Chapter 4

Her voice was gentle, but full of grievance. Her eyes even had a layer of mist, making her look particularly pitiful.

Hearing her say this, everyone’s gaze focused on Wang Mingfang. Their eyes clearly said:

“She’s not your real daughter-in-law, so she doesn’t really care.”

Wang Mingfang obviously didn’t expect Xia Qingning, who had always been honest and stupid, to disobey her and even dig a hole for her. After reacting, she quickly said:

“What are you talking about, child? Everyone in the courtyard can see how I treat you. You can’t say such ungrateful things!”

Then she turned to Zhao Cuilan and said sternly:

“Aunt Cuilan, you’re a good person, but your mouth is your downfall. Look at the mess you’ve made today. Apologize to Qingning quickly.”

Wang Mingfang was indeed impressive. In a few words, she shifted the blame back to Zhao Cuilan.

Zhao Cuilan was a hundred percent unwilling to apologize to this useless country girl, but she was afraid that Lu Jingzhe would really take her to the police station. So, she reluctantly said to Xia Qingning:

“Aunt was wrong today. I shouldn’t have said that to you. Aunt is apologizing to you here. Don’t hold it against Aunt.”

Although she could see that Zhao Cuilan wasn’t sincere, Xia Qingning was still satisfied that she had publicly humiliated her and made her apologize.

“That’s right. Don’t talk nonsense in the future. Those who know will think you’re kindly reminding her, but those who don’t know will think you’re deliberately bullying the younger generation,” Wang Mingfang said with a smile.

It was an unintentional remark, but it subtly reminded Zhao Cuilan. Sure enough, the next second, Zhao Cuilan fell for it and started making excuses for herself:

“Yes, yes, Jingzhe, Aunt was just being kind. I just wanted to remind Qingning, this girl, not to do anything that would betray your Lu family.

Everyone knows how she clung to you and forced you to marry her.”

As soon as she said that, Lu Jingzhe’s face instantly darkened. His brows furrowed, and he unconsciously clenched his fists. It was clear that he was trying hard to suppress his anger.

His affair with Xia Qingning, regardless of the circumstances, was not a glorious thing for him as a younger brother to marry his future sister-in-law.

That was also the reason why he hadn’t returned to the army for four years.

This was a family scandal of the Lu family, but an outsider was so carelessly bringing it up. Any decent person would feel ashamed.

Wang Mingfang had deliberately brought up the topic, wanting to use Zhao Cuilan’s words to make Xia Qingning feel embarrassed. Who told her to disobey and contradict her?

At this time, the eyes of the people around them couldn’t help but show a hint of disdain towards Xia Qingning.

Lu Jingzhe’s face was even more ashen, his anger evident.

Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Wang Mingfang pretended to be a good person and tried to smooth things over:

“Oh, why are we talking about this again? It’s been so many years. My Lidong has a child now. Let’s forget about these things. No one is allowed to mention them anymore, so as not to affect the relationship between the two brothers.”

This person was really cunning!

Xia Qingning sighed inwardly. Her words were impeccable. She reminded Lu Jingzhe that he had wronged his older brother by sleeping with his “sister-in-law,” and she also made it clear that she wasn’t holding a grudge, showing their generosity.

But Xia Qingning was no longer the speechless original owner. She wouldn’t swallow this injustice, and she wouldn’t let Wang Mingfang play the good person.

She looked at Wang Mingfang, her anger mixed with certainty, and asked:

“Aunt, wasn’t it you who gave your son, Lu Lidong, the idea to get me into the bed of the drunk Jingzhe?”

This sentence contained too much information. After hearing it, everyone looked at Wang Mingfang, their eyes filled with suspicion and inquiry.

A flash of surprise crossed Lu Jingzhe’s eyes. He looked at Xia Qingning with a scrutinizing gaze, unconsciously furrowing his brows slightly.

Wang Mingfang’s face suddenly changed. She didn’t expect Xia Qingning, who had always been submissive and stupid, to suddenly reveal the truth of that night. But they had done it flawlessly, and she knew that Xia Qingning couldn’t possibly have any evidence now. So, she quickly regained her composure and bit back:

“Oh, Qingning, I know you’re trying to win back your image in Jingzhe’s eyes now that he’s back, but how can you put such a dirty pot on me?

When you first came, Lidong and I were so good to you. We never looked down on you for being from the countryside. We were just waiting for you to reach the age to get your marriage certificate with you.

But you developed those feelings for Jingzhe and did those things, making both brothers, and even the entire Lu family, the laughingstock of everyone. Jingzhe married you afterwards, and Lidong didn’t blame you. Aunt has never been harsh on you all these years. Now you’re saying it was me who made Lidong harm you. Oh, Qingning, you can’t be so ungrateful!”

Wang Mingfang became more and more distressed as she spoke. In the end, she even started to cry. The people around her also started to point fingers at Xia Qingning, saying that she was ungrateful.

In fact, before revealing the truth, Xia Qingning had already anticipated this outcome. After all, the original owner hadn’t explained anything when it happened. It had been four years, and no one would believe her now if she said it.

But her intention was not to make people believe her immediately, but to plant a seed of doubt in their minds.

Seeing that public opinion was on her side, Wang Mingfang became even more fearless. She knew that Xia Qingning didn’t have any evidence now, so she deliberately said:

“Qingning, if you insist that we harmed you, then produce the evidence. As long as you can prove that we harmed you, not only can you call the police to arrest us, but Lidong and I will kneel down and apologize to you.”

