Someone nearby leaned in and whispered, "Why bother with her? Look at her, showing off as if her husbandâs little bit of authority makes her tail wag to the sky. Every day sheâs criticizing this and that, always talking down about rural folks. I really canât tell if she steams herself or looks down on herself."
The person said, "Weâre all living on the same floor. My husband told me to try not to offend anyone."
"Ah, you just got here and donât know her kind. Whether you offend her or not, it makes no difference."
......
Sister-in-law Feng tossed the vegetables onto the floor when she got home, feeling sullen.
But thinking of Sister-in-law Gongâs husbandâs position, she started to feel a bit uneasy.
Just as she was losing herself, Feng Dajun returned home from work.
Seeing her sitting dazed on a chair with two cabbages at her feet and no sign of dinner being made, Feng Dajun frowned slightly, "Whatâs wrong?"
His voice startled Sister-in-law Feng.
Seeing it was Feng Dajun, she quickly stood up, "Da Jun, after Sister-in-law Gong fell, you said youâd go to Minister Weiâs house to apologize. How did they react back then? Did they give you a hard time? Lately at work, has Minister Wei been making things difficult for you?"
"Why are you dwelling on such nonsense again? Didnât this matter pass a long time ago? Some time ago you went to see Sister-in-law Gong, didnât you? Donât you know their attitude?"
Speaking of this, Sister-in-law Feng felt even less assured.
"How could they possibly have an attitude towards me? You know, Iâm just a rural girl; I hardly ever talk with them. That day, I kindly brought eggs to see her, and her tone was indifferent, as if my warm face met a cold backside. If not for your career, I wouldnât put up with that."
"Why is it always about my career?" Feng Dajun didnât like hearing this, "No matter what, we have some responsibility for Sister-in-law Gongâs fall. Asking you to bring some gifts is only right, isnât it?"
"How is it my responsibility? I already told you, she fell because of Lin Chuxia."
Feng Dajun didnât want to hear more and hung his coat on the rack, changing the subject, "Hurry up and make dinner. Iâm starving. I told you before, we can buy more cabbage. If you canât handle it, we can go together on the weekend, so you donât have to make one trip for one cabbage."
"Cabbage is expensive now. Wouldnât it be a waste to let it spoil at home if I buy a lot? Besides, prices might drop soon, and buying in bulk isnât cost-effective."
Even after saying this, Sister-in-law Feng still felt uneasy.
"In the Northwest, you and Mr. Qin were equals. Now, though your position is slightly higher, I always felt Minister Wei seems to like Mr. Qin more."
"Qin Yang was transferred here at his request. Itâs only natural Minister Wei sees something in him," Feng Dajun didnât think much of it.
Sister-in-law Feng sneered, "To me, it seems that couple knows how to curry favor. I didnât tell you before to avoid making you overthink, but today, the more I thought, the more something felt off. The day I visited Sister-in-law Gong, she was cold and rushed me out. Guess what happened as I was leaving?"
Feng Dajun glanced over, "What?"
"I saw Minister Wei and Qin Yangâs family coming in together, laughing and chatting as if Qin Yang was Minister Weiâs own son..."
Feng Dajun frowned and scolded, "Donât talk nonsense; how could they be that close? Iâve told you countless times, living in the residential area, you need to mind your words."
"Iâm just talking to you at home. They were so warm with each other; clearly, theyâre on great terms. I even saw Mr. Qin carrying expensive items. I saw Lin Chuxia with Sister-in-law Gong out laughing and chatting today. Usually, Lin Chuxia barely steps out, but today she went out and returned with Sister-in-law Gong. Whatâs that phrase? True epitome of âdying for the company of a gentleman.â Iâve been thinking, if theyâre constantly currying favor with Minister Wei and his wife, when anything good happens at work, others wouldnât get a chance, would they? You should be more mindful, perhaps give Minister Wei some gifts yourself..."
"Minister Wei isnât that kind of person," Feng Dajun instinctively denied, then glanced sideways at Sister-in-law Feng.
"Saying these things to me alone is one thing, but what others are like is their business. Minister Wei isnât like that; I donât need to cater to him. If he was that kind of person, why bother currying favor after offending him?"
Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Feng blew up, "How did I offend anyone?"
With the conversation reaching this point, Feng Dajun set the tone.
"Donât you know how youâve offended people? Do you think I wouldnât know what you do just because Iâm not home? Look around at all the tenants here. Who acts like you? Weâve been in Yan City for so long, and how many friends have you made?"
Look at how Lin Chuxia and Sister-in-law Gong laugh and get along, yet you havenât reflected on yourself.
Sister-in-law Feng felt immediately wronged, her eyes reddening as she began to cry and wipe her tears.
"What have I done? I also want to make friends with them, but they look down on me for coming from the countryside. What can I do? If I had Mrs. Qinâs background, driving around in a nice car, theyâd flock to me, wouldnât they? Didnât you say before that we villagers are different from them? How quickly youâve forgotten youâre just a bumpkin too? Even if you canât compete with Qin Yang, how is that my fault? Itâs just that Minister Wei and the others look down on your background..."
"What nonsense are you saying now? What does this have to do with anything?"
Feng Dajun was tired of Sister-in-law Fengâs unreasonable arguments.
Sister-in-law Feng was relentless, "Can you say they respect you? Since we came to the compound, have they ever invited you for a drink or party? I heard Li Weiâs family was invited by Mr. Qin for dinner; we were all transferred from the Northwest, the same people. Why didnât they invite you? Because they look down on you."
"You..."
"What about me? I always remember who I am and my status, unlike youâjust days in the city, and youâve forgotten youâre an old farmer too? Even if you forget your status, others wonât. As long as they remember, youâll always be a step below them..."
As Sister-in-law Fengâs shouting grew louder, Feng Dajun angrily pushed her away, "Truly unreasonable."