Chapter 1254: Gossip
"You guys can go play by yourselves, I have to help your Brother Guodong."
"Alright, Dad, let’s go ourselves."
Actually, the two of them really aren’t familiar with this place.
"Okay, we’ll go and play for a day the day after tomorrow." Of course, they’d love to take the kids out to play.
The family arrived at the Chen Family’s door and saw the gate wide open; this was the way to welcome guests.
"Aunt Wang, we’re here."
Wang Ailing heard Feifei’s voice and quickly came out; she hadn’t yet spoken before Xiangting and Liangyu came out and held her hand, "Feifei, why did you come so late?"
"Sister Xiangting, I was waiting for Mom at home."
"Feifei, Shi Jing, Brother Jianbin, let’s go inside. I have lots of comic books and small toys here."
The kids dashed off, leaving Shi Xian dissatisfied. He dropped his body down, and Wei Kaiyun had no choice but to put them on the ground, where Shi Xian walked steadily, chasing after his brother and sister.
Tingting was the only one left on the ground; the little girl didn’t move, instead clinging to Wei Kaiyun’s thigh.
"Xinyu, let’s go inside too. The food’s all ready; my mother-in-law said we don’t need to do anything, with my father-in-law taking care of it.
Let me tell you about the things happening in our village; I’m sure you’ll love to hear them."
Wang Ailing may not have paid attention to Wei Kaiyun, but she wasn’t glaring at him with anger.
Wei Kaiyun knew his wife must have said something to her; he felt comforted by how considerate his wife was.
So he bent down to pick up Tingting and followed the two women inside.
Wang Ailing took out a piece of sweet potato and stuffed it into Tingting’s mouth, making the little girl beam with smiles.
Jiang Xinyu found the awkwardness between Wang Ailing and Wei Kaiyun quite amusing.
"Sis, this is my man. Rest assured, if he dares to treat me poorly, you just scratch him."
Wang Ailing rolled her eyes at Jiang Xinyu, this carefree girl, but she understood her situation made Xinyu feel awkward. So, despite ignoring Wei Kaiyun, she poured him a glass of water.
Wei Kaiyun was greatly surprised and took it, thanking her several times.
"Sis, are we really not needed to cook?"
"Really not needed. My mother-in-law has prepared everything; she started stewing the meat last night and the chicken this morning. You just wait to eat."
"Haha, my sister is truly blessed."
Wang Ailing nodded with a smile, "Certainly, I feel especially blessed. My in-laws are understanding, I’ve got kids, and my husband isn’t bad."
Jiang Xinyu nodded affirmatively; it indeed seemed good.
"Xinyu, you don’t know how the Kong Family has become a joke in the village now."
"Weren’t they a joke before?"
"It’s different; back then, people didn’t experience it firsthand, so even though they knew, it wasn’t as obvious."
"Haha, saves everyone from having no entertainment."
"Exactly. Did you know Kong Mengjie and her family moved back to the village? Huang Hongwei was quite something, he spent three hundred yuan on a new house and didn’t live with the Kong Family."
Jiang Xinyu nodded; that was the most sensible approach.
"They as a couple are alright; they don’t slack off in work. Kong Mengjie is different from when she was a girl; she used to put on a show at work, but my mom said now she’s genuinely working."
"Then their days are pretty good."
"Indeed. The new Revolutionary Committee director said they won’t have to be paraded around anymore, so their life is certainly more peaceful."
"That sounds good."
"But their Kong Family’s always been one for drama, hasn’t it? Kong Menglin’s back too, not working, just drinking and fooling around at home.
Because of her constant antics, she had a falling out with Zheng Xiuxiang.
You know the old Mrs. Kong is never sensible; she’s always siding with her daughter.
Zheng Xiuxiang isn’t a fool, so she’s stopped working too, and holds her son all day.
My mom says their household is lively every day."
"More people, more trouble, more conflicts."
"Indeed. Isn’t the old Mrs. Kong trying to find a wife for Kong Dehong to settle down?
But their family is so renowned in a negative way across ten miles and eight villages; what family would want to marry their daughter into such a household?"
Jiang Xinyu nodded; although news is blocked off, gossip spreads fast. Especially when there’s no other entertainment, the affairs of the Kong Family are like a good show, known to everyone.
"When Kong Dehong realized no one wanted to marry him, he became very dejected.
But he’s still going to work daily, just not speaking a word.
My mom mentioned seeing Zheng Xiuxiang approaching Kong Dehong, but he refused her."
Jiang Xinyu might understand Kong Dehong’s mindset; he considers her as somewhat like his second sister-in-law. Moreover, being a young man, he probably has some puritanical thoughts about such matters.
"The old Mrs. Kong even beat Zheng Xiuxiang, demanding she stay loyal to her second son, asserting her third son will certainly not want her.
But Zheng Xiuxiang retaliated, causing a stir heard by neighbors. She declared her child is actually Kong Dehong’s."
Jiang Xinyu nodded, "That child is indeed Kong Dehong’s. At the time, Kong Demin couldn’t father any children, and his mother-in-law and Zheng Xiuxiang conspired for a surrogate."
"Xinyu? Is this really true?"
Jiang Xinyu nodded, "It is; the Kong Family is really messed up. Just tell your family to stay away from them."
Wang Ailing nodded, and just then Father Chen brought in peanuts, sunflower seeds, and soybeans.
Jiang Xinyu and Wei Kaiyun quickly expressed their gratitude.
"It’s rare for you to visit; have a good chat with Ailing."
Watching the elderly man leave, Jiang Xinyu smiled at Wang Ailing, "Sis, you’re truly fortunate."
"Yes, I’m blessed, but back then, without you and Director Wei, I wouldn’t have gotten the textile factory job, nor the life I have now."
Wei Kaiyun felt relieved; does this mean acceptance? So he just smiled, didn’t dare to speak, better to listen to the stories. Though he doesn’t like gossip, it’s fine to accompany his wife.
"That’s indeed your destiny." Wang Ailing’s life had truly transformed, and she was no longer leading the harsh life from the previous life with children.
"Xinyu, Kong Dehong got married; do you know who it is?"
"Who would marry him in such a state? Who is it?"
"You know her?"
"Someone I know? From our village?"
"Yeah, take a guess."
Jiang Xinyu’s mind spun a bit, "Could it be Zhou Lihong?"
"Haha, Xinyu, you really are clever. It is Zhou Lihong."
"But I remember Zhou Lihong is a few years older than Kong Dehong, isn’t she?"