Chapter 15 - 014 That village, that man, that hunter
The widow Meng said, "If you want to help someone, you have to see who you're helping. Let me be blunt—your grandma's family, there isn't a decent person among them. Why are you running to them, seeking trouble? I heard that you hit your third aunt yesterday. Is that true?"
It seemed the earlier words weren't the point; the last question was clearly what the widow Meng was after.
"How could I?" Tian Sangsang drawled, "I don't mess with people unless they mess with me. But even a cornered dog will leap over a wall, let alone a person. Isn't that right, Sister Meng?"
Widow Meng was secretly surprised. Today, Tian Sangsang's demeanor was different. Yesterday, she'd heard rumors that Tian Sangsang had hit her third aunt, but she hadn't believed it. To widow Meng, Tian Sangsang was someone who had always managed to garner both her disdain and sympathy. In the village, besides those women still unmarried, there weren't many women without husbands and still young. She was one, and Tian Sangsang was another.
But today, Tian Sangsang had even smiled at her. She had never smiled before—always with a stiff, cold face. Not to mention, Tian Sangsang used to hardly speak. Driven by her innate curiosity, that's why widow Meng had initiated a conversation with Tian Sangsang today.
"Life always goes on. Back when my husband died, didn't I manage on my own? Now, nobody dares to bother me. So, sister, I believe you're someone blessed with good fortune. Don't lose heart. You still have your son. Things will get better."
"Thank you for your kind words, Sister Meng." Tian Sangsang replied with a faint smile, rolling the hemp rope that bound the wooden bucket, one loop at a time.
"Brother Li, here to fetch water?" Widow Meng suddenly beamed at the tall man standing nearby.
Tian Sangsang, who was also a woman, heard the sudden change in widow Meng's tone and felt a jolt in her chest, her skin crawling with goosebumps.