Chapter 100: The Jinxier, the Better

Chapter 100: Chapter 100: The Jinxier, the Better

Gou Sheng’s wife’s eyes darted around, and she pursed her lips.

"Others might not be able to invite the whole village, but Ji Huan has made a fortune. Inviting everyone to a feast shouldn’t be a big deal for her, right? Unless... someone’s too stingy to part with their money..."

"Pah!"

Before she could finish, Widow Xie spat back at her.

"You think other people’s money grows on trees? Talk is cheap. Why don’t you take out your family’s money and treat everyone to a feast?"

’This Widow Xie is everywhere!’

Gou Sheng’s wife already had bad blood with her, and now she looked ready for a fight, like a fighting cock.

"Who can compare to her? My family isn’t doing business with the army, and we certainly aren’t building a new house!"

"Her doing business and building a new house is a testament to her own skill. You’re just jealous. If you’ve got the guts, go learn how to do it yourself. Aren’t you in the same boat as that Tian Jiao? You don’t have the ability, so you just stand here being sour grapes. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?"

"Xie! Who do you think you’re talking about!"

"I’m talking about whoever is being shameless!"

"You’re the shameless one..."

"No, you are..."

It looked like their argument was about to turn into a physical fight.

Ji Huan quickly stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Widow Xie and looked coldly at Gou Sheng’s wife.

"It’s true I’ve earned a little money, and I’m building a house. But I was thinking, it’s not against the law to spend the money I earn, is it? How is it that when it comes out of your mouth, Aunt Gou, it sounds like some great crime?"

Gou Sheng’s wife knew she was no match for Ji Huan in an argument, so she stammered, "I didn’t mean it like that... I was just thinking, we’re all fellow villagers. Everyone wants to come to your housewarming, you shouldn’t reject their good intentions..."

"I had no idea you were being so considerate of me," Ji Huan said, feigning surprise.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m truly sorry. I had no idea so many people cared about me and were so invested in my affairs. After all, back when I was about to starve to death in that dilapidated shack... Never mind, let’s not bring up the past. No matter how hard it was, I survived, didn’t I? How about this: the next time I build a house and have a housewarming feast, I’ll be sure to invite everyone. But it won’t work this time; I bought just enough food for the number of guests I’d already decided on. Besides, what little I earned has been all but spent on the house. I barely have anything left."

First, she explained that since no one had cared before, she hadn’t dared to plan a big event. Now, even if she wanted to, it was too late because she hadn’t bought enough food.

Then she clarified that her money was all spent on the house, telling everyone to stop eyeing it. Those who were jealous of her wealth could give it a rest.

As for the next housewarming feast, who the hell knew when that would be.

Her words were flawless and diplomatic.

Originally, quite a few people had indeed planned to crash the housewarming feast. They figured if they showed up with a small gift, they couldn’t possibly be thrown out.

But after Ji Huan’s speech, who would still have the nerve to go? Not only would it be shameless, but their faces burned with shame just thinking about it.

What Widow Xie said actually made sense.

Before, the villagers had avoided Wuan, either out of disdain or fear. When she was captured and sold to ward off bad luck for a dying man, everyone pretended not to see, afraid of getting involved. Not a single person spoke up for her.

Now, to show up under the banner of "concern"—wasn’t it obvious they were just trying to take advantage of her?

Everyone wanted a taste of meat, but few were truly shameless enough to go through with it.

Besides, everyone knew how expensive it was to build a house. They figured Wuan’s earnings really must have been wiped out. How could they have the nerve to go and freeload?

Ma Liugun and Gou Sheng’s wife were both choked speechless by Ji Huan’s words. They wanted to keep arguing but were so furious their minds went blank, unable to think of a retort.

Ji Huan didn’t let Widow Xie say any more. She bid farewell to the crowd and pulled her flat-cart back to the Hu Family’s home.

