Witty Wife, Better Life-Chapter 788 - 778: Sophistry

Shen Yunfang took a deep breath, feeling that talking more with this younger sister-in-law was like playing the lute to an ox. People like her didn’t believe in science; she only believed what she chose to believe, with no reasoning at all. So she turned her gaze to Sun Chengbin, hoping that he would offer a different opinion. After all, he had been out in the world for many years and had seen much more than his wife. He shouldn’t be as shortsighted as the younger sister-in-law. But although Sun Chengbin didn’t say anything unpleasant, the expression on his face clearly agreed with his wife’s words.

Shen Yunfang let out the stifled gloom that had been building up inside her and glanced at Li Hongjun before lowering her head. She had done her best with this matter, but such an outcome was truly disheartening.

"Call that taking care of them? Thinking your job’s done just by giving birth and not caring whether the kids are fed or clothed properly, as long as you’re full, it’s fine. When it’s time, you go out gossiping, leaving the children at home to fend for themselves. With that kind of care, what child could you possibly take care of well? Now that there’s a problem with the kid, the doctor has already advised you to be more attentive when taking care of the child, and you still have the nerve to criticize the doctor, saying you did a good job?" Li Hongjun was obviously angry, provoked by his sister’s shameless words.

"That’s how everyone else raises their kids, how come it’s only wrong when I do it?" Li Xianghe felt very wronged. Looking at her sister-in-law, who was keeping her head down in silence, she simply found her presence irritating, "Do you think everyone can afford to spend their days doing nothing but revolving around their kids like my sister-in-law? She’s lucky to have married you, which allowed her to enjoy so many years of blessing. If she had to live in the countryside like I do, I bet she wouldn’t be able to take care of the kids as well as I do." This was purely out of jealousy, completely forgetting the fact that the envied farm was started by her sister-in-law.

Shen Yunfang pursed her lips. Sometimes the younger sister-in-law was so foolish it was laughable. She always visited either at noon or in the evening, exactly when Yunfang was home cooking after returning from work, leading her to mistakenly believe that Yunfang had nothing to do all day. Only someone with that kind of mentality could survive in this world.

"If you don’t know, then don’t spout nonsense. The sister-in-law is a college graduate, and now she’s both teaching and running a farm—she’s busy," Sun Chengbin quickly interjected, noticing the dark look on his uncle’s face, worried that one wrong move by his wife could get them thrown out by his uncle.

"It’s fine, let it be. You’re married with kids now; you manage your own life. Since you think you’ve done such a fine job caring for Niuniu and don’t need to listen to the doctor’s advice for improvement, then carry on. I won’t say another word in the future," Li Hongjun said coldly.

"Brother, you know the kind of person Xianghe is—she just has a sharp tongue. Don’t stoop to her level," Sun Chengbin hurriedly said, trying to make excuses for his wife as he saw his uncle really getting angry.

"Chengbin, you don’t need to say anything more. They say that a married daughter is like water that’s been poured away. Since Li Xianghe has married into the Sun Family, she’s now your wife. As her brother, I’ve done all I can and should do. The rest is for you to handle," Li Hongjun had never been fond of his sister, and wouldn’t have gotten involved if not for concern for the children. Now it seemed he was ready to wash his hands of the matter entirely.

Seeing how things were, Sun Chengbin could only secretly glare at his wife, knowing that it was best to drop the subject. He felt regretful; he had hoped to start with pleasant conversation so that his subsequent apology would be more easily accepted. But before he could say much, his wife had already reignited the fire.

Oh, how he had wanted to tell them that because of Niuniu’s illness, he had been permitted to have a second child, and that soon he would have his own son.

"Brother, let’s not talk about Niuniu anymore. Today, the main reason I brought Xianghe here was to apologize to my sister-in-law," Sun Chengbin said, awkwardly opening the conversation. No matter how hard it was, he had to make it clear where they stood first. Otherwise, if his uncle later learned the truth, he’d certainly hold them accountable. Li Xianghe was his sister, and it was his duty as her brother-in-law to bear his uncle’s anger.

"No need, I already said that if Li Xianghe insisted on not driving Shen Yingxue away, she would no longer be related to me. Since we are no longer related, whatever she does is her own business and there’s no need for an apology," Shen Yunfang was not about to accept any apology. It is ludicrous, as if saying sorry after killing someone would make a difference.

Li Hongjun remained silent.

Sun Chengbin looked from one to the other, with his wife growing restless again. Alas, they were all masters in their own right, leaving him no choice but to step up.

"Second sister-in-law, let’s not say things in anger," Sun Chengbin’s voice was tinged with helplessness. "You also know Xianghe is a bit thoughtless; don’t stoop to her level."

"Second brother, I really can’t be blamed for Pangpang getting hurt, I never expected that woman to be so ruthless," Li Xianghe joined in with an explanation. She was not afraid of Shen Yunfang disowning her; as long as her second brother still acknowledged her, that was enough.

She just wanted to mock Shen Yunfang, never imagining that woman would actually dare to take action – and the target wasn’t even Shen Yunfang.

Seeing that the second brother and his wife were still not speaking, Sun Chengbin quickly explained the ins and outs of the whole incident to his uncle in great detail, not daring to let his wife do it for fear she would offend someone again before saying much.

"Second brother, it’s like this," Sun Chengbin implied in his speech that it was all about absolving Li Xianghe of her wrongdoing. "There’s definitely fault on Xianghe’s part. Why did she insist on leading in the friends of the second sister-in-law, flaunting it all? That’s not showing off to her."

"Yeah, when your second sister-in-law said not to let military district folks in, why did you insist on bringing them in? What were you thinking at the time, what was in your heart?" Li Hongjun stared at Li Xianghe and asked.

"Second brother, you know that Xianghe..." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"Shut up, I want to hear it from Li Xianghe herself," Li Hongjun cut off Sun Chengbin without any courtesy.

People who scheme are not always wrong, but it’s particularly distasteful when they do it to their own family.

"I, I didn’t have any ulterior motives; at the time, I just thought Shen Yingxue was quite pitiful..."

"The world is full of pitiful people. Niuniu is pitiful too, yet I haven’t seen you extend your sympathy to your own child," Li Hongjun said coldly.

Li Xianghe was left speechless by his words, "No, that Shen Yingxue is Yunfang’s good friend. Back in our hometown, they were so close they could wear the same pair of pants. I just wanted to help them bury the hatchet."

Shen Yunfang laughed. It took real desperation for such eloquent words to come out – bury the hatchet? Did she even understand what she was saying?

"Who told you that woman was your second sister-in-law’s good friend?"