Becoming the Cannon Fodder Wife of Crazy and Powerful Official - Chapter 8
Xin Yueying was so furious she almost laughed. How dare Meng Ruxin, of all people, talk about having an eye for judging character?
Let’s not even mention how many ungrateful people this so-called “kind-hearted” woman had saved, or how much trouble her naivety had brought upon everyone else.
When Xin Yueying had stepped out earlier, she’d been carrying ten taels of silver in her pocket, originally intending to give it to Meng Ruxin. But after hearing those words, she truly felt like her goodwill had been thrown to the dogs.
Meng Ruxin’s eyes were full of disdain. “You don’t actually think Brother Shen would ever take a liking to a woman like you, do you? You’re nothing but a petty commoner—calculating, selfish, and never satisfied. A shrew like you is beneath my contempt.”
Xin Yueying arched an eyebrow and smiled, “That’s fine. You can think of me as a shrew—I don’t mind. As long as I know you’re a saintly do-gooder, that’s enough for me.”
Of course, Meng Ruxin didn’t catch the sarcasm in the word “saintly.” She scoffed and raised a finger, jabbing it toward Xin Yueying’s face in warning.
“Stop flattering me. I’m warning you—if you dare harm Brother Shen in any way, I’ll make sure you regret it. Remember my words today.”
“I’ll never forget them,” Xin Yueying replied with a smirk.
Meng Ruxin turned and strode away.
“Pah!” Xin Yueying spat on the ground and walked off, keeping a deliberate distance behind Meng Ruxin.
She watched as the woman entered a shabby little house and lit a lamp. Almost immediately, a shrill voice screeched from the neighboring room, “Burning oil in the middle of the night! Are you trying to bankrupt this family?”
The door creaked open, and a middle-aged woman stormed out, her face twisted in irritation as she marched toward the well to fetch water.
This was none other than Song Shi—Meng Ruxin’s stepmother.
If Xin Yueying remembered correctly, this woman had a habit of coming to the well for water after berating Meng Ruxin at night, her throat dry from yelling. Ironically, it was this very habit that would eventually lead to her demise.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Xin Yueying approached and waved, “Auntie Song, over here!”
Song Shi paused, squinting in Xin Yueying’s direction, “Isn’t this the Fourth Wife?” She walked over, her brow furrowed with suspicion, “You’re not here to borrow money, are you?”
“Quite the opposite—I’m here to give you money.” With that, Xin Yueying pulled out the ten taels of silver from her pocket and pressed them into Song Shi’s hands.
“I’ve earned a bit lately and originally planned to give it to Meng Ruxin today to pass on to your family. After all, you’ve helped us so much—lending us money, giving us clothes. Now that I have the means, I wanted to repay you.”
She paused meaningfully before adding with a smile, “But guess what? Ruxin refused. She said your family doesn’t need the money. She even boasted that her mother is still wealthy—that even in hard times, a single hairpin of hers could fetch fifty taels. She said she didn’t want it.”
Song Shi’s grip on the silver tightened, her jaw clenching, “She told you that?”
Xin Yueying feigned surprise, covering her mouth, “Oh no, did I say too much?” She made as if to leave, “Forget I was here—”
Song Shi grabbed Xin Yueying’s wrist and dragged her behind the house, glancing around furtively, “I can tell you’re a good-hearted one. Come, dear—tell me, what else did she say?”
Xin Yueying hesitated, putting on a show of reluctance.
“Would I dare confront her about it?”
“Well, she often complains to my husband, saying you treat her poorly, favor your own children, and even grumble about Ziming attending private school. She claims that even with a royal tutor, a waterlogged brain like Meng Ziming’s would never amount to anything.” Xin Yueying said.
Song Shi’s face flushed with rage.
Xin Yueying fanned the flames further, “She also said that little brat Meng Zijing shrieks all day long—just like her nasty old mother.”
The words rang true because Xin Yueying had only met the Meng family once—on her wedding day. In Song Shi’s eyes, Xin Yueying had been veiled in red when she stepped out of the bridal sedan and was immediately ushered into the bridal chamber. How could she possibly know Song Shi was a stepmother? Or which child was Ziming and which was Zijing?
Song Shi trembled with fury, glaring at Meng Ruxin’s room, her fists clenched so tight her nails dug into her palms. She itched to drag the girl out and beat her senseless.
But she needed a reason.
Xin Yueying kindly provided one, “I think… she might be hiding an unconscious man in her room.”
