Chapter 39: The Pitiful Background of Xie Hanchuan, the Calamity Bringer

“Dad, we can’t reject someone just because of what the villagers say. We should have our own opinions and perspectives.”

“You’ve seen it; he’s such an honest young man. Faced with the temptation of all that silver, he still managed to give me every single piece without keeping any for himself. I think this boy is worth befriending,” Lin Luoxie countered Lin Dayou’s words, feeling determined to continue her collaboration with Xie Hanchuan.

“Dad, I’m not saying anything against you, but look at Brother Hanchuan; he’s such a good person. How can he possibly be what the villagers say?” Lin Luoxie continued to defend Xie Hanchuan, and at this moment, Lin Tianqian also heard the commotion in the courtyard.

Hearing Xie Hanchuan’s voice made Lin Tianqian want to come out and speak to him, but he had not anticipated how hurriedly Xie Hanchuan would leave.

As he stepped outside, he overheard Lin Dayou’s comment and felt unhappy.

Previously, when he had gone up the mountain to gather firewood and was starving, Xie Hanchuan had secretly given him eggs and bird eggs to stave off hunger. Such kindness made him wonder why the villagers held such a strong prejudice against him.

“Alright, I can’t argue with you guys. I’ll go prepare breakfast,” Lin Dayou conceded upon hearing Lin Luoxie and Lin Tianqian’s strong opinions, realizing he had lost this debate.

Meanwhile, around the corner, Xie Hanchuan felt as if a pail of cold water had been poured over him after hearing Lin Dayou’s words.

His heart, which had been racing, suddenly felt drained of energy. He turned pale, covering his chest, where a heart that had struggled to beat for someone was now heavy.

Yes, how could someone like him hope for such beautiful relationships? He was destined to live out his life in loneliness.

As he strained to leave this uncomfortable place, another warm conversation echoed from the courtyard.

Tears welled in his eyes, and the emotional tide surged within him.

How many years had it been? Each time he appeared, the villagers would avoid him like he was a scorpion; yet now, someone was finally speaking up for him.

That aching heart began to pound wildly again.

As the topic in the courtyard regarding him came to an end, he took light steps to leave.

“Wait…”

Lin Luoxie’s voice came again from the courtyard. Xie Hanchuan thought she was calling him and quickly turned around, startled.

After thinking for a moment, he pretended to look for something nearby, genuinely wanting to hear what Lin Luoxie and her family were discussing next.

“Dad, how much money did Uncle Villager lend us when something happened to our family?”

Seeing Lin Tianqian come out, Lin Luoxie showed him the silver she earned last night and suddenly remembered that they seemed to have debts. She immediately called out to Lin Dayou, who was about to slip away.

“Oh, we owe the village chief one tael of silver…” Lin Dayou’s voice lost its usual conviction as he mentioned the debt.

“Dad, here are two taels of silver. You should go to Aunt Wang’s house at the village entrance and buy some brown sugar and get half a catty of meat. Then take it over to her…”

“They lent us money during our toughest times, so when we repay them, we should definitely show some gratitude and courtesy,” Lin Luoxie insisted, fearing Lin Dayou might be too stingy to care for such gestures.

“I know, I know,” Lin Dayou said, rubbing the warm silver coins in his hand, emotions conflicting within him.

Lin Dayou sighed as he realized that after living most of his life, he still had to rely on his children to help pay off their debts.

“Forget it, Dad. You go by yourself. I’m worried that if you run into the old Lin family, you won’t know how to negotiate, so let Big Brother go with you!”

“Big Brother, you’re the eldest son of our family. It’s important for you to participate in these social interactions with Dad. It will be beneficial for you,” Lin Luoxie insisted, not feeling comfortable letting Lin Dayou go alone to repay the debt.

“Alright, Second Sister, I’ll ensure I complete the task,” Lin Wenqian said confidently as Lin Luoxie called his name, puffing up his chest in promise.

“Kid, I’m your dad. You don’t trust me?” Lin Dayou was both amused and exasperated by the antics of his children.

“I trust you, but I don’t trust those people from the old Lin family. Once they know you have money, they’ll be shameless,” Lin Luoxie retorted, pouting.

Lin Luoxie’s words left Lin Dayou speechless, and he closed his mouth, not knowing how to respond.

“Second Sister, if we suddenly repay the debt, everyone will wonder how our family came up with the money in such a short time…” Lin Wenqian, filled with enthusiasm, realized this dilemma.

“What are we afraid of? We didn’t steal or rob; we earned it ourselves,” Lin Luoxie dismissed his concerns with a wave of her hand.

“However, if they ask, just say that Mother sold her treasured dowry,” Lin Luoxie added after thinking for a moment, trying to avoid unnecessary trouble for the family.

“No, that excuse won’t work.” Just as they were getting ready to leave, Lin Dayou immediately interrupted.

“Why not?” Was it not normal for a woman to have some personal dowry?

“Because after your mother married into the Lin family, on the very next day, Old Lady Lin took your mother’s dowry away on the pretext of ‘keeping it safe’,” Lin Dayou explained, recounting the earlier events.

Lin Luoxie was furious upon hearing this. “Why didn’t you say something back then, Dad?” Her anger was palpable, directed at both her father and the circumstances.

“Your dad did speak up…” Lin Wangshi (Lin Dayou’s wife) said, feeling some resentment towards Lin Dayou lessen as she saw her daughter’s fury. She tried to defend him.

When Lin Luoxie saw her mother backing her up, she paused the topic, still fuming.

Calmly reflecting, even if Lin Dayou had defended her mother, with the greedy nature of the old Lin family, they would never easily return what they had taken.

Lin Luoxie recalled the silver jewelry in her space, wondering if it might have once belonged to her mother’s dowry. That would truly be something, wouldn’t it?

“Since the dowry excuse won’t work, let’s just… ah, forget it. We’ll figure it out in a couple of days; it’s not urgent now.” The frustration of having money but not being able to spend it was indeed a form of torment.

“Isn’t this Doctor Yang’s family?” Just as Lin Luoxie’s words trailed off, the voice of Doctor Yang came from outside the courtyard.

Lin Luoxie’s eyes brightened; this was just what she needed. A timely arrival, indeed.

“Ah, they’re here!” Lin Dayou perked up at Doctor Yang’s approach, eagerly going to open the courtyard door.

As Doctor Yang and his grandson entered the courtyard, Lin Luoxie quickly moved to her medicinal herb rack, pretending to be busy arranging things.

“Hello!” Doctor Yang and his grandson were not immediately led by Lin Dayou to check on Lin Wentao; instead, they began to look around the yard first.