Chapter 39: The Eight Ghosts Demand You Mind Your Own Business! (Bonus Chapter for Votes)

The two of them walked all the way to the entrance of the village. Before they could even step inside, they were intercepted by Mother Sun, who had been waiting there for some time.

"Oh my! Huanya, you’ve finally returned!"

Seeing Huanya, Mother Sun lunged forward, only to be blocked by an outstretched hand.

"Hey, hey, hey! Mrs. Sun, what do you think you’re doing?" Mother Liushun stood in her way, eyeing her up and down before saying, "What business do you have with Huanya? Why are you causing a scene here?"

Mother Sun pursed her lips and pushed Mother Liushun’s hand aside. "I’m looking for Huanya. Don’t stand in my way."

"Ha! Not a chance!" Mother Liushun pulled Huanya firmly behind her back. "I know exactly what you’re up to—you’re trying to find a wife for that foolish son of yours, aren't you? Forget it! Huanya is a decent girl; you’d better be careful, or the Song family will tear you apart!"

Mother Sun flew into a rage, hands on her hips. "Whether she gets married or not is Huanya’s own business! It’s none of your concern! Get lost!"

"You get lost! I’m taking charge of this today! If you have the guts, go call your husband to come and hit me—go on, do it!"

Mother Liushun thrust her chin forward, pushing against Mother Sun until the woman stumbled back several steps. Watching Mother Sun turn red with fury, Mother Liushun scoffed, "Pah! Did you really think I was afraid of you?"

With that, she took Huanya by the hand and said, "Come along, child, Auntie will see you home."

These words were clearly meant for Mother Sun, a warning to stop entertaining such crooked ideas. But Mother Sun was not so easily deterred. She grabbed the strap of Huanya’s basket and insisted, "Huanya, they are all leading you astray! Look at my son—is there anything wrong with him? He’s a fine-looking man! Just look!"

Huanya didn’t even glance at him. She quickly swatted Mother Sun’s hand away. "Let go! Let go!"

"I don't care, and I don't want it."

Regardless, she had no intention of marrying. Her indenture contract was still in her aunt’s hands, and she had yet to buy the wheelchair for Brother Tiancheng.

Seeing that she remained unmoved, Mother Sun clutched her stinging hand and, gritting her teeth, pulled her son over. "Son, look! Look at the bride Mother told you about!"

Sun Yuan was slow-witted, but he understood the word "bride." He stared at Huanya for a moment and shook his head. "Mother, ugly. Don’t want."

Before Mother Sun or the onlookers could react, Sun Yuan added, "Pretty one. Mother said to find a pretty one."

At this, Huanya’s expression darkened. She snapped angrily, "I wouldn't marry a fool like you anyway! It’s no wonder you can’t find a wife!"

"I’m not a fool!"

"Yes, you are!" Huanya made a face at him. "A big fool! You’ll never have a wife; you’ll be a bachelor your whole life! When you die, there won't even be anyone to knock over your funeral basin!"

Sun Yuan was completely bewildered by the insults. Before his mind could even process the words, tears began to stream down his face.

Mother Sun was heartbroken. She pointed at Huanya and shrieked, "You wretched girl, what are you saying! Stop your nonsense!"

"It’s your son who’s talking nonsense!" Mother Liushun let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "No wonder your family can’t find a wife—with trash like that, you still want someone pretty? Did you fall into a cesspit? Your head is full of nothing but excrement!"

"None of your damn business!" Mother Sun’s face turned beet red. "You meddlesome busybody! Watch out, or the King of Hell will come to cut out your tongue tonight!"

"He’d have to dig out your brain first!" Huanya retorted. "Oh, wait—I bet even he wouldn't want it; he’d think it stinks too much!"

"Hahahaha!"

The onlookers burst into laughter. Even Mother Liushun couldn't help but chuckle. She pulled Huanya along and said, "Huanya, let's go. Don't waste your breath on someone with a head full of rot."

"Okay." Huanya nodded earnestly. She followed Mother Liushun without looking back, though after a few steps, she turned around to make one last face at Mother Sun.

Left behind, Mother Sun stomped her feet in a fury, scrambling to comfort her crying son while trying to shoo away the onlookers—a truly ridiculous sight.