Chapter 11: Throwing the Pot

Captain Tian finally spoke, "Wild girl, you should thank the uncles and elders in the village. Otherwise, as a young girl, no matter how strong and capable you are, you wouldn't have a say in village matters. Do you know that you have the opportunity to earn ten points, thanks to the villagers in our work team?"

Tian Ye, who was always rough and not good at speaking, responded with a few words to the captain's lengthy speech, "I'll listen to Uncle, I understand."

Captain Tian had long known that Tian Ye was not good at dealing with people, but he couldn't speak to her like that. What did he mean by "listen to him"? It was almost as if she only cared about herself, which would only make others resent her. "Look at this child, so simple-minded, can't even speak a word. It's not easy for the wild girl to grow up on her own. Everyone should not pick on her."

The implication was that this child lacked proper upbringing and couldn't speak well.

Tian Ye felt that she was not wrong to trick the captain. She should. If she could speak and understand things, the one who couldn't sit still would be Captain Tian.

The impression of being rough and not understanding social norms had already taken root. Depending on how the captain handled it, she just sat back next to Mrs. Niu. Just like the previous incident, it should have been like this.

The group of elders frowned and glanced at Tian Ye. If it were someone else, they would at least be polite, but encountering Tian Ye, who didn't understand social norms, and her dry response, they didn't bother with her. This child was not worth their attention.

Some people also observed Captain Tian. It seemed that this wild child was really close to the captain's family.

Seeing Tian Ye being isolated by others, Captain Tian didn't say anything, but he felt relieved.

Before he could confirm his suspicions, he didn't want Tian Ye to get too close to anyone else. It would be best if she were isolated by the villagers and only trusted him as the captain.

Captain Tian puffed on his pipe, his sharp triangular eyes gleaming. He needed to try again and see. If there was really something fishy, he didn't believe this girl wouldn't reveal it.

Mrs. Niu glared at Tian Ye sitting next to her, her eyes almost spitting fire. Mrs. Niu was definitely being used by someone today. She thought this wild girl looked simple but was actually scheming against her.

Well, no one dared to treat her, Mrs. Niu, like this. But why was she not right in this matter? From beginning to end, it seemed that this wild girl, who seemed clueless, could do such things.

Tian Ye, like Mrs. Niu's invisible anger, did whatever she wanted, looking like a messy child who didn't understand the situation.

Mrs. Niu was also a prominent figure in the village. If she didn't have a short temper, she wouldn't be able to get things from anyone.

After thinking for a long time, Mrs. Niu said tentatively, "From now on, you will earn ten points. You are the first among the women in our village to do so."

Tian Ye laughed foolishly, "It's all thanks to Auntie's reminder today. Uncle is good to me. He said I earned ten points, and I really did."

Upon hearing Tian Ye's words, Mrs. Niu's suspicions were confirmed. Yesterday, Tian Ye went to the captain's house, and today, the couple came to fetch water. This was probably orchestrated by Captain Tian.

From Tian Ye's tone, it seemed that the captain had already agreed to this.

It seemed like they were setting up a stage for Tian Ye to perform. They had already planned it out.

Mrs. Niu was furious.

Mrs. Niu didn't dare to confront Captain Tian directly, so she could only suppress her anger and say to Tian Ye, "The captain is always thinking and planning for you. You are really fortunate. You should repay your uncle's kindness."

As they were all having a meal in the canteen, Mrs. Niu deliberately raised her voice a bit, and everyone could hear her, unable to help but look over.

Tian Ye confidently said, "Of course, I will definitely listen to my uncle. In the future, when I have something to eat, I will definitely be filial to my uncle and auntie."

After saying this, Tian Ye looked at Captain Tian and nodded vigorously, showing her determination.

Mrs. Niu sarcastically added, "Oh, the captain didn't waste his efforts and calculations on the wild girl. You are blessed, and the wild girl remembers kindness."

Mrs. Niu's sarcastic and ambiguous words almost implied that the captain was expecting Tian Ye's future filial piety. She might as well have accused him of having ulterior motives.

Captain Tian understood their conversation clearly. Not to mention taking advantage of Tian Ye, he had been providing her with dozens of kilograms of grain for years. But until now, he hadn't seen any return. He really didn't feel guilty about this.

But now, he couldn't explain it clearly.

Tian Ye didn't lie, and she was really close to him. She had even sent him good things, but she herself often couldn't eat enough. What could he gain from her?

But he couldn't explain this. It was a headache, a real headache.

He could only blame the fact that this girl couldn't speak. She had bluntly criticized herself with the truth.

Captain Tian picked up the hat under his butt and slapped it twice: "These old women just sit around all day gossiping. That girl Tianye doesn't eat much, everyone knows that, right? Even if there were a few more minutes in a day, would it be enough to fill her stomach? It's not easy for a girl to live alone, and no one should pay attention to her portion of food. What I, Tian Gang, did, I'm not afraid of anyone criticizing. People can't touch what they can't reach. Look at whose wife is always causing trouble over trivial matters. The village must be peaceful, right?"

Uncle Niu's face turned purple. He picked up the straw hat next to him and hurled it at Aunt Niu, saying, "You, a full and idle old woman, always meddling in others' business. Hurry up and fetch water for me."

After speaking, he picked up the water bucket and walked ahead.

Aunt Niu trembled but dared not argue with Captain Tian who instigated her husband. She hated Tianye with all her heart.

She gave Tianye an angry stare and quickly picked up the hat thrown by Uncle Niu. Then, she carried the water bucket and trotted after her husband.

Tianye could still hear Aunt Niu calling, "Dear, calm down and take your hat."

The men in the canteen heard Aunt Niu's submissive tone and burst into laughter.

Zhu Tiezhu, taking two puffs of his dry tobacco, said, "In our village, only Brother Niu knows how to treat his wife. Hurling a straw hat—real skill."

Another man nearby chimed in, "Exactly, what's the use of the sole of a shoe if not to discipline the wife?" As he spoke, he even stood proud, as if he was quite pleased with himself for disciplining his wife.

Tianye didn't even lift his head; he just stuffed food into his mouth. These rural men not only lacked skill but also constantly thought about how to discipline their wives.

But he couldn't let himself fall into this category. Women have no status here. If they had someone like Uncle Niu, that would be considered fortunate.

He glanced at Zhu Tiezhu in the next seat secretly and understood that he and his father were both cowardly.