Widow Xie was still indignant. "That hag, Gou Sheng’s wife! Slandering you everywhere and trying to take advantage. Just let me get a chance—if I do, I’ll rip her mouth right off!"

Gou Sheng’s wife and Mrs. Zhu were cut from the same cloth—the shameless, brazen type who could never get enough of taking advantage of others.

But after Ji Huan had dealt with Mrs. Zhu a few times, she had been much quieter lately.

It was people like Gou Sheng’s wife who were the real problem. You could accuse her of spreading rumors, but you could never catch her in the act. You could say she was scheming behind your back, but she never caused any real damage. She was just a nuisance, aggravating without causing any real pain.

Ji Huan’s words just now weren’t meant to save her any face. Of course, they weren’t just for her to hear, either.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand social etiquette. She was well aware that if she was going to live here, she couldn’t be too "solitary" in her words and actions.

That’s why she had left some room for diplomacy in her speech.

However, not being solitary didn’t mean she had to fully integrate and become one of them. There was no need for that. Maintaining a nodding acquaintance and keeping up appearances was enough.

Time would eventually tell who was worth getting close to and who wasn’t.

People like Aunt Wang, Sixth Sister-in-law Feng, Aunt Gao, and Second Sister-in-law Xu were relatively easy to get along with, even though they had initially been drawn by the wages Ji Huan offered.

But then again, if you’re not related by blood or marriage, why should anyone be good to you or take your side if you don’t offer them some value?

A relationship that starts with money isn’t necessarily unreliable. Are blood ties always reliable?

After they left, the crowd at the village entrance didn’t disperse. Instead, their discussion grew even more heated, but the topic had shifted from Ji Huan to the Hu Family.

It was Gou Sheng’s wife who started it again.

Having kicked up a fuss and gained nothing from it, she started going after Widow Xie again.

"Look how smug she is! Now that she’s latched onto Ji Huan, she’s gotten full of herself! What’s she got to be proud of? What skills does she have? She still has to rely on others!"

Someone disagreed.

"It’s true Ji Huan got them into selling vegetables, but the stall the Hu Family is running now is their own business."

Nearly everyone in the village knew that the Hu Family had set up a stall in town to sell hot and spicy soup.

Some who had been to town had seen it themselves. They all came back praising it, saying there were so many customers they could barely squeeze in, and there was even a line.

One could imagine how booming their business was; they must be earning a lot every day.

Many were envious and tempted, but they couldn’t create such unique food. More importantly, they lacked the courage to invest their entire family savings as capital. So all they could do was watch, helpless in their jealousy.

Gou Sheng’s wife was the most jealous of them all.

She just couldn’t understand it. Widow Xie’s family used to be one of the poorest in the village, so how did they suddenly get so lucky? Why wasn’t it her family that had gotten lucky?

’Could it really be because of that jinx...’

Coincidentally, someone next to her had the exact same thought.

"I heard Wuan was the one who taught Hu Liang how to make the hot and spicy soup and the fried dough sticks. Sigh, don’t you think the old Ji Family lost out big time? A granddaughter so clever with her hands and so good at making money..."

"That’s hard to say. Haven’t you heard? Their fourth son got into the county school early. He’s a shoo-in to become a Scholar next year! With an official about to emerge from the family, they probably look down on Wuan’s little ventures..."

The group sighed and marveled for a while about how the old Ji Family was on the rise.

"But speaking of which, isn’t Wuan fated to be a jinx? They said she not only curses her own family, but anyone who gets close to her will be affected. How come the closer she gets to the Hu Family, the better their lives become?"

This question hit the heart of the matter. This doubt had been sprouting in many people’s minds recently.

"You think maybe... the fortune-teller back then made a mistake?"

"No way! Her great-aunt hired a master from the county seat. How could he have been wrong..."

"Then I can’t figure it out. Could it be she changed her fate?"

Hearing this speculation, everyone just laughed it off. No one took it seriously.

If fate could be changed so easily, what would be the point of the heavens?