The area was packed with villagers, three layers deep inside and out. The moment they heard the Tang family’s eldest son say that, everyone’s jaws dropped.
They had seen foolish people before, but never anyone this stupid.
How could someone be so incredibly dense?
Someone shouted,
“So your whole family knew Tang Jinhua was someone else’s mistress? You just kept deceiving the Li family? That’s disgusting!”
“Exactly! So that’s the kind of people you are!”
The crowd instantly erupted.
People in those days still held traditional values. It wasn’t like in later generations, where many people shrugged off affairs as long as money was involved.
People laughed at poverty, not immorality.
Tang Shangen immediately slapped his eldest son across the head.
As for the rest of the beating…
He didn’t need to do it himself.
The Li family had arrived.
The deceased Little Li still had two older brothers. After hearing the news, how could they possibly swallow such humiliation?
They immediately gathered their brothers, grabbed whatever weapons they could find, and charged straight toward the Tang family.
The moment they arrived, curses flew from every direction.
Seeing the Li family coming, the surrounding villagers stepped aside.
“So that’s why you were in such a hurry to marry into our family! You didn’t even ask for a bride price. Turns out you’d been setting us up all along!”
“Damn it! Buy one, get two free? Have you no shame?”
“What are you all standing around for? Get them!”
The Tang family was beaten until their faces were bruised and swollen.
Finally, Tang Shangen shouted angrily,
“What proof do you have? I’ll sue all of you for slander!”
The Li family sneered.
“What a coincidence. We’re planning to report you too.”
“Come with us to see your precious daughter. Let’s find out whether she’s sitting in the police station.”
Standing on a nearby hillside, Xu Nianchu couldn’t stop smiling.
She loved seeing the Tang family beaten black and blue.
No wonder criminals liked returning to the scene of the crime.
Watching everything unfold in person…
Really was satisfying.
She waved her sleeve and quietly left without taking a single cloud with her.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring village, the Chen family was experiencing the exact same chaos.
Their household had become complete pandemonium.
After returning to the hospital, she stayed with Xu Xinglin through breakfast before heading to find Lu Beichen.
He had said the previous night that he would handle everything concerning Wu Chi, so she no longer needed to worry about it.
However, there were still matters involving her scumbag father that required his help.
Remembering that he hadn’t seemed fond of apples last time, she brought him a bag of pears instead.
As soon as she entered, Old Madam Lu warmly greeted her.
“Comrade Xiao Xu, come in, come in.”
Noticing the pears in her hands, she smiled.
“Don’t bring gifts next time. We should be the ones thanking you.”
“After taking your medicine, the old man’s illness no longer bothers him at night. He sleeps soundly until morning.”
Nothing was more important than a good night’s sleep.
Once someone slept well, everything else improved.
Old Madam Lu looked at Xu Nianchu much more affectionately now.
She had someone bring over a small box.
“Take a look. I think young ladies like things like this.”
Xu Nianchu opened it.
Inside was a ring set with a ruby the size of a pigeon’s egg.
“Do you like it? Though it’s rather flashy, so you’d better keep it hidden.”
Xu Nianchu nodded.
“But it’s far too valuable.”
“Uncle Lu has already helped me so much, and Grandpa Lu has treated me so kindly. Treating his illness is only natural.”
“I can’t accept this.”
Seeing that Xu Nianchu absolutely refused to take it, Meng Qi’an sighed helplessly.
Instead, she took out a thick stack of ration coupons from her pocket.
“We’re all old people here. We can’t possibly use all these coupons.”
“Take them instead.”
Seeing that Old Madam Lu clearly wouldn’t let her leave empty-handed, Xu Nianchu had no choice but to accept them.
Just then, Lu Beichen and Old Master Lu returned.
The moment he entered, Old Master Lu greeted her.
“Xiao Xu, I heard about what happened at your home.”
“Your father is truly disgraceful.”
“You and your younger brother should move in with us.”
“This house is empty anyway. Just think of it as your grandfather letting his granddaughter stay here.”
