Chapter 474 - Chapter 474: Chapter 466: The Xu Family Scandal_1 (2/2)

Xu Zhenchang, as the village chief, though he acted quite diplomatically, was considered a decent man. His family had always been harmonious and was envied by the villagers as a happy household.

However, why was Xu Zhenchang’s wife suddenly making a scene about jumping into the river?

Making a scene, kicking up a fuss, and threatening to hang oneself were basically the trademarks of a shrew.

Xu Zhenchang’s wife did not seem like the shrewish type, so her current threat to jump into the river must mean that a significant family crisis had occurred.

Qin Niu hurried to Xu Zhenchang’s home at the entrance of the village, where some villagers had already gathered to watch the commotion.

Xu Zhenchang’s wife sat on the ground with disheveled hair, her clothes partly torn, exposing her undergarment. Her face was streaked with tears, and she cried pitifully.

“Don’t hold me back, let me die, I really can’t live like this anymore! Even if you stop me now, when you all leave, I will still seek death…wuu…”

She struggled incessantly, her voice filled with despair.

Xu Zhenchang, however, was holding her tightly, while their two children stood by, helpless and unsure of what to do.

“Auntie Shuixiang, what’s going on? Did Uncle Xu bully you?”

Qin Niu was now the most respected figure in the village, wielding great authority.

His arrival made the onlooking villagers step aside, and some were even saying, “Master Qin is here, he will surely be able to persuade Li Shuixiang.”

“You let Xu Zhenchang say it himself, I can’t bring myself to say it!”

Li Shuixiang said angrily.

Xu Zhenchang, on the other hand, looked embarrassed and managed to force a strained smile at Qin Niu.

Qin Niu, catching on to the situation, vaguely guessed part of it.

It was very likely that some scandalous family matter had occurred.

“Everyone disperse! Go back to sleep early, rest well, and if you’re willing to work, you can all come to work in my fields. You won’t be short of your wages.”

Qin Niu had become the largest landlord in the area.

He even owned more farmland than the Yan Family.

However, he also finally understood why the Yan Family only kept around a thousand mu of farmland.

Having farmland without people to work and manage it doesn’t lead to profit; in fact, you have to invest a significant amount of money into it every year. For example, land tax is a considerable expense.

Moreover, buying ten acres of good land seems like it only requires a little over a hundred Silver Money to secure.

But the subsequent expenses, like hiring farmers, buying seeds, fertilizers, pest control, and weeding are all significant costs. And no matter if the harvest is good or bad, these expenses are incurred annually.

You can only consume as much as your appetite can handle.

The Yan Family had grown gradually and had much richer experience than the nouveau riche Qin Niu.

Although the crowd was reluctant, they dispersed at Qin Niu’s command, as no one dared to disobey. They left one after another.

Qin Niu then said to the couple, “Let’s go inside and talk about whatever’s going on.”

Xu Zhenchang and his wife followed him inside.

Their two children also came in.

“Er Dan, take them outside to play. I’ll have a talk with Uncle Xu and Auntie,” Qin Niu said.

Er Dan immediately took Xu Zhenchang’s children outside to play.

Er Dan’s father and mother, sensing the situation, closed the door discreetly and waited outside as well.

A family’s dirty laundry should not be aired in public.

Xu Zhenchang’s family matters were certainly not for others to hear.

“Now that there’s no one else here, tell me what exactly happened?”

Qin Niu didn’t really wish to get involved in other people’s domestic affairs, but Xu Zhenchang had helped him a lot, and now that the Xu family was in trouble, he couldn’t just ignore it.

“He, he… this heartless man, actually got involved with Liu Qing’s wife…”

“Keep your voice down, lower your voice!”

Xu Zhenchang quickly covered his wife’s mouth, looking as if he feared being overheard, with the guilty conscience of a thief.

Liu Qing was Liu Shengli’s cousin.

His wife was very beautiful but was known for being a bit lazy and gluttonous. Moreover, it was rumored that she was somewhat flirtatious.

Men, even if they don’t have a chance, will still try to create opportunities to cozy up to a beautiful woman.

Liu Qing’s wife being a flirt, it was only a matter of time before she would stray.

Liu Qing himself was not too bright, and many people called him ‘Silly Liu’ behind his back.

“Daring to cheat, yet scared of being talked about!”

Li Shuixiang cursed.