NOVPUB
Chapter 210: Chapter 203 Compensation
Being bitten in such an embarrassing place, Second Aunt wasn’t about to go wash in someone else’s soapy water. Besides, she had already washed at home.
Shen Yunfang, of course, knew that after a dog bite, you needed to get a rabies vaccination, but in those times, such vaccinations might not have been available, and she had also heard of this folk remedy of washing with soapy water, which was said to be quite effective. She reassured herself in her heart. 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"No need, soap isn’t some precious commodity, and we have it at home, so I can just go back and wash," Second Aunt hastily waved her hands and refused.
Upon hearing this, Dashuan’s wife wasn’t upset but instead chuckled again, "Ah, that’s really nice, Auntie. You’ve got such good fortune, with your daughter married off to the city, your home doesn’t lack for anything, unlike us, who have to grit our teeth and stomp our feet even just to buy a bar of soap."
Puffed up by these flattering words, Second Aunt held her head high and started feeling smug again.
"Auntie, where exactly did Taxue bite you? With Taxue’s timid nature, I thought it would only ever strut around its own den. Never expected it to actually grow bolshy and dare to bite someone. Auntie, tell me, what exactly happened?" Dashuan’s wife asked amiably and with a laugh.
Second Aunt subconsciously touched her buttocks but then instantly realized that her gesture was inappropriate and quickly raised her hand to touch her hair instead.
Dashuan’s wife and Shen Yunfang, of course, saw this and all four of their eyes were firmly fixed on her. Dashuan’s wife silently signalled Shen Yunfang with a glance, and they both understood, guessing that the bite must’ve been in an unmentionable spot. Otherwise, with Second Aunt’s temperament, she would’ve displayed her wounds for the whole world to see.
"Oh, it’s not really that serious of an injury, I’m an adult who doesn’t hold grudges over childish behaviors, but I need to have a serious talk with you. From now on, you should keep your dog tied up. It’s not a big deal that it bit me, but if it bit someone else, they might not be as forgiving," Second Aunt said.
So she recounted the dog bite incident she had fabricated in her mind. Of course, in her story, she was utterly innocent, simply walking down the road when the crazed Taxue bit her.
"Can you blame me? Now, whenever I think back to this morning’s event, my heart races. Ouch, I feel unwell, like I have no strength in my body," Second Aunt raised her hand to her forehead and leaned towards Shen Yunfang, of course peeking out from under her palm.
Shen Yunfang and Dashuan’s wife hastened to steady her, as it wouldn’t be good at all if she were to collapse right in front of her home.
"Second Aunt, what’s the matter with you? Sister-in-law, please help..." Shen Yunfang said while supporting her.
Second Aunt was pleased, thinking they would finally let her into the house.
"Could you please go to my Second Uncle’s house and let them know, ask my Second Uncle to come quickly? What are we going to do?" Shen Yunfang wore an expression of utter helplessness.
"Okay, you hold on to her, I’ll go right now." Dashuan’s wife turned to leave.
"Hey, wait, wait, there’s no need to find anyone. It’s just blood loss and a bit of dizziness. Yunfang, if you help me inside to lie down for a bit, I should be fine," Second Aunt hurriedly stood up straight and held onto her. If Dashuan’s wife left, her plan would be ruined.
Dashuan’s wife and Shen Yunfang exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised. Second Aunt had come over saying so much, repeatedly expressing a desire to enter the house—this was unusual. Could there be something going on inside?
Shen Yunfang shook her head covertly at Dashuan’s wife, signaling that she couldn’t let her in.
Dashuan’s wife got the hint and immediately said, "Oh no, that won’t do. Her dog, Taxue, is something else. It guards not only its food but its territory too. Yunfang’s place is off-limits to everyone; it bites anyone who enters, even me, and I’m always around, yet it still won’t let me in."
"How can that be? A few days ago, weren’t your mother-in-law and sister-in-law staying at Yunfang’s for a while? How did they manage to get in then?" Second Aunt clearly didn’t believe it; no dog behaves like this, being more authoritative than its owner, deciding who comes and goes in the house.
"Back then, Taxue was forcibly tied up by my husband and dragged to our house, where it was locked away for more than ten days. Only in the last few days has it been let back out; it wouldn’t be so bold otherwise. It’s all because of being locked up," Dashuan’s wife blurted out carelessly.
"Why not have your Dashuan come over again..." Second Aunt said naturally.
Dashuan’s wife didn’t even let her finish before continuing, "That won’t do; Taxue holds grudges. Now, it even sees Dashuan as an enemy; every time it’s like it wants to fight to the death. We dare not let him near it."
"So, so..." Second Aunt wanted to say, so my injury was for nothing? No compensation, and I can’t even see how many chickens Yunfang’s family has raised. It would have been a wasted effort.
Seeing what she was up to, Dashuan’s wife hurriedly said to Yunfang, "Why are you being so stubborn? Taxue bit the old lady; as the owner, shouldn’t you at least do something? Go home and bring some eggs for the old lady to nourish her."
Shen Yunfang glanced at Second Aunt, saw she didn’t object—probably having the same thought—and nodded. She turned back to her house, took a small basket, and filled it with ten eggs before bringing it out.
"Second Aunt, our family doesn’t have much to offer, so I’m just giving you some eggs to help you recover. We don’t have many; it’s just a gesture," Yunfang said politely, treating Second Aunt as just another neighbor stopping by. If it were a relative of her own, she wouldn’t be like her, blocking the door asking for compensation.
Second Aunt glanced at the basket and saw quite a few eggs; there must have been more than ten, making her feel satisfied.
Dashuan’s wife was quick to notice and immediately approached to take the basket, saying, "The old lady is weak; I’ll carry it for her. I’m on my way home too, so let me take it to your house for you, old lady. We wouldn’t be at ease letting you go back alone in your condition."
After speaking, she gave Shen Yunfang a meaningful look, then began walking towards the settlement helping the old lady and carrying the basket.
Although Second Aunt didn’t manage to enter Yunfang’s home or see exactly how many chickens she had, she was temporarily content to have gotten the eggs and went along with Dashuan’s wife.
On the way, Second Aunt was still not giving up and tried to probe Dashuan’s wife for information, "Dashuan’s wife, since you live closest to Yunfang’s, did she really raise a bunch of hens?"
Dashuan’s wife had a thought then casually asked, "What do you mean? I wasn’t aware that Yunfang had raised a bunch of chickens."
"Oh, come on, there’s no point in hiding it. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t keep it a secret. I’ve heard people talk; the word in Taoshu Village is that Yunfang’s place is teeming with hens and her yard is nearly overflowing. I suspect her mother-in-law must’ve seen it when she was staying over and then bragged about it once she returned. Isn’t that right?" Second Aunt eyed Dashuan’s wife’s expression, trying to discern some truth from it.
"Heh, so that’s what this is about. What an exaggeration. I do know that Yunfang raised some hens, as we hatched them together at the beginning, but how has it turned into such a tall tale? All these hens and the yard not big enough to contain them? If that were the case, why would Yunfang go to work or farm at all? She might as well just stay home and collect eggs. Plus, how would she even feed all those chickens? Yunfang is just one person, and it’s hard enough for her to feed herself with what little she earns, let alone a flock of chickens. Whoever spreads such tales clearly doesn’t think," Dashuan’s wife expressed her contempt.
