The rumors about Ding Yun being a jinx, fueled by the Du family's machinations, hadn't exactly spread like wildfire, but they had indeed circulated to some extent within the county town.
Many people began to discuss it in private.
Especially in the usual gathering spots for idle elders, gossip and idle chatter had already begun.
"Hey, have you guys heard? The boss at the mixed food stall is a jinx, she's caused the deaths of many people!"
Every topic needs an instigator, and as soon as Xu Haimei heard this gossip, she rushed over, eager to share, and deliberately tried to build suspense before revealing it.
Unfortunately, Zhang Juan immediately started spilling the beans:
"Heard it, heard it. I heard it from a relative who was visiting. Apparently, she killed her maternal grandfather before she was even born, leaving no remains. When she was one year old, she killed her paternal grandfather, though at least there was a complete corpse left.
Oh, and it seems she also caused the death of an unborn brother, and her paternal uncle's family, parents, and grandmother were all injured.
Even her maternal uncle had his finger broken!"
"Really? That's too much..."
As she spoke, someone nearby asked in surprise.
"Oh, what's fake about it? You can find this out with a little bit of asking around. What good would it do for me to make up such nonsense? I'm telling you, this young girl is not only a jinx, but she's also very cruel.
Her grandmother just went to her house to get some things, and she reported her to the police. Now her grandmother is in jail.
All for the sake of monopolizing that apartment in the city.
Such a wicked girl, you really can't tell!"
Zhang Juan quickly continued to comment on Ding Yun's wickedness, shaking her head and sighing, based on the information she had.
But the people nearby weren't fools; they could hear the contradictions in her words. Immediately, someone frowned and asked:
"No, what you're saying is confusing me. How could she report her grandmother for taking things from her house? Don't her father and mother have any say in this?
And what about the apartment in the city? How could a young girl have the right to talk about monopolizing it? There are too many holes in what you're saying.
Are you perhaps making it all up?"
At this moment, Xu Haimei became smug. She immediately stood up, straightened her back, and rolled her eyes at Zhang Juan, saying:
"I thought you knew something. Turns out it's just a mishmash of fabricated information.
Aren't you afraid of being overheard and beaten up?"
"When it comes to being quick and accurate with news, you have to look to me.
Let me tell you!
Because that young girl was considered a jinx since she was little, she was given away to another family in their village before she was even two years old. Apparently, everyone in that family had died, and he was the only one left, a jinxed old man, who took her as his great-granddaughter.
Once adopted, as you know, according to the rules, there's no longer any relation. Even if adopted by an uncle's family, they'd only be considered relatives, not parents.
And that's even more so for adoption into a collateral branch.
A few years ago, that young girl's great-grandfather passed away of old age. He had no other blood relatives, so his inheritance naturally went to his adopted great-granddaughter. The apartment and shop in the city were assets that old man owned back then, were confiscated, and recently returned to him.
As a result, that old man's distant relatives, relatives who had never cared for him for a single day, teamed up with that young girl's father, mother, grandmother, and paternal uncle.
They all wanted the inheritance left by the old man.
They claimed she wasn't qualified to inherit, while simultaneously wanting to acknowledge her back, indirectly claiming the inheritance.
They even directly broke into the house to search for things and steal them.
Then that young girl reported them to the police, and they were arrested. So saying they were arrested and sentenced is their own doing, so how can it be called wicked?
Zhang Juan, if your grandmother had run into your house to steal things, to take things, and emptied your house.
I don't believe you could have tolerated it!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? My grandma has been dead for thirty years, and besides, is my grandma that kind of person? Honestly!"
Because Zhang Juan also knew that her information was pieced together, she didn't dare to directly refute anything. She only retorted to Xu Haimei's last sentence, just to get a word in.
At the same time, Zhao Dahai, who was in his eighties and always a bit rigid, immediately frowned and commented:
"This world is getting stranger and stranger. Back in the day, this girl, let alone being adopted, even if she were biological, wouldn't have the right to inherit that old man's estate. How could a girl have the right to inherit?
Giving her a dowry would have been good enough."
"What are you saying? Women can hold up half the sky, have you forgotten? Why wouldn't she have the right to inherit? Should it be left to ungrateful people instead of the girl? Or should it be pocketed by the village?
In my opinion, those old customs and bad habits were truly disgusting. Why should other people's assets be completely taken away just because there are only daughters in the family?
Even if there were no descendants at all, no sons or daughters, it would be better to give it to the state than to the village. What era is this and you still have such ideas."
