The Scumbag Ex-Wife of the Heroine in the Old Abusive Article - Chapter 23

“Fourth Sister, Little Fatty is the only grandson in the family,” Qin Yong argued. “You’re his aunt. Even if you don’t usually indulge him, how dare you accuse us of stealing? Mother herself said Little Fatty could have it if he liked it.”

How could I have misjudged her so badly?

“Brother, you’re mistaken,” Qin Yang retorted. “I caught this dog myself as a gift for Jin’an. If you want one, go catch your own. And last I checked, your hands and feet are still intact, aren’t they?” Qin Yang deliberately scanned Qin Yong from head to toe.

“You…” Qin Yong’s face flushed crimson with shame.

Hearing that the dog was meant for Wen Jin’an, Liu Yue’e flew into a rage and lunged forward to snatch it. “Why should that Fox Spirit Wen Jin’an get it? You’ve clearly been bewitched! Who’s really family here? Little Fatty is your nephew! Who is Wen Jin’an? Give it to Little Fatty immediately!”

Qin Yang dodged her attack.

Inside, Wen Jin’an listened to the commotion outside, her eyes downcast. She hadn’t expected Qin Yang to actually confront Liu Yue’e, let alone cause such a scene. She must really like that dog.

Wen Jin’an had hoped to sow discord between Qin Yang and Liu Yue’e, but this unexpected outcome was even better. Let her keep stirring up trouble.

A flicker of disgust crossed Wen Jin’an’s eyes. After a moment of silence, she rose and opened the door.

“Why did you come out?” Qin Yang rushed forward to shield Wen Jin’an behind her the moment she saw her.

Now is not the time for the Female Lead to add to the chaos. What if she gets hurt again…?

Qin Yang couldn’t bear to imagine it. She gently placed the little one in Wen Jin’an’s arms and said softly, “Take him back inside first. Don’t worry about me.”

“Wife-Husband, please give him to Mother and Father,” Wen Jin’an replied, looking up at Qin Yang with teary eyes that shimmered in the moonlight. “Jin’an doesn’t want you to quarrel with Mother over me. Today, you already threw the family’s wooden bucket into the river for Jin’an’s sake. If Jin’an causes further discord between you and Mother, Jin’an’s heart will truly…”

Qin Yang’s breath caught in her throat.

Is this the Female Lead’s charm? To treat others with unwavering kindness even after being mistreated a thousand times?

Wait a minute.

That’s not right! In the novel, the Female Lead immediately retaliated against the Original Host’s family upon returning. How could she possibly…?

Even if Qin Yang’s arrival had altered the plot, this was too absurd, wasn’t it?

Before she could fully process her thoughts, Liu Yue’e charged forward and seized Wen Jin’an’s wrist. “What did you say? What wooden bucket?”

An ominous premonition gripped Liu Yue’e’s heart.

She twisted her head to scan the courtyard before darting into the kitchen.

“You cursed wretch…” she screamed moments later as she stormed back out.

“Buckets? What buckets?”

Qin Youcai had finally calmed down. Before dinner, Liu Yue’e had sent Wen Jin’an to fetch water from the river. Could it be…?

Qin Youcai glanced at Qin Yan, then at Liu Yue’e, and the truth dawned on him. He roared at Qin Yong, “What are you standing there for? Go to the river and find them now!”

That spendthrift woman! Does she even realize how much those buckets cost? Qin Youcai stamped his foot, completely forgetting about the earlier commotion as he turned and hurried after Qin Yong.

“Does your hand hurt?” Qin Yang took Wen Jin’an’s hand, her fair wrist circled by a red mark that stood out even in the dim light.

Qin Yang gently blew on it, her heart aching. “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me inside?”

“I’m fine, Wife-Husband. Don’t worry. But Mother and Father…” Wen Jin’an bit her lip, her words trailing off.

She truly is the Female Lead, Qin Yang thought. So gentle and kind.

