Lin Zhen gently patted Heidan’s head.
“From now on, I’ll teach you how to fight, and when you can, go beat up those Lin family members who’ve hurt you. Even if they claim to be your brothers, go ahead and do it. Don’t be scared. If any of the Lin family adults dare to hit you, I won’t hold back either.”
Heidan nodded vigorously, while Lin Dahai and Deng Chunhua’s faces turned green.
Lin Zhen ignored Lin Dahai’s darkening face and continued, “Also, I’ve been back in the village for a while now and heard some pretty interesting things. Why is it that everyone in the Lin family looks like my grandpa, except for you? Not a single feature matches with the old couple. Don’t tell me you’re some wild bastard brought in from who-knows-where? Oh wait, the old lady probably knows where you came from.”
Lin Dahai’s already bruised and battered face turned even more colorful—purple with fury, green with embarrassment. He seemed on the verge of exploding but held back, knowing he couldn’t win against Lin Zhen in a fight.
The surrounding crowd of gossip-hungry villagers stirred, adding fuel to the fire.
“We’ve always said it—Lin Dahai doesn’t look like anyone else in the Lin family.”
“Right? The old man and his brothers have a pretty distinctive look, especially those eyebrows and noses. All their kids inherited some of their features, except for Lin Dahai—he’s completely different.”
“I asked the old lady about it once, and she chased me out with a broom! Doesn’t that say something?”
Lin Dahai wobbled slightly, almost unable to stand upright.
Deng Chunhua quickly supported him. “Nonsense! Dahai is obviously part of the Lin family. He just looks better than the rest of them—you’re all just jealous!”
Then Deng Chunhua pointed a trembling finger at Song Wei.
“You shameless little tramp, throwing yourself at Lin Zhen! I’m going to report you both!”
Clearly, Deng Chunhua was still holding a grudge over the kick Song Wei had delivered earlier.
Her outburst redirected the villagers’ attention to Song Wei. Remembering the recent rumors, they began casting skeptical and judgmental glances her way.
Lin Zhen immediately stepped in.
“Don’t spout nonsense. I’m the one pursuing Song Zhiqing!”
His voice rang out loud and clear.
Song Wei froze, her face flushing as she stared at him in shock.
What?!
The villagers’ eyes sparkled with excitement as the drama unfolded.
Lin Zhen, unfazed, glanced at Song Wei and, seeing that she wasn’t angry, stood his ground.
“We’re both single. Song Zhiqing is such an amazing woman—what’s wrong with me openly courting her? How does that count as doing something improper?”
He then smirked and added, “Speaking of improper behavior…”
Song Wei, recovering from her surprise, interrupted smoothly.
“Turns out you’re Heidan’s uncle, Lin Dahai. Funny thing—I was at the hospital the other day helping Lin Zhen buy medicine and overheard a woman talking about being pregnant. She was asking a man when he was going to divorce his wife and marry her. That man’s name? Lin Dahai. At the time, I thought it was just a coincidence, but wow, what are the odds?”
Her words landed like a bombshell, stunning the crowd into silence for several seconds.
Then chaos erupted.
While the villagers buzzed with excitement over the juicy gossip, Lin Dahai reacted like a cat whose tail had been stomped on.
“That’s a lie! You’re slandering me!”
Deng Chunhua, meanwhile, stood frozen as if struck by lightning. Then, with a shriek, she lunged at Song Wei.
“You filthy little liar! You just can’t stand to see us happy, can you? I’ve given Dahai two children—he would never cheat on me! You’re making this up to ruin us!”
She glared daggers at Song Wei, her face twisted with rage.
Lin Zhen casually pushed her away.
“Song Zhiqing isn’t lying. That woman? I know who she is. Liu Chunyan—she’s the sister of a temp worker in their factory.”
Song Wei raised an eyebrow, impressed. So Lin Zhen had actually done some digging.
The villagers were equally stunned, and the old ladies immediately began chattering animatedly.
“So it’s true! Lin Dahai really is cheating! Didn’t the old lady always brag about him being a factory worker, saying he’d succeed in the future? Well, he’s sure done something!”
“I always thought Lin Dahai seemed decent, but I guess not.”
“Decent? Are you kidding? He’s always acted like he’s better than everyone else. When you greet him, he barely even acknowledges you, like he’s some kind of big shot.”
“And he used to claim his family treated Heidan so well. Yeah, right! We all saw how Heidan looked after living with them—skinny and covered in bruises. That poor kid was better off when he was staying with his granduncle.”
“And don’t forget—they even ate the milk powder Lin Zhen sent for Heidan. Can you imagine?”
“I used to think Lin Dahai was the only decent one in that family, but turns out he’s just as bad as the rest of them.”
“So what does this Liu Chunyan look like? She’s pregnant? Isn’t that illegal?”
In this era, extramarital affairs were not only scandalous but also illegal.
Lin Dahai’s face turned ghostly pale, beads of cold sweat dripping down his temple. His bloodshot eyes darted between Lin Zhen and Song Wei, as if trying to find a way out.
Lin Zhen merely crossed his arms, staring at him coldly.
Deng Chunhua, meanwhile, was in full meltdown mode, slapping and screaming at Lin Dahai.
“Tell me the truth! Is it true? Are you really cheating on me? I’ve been raising your children and taking care of your parents, and this is how you repay me? I’ll tell you right now—don’t even think about divorcing me!”
“Shut up!” Lin Dahai snapped, his frustration boiling over.
“Do you want to see me get arrested?”
Arrested…
The word hung in the air. Deng Chunhua’s fury simmered down—she couldn’t afford to lose her husband.
Lin Dahai took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.
“Liu Chunyan does exist, but her child isn’t mine. We’re just acquaintances—I was only helping her at the hospital. Song Zhiqing must have misheard or made it up.”
Lin Dahai’s ability to spin a story was impressive, but Song Wei wasn’t buying it.
“Oh? So you’re saying you’ll never divorce Deng Chunhua and never marry Liu Chunyan? Funny, Lin Zhen knows where she lives. I wonder how she’d react if she heard that.”
Lin Dahai’s face turned ashen.
“That’s none of my business,” he said hastily before grabbing a sobbing Deng Chunhua and leaving in a hurry.
The villagers began to disperse as well, though it was clear this gossip would keep them entertained for weeks.
A few older women lingered, approaching Song Wei eagerly.
“Song Zhiqing, you really saw it? Heard it all yourself?”
Song Wei nodded confidently, feeling no guilt about exposing Liu Chunyan. After all, the woman knew Lin Dahai was married and chose to be involved anyway.
The old ladies clapped their hands in excitement.
“Then it’s true! Lin Dahai really is cheating. I wonder what this Liu Chunyan looks like…”
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