Zhao Dahai disliked the era, but someone also disliked Zhao Dahai. While those younger in generation might have been hesitant to speak, Li Hongyan was completely unreserved.
After all, who made her so old?
Zhao Dahai was only in his eighties.
She was ninety-seven, with plenty of confidence.
"Please, don't you two start arguing over this.
Let's talk about that young girl. Is her so-called jinx status true or false?
Is she a real jinx, or just a coincidence?
Will it affect us when we buy things?"
Fearing that the two elderly people would start arguing and something might happen, someone immediately stepped in to mediate and steered the conversation back to the young girl and the jinx.
Of course, she also had some doubts about this matter.
So she wanted to hear others' suggestions and thoughts.
"You're too timid. Her family has only lost a few people, how can that be a jinx? I've seen real jinxes, where the entire family died shortly after birth. The entire family of one hundred and seventy-two people died.
She's only lost two, and the rest were at most injured. Even if you count the one her mother was carrying but didn't give birth to, that's only three.
If you ask me, this is definitely a coincidence.
Could a real jinx be this weak?"
Zhao Dahai didn't want to argue with someone a generation older than him, so he immediately picked up the conversation and sneered.
At the same time, someone else chimed in:
"Yeah, and a jinx harms their relatives. What does that have to do with us? If she could really kill anyone she encountered.
The authorities would have recruited her long ago.
And sent her abroad to harm foreigners."
"That's right. If this so-called jinx were really that powerful, it would be similar to those special abilities written about in the newspapers. She'd have to join some secret agency.
To carry out covert missions!"
Zhang Juan had by now clarified the situation. Unwilling to be upstaged without saying a word, she said:
"In my opinion, even if that girl has some kind of curse, it's likely been mostly dispelled over the years.
Think about it. Before she was born, her maternal grandfather died, leaving no remains. When she was one year old, her paternal grandfather died, but there was a complete corpse. Doesn't that indicate that the girl's power has significantly decreased?
Later, she only caused the death of an unborn infant, and even that is debatable. It's possible she just accidentally fell somewhere and miscarried.
After that, there were no more deaths. The most severe incidents were broken fingers, heavy bleeding, and serious injuries.
This shows that her power is getting weaker and weaker.
So, even if she is some kind of malevolent star, she should be fine now. Besides, how long do we come into contact with her when buying things? It's just a matter of minutes. And lately, it hasn't been her selling things; it's someone else."
"Hahahaha, that makes sense!"
"Logical, logical!"
Just as everyone was nodding in agreement, a rather stern voice came from the alleyway:
"What are you guys hiding here gossiping about all day? Do you not care about national affairs, not care about the global situation, and only care about feudal superstitions? The world is material, don't you know that?
Ghosts and monsters don't exist, don't you know that?
If this were ten years ago, each of you would have to write a self-criticism, to reflect on your mistakes."
"Oh dear, Old Wang, you startled me.
We're just chatting aimlessly, listening for entertainment. No one really takes this seriously. Don't start with your preachy tone, you've been retired for how many years!"
Things are different now, and being startled was only because he spoke suddenly, and someone wasn't paying attention. So someone immediately turned to complain.
But some people, afraid of being lectured, quickly said they wouldn't talk about it anymore: "Alright, alright, no more talk, no more talk."
"Don't say that. At worst, we won't talk about that. Let's talk about something else. We're not having dinner yet anyway."
Someone also started to change the subject:
"Hey, my daughter just found a new boyfriend. Why don't you guys help me discuss if he's suitable for my daughter?
Is he a good match?"
When it came to children's boyfriends and the like, everyone's interest was clearly higher than when discussing the jinx. They all urged her to hurry up and speak.
"That's wonderful! Tell us quickly."
"Yes, maybe we know your daughter's boyfriend and can help you assess him!"
"Hey, speaking of which, I just remembered. The young girl we were talking about earlier isn't married yet, is she? I think that young girl is excellent. She has property, money, and a career. If that man can marry her, he'll have saved himself decades of hard work. This is a great thing!"
"Yes, that's true!" Hearing someone mention this, some mothers and aunts immediately felt interested.
Some even went straight for it:
"Do any of you know that girl? If so, can you ask her for me? I think my son is quite suitable. He's only just started high school this year, but he has a bright future ahead of him. He's more than enough for that young girl!"
As they chatted, the conversation drifted off course.
But the related rumors did not disappear. Not only did they not disappear, but many people began to set their sights on Ding Yun's marriage.
With her current wealth, most families in the county town couldn't compare, and were quite envious.