Chapter 15: Partiality

When Zhou Qing got home, it was already dusk.

After bidding farewell to Cheng Wu, Zhou Qing carried the red paper into the courtyard, only to sense that something was off. 

Normally at this time, the third family should still be out in the fields. 

Why was everyone home today?

Zhou Huailin was squatting in the courtyard, Zhao stood by his side, and Zhou Yao hurriedly came up to Zhou Qing as soon as she saw her. "Sister, you're finally back."

"What happened?"

"Uncle said..."

Before Zhou Yao could finish, Sun rushed out from the house, broom in hand, aiming straight for Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing quickly shoved the red paper into Zhou Yao. "Take this to my father."

Giving a quick instruction, Zhou Qing dodged Sun's broom swing.

"Mother, you should at least find out what happened first." Zhou Huailin stood up to stop Sun. "Qing isn't that kind of person."

Sun swept him aside with the broom. "She's shameless. What, are you going to pimp for her too?"

Zhou Huailin's face turned pale.

Zhou Qing didn't know why she was being hit, but she understood the word 'pimp' well enough. Seeing Sun's expression, her face turned cold.

"What did I do to deserve this?"

"Spit! You have the nerve to ask after doing such filthy things? Do you know any shame? Not only are you shameless, but you're also dragging down my Yuan! I’ll make you pay for embarrassing us!"

Sun chased Zhou Qing with the broom.

Zhou Qing dodged while piecing together some clues from these harsh words.

"Mother!" Zhou Huailin shouted, his face darkening as he turned to Wang. "Sister-in-law, you're also Qing's elder."

Wang sneered. "Precisely because I'm her elder, I can't watch her go out and sell herself!"

By now, if Zhou Qing couldn't figure out what was going on, she'd be an idiot.

She stopped dodging Sun and grabbed a bamboo pole, swinging it at Wang.

"Ah!"

Wang never expected Zhou Qing to strike her. Unable to dodge, her face was hit hard, causing her to howl in pain.

"Help! Murder!"

With a shout, Zhou Qing dropped the bamboo pole, grabbed Wang by the hair. Wang, caught off guard, stumbled and fell. Zhou Qing immediately straddled her and started punching.

Wang couldn't withstand the beating, screaming in agony.

Although Zhou Qing was skinny, she was quite strong and had always been a scrappy fighter. Wang couldn't even crawl away.

Seeing Wang being beaten, Sun was so furious she nearly spat blood. "You little bastard, stop it, stop it!"

She swung the broom at Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing grabbed Wang's neck. "If you hit me, I'll strangle her! Try me!"

Her eyes gleamed with a fierce light, like a wild beast.

For a moment, Sun's hand froze in midair.

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside.

Old Zhou and Zhou Huaihai arrived with the clan leader and some other villagers.

Upon entering the courtyard, Zhou Huaihai was shocked by the scene. "Qing, you did something disgraceful outside, and now you come home and beat your elder. That's your aunt!"

Zhou Qing, red-eyed, remained on top of Wang.

"I just want to know what I did wrong. As soon as I got home, my grandmother chased me to beat me, and my aunt called me a prostitute."

Old Zhou's face turned livid. "Get up."

Zhou Qing ignored him, tightening her grip on Wang's neck. "What did I do wrong?"

Wang felt like she was really going to die, kicking her legs frantically.

Old Zhou gritted his teeth but, with the clan leader present, could only turn to him. "I'm sorry for this embarrassing situation."

The clan leader, looking displeased, said coldly, "No matter what, you can't beat your elders. Get up."

Zhou Qing knew how powerful the clan leader was, hesitated for a moment, then got off Wang.

She couldn't afford to disrespect the clan leader.

Sure enough, seeing Zhou Qing obediently get up, the clan leader's face softened slightly.

Wang gasped for breath, feeling as if she'd been brought back from the brink of death. She sat up, wailing and slapping her thigh, ready to start cursing.

But Old Zhou preemptively scolded her, "Shut up."

Wang...

Old Zhou invited the clan leader into the main room, serving tea. He then sat beside him.

The third family stood on the left side, Zhou Yao clutching Zhou Qing's hand, trembling.

Zhou Huaihai helped the bruised and battered Wang to her feet, standing on the right.

Sun stood by Old Zhou's side, glaring at Zhou Qing.

Old Zhou sighed. "I invited the clan leader today because of your issue. Explain yourself."

Zhou Yao gripped Zhou Qing's hand even tighter.

Zhou Qing patted Zhou Yao's hand, stepped forward, "I don't know what terrible thing I supposedly did."

Sun spat. "You got your father a job copying books by selling your body! Shameless wretch."

Hearing this, Zhou Qing laughed coldly.

As expected, it was as she had guessed.

"I just got home and hadn't even mentioned getting my father a job copying books. How did you know?"

"Just admit it!" Sun said fiercely.

Ignoring her, Zhou Qing turned to the clan leader. "Third Grandpa, I spent the whole day out. As soon as I got home, I was labeled shameless. Please help me."

The children of Zhou Qing's generation all called the clan leader 'Third Grandpa.'

Seeing Zhou Qing's aggrieved expression, the clan leader turned to Old Zhou. "Bingde, have you really investigated this thoroughly?"

Before Old Zhou could respond, Zhou Qing said, "Grandpa, did you see me do anything shameless or have any evidence?"

Old Zhou looked to Zhou Huaihai.

Zhou Huaihai sneered. "If you hadn't done something shameless, how could the biggest bookstore in Qinghe County let your father copy books?"

Zhou Qing sneered back. "How do you know this, Uncle?"

"I went to town today and happened to see it."

"Did you see me do something shameless, or did someone tell you? Did the bookstore owner tell you directly that my father got the job?"

Zhou Huaihai...

Could it be false?

Impossible!

When Qing came out of the bookstore, she was very happy.

After questioning Zhou Huaihai, Zhou Qing turned to the clan leader. "Third Grandpa, please decide for me."

The clan leader looked at Zhou Huaihai. "What exactly did you see?"

Zhou Huaihai...

Just then, Zhou Huaishan, who had been resting his leg, suddenly rushed in like a gust of wind.

He lunged straight at Zhou Huaihai.

"You're just resentful because I want to study. If you have a grudge, take it out on me. Why slander Qing? I'll kill you!"

Zhou Huaishan caught Zhou Huaihai off guard, slapping him across the face.

"I won't let you bully my daughter!"

The scuffle was chaotic and unrestrained.

Zhou Huaishan wildly attacked Zhou Huaihai.

Zhou Huaihai, not used to physical labor, couldn't match Zhou Huaishan's strength.

"Second Brother, calm down."

Zhou Huailin rushed in, holding Zhou Huaihai from behind while trying to calm Zhou Huaishan.

Zhou Ping...

Look at my father taking sides.