Chapter 342 - 40: The Doomed Sister-in-law in the Group-Pampered Novel

At this moment, there was an uncontrollable look of disdain and impatience in Xie Yumian’s eyes.

Just then, Lv Cuiping, who had just been able to get out of bed, not noticing her expression, walked over with a pot of chicken soup floating with oil, and placed it directly on Xie Yumian’s desk.

"What are you doing! This is my desk! How can you put these things on it!"

Lv Cuiping was taken aback.

"What’s wrong? Isn’t the table for putting things on? You’re being so disrespectful now, just like your brother, yelling at me!"

Xie Yumian was no longer the sensible and generous person she used to be. She had suppressed her feelings outside and was unwilling to continue enduring it at home. She picked up the entire pot of chicken soup and threw it away.

The chicken soup spilled everywhere, and the metal pot clattered to the ground, further agitating the already nervous mother and daughter.

Previously, one was obedient, and the other was kind. Xie Yumian was the youngest child, the family’s treasure, clean and pretty, articulate, and graceful. Lv Cuiping’s proudest achievement in life was having this daughter, attributing all the good changes in the family to her and giving her all the love.

But now, being bullied by her daughter-in-law and angered by her disobedient son was one thing. When her previously obedient daughter did something like this, it broke Lv Cuiping, making her burst into tears.

She hadn’t cried so heartbreakingly even when bullied by Liu Yan. This time she cried as if she had lost her father, wailing on the ground, scaring the sons and daughters-in-law from next door who came out.

Xie Yumian’s mind was in chaos, and instead of feeling guilty, she was filled with anxiety and unease. Turning around, she pushed through the crowd and left, walking aimlessly along the path.

After the last incident, she was still a bit afraid. Almost being bullied by Jiang Jinbao had made her scared to go out alone for a long time. Although Jiang Jinbao was now beaten by her third brother and dared not go out, she couldn’t help but be cautious.

Just then, she suddenly noticed a flash of golden yellow by the ditch not far away, standing out against the earthy hue of the surroundings.

Curious, she went over, crouched down, and grabbed the golden yellow object. After examining it for a long time, her heart pounded. Just then, the sound of voices came from afar, scaring her into quickly stuffing the object into her pocket.

The pocket weighed down heavily with a small piece about the size of a baby’s fist, weighing over a pound. Xie Yumian held it nervously, stood up, and turned to see Jiang Lai approaching.

Next to Jiang Lai was Xie Jian.

Seeing Xie Yumian out alone again, Xie Jian frowned and reminded her.

"What are you doing here?"

This place was already remote, with even fewer people around after the harvest. The previous lesson wasn’t enough, and she dared to wander here alone.

Xie Yumian casually replied.

"Just taking a walk."

Saying this, she was about to leave.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Lai suddenly said.

"Your pocket is torn. Be careful not to drop what’s inside."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yumian quickly looked down at her pocket. It was indeed weighted down by the gold. She covered it with her hand, all her attention focused on it, and began to walk away.

"What’s that in your pocket? It looks like a rock. Why are you carrying a rock in there?"

"It’s none of your business what I carry."

Finishing her words, Xie Yumian quickened her pace and hurried away. Jiang Lai watched silently, curling her lips in apparent delight.

Xie Jian held her hand.

"What are you smiling at?"

"Nothing, I just think there’s a good show coming up."

Just then, a few more people passed by, and Jiang Lai called out to the departing Xie Yumian once again.

"Hey, that yellow thing in your pocket is about to fall! What is it? Anyone would think it’s gold!"

The few aunts passing by couldn’t help but turn to look. Xie Yumian nearly stumbled, not daring to turn back, quickening her pace.

Jiang Lai laughed even more happily.

"Maybe it really is gold."

Xie Jian only took it as a joke and advised helplessly.

"We’ve divided the family now. Let’s not interfere with Yu Mian’s affairs."

"That’s what you said. Don’t interfere with her business."

Xie Yumian was clutching what was in her pocket like she was holding her heart. In the end, she almost ran home.

This must be gold.

Xie Yumian believed in her luck.

Her first thought was to go to the county and find a way to exchange the gold in her pocket for money. But once she reached the entrance of her home, she became more clear-headed, realizing she couldn’t manage such a large piece of gold alone. Moreover, these days all assets had to be handed over to the team for eventual distribution, let alone such a large piece of gold. If discovered, it would be handed over by the team, and she wouldn’t get a share.

Standing at the entrance for a while, Xie Yumian thought it through, entered the house, and locked the door. Before Lv Cuiping could react, she took out the item from her pocket and placed it on the bed.

"What’s this?"

Why does it look so much like gold!

Xie Yumian glanced at her.

"Gold."

"Gold?!!"

Xie Yumian covered her mouth, speaking in a voice meant only for the two of them.

"I just picked it up."

"Did anyone see?"

Lv Cuiping’s eyes were glued to it.

Xie Yumian was about to say no but suddenly remembered Jiang Lai’s words and spoke seriously.

"Jiang Lai and my third brother might have seen it, or maybe not, I’m not sure."

"What did they say?"

"They didn’t say much. I’m not sure. What should we do now? We need to find someone to handle this piece of gold as soon as possible."

Lv Cuiping, who had farmed her entire life, had never seen something so valuable. For minor issues, she had ideas, but for something this big, her mind was completely scrambled, dizzy from the golden windfall.

Xie Yumian’s tone became calm.

"Mother, you and Dad should go to the county, first find out if there’s someone buying this, without letting anyone know we have gold. Only discuss it when you find someone reliable."

Lv Cuiping nodded repeatedly, then nervously asked.

"What if the team finds out? Isn’t this embezzling state property? If caught, they’ll paint our faces!"

Painting faces meant having one’s face scribbled on with a brush dipped in red and white ink, resembling a clown, much like what happened to those landlords who could never lift their heads again.

Xie Yumian knew this, of course.

That’s why she wanted Lv Cuiping and the Eldest Xie to go, but she wouldn’t go herself.

Otherwise, she’d already have gone to the county instead of wasting time here with Lv Cuiping.

"Be careful and you won’t be discovered. And even if you were, it’s not certain who left this piece of gold. After all, Jiang Lai might have seen it and could be planning to take it secretly, asking you for help."

"In short, try not to get discovered."