Xingyu Village, a group of women stood far off at the entrance of a courtyard, looking at the funeral hall draped in white cloth. A frail boy knelt on the ground, occasionally burning paper money.
"Truly unfortunate, his father, mother, and brother are all gone, and now only left with a good-for-nothing sister-in-law. This child probably won't survive for long."
"I think so too. That Lin Qiao girl is really heartless. It's been two days since her mother-in-law died, and she hasn't shown her face."
"How come she hasn't shown up! Just yesterday, I saw her talking with Zhang Dong over at the back slope."
"What a useless person. Tingfan's mother treated her well, yet I've never seen her do laundry."
"Isn't it obvious, I say it must be that cursed Lin Qiao causing all this. You'll see, it will be the same for Tingfan..."
"You women have too much time on your hands and nothing to do? Instead of gossiping about others, why not go home and check if your porridge is ready?"
