Chapter 6: Hidden Worries

Since arriving in Shanggang Village four years ago, Tianye had seen many people with the temperament of Niuda Niang, who were also poor and always causing trouble. There were few women in the village who didn't take advantage of others.

But seeing Niuda Niang like this, Tianye couldn't help but want to tease her, "I owe you, do you really think I'm stupid?"

Niuda Niang turned around and seemed to have picked a fight with Tianye. Was she waiting for a definite answer?

Tianye didn't show it on her face, but she was really angry. It was fine to do more work, but she couldn't be bullied. "Alright, Niang, prepare two pounds of bran or half a pound of flour. I'll earn seven cents a day, and you don't need to prepare breakfast for me. Just make sure I'm fed at night. I'll guarantee to bring back some loose branches for you."

Niuda Niang's face immediately fell, her voice sharp and her tone harsh, "You girl, why are you so heartless? Everyone in the neighborhood needs help, and you have the nerve to ask for food. You really don't understand anything. Who in the neighborhood doesn't need help? Do you have to be so calculating? No wonder no one in the whole village pays attention to you. It's better for your dead father to take you away."

This was bullying her because she didn't have any elders by her side to support her.

This reminded Tianye of when she first arrived. Because the villagers said she was an orphan, a group of unlucky children always bullied her.

Tianye was strong and dealt with a few unlucky children, but then their parents confronted her, taking advantage of the fact that she had no adults to support her. They didn't care that she was still a child.

Because she was young and had no elders, no matter how much she did, she didn't receive any kindness. The villagers could easily turn their backs on her.

Tianye was angry, and if she hadn't had such strength, she might have been bullied by others. After that incident, she became famous for her fighting skills, and the women in the village no longer dared to confront her, but it also led to her being isolated by the children in the village. Fortunately, Tianye never wanted to play with a group of children who belittled her, otherwise she would have been left with psychological trauma.

It seemed that Niuda Niang had forgotten about Tianye's fighting skills.

Tianye suppressed her anger and replied innocently, "Niang is right, I also feel the same way." People can say whatever they want, but as long as you don't care, it won't hurt you.

Niuda Niang was stunned. She had heard that this girl was strong-willed and had never said a kind word to anyone. But she had never heard that she was foolish. Why was she smiling now? It made Niuda Niang feel uncomfortable.

Tianye continued, with a hint of regret in her tone, "It's just that my parents passed away early, and no one taught me these things."

She shrugged, "Niang, look at how I live. I have to earn everything myself, and it's hard. I envy you, Niuda Niang, you can get something from anyone's house. Why didn't my parents pass away earlier and teach me these skills? Niang, you are really skilled. When you leave, I can go to any house and get something, but people always chase me away. Niang, can you teach me? I've had my eye on your pigsty and the big water tank in your yard. Once I learn, I can move them to my yard."

Tianye's words were filled with genuine regret.

It was too dark to see Niuda Niang's expression, but it was probably quite interesting.

Although Niuda Niang was never liked by the villagers, she had never been insulted like this before. At her age, being ridiculed by a wild girl made her lose face.

Standing on tiptoe, hands on her hips, she shouted, "You unlucky child, you're a disgrace to your family. I gave you face by talking to you, and you still dare to ask for more. If my house had one more footprint like yours, I would tear down your house."

Niuda Niang was wary of Tianye's strength. A few years ago, she had seen Tianye throw the big and strong Wang Widow into a haystack.

This girl was not disciplined and did not understand anything. She was capable of doing anything. Niuda Niang was afraid that if she provoked Tianye, she would end up in the haystack as well. She quickly closed the gate and made a lot of noise.

Despite this, she didn't let go of the loose branches in her hands. It was clear that Niuda Niang was truly skilled.

Tianye watched Niuda Niang's back in silence. She was fierce with her words, but she ran away quickly. Was this a small victory for her?

Niuda Niang was seething in the yard. This girl was also petty. Wasn't it just a bundle of firewood? She was cunning and sly.

In the past two years, this girl had only managed to take a few bundles of firewood from outside the yard. She hadn't even been able to enter Tianye's yard.

Looking at the neighboring big yard, Niuda Niang gritted her teeth, feeling extremely resentful. For Niuda Niang, not taking advantage meant losing out.

Niuda Niang was just a passing episode for Tianye, and as long as she stayed quiet for a few days and didn't try to take advantage of her, it was fine.

Niuda Niang was considered a strange person in the village, always trying to take advantage of others. It wouldn't be surprising if she came back in a few days.

Tianye gathered firewood and cooked, then went to the neighboring house with a calm and composed demeanor.

Captain Tian Gang of Shanggang Village is in his fifties, with two sons and a daughter. His son is a strong labor force, and his daughter is outstanding in appearance, making their family the most remarkable in the entire Shanggang Brigade.

What's most remarkable is his good reputation. People from neighboring villages all speak highly of Captain Tian Gang, saying that he is a kind-hearted man and a true gentleman.

Captain Tian Gang's house is located next to the warehouse in the brigade, with a long adobe wall connecting the two, making it the most impressive place in the village.

The wall is covered with colorful posters, all displaying various propaganda slogans. However, few people in the village can read, so it's unlikely that many can understand them.

Tian Ye strides over and stands at the gate, loudly calling out, "Auntie, it's Tian Ye, open the door!"

His rudeness and lack of manners make it seem as if he's afraid no one inside will hear him.

There is only a wall and a few paper-covered windows separating the gate from Captain Tian Gang's house. When Captain Tian Gang hears Tian Ye's call, his face darkens, and he angrily scolds his wife who is sitting on the kang, "Didn't I tell you to wait at the gate?"

The village head's wife is a little afraid of her husband's expression and doesn't say a word as she goes to open the door for Tian Ye.

Watching Tian Ye, Captain Tian Gang feels impatient. It's not that he pities his wife for taking care of this girl, but he can't stand the way Tian Ye behaves. She can't even say a pleasant word, and he can't stand her constant bickering with others. He can even smell the unpleasant odor coming from her through the gate. How can she stay in their house? What's that smell?