All eyes fell on Wen Wan. People naturally tend to sympathize with the weaker party. Seeing Lin Zhenzhen’s pitiful, tearful appearance, many felt that this was just a small conflict between girls—not something that warranted kneeling in apology.
“The rumors weren’t even spread by her. She’s already apologized—why not just let it go?” an older woman said.
“Exactly, it’s not worth making such a big scene. Zhenzhen, get up.”
With reddened eyes, Lin Zhenzhen looked at Wen Wan, clearly determined to keep kneeling unless Wen Wan spoke.
Wen Wan sneered inwardly. These tactics were so typical of Lin Zhenzhen—playing weak, moral coercion, manipulating public opinion.
Since she insisted on putting her on the spot like this, then fine.
She could act too.
A mist quickly formed in Wen Wan’s eyes, but the tears lingered without falling, making her look composed yet innocent.
“When rumors were attacking me, you played innocent and said nothing to explain.”
“Now that everyone knows the truth, you kneel to force me to accept your apology.”
“So is it that as long as someone kneels and says sorry, they’re justified and should be forgiven?”
“Then what about the harm I suffered?”
Wen Wan spoke slowly, each word tinged with emotion. Though she didn’t cry, her expression was even more heartbreaking than tears.
She was right—she was the one wronged in this situation. The job had been assigned to her by the factory, and she had done it well.
Honestly, her voice was even better than Lin Zhenzhen’s—her Mandarin sounded just like a professional broadcaster from the national radio.
Wen Wan had been wronged but hadn’t made a public fuss or cried dramatically.
On the contrary, Lin Zhenzhen’s kneeling clearly felt like she was pressuring Wen Wan.
Seeing no one defending her anymore, even the person who had tried to help Lin Zhenzhen up let go.
Her face turned pale. Kneeling there, she didn’t know whether to stand or remain.
“Zhenzhen, don’t kneel to her. This isn’t your fault!”
A young man pushed through the crowd and rushed forward, half-pulling, half-lifting Lin Zhenzhen up from the ground.
He glared fiercely at Wen Wan. “She’s your sister. She always thinks of you first, and yet you’re so vicious.”
Lin Zhenzhen pretended to tug at him. “Stop talking… it’s not my sister’s fault. This is all my mistake.”
Wen Wan roughly guessed that he was Chen Yong—Lin Zhenzhen’s number one admirer.
Her expression instantly turned cold. “My mother only gave birth to me. I don’t have a sister.”
Lin Zhenzhen shook her head, crying. “It’s all my fault. Stop arguing. Let’s go. I’ll post the apology letter on the bulletin board.”
Chen Yong looked heartbroken. “You’re just going to let her bully you like this? This isn’t even your fault.”
All Lin Zhenzhen wanted now was to leave.
She hadn’t expected that kneeling wouldn’t make people think Wen Wan was bullying her—instead, Wen Wan had turned it around again.
Luckily, Chen Yong showed up.
She could use the moment to leave.
“Wait!” Wen Wan suddenly spoke. “Since everyone is here, it’s better to make things clear once and for all. We work in the same factory—no need for you to keep bothering me later.”
Chen Yong shot her a threatening look. “What are you trying to do?”
Wen Wan wasn’t afraid at all. She looked directly at Lin Zhenzhen.
Lin Zhenzhen’s face turned pale. She already had a bad feeling about what Wen Wan was about to say. Their eyes met, filled with hatred.
“Lin Zhenzhen—your mother Zhao Yan and Wen Qingfeng forced me into marriage and even drugged me. I’ve already cut off all ties with Wen Qingfeng.”
“My name is now Lu Wan on my household registration. You are not my sister. The fact that I don’t hate you already shows my generosity. Don’t provoke me again.”
“Since everyone is here today, be my witness: I won’t pursue anything from the past. But if Lin Zhenzhen harasses me again, she’s asking for trouble. I’ll report it to the police.”
Her words caused an uproar in the crowd.
So Zhao Yan really was Lu Wan’s stepmother.
What Zhao Yan and Wen Qingfeng did was so immoral that it forced Lu Wan to sever ties—and yet Lin Zhenzhen still came to bother her. Wasn’t that just deliberately disgusting?
“This wasn’t Zhenzhen’s doing. It has nothing to do with her. You’re taking your anger out on the wrong person,” Chen Yong said.
“Clean the crap out of your brain before you speak. Stop embarrassing yourself here,” Lu Wan replied coldly, her eyes full of disdain.
Laughter broke out from the crowd. Chen Yong was truly making a fool of himself.
Furious and humiliated, Chen Yong snapped, “Don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re a woman!”
He usually acted arrogantly in the factory because his father was a director.
But Lu Wan showed him no respect at all—and in front of his “goddess,” no less.
Lu Wan glanced at him casually, saying nothing, but her look was as if she were staring at an idiot.
No wonder Lin Zhenzhen could toy with him so easily. With that kind of brain, he deserved it.
Enraged by her look, Chen Yong pointed at her, clearly at the edge of losing control, ready to strike at any moment.
“Stop!”