And I actually doubted her. A pang of guilt struck Qin Yang as she gazed at Wen Jin’an’s wrist, her eyes overflowing with tenderness.

Liu Yue’e’s face darkened visibly at the sight of Qin Yang’s affection.

“You’ve been completely bewitched by this Fox Spirit!” Liu Yue’e snarled, rolling up her sleeves. “Today, I’ll claw that Fox Spirit’s face to shreds! Then we’ll see what she uses to seduce you!” With that, she lunged at Wen Jin’an.

Fvck!

Qin Yang, disregarding everything else, stepped forward to shield Wen Jin’an. Liu Yue’e’s hand slashed across her cheek, leaving a vivid red gash on her fair skin.

Liu Yue’e: !!!

Wen Jin’an: !!!

Intending to grab Wen Jin’an, Liu Yue’e was caught off guard when Qin Yang intervened. Seeing the bl00d on her daughter’s face, Liu Yue’e’s expression shifted.

“You blocked it yourself. Don’t blame me,” Liu Yue’e said, her voice trembling with fear. She knew Qin Yang’s face was among the most beautiful in Kunze. If she had disfigured her daughter, and knowing Qin Yang’s fearless temper, who knew what she might do?

Liu Yue’e glanced nervously at Qin Yang, her heart pounding. This whole mess was that Fox Spirit Wen Jin’an’s fault. Ever since she married into the family, Qin Yang had been opposing her at every turn.

If not for Wen Jin’an, she wouldn’t have accidentally injured Qin Yang.

That’s right! It’s all Wen Jin’an’s fault!

Liu Yue’e puffed out her chest, trying to appear defiant.

“It’s bleeding so much. Let me see,” Wen Jin’an said, frowning. She handed the child to Qin Yang, then cupped Qin Yang’s face in her hands, her eyes filled with concern.

The cut wasn’t deep, but the contrast against Qin Yang’s skin, even fairer than most Kunze, made it look more alarming.

Yet Wen Jin’an’s frown deepened. Knowing how vain Qin Yang was, she deliberately exaggerated the severity. “There’s so much bl00d. I wonder if it will leave a scar?”

She would have been delighted to see Qin Yang and Liu Yue’e tear each other apart, preferably to the point of mutual destruction.

A scar?

Qin Yang’s lips twitched. While she wanted to gain the Female Lead’s favor, she hadn’t actually intended to leave a scar.

Though the Original Host had been detestable, Qin Yang was still quite fond of this face that was identical to her own from her previous life. If it were disfigured…

Qin Yang’s heart sank.

“Stop exaggerating! How could it leave a scar?” Liu Yue’e’s gaze darted nervously, her voice lacking conviction. She glared guiltily at Wen Jin’an before glancing sideways at Qin Yang.

The distinct bloodstain was glaringly obvious, shattering her last shred of hope.

“Second Sister, I’ll need you to run and fetch the Village Head,” Qin Yang said, turning to Qin Zhao.

The incident had frightened not only Liu Yue’e but also the onlookers—Qin Cheng, Qin Luo, and Zhao Chunhua—into silence. None dared to voice any objections.

Qin Zhao shot Liu Yue’e a disapproving look, sighed, and turned to leave, her figure quickly vanishing into the night.

With Qin Youcai and Qin Yong absent, only the two Kunze—Qin Cheng and Qin Luo—remained at home. Lacking any support, Liu Yue’e had no confidence to stop them.

“Fourth Elder, your father will be back soon. Don’t be foolish and abandon your parents for a mere Fox Spirit,” Liu Yue’e said, trying to reason with Qin Yang.

If the old man returned and found out his unfilial daughter had summoned the Village Head, he’d skin her alive.

Now that Qin Zhao, the unfilial daughter, had already gone to fetch him, Liu Yue’e could only try to placate Qin Yang and hope she’d calm down and let the matter drop.

Though Qin Yang had always been headstrong, she usually listened to reason, at least to some extent.

