Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Gathering and Scattering of Thunder
Adding a child to the family is a joyous occasion; every birth is cause for celebration.
But who ever heard of a midwife making a midnight call, insisting on silence?
Sensing something amiss, Lin Chunju’s body wouldn’t stop trembling.
Ma Shulin hurriedly offered comfort, “Big sister-in-law, don’t worry. Let’s go over to Ma Jinbao’s place right now.”
Yue Jiandong saw his mother about to collapse and promptly picked up Yue Qingqing from her arms, while supporting his mother with his other hand as they headed towards Ma Jinbao’s house.
The woman who had been talking also realized something was wrong.
It was highly unusual for a child to be born without the maternal family being notified. There surely must be something fishy going on.
This woman was also known for her love of gossip, which was why she had struck up a conversation with Lin Chunju and the others.
She quickly called over a few sisters with a similar fondness for excitement, and they all followed along.
The village men were mostly out rushing to harvest their crops, while the women sat in front of their houses, washing clothes or sewing shoe soles.
Looking up and seeing this group in a hurry, they immediately asked, “Where are you all off to in such a hurry?”
The woman in the lead explained the situation, and these others also became intrigued. Dropping their work, they followed as well.
Soon after, a crowd of women was trailing behind Lin Chunju and the others.
Lin Chunju was beside herself with anxiety, no longer able to manage the crowd.
“Big brother, support mother and walk faster. She’s feeling uneasy.”
Yue Jiandong promptly responded, quickening his pace.
Just then, a rumbling sound came from the sky.
The sky had been clear moments before, when, out of nowhere, a mass of dark clouds gathered and floated directly above Jinshan Village.
“Oh no, what’s happening to the sky?”
“It’s all over, what about the crops in the field? I have to go check.”
“I still have quilts out drying in my yard. I need to go back and bring them in.”
As the thunder rumbled, the crowd was on the verge of scattering like birds and beasts, but then, inexplicably, the dark clouds dispersed.
The bright sun reappeared as if nothing had happened, as though it had all been an illusion.
“How did it disperse so suddenly?”
“I thought we were in for a thunderstorm.”
The group couldn’t help but marvel at the changeable weather, but then they settled down and continued to follow for the spectacle.
However, Lin Chunju could barely stand; she vividly remembered the oath sworn by Ma Jinbao’s family.
If they treated Xiaofang poorly, let lightning strike them dead.
What on earth had happened to Xiaofang? The thunder had come, yet it had also dispersed.
Yue Qingqing looked gravely towards Ma Jinbao’s house; she had sensed the fluctuations of the Heart-Seeking Curse, which ultimately had not taken shape. Probably there had been a hitch.
Meanwhile, inside Ma Jinbao’s house,
Ma Cuicui collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears.
“Mom, it’s too terrifying, I can’t do this anymore, I don’t want to be struck by lightning.”
Li Zhao Di was also startled but still cursed vehemently, “Nonsense, you good-for-nothing girl, hurry up. Don’t let Yue Xiaofang’s family come knocking.”
Ma Cuicui shook her head desperately, “No, if you want to do it, you do it yourself. I don’t want to touch her.”
She was acutely aware that if she truly made a move, that rumbling thunder would surely strike down on her without mercy.
Not far away, on the bed, Yue Xiaofang lay unconscious, her body drenched in sweat, the bloodstained sheet beneath her drying, with more breaths out than in.
But Li Zhao Di was still not at ease, fearing that the daughter-in-law’s family would come looking for them, and that Yue Xiaofang would wake up and accuse them.
She had experienced their ruthlessness before, and if these people found out what had happened, her own life would likely be at stake.
Frustratingly, Ma Cuicui was as timid as a mouse, scared into sitting on the ground by a mere thunderclap, so utterly useless.
The voice of Ma Zhuzi came from the outer room, “Stop the noise and get this dealt with quickly.”
Li Zhao Di had no choice but to glare fiercely at her daughter, then picked up the pillow that Ma Cuicui had inadvertently dropped on the floor.
“Get out of the way; it seems I must do this myself.”
Step by step, she approached the bed, looking down at Yue Xiaofang from her imposing height.
“It’s your own fault for giving birth to a money-losing good-for-nothing. Better luck in your next life,” she said.
After her words, the pillow in her hand descended.