Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty

Chapter 20: Chapter 19: Intimidation Chapter 20: Chapter 19: Intimidation Because Mrs. Wang was busy, Chen Ming has lung disease and Chen Afu was a fool, very few people visited their house. Only occasionally would Mrs. Chen come over to check on them, and then there were a few women like Chen Alan, Aunt Li and Mrs. Changgen who came to ask Mrs. Wang for sewing advice.

Apart from Mrs. Chen, these visitors generally did not enter the house, but rather called Mrs. Wang out into the yard from outside the fence wall. Then there were Shitou and Si Xizi, who were good friends with Chen Dabao. Perhaps because of instructions from their families, they only summoned Dabao from outside the door to go and play.

Even these passers-by, who only caught occasional glimpses of Chen Afu, noticed she had become more attractive and would smile sweetly whenever she encountered someone. Not only had her movements become defter, but she could also help with the simple chores around the house.

Word soon spread that “the fool of a girl from the Chen family on the east side of the village has become smart”.

Many households were doubtfully, unable to believe someone born a fool could improve.

So, the number of people purposelessly wandering around the outside of the Chen household increased. Only when they saw a graceful figure occasionally working in the courtyard who basically moved and worked like a normal person, albeit slightly slower, did these doubters have no choice but to believe. Further, they noticed that even with a quick glance, one could tell this fool was exceptionally pretty.

Talk of how “the words of Lingyin Temple’s monk were proven correct – the idiot from the Chen family in the eastern village has recovered, and turned out to be both a lucky and beautiful girl” thoroughly spread.

Chen Aju, who heard this rumor, did not believe it at all. How could a fool become healthy, or even turn into a beauty? So, she went to ask Mrs. Chen.

Mrs. Chen found this granddaughter very troublesome, fearing she would stir up trouble in her second son’s house. She placated her by saying, “As soon as I came over, the girl hid in the east room, so I didn’t get a detailed look. Maybe she looks better than before. But even if she has become more beautiful, she is still not as beautiful as our Aju.”

Feeling satisfied after hearing this, Aju still went to the Hus to invite eleven-year-old Hu Cuicui to go over and see for themselves. Hu Cuicui was the youngest daughter of Hu Laowu, and she had an older brother named Hu Wei who was fourteen.

Hu Cuicui even laughed, suggesting, “If we call that fool out, let’s also stuff some rocks into the back of her collar.”

Chen Aju replied, “If she’s still a fool, that would be fine. But people are saying her illness is gone, and she’s even turned into a beauty.” Whenever she said these last three words, resentment was evident in her voice.

Hu Cuicui shook her head in disbelief. In Xiangluo Village, the family known for their beauties was the Hus. Her four aunts were famous for their beauty when they were young, and now people were saying she was even more beautiful than her aunts.

The two of them arrived outside the fence wall of the Chen family’s home on the eastern side of the village.

Since Aju was reluctant to enter the home of a fool, she stood outside the fence door and called out to Chen Ming, “Uncle, where’s Afu? We heard she’s gotten better and we want to play with her.”

Her attitude was exceptionally friendly for a change.

Chen Ming and Chen Alu were weaving baskets under the eaves. They were not fond of Chen Aju, especially since she was accompanied by someone from the Hus. In the past, Afu had been tricked and bullied by them.

Chen Ming said blankly, “Afu is taking a nap.”

Chen Alu also chimed in, “My sister is resting, she doesn’t have time to play.”

Hu Cuicui rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “Little lame.”

Meanwhile, Chen Afu was in the east room weaving a net, and when she heard the voices outside, she peered out the window, asking Dabao next to her, “Who’s that little girl with Chen Aju?”

Dabao replied, “That’s Hu Cuicui, Hu Laowu’s daughter.”

No wonder, Hu Cuicui looked even more like Mrs. Hu than Chen Aju did.

Chen Afu thought, she couldn’t possibly keep avoiding Chen Aju forever. There will always be a chance for them to meet. How could she show any signs of weakness in front of her own house? Moreover, Chen Aju was nothing but a spoiled, brainless little girl. Being older by one year, she should be able to handle these ringlets. If not, she might as well take a block of tofu and hit herself with it.

After hearing about Chen Aju and Hu Cuicui’s bullying from the two boys, Afu was glad that they came to her house today. It would be a great opportunity to take revenge for her actions against her previous self.

She got off the bed and picked up an awl from her sewing basket, then headed out.

Dabao quickly hugged Chen Afu and said, “Mama, don’t go, they are mean and they will bully you.”

Chen Afu patted him and said, “Mommy is not sick anymore, they can’t bully me.”

She walked out of the house and told Chen Ming, “Dad, I’m up.” Then, she headed to the door.

Chen Alu and Dabao, worried about her, followed her out.

When Chen Aju and Hu Cuicui saw Afu coming towards them, she looked stiff and lackluster. She seemed dumb as she walked stiffly as if she was a wooden pole. Her face looked better than before, but what good was a beautiful face on a dummy?

Chen Aju secretly rejoiced and said, “Chen Afu, come play with us. I’ll buy you candy.”

Chen Afu didn’t respond. She walked up to them, her face changing in an instant. Her eyes were widened with madness in them, and she spat at them. Then she lifted the awl towards them and spat out harshly, “Do you still want to throw dirt in my hair? Want to put stones in my collar? Believe it or not, I will stab you with this awl! Anyway, I’m an idiot, there’s no consequence if an idiot hurts others!” After finishing, she feigned an attempt to stab them.

Seeing the change in Chen Afu and her threat to stab them, Chen Aju and Hu Cuicui got frightened and screamed, “Mom!”. They turned and ran, with Hu Cuicui crying out of fear.

Hu Cuicui tripped after just a few steps, but quickly got up and continued running, crying. In a blink of an eye, the two small figures disappeared behind the house next door.

Only after running through several courtyards and seeing that Chen Afu did not follow, they finally let themselves breathe freely, although their legs were still shaking.

Hu Cuicui said, “Sister Aju, that fool isn’t a fool anymore, but she is crazier than before, like a ghost. It’s really scary.”

Chen Aju also patted her chest and said, “Indeed, we don’t need to fear an idiot, but a madwoman is really scary.”

Back at the Chens’ courtyard, Chen Alu and Dabao laughed out loud seeing Chen Aju and Hu Cuicui running away in a mess.

Dabao admired Chen Afu so much and he said, “Mother is really amazing. We are not afraid of Aunt Aju anymore.”

On the way back, Chen Afu had a talk with them, “I was only trying to scare them. But in the future, you boys have to protect this home. You need to eat more, exercise more to grow tall and strong. You should also study. In this world, if you want others to fear you, you need not only fists but also a knowledgeable head.” Out here in the countryside, fists may be more direct and useful than intellect.

Afu looked at his own left leg with pursed lips and said, “Even if my fists are strong, I can’t catch up with others.”

Chen Afu consoled him, “We’ll find a way to earn more money, and then we can find a doctor to fix your leg.”

Dabao was about to say something, but he hesitated. He too wanted to eat more, grow tall and strong, but right now, apart from Grandfather, everyone else couldn’t eat enough.

…

Thank you for your continued support, thank you for the recommendation from Keppra, and thank you, Jian and Rose, for your evaluation. Thanks a lot!