“You beat me like this and now you’re trying to frame Jin’an? It’s clear who the malicious one here is,” Qin Yang retorted stubbornly.

“I’m doing this for your own good!” Liu Yue’e raised her voice.

“Stealing my things is for my own good too?” Qin Yang shot back.

“How dare you call it stealing?” Liu Yue’e protested indignantly.

Before long, Qin Zhao returned with a man in his fifties sporting a goatee—the Village Head—followed by a young Female Qianyuan.

“You summoned me?” The Village Head stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping over Liu Yue’e before settling on Qin Yang. He paused, then asked, “What happened to your face?”

Qin Yang said, her voice tinged with grievance, “Village Head, I asked my Second Sister to fetch you. I know you’re the most respected person in the village, upright and impartial. You won’t favor either side. Please, you must see justice done for me.” As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she sniffled.

“I can’t stay in this family any longer. Look at my face—she beat me! And the ground…” Qin Yang pointed to the broken wooden stick on the ground. “If I hadn’t dodged in time, she might have killed me.”

Hearing her words, Liu Yue’e’s heart pounded. This unfilial daughter was clearly trying to…

“Village Head, don’t listen to her nonsense! How could I possibly kill my own daughter?” Liu Yue’e retorted urgently.

“It was clearly her…”

“If you don’t believe me, ask them! Did she hit me? Is this wooden stick broken from hitting me?” Qin Yang asked calmly.

She spoke the truth, without exaggeration.

“Stop lying!” Liu Yue’e protested, inwardly cursing her misfortune. When did this unfilial daughter become so sharp-tongued and difficult to deal with?

“I’m not lying! Did I disfigure myself just to frame you? Or did the stick break when you were beating me?”

“You…” Liu Yue’e was speechless.

The Village Head glanced at the others before his gaze settled on Qin Zhao. “Qin Zhao, you’ve always been honest. Tell us how Fourth Sister got that injury on her face.”

“Second Elder, you must tell the truth,” Liu Yue’e warned, her eyes fixed on Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao nodded, meeting the Village Head’s gaze. “The injury on Fourth Sister’s face was inflicted by my mother.”

Liu Yue’e’s voice rose sharply. “Qin Zhao, you ungrateful wretch! How dare you side with that disobedient daughter and slander your own mother!”

“I’m not lying. You were the one who injured Fourth Sister,” Qin Zhao insisted.

“Insubordination! All of you are rebelling! I’ll beat you to death today, you disobedient daughters!” Liu Yue’e wailed, lunging forward, but someone grabbed her arm.

It was the Female Qianyuan who had accompanied the Village Head.

The Female Qianyuan frowned, glanced at Liu Yue’e, and turned to the Village Head. “Father, what should we do?”

The Village Head stroked his beard, his expression turning cold as he looked at Qin Yang. “You’re the one involved. Tell us what you plan to do.”

Qin Yang immediately replied, “I can’t stay in this house any longer. They’ve not only beaten me, but they’ve also abused my wife with constant beatings and insults. If we stay, my wife and I will be beaten to death sooner or later.”

As she spoke of her pain, Qin Yang looked on the verge of tears.

The Village Head pondered for a moment. He had heard rumors of the Qin Family’s mistreatment of their daughter-in-law before, and now that Qin Yang had spoken of it herself, he was almost certain it was true. Though Qin Yang was somewhat unreliable, if she could genuinely treat her Kunze well, it would be a good thing. He said in a deep voice, “Do you want to leave the Qin Family?”

“I beg the Village Head to make a decision for me,” Qin Yang said firmly.

“Very well. Since that’s what you want, I’ll make the decision for you.” The Village Head glanced at Liu Yue’e and shook his head.

Wen Jin’an pressed her lips together and averted her gaze. She had been observing Qin Yang’s expression closely and was certain the woman was putting on an act. One thing still puzzled her: why did Qin Yang want to leave the Qin Family? Could it really be for the reasons she had stated earlier?