Chapter 1052: Chapter 1053: Village Orphan 97

Zhou Xia came to the stove to do some work, looking at the greasy stove and the pots and dishes that seemed impossible to tackle, she really couldn’t bear it.

Helpless, she could only heat some water first, carefully clean these things, and then start cooking.

Everyone saw Zhou Xia return and greeted her, “Zhou Xia is back?”

“By the way, didn’t you say you were sentenced for only half a year, how come you’ve been away for so long?”

Zhang Yu and her grandparents were not too concerned about when Zhou Xia would return, but the other neighbors were genuinely curious, wondering why she hadn’t come back yet.

They wanted to ask Liu Qiang, but he just said he didn’t know, leaving everyone shocked by his response.

Zhou Xia didn’t answer the question, she kept her head down and continued working.

Seeing her work silently, people thought for a moment and guessed a possibility, “Did you make another mistake?”

Zhou Xia knew they would find out sooner or later, but didn’t expect them to guess so soon.

Watching her actions, everyone knew they had guessed correctly.

“By the way, now that you’re out, you won’t be going back, right?” everyone asked eagerly.

Zhou Xia looked at them with displeasure, “As long as you don’t scheme against me, I won’t scheme against you.”

“Scheme against you?” The crowd burst into laughter upon hearing Zhou Xia’s words, “You should think, what does Liu Family have that’s worth scheming for now?”

“Do you think Liu Family is still the same as before?”

“Now Liu Family is really just a big joke.” someone said coldly.

Liu Family is a big joke? Zhou Xia looked at everyone in confusion, not understanding why they would say that.

“The third generation of Liu Family, one in prison, the remaining four are intellectual youths.”

“The second generation of Liu Family, the eldest daughter-in-law in jail, the youngest daughter-in-law divorced, reputations in tatters.”

“Liu Qiang and Liu Gang, brothers turned against each other, already a big joke in everyone’s eyes.”

Zhou Xia was stunned, unable to believe as she looked at everyone, “Impossible, impossible.”

Even though Zhou Xia and Feng Lan had all sorts of conflicts with Liu Dashan and his wife’s money and house, she knew Liu Family had to unite against outsiders.

Otherwise, Liu Family would be bullied by everyone, yet she had never imagined Liu Family would end up like this.

Feng Lan has already divorced Liu Gang, how could that happen? Zhou Xia never thought Feng Lan would divorce Liu Gang.

Everyone knew Feng Lan could support Feng’s house, but if she returned after divorce, life would surely be hard.

And Liu Gang, even if Liu Dashan and his wife opposed in various ways, he insisted on marrying Feng Lan, their relationship was good after marriage.

Yet, unexpectedly, their children were about to marry and have kids, and they divorced.

Zhou Xia couldn’t help but worry, Feng Lan had Liu Gang’s protection but still didn’t stay in Liu Family, just left Feng’s house like that.

In her case, Liu Qiang didn’t protect her as much, might even think she’s a burden now and try to drive her away, right?

Zhou Xia’s hand clenched unconsciously, Feng Lan returned to Feng’s house, even if they didn’t want to see her back, she at least had a job, even if treated coldly, it wouldn’t be too bad.

But in contrast, if she were driven back to Zhou Family by Liu Family, she could predict life wouldn’t be easy without a job or a man’s support; even if Zhou Family was her maternal family, they wouldn’t help her.

Thinking about this, Zhou Xia dared not think much more, she felt she should just quietly do her work.

Wang Pandi inside the room heard them discussing Feng Lan and Liu Gang’s divorce, knowing these words would shock Zhou Xia.

As Zhang Yu left, she saw Zhou Xia scrubbing dishes hard and knew Wang Pandi had probably subdued Zhou Xia.

Zhou Xia looked up at Zhang Yu and was startled by her outfit today, “Zhang Yu, Zhang Yu looks so pretty?”

Clearly, in her memory, Zhang Yu was just average-looking, but seeing her this time, she found Zhang Yu quite attractive.

Everyone didn’t understand why Zhou Xia said that, and looked at her puzzled.

“Zhang Yu has always been pretty.”

“That’s right, when her mom was alive, she was good-looking too.”

“Yes, Liu Hong was also handsome, among the three Liu brothers, Liu Hong looked the best.”

No one cared to give Liu Family any face, and after hearing these words, Zhou Xia’s mood was none of their concern.

“Zhang Yu is also much prettier than Liu Li.”

“Liu Li’s parents are just average-looking, how could one expect her to be beautiful.”

A neighbor spoke frankly, not caring about Zhou Xia’s awkward expression.

Zhou Xia reprimanded herself while washing dishes, internally feeling resentful, thinking Liu Li was decent-looking and more adept in social interactions than Zhang Yu.

But since everyone said so, no matter how unwilling she felt, she could only hold it in.

After washing the dishes, Zhou Xia swiftly entered the room to prepare cooking, as she was hungry too.

Swiftly chopping vegetables and cooking, Zhou Xia’s mind pondered over one thing: why did Liu Li and Liu Jianshe both go as intellectual youths, when their situation was special and Liu Jianshe could stay, but why did they both go as intellectual youths.

Was it their choice, or the result of someone scheming, Zhou Xia felt she needed to investigate.

Wang Pandi touched her protesting stomach, “Zhou Xia, what’s going on with you.”

“Why are you cooking so slowly.” Wang Pandi said displeased.

“Coming, coming.” Zhou Xia wiped her sweat, quickly serving the dishes.

Looking at the food, Wang Pandi complained, “Really, just this little food and you took so long, I don’t know what you were busy with.”

While grumbling, she didn’t pause picking up dishes, “Anyway, eat quickly, and then clean the house.”

“There’s too much housework.”

“Oh, and the cellar.” Wang Pandi thought that the cellar hadn’t been cleaned in a while and wondered about the smell.

Ugh, even the cellar needs cleaning, Zhou Xia’s vision darkened, if she initially looked forward to coming back early, she was already regretting it now.

“And, the roof tiles, you need to go up when you have time.” Wang Pandi recalled the recent rain, thinking the house may leak, and someone should check.

Zhou Xia didn’t imagine she’d not only do chores but also go up to inspect the roof tiles.

“Mom, I can’t go up, and what are you doing at home?” Zhou Xia snapped.

“What I’m doing at home, no need for you to nag.” Wang Pandi replied angrily.

“Your business, do it yourself, we’ve already divided family tasks.”

“You’re just idling at home anyway.” Zhou Xia felt she couldn’t always yield, otherwise she’d be bullied.

Disregarding Wang Pandi’s anger, Zhou Xia directly turned into the room to change bed sheets and covers, then began resting.

She’s really too tired, she needs rest now.

“You, you, you…”