Chapter 34: I Don’t Want to Owe You Anything

Lin Yitang hadn’t expected him to show up. Remembering last night, she gave him a cold stare. 

She simply shook her head without expression.

“Don’t think just because you brought a soldier, we’re scared! Even soldiers have to be reasonable!

This seductive Bitch not only lures men but also made my husband sick! You must explain yourself!”

The woman yelled, her eyes greedy. 

As long as she got the money, she’d stop.  One hundred yuan! 

That would solve her son’s marriage expenses! Plus, the extra money promised… she was already thrilled.

Lin Yitang realized the woman was after money. 

But she wouldn’t be taken advantage of.

“You need evidence! You accuse me of luring men and selling unclean food. Show me the proof! Otherwise, you’re slandering me! I’ll call the police! Do you know what this is called? 

Defamation! You can be arrested!”

Lin Yitang’s voice was calm but logical. She wasn’t afraid of the onlookers’ judgment, showing no guilt.

Li Xuemei pushed through the crowd. “Yitang’s food is fine! Our family has eaten it many times without problems.

Zhang Qiang’s wife, stop lying! Everyone here knows what you’re like! You’re greedy! 

You say she lured your husband?  Your husband is skinny! Yitang would choose him over this soldier? 

He’s way better than your husband! She’d choose him over anyone else? You’re ridiculous!”

Li Xuemei silenced the woman. 

People remembered Zhang Qiang’s wife’s bad reputation.  Seeing Yu Jingchuan beside Lin Yitang his looks, his physique no one at the factory could compare. 

She didn’t need to lure men!

They realized they’d been used, and glared at the couple.

Panic flashed on the woman’s face.

“Li Xuemei, mind your own business!”

“Yitang is my sister! You bully her, you bully me!”

Li Xuemei stood protectively in front of Lin Yitang. 

Lin Yitang felt warmth and gratitude.

“Fine! Since you protect her, you pay! One hundred yuan! Otherwise, I’ll come here every day, and she’ll never sell here again!”

The woman was unreasonable.

Li Xuemei was furious and rolled up her sleeves to fight. 

Lin Yitang stopped her; this was her problem.  She should handle it herself.

Before she could react, Yu Jingchuan spoke coldly.

“Lin Yitang is the daughter of a martyr. Do you know the consequences of slandering her? 

Since you feel wronged, we won’t call the police. I’ll take you to the base. If you have evidence, the base will help. If not, prepare to face the consequences of slandering a Military dependent member!”

The base? Zhang Qiang’s legs went weak. 

Military personnel held high status.  If they went to the base, they’d be in trouble.  Lin Yitang was a martyr’s daughter; this would affect his job!

He pulled his wife. “Misunderstanding! It’s not Comrade Lin Yitang’s fault! We’re going home!”

“You coward! What are you afraid of?”

The woman was furious that he revealed everything. 

Zhang Qiang fell to the ground, causing laughter.

“Let’s go to the base.”

Yu Jingchuan held Lin Yitang’s hand and grabbed Zhang Qiang by the neck, lifting him like a chicken.

Zhang Qiang struggled.  The sight of the uniform terrified him.

“I’m sorry! We’re sorry! We were tricked!”

“Who tricked you?”

Yu Jingchuan’s eyes were sharp.  He’d been in battle and had a terrifying aura.

Zhang Qiang confessed.  “Another couple selling Liangpi noodles! They told us to slander Comrade Lin Yitang to ruin her reputation!”

Lin Yitang’s eyes flashed.  Wang Xiulian and Liu Dayong!  She’d suspected them, but not how quickly they’d act.

The woman was furious that her husband confessed.

“You useless fool! Why did I marry you?”

“Shut up! Do you want me to lose my job? I told you not to cause trouble! You’re obsessed with money!”

The woman attacked him, slapping his face. Turning to Lin Yitang, she lunged at her.

Yu Jingchuan blocked her, but his arm was scratched.

The police arrived, arresting the couple and sending officers to arrest Wang Xiulian and Liu Dayong. 

Yu Jingchuan drove Lin Yitang to the police station.  His arm was bleeding.

Lin Yitang cleaned and bandaged his wound.

“It’s a minor injury.”

“Next time, don’t protect me. I don’t want to owe you anything. Let’s keep our distance.”

Even without Yu Jingchuan, she could have handled it.  She didn’t want him interfering.