Xia Qingning didn’t have any evidence now. She couldn’t say that the book was written this way. But she already had an idea. Since she had already spoken, and no one believed her, she would let them speak for themselves.

“You know in your heart whether you did it or not. Don’t worry, the evidence will be available soon. Aunt, remember what you said today.” Xia Qingning looked at Wang Mingfang with a steady gaze, as if she wanted to see through her hypocritical disguise.

For some reason, although she knew Xia Qingning didn’t have any evidence, Wang Mingfang felt a little uneasy when she was looked at like that. She pretended to be calm and said:

“Then we’ll talk about it when you have the evidence.”

Seeing that Xia Qingning spoke so confidently, there were different voices in the crowd. They started to doubt whether there was something hidden about the “climbing into bed” incident.

Those who have done wrong are always uneasy. Wang Mingfang didn’t want to make things worse. She was afraid that Xia Qingning would say something else later. She looked at the crowd and urged:

“Alright, alright, everyone go back and make dinner.”

Seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, everyone dispersed.

Lu Jingzhe’s gaze swept over Xia Qingning and Wang Mingfang, becoming obscure.

Wang Mingfang seemed to sense something. She turned to look at Lu Jingzhe nervously, and then quickly became eager:

“It must have been tiring on the road, Jingzhe. Come on, let’s go home.” She reached out to help Lu Jingzhe with his bag.

“No need.” Lu Jingzhe’s voice was cold. He avoided Wang Mingfang’s hand and didn’t give her any face.

Wang Mingfang’s hand fell empty, and her smile froze for a moment before quickly returning to normal.

Lu Jingzhe ignored her and turned to greet Li Qiulian, who hadn’t left yet:

“Aunt Li, are you and Uncle doing well?”

“Good, good, we’re both doing well.” Li Qiulian looked at Lu Jingzhe, whom she hadn’t seen in years. His face, which somewhat resembled Su Hui’s, reminded her of her deceased close friend. She suddenly felt sad, and her voice became choked.

After calming down, Li Qiulian asked Lu Jingzhe:

“How is my Yajun doing in the army? He hasn’t been acting up, disobeying the leaders, has he?”

“No, he’s doing well.” Lu Jingzhe said, then continued, “I’ll come to see you when I have time.”

“Okay, go back and rest.” Li Qiulian nodded hurriedly.

After bidding farewell to Li Qiulian, Lu Jingzhe walked towards home. Wang Mingfang followed behind him eagerly and said:

“You child, why didn’t you send a telegram when you came home? Look, we didn’t even prepare any decent dishes. Your father is also on a business trip…”

Her words subtly implied that she didn’t consider herself an outsider, acting like the mistress of the house.

Lu Jingzhe suddenly turned around and interrupted her, asking in a harsh tone:

“Why are you here?”

Wang Mingfang didn’t expect him to ask so directly. She was stunned for a moment before saying with a smile:

“Oh, your older brother and sister-in-law have to go to work, they’re too busy. I came to help take care of the child. Your father is also busy, and he can’t take care of Xiaoxue…”

“When are you leaving?” Lu Jingzhe clearly didn’t want to listen to her continue. He asked directly, not giving her any face.

Xia Qingning, who was following behind, couldn’t help but applaud Lu Jingzhe in her heart. This man was not only not fooled by Wang Mingfang’s hypocritical appearance, but he was also very clear-headed.

Wang Mingfang didn’t expect Lu Jingzhe to directly chase her away. The smile on her face almost couldn’t hold up, but she was always tactful in her speech and actions. She immediately made her stance clear:

“I’ll leave when the child gets a little older. Jingzhe, Aunt knows it’s not appropriate for me to live here…”

“If you know it’s not appropriate, then leave sooner.”

Looking at Wang Mingfang, who was speechless, Xia Qingning gave Lu Jingzhe another thumbs up in her heart.

Lu Jingzhe didn’t give her a chance to continue speaking and directly issued an eviction order. After saying that, he picked up his bag and walked into the house.

There was a little girl about 10 years old inside. She was chubby and sitting on a small stool, listening intently to the radio, occasionally bursting into laughter.

“Xiaoxue, your second brother is back. I called you earlier, why didn’t you come out?”

Wang Mingfang said to Lu Xiaoxue as she walked in, as if she had completely forgotten the embarrassment of being chased away earlier.

“Oh, don’t bother me. I can’t hear ‘Nezha Conquers the Dragon King’ clearly.” The girl said impatiently.

“This child, your own brother is more important than listening to stories.” Wang Mingfang reprimanded her lightly, acting like a loving mother.

Lu Xiaoxue, who was disturbed by the noise again, was unhappy. She turned her head with a temper and saw Lu Jingzhe putting the bag he brought back on the table. Seeing the bulging bag, Lu Xiaoxue’s eyes lit up, and she asked:

“Second Brother, what good things did you bring back? Is there anything to eat?”

She ran over quickly. She was running so fast that she didn’t notice Xia Qingning, who was entering the house. She bumped right into her.

Lu Xiaoxue was sturdy, and Xia Qingning’s current body was too frail. The huge impact hit her waist and abdomen directly. She couldn’t stand steadily and her body leaned back. There was a protruding corner of the table next to her. Before she fell, she instinctively reached out to grab something within reach.

Before she could grab anything, an arm stretched out. It was long and strong, and it seemed effortless. With a gentle scoop, it pulled her into his arms.