The Truth of the Arson
Zhang was surprised by Qin Ya’s aggressiveness for a moment.
However, she rolled her eyes thinking for a little bit and felt that t Qin Ya was just putting on an act.
Zhang knew the greed and laziness of Qin Sufen. No one in the Li family was able to win her respect, never mentioning Qin Sufen, who had escaped to this place a couple of years earlier.
"Well, since you have something to say, my second sister-in-law, I might as well listen to it."
‘I'll see what exactly you will say.’ Zhang despised her and thought so in her heart.
Qin Ya ignored Zhang’s gaze filled with contempt. She sorted out her mind first and said, "It is true that Chenggu saved them. I’m also fine with it because it is the filial piety for Chenggu to do so. However, there are three sons in the Li family. Although Chengbai is now in the Zhang family. He’s the blood of the Li family. Can you deny this? "
Zhang nodded, given that she couldn’t deny this anyway.
‘Great!’
A smile appeared on Qin Ya’s face, which was dazzling like the clouds in the sky.
She went on. "Since he’s the blood of the Li family, how can he stand by when his parents are in trouble? Money or energy, you need to give whatever you can to help. My Chenggu has contributed his energy. Chengbai will not be reluctant to contribute money then, will he?"
Although Qin Ya was smiling, her face was full of sarcasm.
For the first time, Zhang was tricked by Qin Sufen. She was angry in her heart yet she couldn’t release this anger. She wanted to refute, but she couldn’t find any words.
However, to pay for her parents-in-law, this probably would be the least thing she wanted to do.
Having one more person in the family means one more expense. Li Tao and Huang, along with the incapable eldest son and his wife as well as his son, there were altogether five people more living in her family. They couldn’t afford to keep so many idlers at home even though they had money.
"Uh..."
Zhang was just about to speak yet Qin Ya directly stopped her, making Zhang have to hold to her words she was planning to say.
"I'm just saying. You don't have to take it seriously. Even though what I said is true in logic, the Li family has an eldest son after all. Even if he is in trouble, it still should be the responsibility of the eldest son to bear the family's burden. Chengbai is the third son, it’s not his turn to take care of this whether in logic or moral standards, right?"
Zhang could not guess what plan Qin Sufen exactly had.
However, what she had said was obviously good for her family, so she quickly nodded and said, "You are absolutely right."
Qin Ya was well familiar with how to manipulate people- a carrot and stick approach.
The reason why she negotiated further just now was to make Zhang realize that Zhang that not every responsibility fell upon Li Chenggu. Li Chengbai was responsible for the two elders in the Li family as well.
However, she didn't expect Li Chengbai to take care of the Li family. Putting aside that Zhang would make a fuss to resist it, even if Zhang unwillingly took this task, it would be inevitable that more troubles might come up in the future.
What she wanted was something else!
"Since you feel the same way, sister-in-law, why don’t we find a good time together to discuss this with the eldest son and his family. After all, for the issue like this, it’s up to the eldest son and his family for the final decision. I’m just making my suggestions here.”
"Suggestions?"
There was an obvious implication in Qin Ya’s words.
Zhang thought for a while and said, "There are only two of us here. If you have something to say, you may as well go straight ahead."
She finally realized that Qin Sufen was not easy to be tricked either. Besides, the Li family didn’t treat Qin well. More likely than not, Qin Sufen also had pent-up grievances as well. She didn’t want to take over this mess anyway. There was no harm in listening to Qin’s plan.
"This suggestion might not be that perfect though..."
Qin Ya raised her eyes and brow and whispered a few words in Zhang's ear.
Zhang was shocked for a moment, as if she was petrified. She finally came to herself after a long time.
Then, she still hesitated. "Will this really work?"
"Even though it's autumn and the weather is drier now, as long as no one intentionally set fire on purpose, it's not easy to catch fire. I suggest you go back and try to explore the whole story. If I’m right, I'm afraid this fire must be somehow related to the youngest son of the eldest brother-in-law..."
Qin Ya offered her an insight she had never thought of.
Zhang lowered his head and thought for a moment. Then she stamped her foot fiercely as if she was determined. She agreed on the plan and said, "We’ll deal with it as you said then, second sister-in-law."
With that being said, Zhang stepped out and left in a hurry.
Li Xin'er looked at this in shock. His youngest aunt was the most astute person in Li family. However, today, she was sent away by only a few words from his mother.
"Mommy, you are awesome!"
Li Xiner's sparkling eyes revealed his admiration.
Qin Ya didn't expect that she had harvested her son's worship like this.
She smiled and patted his head, saying, "I’m not awesome at all. Our Xin’er is the awesome one. Go, put your new clothes on and go to play with your friends..."
"Yay! I’ll go to wear it now. Er’gou will be jealous of me for sure... "
Children were always fond of hanging out with friends. He forgot the conversation immediately the moment Qin Ya agreed to let him go out to play. Now he was happy to hang out with his friends.
When Li Xin'er left, Qin Ya cleaned up and went to visit Sister Lan next door.
A courtyard with a front yard and back yard came into sight. There were several willows planted at the gate, which was quite hermit-style.
Tan Lanfang moved to Yunding Village with her family a few years ago. She was not a native in this village, so she didn’t know many people here. In addition, she was not talkative, so she didn’t contact many people.
Qin Sufen also came from somewhere else, and the relationship between she and other people in this village was tough, which brought Qin Sufen and Tan Lanfang together as close friends.
"Sister Sufen, you finally visit. Come and take a seat please."
When Tan Lanfang saw Qin Ya, she smiled happily. Her eyes were curved up like the crescent moon, making her charmingly naïve.
"Your husband hasn't come back yet?"
Qin Ya took the basket Tan Lanfang handed over and picked up a small snack from it. She ate and chatted with her.
"You know him. There are more than 20 days in a month that he doesn't live at home."
Tan Lanfang said that and took a look at Qin Ya's back, wondering, "Why don't you bring Xin’er here today?"
"Xiner went out to play with his friends."
Qin Ya explained.
Tan Lanfang's eyes showed obvious disappointment when she heard this. She was used to being lonely and liked lively children, so she also developed some maternal affection for Li Xin’er.
Her family was actually rich. Her husband had a business. Although he doesn’t stay at home that much, he never treated her improperly in terms of money. It was said that Lan was also the daughter of a rich family. She studied in school for several years when she was a child. Later, her parents passed away, so she came to Yunding Village and settled down with her husband.
"Since you like children so much, when will you have one yourself?"
Qin Ya teased her.
"You really make fun of me."
She blushed with shyness and complained.
Qin Ya said with a smile, "There’s nothing to be shy. You have been married for several years, and you live alone. It’s good to have a kid to be with you."
Tan Lanfang's eyes darkened when she heard these words, and she forced a smile.