fans and shoulder rubs.

This scene looked just like a poor relative coming to sponge off the family, only to be cold-shouldered by the matriarch.

“Cheng Guixiang, if you have something to say, say it. If not, leave. I have five sons and a bunch of grandchildren to raise. We don’t have enough food to entertain you.”

Cheng Guixiang wanted to curse but dared not. Su Li’s bluntness left no room for playing the sentimental card.

“Su Li, your nephew has a girlfriend. They want two hundred yuan as betrothal money and a bicycle. We pooled what we could, but it’s still short. We came to ask you to make an exchange. I promise to pay you back; it’s just a temporary swap.”

Su Li was not surprised.

With the old man gone, the matter of the three hundred yuan compensation was bound to come out; anyone with a mind would come knocking.

“You’re absolutely right!”

Cheng Guixiang sneered inwardly, knowing Su Li was still the same Su Li.

“So, eldest sister-in-law, how much do you plan to pay me back?”

“I plan to... pay back what?”