The elderly lady next door, unable to bear watching them leave with nothing, thought they must have no food and brought them some. The two, starving, devoured the meal as soon as they received it.
Seeing her, Zhang Tieshan had an idea and pleaded, "Auntie, you know my wife and I have a good relationship. I know I was wrong this time. Can you put in a good word for me with Feixue? If you help me get through this difficult time, I'll give you two taels of silver as a reward."
The auntie, who already enjoyed meddling, was going to speak to Gao Feixue anyway when she saw her. After all, they had been neighbors for so many years, and she considered herself an elder. Of course, she could only offer advice, and whether it was heeded or not was up to Gao Feixue.
She hadn't expected Zhang Tieshan to promise her two taels of silver. This was an unexpected bonus. While two taels of silver wasn't much for the Gao family, who earned money quickly with their skills, it was a significant income for her own household.
She was moved and quickly agreed, "Don't worry, this is on me."
So, the next morning, as Wu Caiwei stepped out with her vegetable basket, she encountered the auntie from next door. She immediately frowned. If she wasn't mistaken, the auntie seemed to be waiting for her specifically.
Wu Caiwei nodded faintly and offered a smiling greeting.
Just as she expected, as she walked onto the street, the auntie naturally fell into step beside her, saying enthusiastically, "Yesterday, the siblings apologized at your doorstep all day. They were tired and thirsty, and I couldn't bear to see them suffer, so I offered them some food. They also asked me to act as a go-between. Originally, I didn't agree, but then I thought about how we've been neighbors for so many years, and your parents are gone, so I'll assume the role of an elder and have a chat with you."
Wu Caiwei stopped, her eyes fixed on the auntie. In her memory, the auntie had always been very kind and not malicious. She said politely, "We've been neighbors for so many years. You watched me grow up, so you should be very clear about my personality and temper. If you're here today to plead for the siblings, there's no need. I will never forgive them in this lifetime."
The auntie was flustered upon hearing this, afraid her two taels of silver would disappear. She quickly said, "Why are you so stubborn, child? You chased the siblings out in front of so many people yesterday, and they've apologized to you. You've saved face; just let it go with my help. I know you're angry with him, but his intentions were good. How many men in this world truly care about a woman giving birth? This opportunity won't come again."
Wu Caiwei had long guessed they would twist the truth to gain sympathy, and she understood the auntie's perspective. She looked at her earnestly, "Auntie, I know you mean well for me, but do you know why Zhang Tiehua has never married all these years? It's because she and Zhang Tieshan are truly a couple. Why did they pretend to be siblings? And why didn't they want me to have children? Think about the reasons carefully."
The auntie could hardly believe her ears, her mouth agape in shock. "No, it couldn't be!"
But looking at Wu Caiwei's meaningful expression, she felt this was the truth. How much Gao Feixue cared about Zhang Tieshan in the past was evident to everyone, which could explain why Feixue had changed so much in such a short time and why Zhang Tiehua had rejected all the young men who came to propose.
She recalled a snowy morning ten years ago. When she opened her door, she saw the brother and sister collapsed in front of her house. She was terrified and immediately called for help. The siblings were carried into her home, a doctor was called, and after a few days of medicine, they began to recover. But then another problem arose. Her family was not well-off, and the medical expenses for the two almost overwhelmed her, let alone raising them.
Finally, Gao's father couldn't stand it. Thinking his household wasn't lacking enough food for two more children, he brought them home. From then on, Zhang Tieshan became Gao Feixue's shadow, always trying to please her. Su Dan Novel Network.
Gao's father had no intention of marrying his daughter off, and Zhang Tieshan had nowhere to go. They had grown up together, and by the time they were of marriageable age, with their consent, a wedding was held. After they married, the couple was loving, but they had no children. Every day, Gao's father and mother worried about Gao Feixue's barren womb. Within a few years, both parents fell ill and passed away regrettably.
Thinking that they had ulterior motives from the moment they met, the auntie's heart grew cold, and she was filled with guilt. If she hadn't meddled and shown misplaced kindness, none of these events would have occurred.
Gao Feixue was satisfied watching the auntie fall into thought. She then turned and continued walking down the street. He wanted to gain sympathy? Well, she would expose his true colors.
In fact, Wu Caiwei deduced the true relationship between Zhang Tieshan and Zhang Tiehua based on the original owner's memories. The original owner was quite naive and never imagined their identities were fabricated. Although she sometimes felt her husband paid too much attention to his sister, she attributed it to them growing up together and having a deeper bond than ordinary siblings, suppressing her discomfort.
After Wu Caiwei arrived, she understood everything by observing their subtle glances at each other.
After eating out for a few days, Wu Caiwei felt that her own cooking was the most delicious. She went to the market to buy some ingredients she liked, preparing to cook a good meal at home. She hadn't failed to notice the deliberate distance people kept from her, perhaps thinking she was too fierce yesterday. Wu Caiwei smiled and nodded at them indifferently. They returned her greeting with some guilt and awkwardness.
Unsurprisingly, when she returned home, she encountered the two persistent nuisances blocking her doorway again. Seeing them trying to cling to her once more, Wu Caiwei said with ill intent, "I've told all the aunties about your true relationship. Don't focus all your energy on me; think about how you're going to explain yourselves to others. Oh, I forgot, you don't need to explain, because it's all true."
The two were stunned. They forgot what they were about to say. "How do you know?" Zhang Tiehua blurted out her question in disbelief.
Wu Caiwei gave them a meaningful look and then slammed the door shut with a "bang." She eagerly anticipated their next move, hoping they wouldn't disappoint her.