Chapter 259: Will Suffer Eventually
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t find any wool, so she resorted to crushing several strands of coarse cotton thread together to thicken it, then she used a hook needle to craft a child’s hat.
The cotton thread was a mix of multiple colors in the first place, resulting in an extraordinarily vibrant look. Bai Ruozhu, using a red thread, added two small red flowers on the side of the hat, adding a cute charm that captured Niuniu’s heart immediately.
"Thank you, Auntie." Niuniu’s voice was very small, slightly timid, but the excitement in her eyes could not be hidden.
Fusa laughed, "Our Niuniu knows to appreciate beauty already. Your mother has not consented yet, are you already accepting it?"
Grasping the hat, Niuniu cast a nervous glance at her mother intending to return the hat to Bai Ruozhu, but the reluctance on her face revealed her dilemma.
Bai Ruozhu cast an unhappy glance at Fusa, "Why are you teasing her? She’s such a well-behaved child. Let your aunty try it on for you to see how it fits."
Because of the hook needle technique, the hat was stretchy. Coupled with Bai Ruozhu’s careful consideration of a five-year-old child’s head circumference, the hat fit Niuniu perfectly.
"Indeed, it fits perfectly. Keep it on, Niuniu. You’re so pretty." Bai Ruozhu praised while patting Niuniu’s head.
The shy Niuniu lowered her head but couldn’t help touching the top of her head, seemingly curious about how she looked with the hat. Bai Ruozhu found it both amusing and poignant. Unlike modern girls who always carried mirrors, these ordinary folks rarely even have a bronze mirror at home.
This made Bai Ruozhu turn to her father and say urgently, "Father, get a basin of water for Niuniu so she can see herself."
Niuniu’s grandmother said embarrassingly, "Don’t bother yourselves, this is too embarrassing."
Bai Yihong had already fetched plenty of water for washing dishes, and he quickly brought over a wooden basin and placed it in front of Niuniu.
Fusa felt embarrassed and said to Bai Yihong, "Uncle Bai, you’re so kind."
"It’s no trouble at all, we have plenty of water on our side." Bai Yihong said with a hearty laugh.
Lin Ping’er held Dengdeng closer to show him, asking with a grin, "Does Sister Niuniu look good? Does Dengdeng want to play with Sister?"
Whether Dengdeng found Niuniu or the hat attractive, he reached out his little hand towards Niuniu. Of course, Lin Ping’er was only joking. Niuniu, being so young, could hardly take care of Dengdeng.
Niuniu, who had been captivated by her reflection in the water basin, looked left and right bashfully. She turned to Bai Ruozhu happily, "This hat is so nice, Sister, you’re so beautiful and skillful!"
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes lit up. Look how eloquent this little girl was, calling her sister.
Fusa, laughing, poked Niuniu’s head, saying, "You silly girl, how can you call Ruozhu sister? Isn’t this a messed-up hierarchy?"
Niuniu looked up at her mother earnestly and replied, "But she’s like a sister, not as old as an auntie."
Bai Ruozhu laughed, her eyes squinting and she waved at Fusa, "If the child wants to call me sister, don’t stop her. She’s made me feel younger, which I’m happy about."
Bai Ruozhu’s words elicited laughter from both families. Niuniu’s grandmother chuckled, looking at Bai Ruozhu, "The hat you made is really unique, and you’re so skillful. No wonder my granddaughter likes you."
Bai Ruozhu, feeling shy replied, "Auntie, please stop praising me, it would be a laughing matter for everyone else."
"But I speak the truth." Niuniu’s grandmother replied with a smile.
Bai Ruozhu found Niuniu’s grandmother quite personable. She seemed to harbour no resentment towards Fusa, and adored Niuniu immensely. Bai Ruozhu sighed in relief. Not every mother-in-law was a wicked one, it seemed she had overthought this.
Just as the atmosphere got cordial, a flattering figure appeared near Bai Family’s stall. However, she seemed quite furious and practically ran towards them.
By the time Bai Ruozhu noticed Du Fuling, she was already rushing towards her, aiming to slap her. Having had self-defense training, Bai Ruozhu managed to dodge it but she did not use the same tactic that she used against her mother Wang. She didn’t trip Du Fuling.
After all, she was Du Zhongshu’s sister, and considering their pleasant collaboration, Bai Ruozhu still wanted to save her some face.
Yet, Du Fuling, having missed her first attempt, lunged again at Bai Ruozhu. Throwing all grace and decorum aside, she seemed like an unhinged woman.
Once again, Bai Ruozhu dodged, but this time Bai Zehao stepped in. He grabbed Du Fuling’s wrist and scolded her angrily, "Who is this crazy woman making a fuss here?"
"Presumptuous! Let go of me right now!" Du Fuling, being accustomed to having her way, yelled angrily at Bai Zehao. Unfortunately, her anger didn’t bother him at all. He looked at her coldly and said, "You want me to let go when you’ve tried to harm my sister without any reason? What were you to do if you went mad again?"
The bystanders at the nearby stalls began talking about Du Fuling, speculating whether her mind had indeed snapped, since she attacked someone like a madwoman.
Du Fuling suddenly began crying, "Let go of me! It’s all Bai Ruozhu’s fault that I’m going to be sent back home. It’s already hard enough for me to get out once, and because of her, I can’t even unwind properly." As she wept, she kept pointing at Bai Ruozhu, looking extraordinarily pitiful.
On seeing her tears, Bai Zehao quickly released her hand, but he stayed in front of Bai Ruozhu, afraid that the woman might attack his sister again.
Bai Ruozhu reassured her brother with a pat, indicating that he didn’t need to worry. She then stepped out from behind Bai Zehao and addressed Du Fuling, "Miss Du, you’re no longer young. Can’t you think carefully before you speak or act? You accuse me of harming you, but have you considered who has been harassing whom, and who doesn’t know when to stop making a fuss? If you don’t heed my words, consider them unsaid. However, I must remind you once more, your personality will eventually lead you into trouble. Even if your parents are indulgent, they can’t protect you forever."
Du Fuling cried even harder, "I don’t want to go back home. I promise I won’t bother you anymore, just ask my brother not to send me back."
Bai Ruozhu felt a twitch at the corner of her mouth. Was she close to this girl? Why should she help her plead her case? This young lady seemed to be too used to being the center of attention.
Just then, Du Zhongshu arrived with several attendants. He angrily asked Du Fuling, "What nonsensical behavior are you up to now? Miss Bai has already told you she doesn’t know anything, you won’t find any answers here by asking more."
Du Fuling’s cries intensified, "I won’t ask anymore. I just don’t want to go back home. I’m not going to make any trouble anymore. Brother, please don’t make me go back home, alright?"