Chapter 12 - 012 Maid
Li Xianglu, sobbing, stood next to her aunt Liu Aidang without brushing the dust off herself. The crowd gathered in the Li Family's courtyard had not dispersed due to the rarity of excitement; whenever something occurred in one household, it stirred discussions among everyone.
Liu Aidang called out several times without effect, while Ge Sanmei still maintained a fierce expression. Liu Aidang glared with eyes widened; not only was her sister-in-law crude and unrefined, but she also lacked any cultural knowledge. In this day and age, one needed to be cautious about offending others, yet she continued to act inappropriately.
Just now, Xiang shouted about serving her sister well, implying that daughters married off must work like servants—was this not leading their entire family to disaster? It was as if risking her husband losing his position as the squad leader wasn't enough, now it involved the whole family.
Suddenly, the crowd parted, making way as Squad Leader Li Dafu and Li Erfu arrived, with Old Mrs. Wu, Wu Zhaodi, following behind.
Old Mrs. Wu quickly addressed the onlookers: "Oh dear, gentlemen, every household has its troubles. What's there to see? Hurry and go back, please go back." As she spoke, Li Dafu glared sternly at the crowd.
Out of respect for Old Mrs. Wu, the elder, and even more due to fearing Li Dafu who controlled their food supplies, the crowd dispersed rapidly.
Liu Aidang had already stood up, letting her mother-in-law sit on a stone bench before addressing the public softly: "Just now, my younger sister-in-law chased after Xiang, who was yelling about serving her sister well in the future. What was that about?"
The crowd did not react immediately, but Li Dafu's face suddenly changed, turning steely blue as he glared at his foolish and malicious sister-in-law, who dared to suggest his daughter serve others. Serving implied servitude; that was what servants were, a bad habit meant to poison peoples' souls.
Li Erfu was somewhat confused but aware that serving was not a commendable term; now that New China had been liberated, it needed new ideas—serving was an old societal concept.
Li Dafu, appearing upset, pulled Li Erfu aside for a quiet, urgent conversation.
Shortly after, Li Erfu's expression also darkened, glaring fiercely at Ge Sanmei.