Song Shi’s eyes bulged. “What?!”
Xin Yueying slapped a hand over her mouth,”Oh dear, my big mouth!”
“You should’ve told me sooner!” Song Shi grabbed her arm, “Who is this man? Did she say where he’s from?”
The “wild man” in question was none other than the original novel’s male lead—a mysterious figure evading authorities, which led Meng Ruxin to assume he was another official implicated in the Shen family’s downfall.
Xin Yueying had always skimmed through the romantic subplot between the female lead and this man, preferring scenes with Shen Qingqi. As a result, she’d overlooked the male lead’s background.
Not that it mattered. Right now, he was still unconscious. Besides, in the original story, upon seeing Shen Qingqi, he hadn’t turned him in.
After all, he was hiding from the law too—why start a fight to the death?
“She didn’t say, but something feels off.” Xin Yueying met Song Shi’s gaze, “People like us can’t afford to harbour fugitives. That’s why I mentioned it. But please, don’t tell her it was me.”
“Don’t worry, dear, I won’t!” Song Shi stuffed the silver into her sleeve and stormed off, pausing only to snatch a broom leaning against the wall. She shot Xin Yueying a firm nod.
Xin Yueying arched an eyebrow in response, clasped her hands behind her back, and leisurely found a prime viewing spot. She smoothed her trousers and squatted down.
“BANG!” Song Shi kicked the door open, bellowing, “Who the hell are you brewing medicine for?!”
Before Meng Ruxin could react, Song Shi yanked her out by the hair, “Stay right there! Move an inch, and I’ll beat you dead!”
She rushed into the room. Moments later, a shriek pierced the night, “WHO IS THIS MAN?! YOU DARE HIDE A STRANGER?!”
The main house’s lamp flickered to life as Meng Ruxin’s father hurried out, holding a lantern.
Old Man Meng was gaunt and slightly hunched, his hair now streaked with white from the hardships they’d endured. He glared at Song Shi inside the room and roared, “What the hell are you doing now?! Can’t you just keep quiet for once?! I swear you—” His voice cut off abruptly as his eyes landed on the unconscious man. “Ah! What’s this man doing here?!”
Meng Ruxin rushed forward, her voice trembling, “Father, please let me explain—”
“Explain what?!” Song Shi, despite her stout frame, had surprising strength—she had actually dragged the tall, broad-shouldered man out by herself.
With a “THUD,” the man collapsed onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Meng Ruxin instinctively tried to run to him, but Old Man Meng blocked her path, his face dark with fury. “What in the world is going on here?!”
“I… I…” Meng Ruxin panicked, tears welling up in her eyes. She choked on her words, unable to speak.
Oh, let me see… So this is the famous “power” of Meng Ruxin? Truly astonishing.
Xin Yueying grinned so wide her gums showed.
Old Man Meng’s finger shook as he pointed at Meng Ruxin’s nose, “You’ve disappointed me beyond words!”
Song Shi marched over, broom in hand, “I always said you spoiled her too much, but you never listened! Now look what she’s done! We used to be a respectable family, but now we’re stuck in this godforsaken place with no neighbours for miles—all to avoid trouble! And what does she do? She hides a strange man in her room!”
Old Man Meng’s face twisted in anguish. He pointed at Meng Ruxin, speechless for a long moment before finally spitting out three words, “Beat her. Now.”
“With pleasure!” Song Shi, seething with old and new grievances, raised the broom and brought it down hard on Meng Ruxin’s back. A piercing shriek tore through the night.
“On your knees!” Song Shi jabbed the broom at Meng Ruxin’s forehead, “Kneel!”
Xin Yueying smirked in satisfaction as Meng Ruxin dropped to her knees.
The broom struck again and again, until finally, Meng Ruxin collapsed onto the ground, sobbing, “Father, I was wrong! I’ll never do it again! I just… I just couldn’t bear to leave him to die—he was so badly hurt!”
“Still making excuses?!” Song Shi swung the broom straight at Meng Ruxin’s mouth.
The impact was brutal. Meng Ruxin shrieked, blood immediately gushing from her lips.
“Wow.” Xin Yueying marveled, craning her neck for a better look. One of Meng Ruxin’s front teeth had been knocked clean out.
An unexpected bonus. Now that she’s missing a tooth, will everyone still adore her so much?
Xin Yueying didn’t know the answer.
But she did know one thing for sure—Song Shi was definitely someone worth keeping around.