Even though she was prepared, upon hearing Wang Ying's words, Gu Nianyang's heart still chilled for a moment, feeling heartache and injustice for the Female Lead!
The original home was in a large compound in the east of the town, which not only housed the Gu Family but also other neighbors. Gossip in rural areas was rampant, with people loving to pry into others' affairs. Even trivial matters could be blown out of proportion, and Wang Ying's shout would certainly cause a sensation.
In this era, rural people believed in filial piety above all; if children were disrespectful towards their parents, they'd be publicly berated.
For over ten years, the Female Lead worked like a horse for the Gu Family, yet Wang Ying, for her selfish gains, did not hesitate to publicly defame her, essentially ruining her reputation. No wonder the Female Lead ended up despised in her last life; having such a mother was just bad luck.
Sure enough, upon hearing Wang Ying's wails in the courtyard, everyone opened their doors and came out. Upon learning that Wang Ying was beaten by her timid and inept younger daughter, they couldn't believe it.
"Aunt Gu, you must have mistaken her, right? Your second girl is so timid we can barely hear her speak. How could she possibly hit you?" said the Golden Widow, who lived next door and was infamous for her gossiping.
Wang Ying, seeing everyone doubting her, wailed even louder, "Oh, what a sin! How could I mistake my own daughter? Actually, you've all been deceived by my second girl. She pretends to be quiet outside but is defiant at home, always talking back to me. She'll throw a tantrum if I ask her to do anything. She's nothing like my eldest daughter. Today was worse; she beat me up. It's killing me!"
Saying this, Wang Ying twisted her waist and wailed in pain again.
That painful expression seemed so real that everyone had to believe it.
"I say, what mother would falsely accuse her daughter? We've probably misjudged; it turns out the second daughter of the Gu Family is quite scheming!"
"Oh, it's outrageous. No matter how rebellious she is, the second girl shouldn't hit her own mother. This is a major unfilial act against our ancestors!"
"Aunt Gu, when your second girl returns, we must give her a good talking-to!"
"Who's calling me?" Gu Nianyang walked into everyone's view, carrying a worn cloth bag, looking timid.
The neighbors heard Nianyang speaking loudly for the first time. Her voice was sweet and soft, her Mandarin pronunciation very standard, with no regional accent, just like a female broadcaster on tape. Today, she even tied her hair up; before, it was always loose, and everyone thought she looked gloomy, but now, it appeared that her features were so delicate and beautiful. If her skin were a bit fairer, she'd undoubtedly be the prettiest girl in town!
However, everyone's attention quickly returned to the main topic, and they unanimously questioned her.
"Second girl of the Gu Family, what's this all about? How could you hit your mom?"
"Exactly, I must say, at your age, helping your mom with some chores isn't a big deal. Look how tired she's become. She's your biological mother!"
"Second girl of the Gu Family, your mom went through so much to raise you. She even sold land to give birth to you. Why can't you be considerate like your sister?"
The neighbors scolded one after another, and Wang Ying gave Nianyang a triumphant glare, thinking that even if this brat went for the exam, it would be in vain. Ultimately, she'd still have to obediently drop out of school to work for the Gu Family!
Just wait till everyone has had their fill of scolding you; then I'll lock you up and beat you half to death. How dare you slap me? I'll beat you to death!
Gu Nianyang, with reddened eyes, choked out, "Uncles and aunties, you've misunderstood. How could I dare hit my mom? It was my mom who hit me. Knowing I have an exam tomorrow, she still forced me to wash clothes in the rain at night, giving me a high fever and refusing to give me medicine, even trying to lock me up to prevent me from going to the exam. Luckily, I ran fast, or I wouldn't be able to attend my senior year and take the college entrance exam!"
What?
The crowd was shocked, never expecting there was such a mind-blowing reveal.
Wang Ying actually prevented her daughter from taking the exam by deliberately having her wash clothes in the rain, causing the daughter to have a high fever and refusing to give medicine. Wasn't this harmful?
Moreover, Gu Nianyang was already in her second year of high school, with only a year left before the college entrance exam. In those days, getting into college was considered a blessing from ancestors, and how could Wang Ying be vicious enough to stop her?
It was truly unexpected. Wang Ying seemed to care about her eldest daughter's schooling, so why was she so biased against her younger daughter?
Could it be that the younger daughter wasn't her biological child?
"You wretched girl! What nonsense are you spouting, daring to say that again?!" Wang Ying, upon hearing that Nianyang didn't just accept everything she said like before, but dared to retaliate by revealing her attempts to stop her exam and hitting her, was immediately furious and shouted in embarrassment.