The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 325 - 329: The Tampered Life (11)

Chapter 325: Chapter 329: The Tampered Life (11)

Back at home, the smile never left Qiao Xiaohong’s face, probably even more joyous than her own wedding day.

With such an obvious expression, no one could pretend they didn’t notice.

But when everyone asked her the reason, she wouldn’t say, guarding it like a treasure, hiding it away.

This sickeningly coy behavior made everyone’s stomach turn.

Especially since she kept giving Su Li that look, mixed with bragging and disdain, sympathy and guilt.

It was complicated, to say the least, beyond easy description.

It made Su Li feel thoroughly uncomfortable.

"Sister-in-law, you seem so happy. Could it be that there’s good news from the Qiao Family?"

"No, just that the weather is nice today, so I’m in a good mood... I’m always pretty happy, not just today."

What a load of nonsense—better to have thought it through before answering. A straightforward "It’s not convenient to say" would have been preferable.

Qiao Xiaohong’s antics finally brought Aunt Su’s patience to its peak.

"Let her be, if she doesn’t want to talk, then don’t push her. It’s not like she’s ever considered herself one of us Su Family."

That statement hit like a ton of bricks.

Qiao Xiaohong’s eyes visibly reddened.

A daughter-in-law not acknowledged by her husband’s family is never a good thing.

If she behaved this way, it was because she knew the Su Family was lenient, often pushing the in-laws’ limits.

Qiao Xiaohong had been clever enough to be chosen by Aunt Su to marry her second son.

Seeing her mother-in-law truly angry, she softened her tone.

But even so, she kept her mouth tightly shut and refused to reveal the real reason.

Without seeming to care, Su Li casually said, "Could it be that Xiaoxiao has been admitted to university?"

Qiao Xiaohong was shocked, her eyes widen as if she had seen a ghost, not expecting Su Li to directly guess it, and she had indeed guessed right.

Xiaoxiao had been accepted to the Teachers College in the provincial city.

After coming to her senses, Qiao Xiaohong glared at Su Li angrily but didn’t dare to scold her loudly.

Aunt Su: "Xiaohong, did your sister also take the exam? Why haven’t you mentioned it?"

Yan Nizi joined the conversation: "Before the exams, you said your sister was coming over to cheer up Li Bao, but she was actually going to take the exam, wasn’t she... Why keep it a secret from the whole family?"

Su Li felt no guilt breaking her agreement with her sister-in-law, and continued to press, "Did Xiaoxiao really get in?"

Qiao Xiaohong clenched her teeth in frustration, unable to do anything but stubbornly deny it.

"No, Xiaoxiao is still waiting for the news at home."

Qiao Xiaohong felt she had gotten carried away with pride, only now realizing too late that her sister-in-law had not yet received the admission notice.

Granny Su wiped her hands and came in from the doorway.

She had overheard the conversation in the main room and quickly understood Qiao Xiaohong’s worries.

It was nothing more than fearing the news would spread, reaching the Qiao Family’s parents who might disapprove of their second daughter going to school.

A girl’s time at home was limited; if she wasn’t bringing in money or doing chores, once married off, she belonged to another family.

Having gone through this before she married, Qiao Xiaohong naturally empathized more with her sister’s situation.

Aunt Su had appreciated Qiao Xiaohong for her sibling affection back then.

But she hadn’t anticipated that this affection only extended to those of her own blood.

Granny Su disapproved of Qiao Xiaohong’s pettiness, flicked her sleeve, and drew Su Li away.

"Come on, Li Bao, Granny will make you something tasty to eat."

To declare such special treatment so openly in front of the whole family was something only Granny Su could do.

Everyone else had no objections and urged Su Li to eat more,

afraid that she would be upset for not having received the admission notice.

It was only Qiao Xiaohong, filled with dissatisfaction and grievance, who let the joy of learning her younger sister had been admitted to college dissipate.

In fact, the Su Family knew in their hearts that as time passed, the chances were probably getting slimmer.

In the entire Niu Tian Village, only that youth named Chen Yajun from the educated youth point had been admitted to college; together with Qiao Xiaohong’s younger sister, Qiao Xiaoxiao, who was suspected to have been admitted... that made only two.

In the neighboring villages, no one had heard of anyone receiving an admission notice.

This was enough to show the difficulty of the exam.

It was not so easy to become an educated person.

Su Li watched Granny Su hesitate to speak, wanting to comfort herself yet afraid to touch upon her sadness, and suddenly burst into laughter.

She leaned in close to Granny Su’s ear and whispered a few words.

Granny Su first showed surprise, then an expression of anger appeared on her face, followed by her wrinkled face increasingly showing the degree of her bitterness.

"I found it outside the house, on the small dirt mound, all torn to pieces...."

"Enough, I’ll take care of this matter, and I’ll make sure you don’t suffer any injustice."

Granny Su made Su Li a bowl of mung bean soup, insisting that she finish it, then coaxed her to go back to her room to rest.

Then, rolling up her sleeves with the demeanor of someone about to enter a fight, she strode out the door.

Granny Su was old but crafty; with just a simple mention from Su Li, she had already thought of much.

The only time it could have happened was when she had taken Li Bao out and left Qiao Xiaohong at home to keep watch.

This matter was definitely related to Qiao Xiaohong, even if it wasn’t, it was her negligence...

She was truly furious with Qiao Xiaohong this time.

Some say, how could one convict a person without evidence.

Sorry, she, Granny Su, was just a coarse old woman from the countryside, and she didn’t care for what so-called evidence.

In the whole Niu Tian Village, half the people had to call her "auntie," "aunt," or "grandma"; she didn’t need to reason with anyone.

What she believed was reason enough.

The old lady moved quickly and soon arrived at the Qiao Family’s house.

Over the low, hedge-lined wall, she could see the people inside getting ready for dinner.

Mrs. Qiao spotted Granny Su at the door first and promptly greeted her warmly, "Xiao Hong’s granny, what brings you here?"

Granny Su, with her eyes shining coldly, gave Mrs. Qiao a displeased look that made the skin on her tighten.

Without waiting for her to speak further, Granny Su walked in with hands clasped behind her back and her distinctive gait.

Qiao Xiaoxiao, along with a few of the younger ones, all greeted Granny Su.

She said nothing, did not respond, and just stared intently at the dinner table where the food had just been served.

The Qiao Family’s dinner was modest, with a few bowls of vegetable porridge and a cold salad of wild greens.

However, in front of Mr. Qiao and Qiao Xiaowu, there was an additional bowl of egg custard.

Granny Su glanced over and immediately began to speak sarcastically, "Wow, look at how well your family is living, even enjoying egg custard."

"Raising a daughter sure is good, they remember their own family even after getting married... no wonder I keep noticing things missing from time to time at home, it turns out..."

Granny Su didn’t mention names, but everyone present knew who she was talking about.

The Qiao Family’s parents both flushed with embarrassment.

It was one thing for a married daughter to subsidize her family, but having someone come to your door to speak of it was quite another.

Mr. Qiao’s face couldn’t hold it anymore, and he immediately gave Mrs. Qiao a kick.