Xu Nianchu smiled.
“Thank you, Grandpa Lu.”
“What happened last night really was dangerous.”
“Then I’ll gladly accept your kindness.”
“I promise I’ll nurse you back to perfect health.”
“You little rascal.”
Looking at Lu Beichen, who stood behind the old man with his usual relaxed expression, she softly greeted him,
“Hello, Uncle.”
Lu Beichen’s face immediately darkened.
“Am I really that old?”
Xu Nianchu answered weakly,
“I’m just following seniority…”
Seeing this, Meng Qi’an immediately defended her.
“Don’t listen to his nonsense.”
“He just likes scaring people.”
Lu Beichen rolled his eyes.
His mother was impossible.
After chatting for a while, Meng Qi’an went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Xu Nianchu quickly followed.
“Grandma Lu, let me help.”
“I’m actually a really good cook.”
That wasn’t an exaggeration.
Her family had originally run a small restaurant.
By the time she was old enough to remember, however, her father had already expanded it into a chain of restaurants.
The talent still ran in her blood.
Whenever she watched a recipe online, she could recreate the exact flavor almost perfectly.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Lu Beichen absentmindedly played chess with Old Master Lu.
After losing two games in a row, the old man finally couldn’t take it anymore.
He smacked Lu Beichen’s palm with a ruler.
“You’re not paying attention.”
“Your brain’s gone on strike.”
“What are you hiding from me?”
Lu Beichen scratched his head.
“Nothing.”
The old man chuckled.
“Was the Wu Chi incident your doing?”
Lu Beichen instantly tensed.
Nothing ever escaped the old man’s eyes.
“…Yes.”
“You handled it well.”
“Getting rid of a man like him is practically doing justice on heaven’s behalf.”
Seeing the old man wasn’t thinking in the direction he feared, Lu Beichen quietly relaxed.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
He immediately got up to answer it.
Standing outside was Su Bailian, dressed in a white dress with a purple jacket, carrying a plate of shredded pork with garlic sauce.
The moment she saw Lu Beichen, her eyes lit up.
“Brother Beichen! You’re back!”
Lu Beichen simply responded with a calm,
“Mhm.”
Then he turned and walked back inside.
The kitchen was located in the courtyard, giving a clear view of the entrance.
Everything happening at the front door could be seen—and heard.
As Lu Beichen walked past the kitchen, he met Xu Nianchu’s unblinking gaze.
For a moment, he wanted to explain something.
Then he decided it would only be unnecessary.
Frowning slightly, he continued into the house.
Seeing that the dishes were nearly finished, Old Madam Lu said,
“Xiao Xu, go sit in the living room.”
“All that’s left is carrying the dishes. Xiao Li can do that.”
The young orderly, Xiao Li, immediately stood up.
“I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”
The Lu family’s serving platters were large and heavy.
Since there was free labor available, Xu Nianchu happily accepted.
Linking arms with Old Madam Lu, she headed into the living room.
Old Master Lu sat at the seat of honor.
Su Bailian was seated beside Lu Beichen.
Xu Nianchu noticed an empty seat directly across from them.
Instead of choosing another spot, she sat there.
In that instant…
Everything became clear.
This young woman certainly had courage.
Even with Lu Beichen’s sharp tongue, someone still pursued him.
His face really was too handsome.
She found herself staring at him a little too intently.
Lu Beichen smiled faintly.
“Is there something on my face?”
“You’ve been staring at me.”
Xu Nianchu immediately looked away awkwardly.
Even the tips of her ears turned red.
This man…
As expected, he really did have a poisonous tongue.
She wasn’t wrong.
Someone that handsome was naturally meant to be admired.
Yet he just had to say it out loud.
Now her face alternated between red and pale from embarrassment.
Beside him, however, Su Bailian’s alarm bells immediately rang.
Maintaining a gentle smile, she looked toward Xu Nianchu.
“And who might this young lady be?”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
“Please don’t mind him.”
“Brother Beichen has always spoken like that ever since he was little.”