Chapter 3

The two children were so frightened by Bai Shuishui’s glare that they stepped back. The neighbor auntie couldn’t bear to watch anymore and stepped in from the doorway.

She came over to the two little ones and said, “Don’t be afraid, all of us are here with you. What exactly did Auntie Shuishui say to you?”

Seeing the encouraging looks from the auntie and the villagers, the two children finally relaxed a bit. Lu Zhiyao also gently patted their heads. “Go ahead and say it!”

Only then did the two children open up.

The younger one lowered his head and bit his lip. “Auntie Shuishui told us that we’re kids our dad doesn’t want… That we’re illegitimate kids.”

As soon as the younger one finished, the older one added, “And she also said that dad doesn’t give us money for living expenses because he doesn’t like us. He likes her more and spends all his money on buying her pretty clothes!”

“Auntie Shuishui also said we can’t tell mom or anyone else, or dad will hate us even more…”

The moment the children spoke, the villagers were stunned.

Earlier, when Lu Zhiyao said Bai Shuishui was trying to steal her husband, some believed it and some didn’t.

But after hearing what the kids said, almost everyone believed it.

Because Lu Zhiyao had just returned home—there hadn’t been any time for her to coach the children to lie.

And from the two kids’ pitiful expressions, it was clear Bai Shuishui had really said those things before.

Saying things like that to children? That’s way too cruel!

Even Lu Zhiyao hadn’t expected Bai Shuishui to say such hurtful things to the kids.

“So, when you usually came to visit the house and see the children, this is what you were saying to them? Hurting their hearts like this?”

“Don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”

“I didn’t! I’ve never said anything like that!” Bai Shuishui could only repeat that as her explanation.

Bai Dahai chimed in from behind, “Yao Yao, you shouldn’t teach the children to smear my Shuishui like this!”

Bai Dahai was nearly furious. He had planned to go to the fields to work today.

But before he could go, he saw Lu Zhiyao running back soaking wet—and then all of this happened.

His daughter Shuishui was the most promising girl in the village! While other girls stayed home raising kids and working the fields, their Shuishui was a junior military doctor!

Even if she was just a junior one now, she was still young and had the potential to rise in the ranks!

His daughter was going to marry an officer in the future!

She absolutely could not be slandered like this!

Even though he had a son too, his daughter had a bright future—she couldn’t just be bullied for no reason.

As long as his daughter did well in life, she would certainly take care of her brother too.

So Bai Dahai had to speak up for his daughter!

Seeing Bai Shuishui and Bai Dahai’s expressions, Lu Zhiyao let out a cold laugh.

She stepped forward, one step at a time.

Her clothes were still wet, and a breeze blew by, making the onlookers shiver with sympathy for her.

But she kept walking toward Bai Shuishui. “I once saw you as my best friend. Because my husband was in the military, I often worried about his safety. That’s why I asked you to help me look after things.”

“Who would have thought this is how you’d ‘look after’ things?”

“You looked after them so well that you even tried to climb into my husband’s bed?”

People rarely spoke so bluntly in those times, so Lu Zhiyao’s sudden outburst shocked everyone. Bai Shuishui’s face turned red and green with embarrassment.

“You—you’re talking nonsense! That’s not true!”

Bai Shuishui was flustered. She had really wanted to be with Lu Zhiyao’s husband, so those words hit the mark—they exposed her true feelings, which was why she was so rattled.

“I don’t know the full truth yet. But after what happened today and what you said to the kids, I have no choice—I’m taking them to the army base to get some answers!”

“If you two really are having an affair, I’ll file for divorce and step aside for you!”

Lu Zhiyao’s gaze turned sharp and fierce. Bai Shuishui was startled when she met her eyes.

How could this be?

How did it come to this?

Lu Zhiyao looked at Bai Shuishui’s panicked expression and sneered inwardly. She wanted to see if Bai Shuishui dared to face the charge of destroying a military marriage.

Bai Shuishui was panicking.

She wanted to explain, but didn’t know what to say—everyone already believed the kids. And the worst part was, she really had said those things.

Every time she said them, the kids would bow their heads and ask if they had done something wrong—if there was anything they could do to make their dad like them.

That’s when Bai Shuishui would gently pat their heads and softly say it wasn’t their fault, it was just that their father didn’t like them.

At first, the kids didn’t believe her.

So she asked them—had their dad come to see them? Missed them? Sent them lots of money?

That’s when the kids would recall how he never came back to visit, and how he only sent a small amount of money—how their mom struggled alone to raise them.

Many villagers couldn’t bear to watch and often helped them out a little.

“Well, that’s enough for today. Thank you, aunties.”

“I’m soaking wet and freezing. I’m afraid I’ll get sick and won’t be able to take care of the children. Everyone, please head home for now.”

Although the villagers didn’t do much directly, the pressure they brought through public opinion was already making Bai Shuishui crumble.

Lu Zhiyao also wanted to change out of her wet clothes and think things through properly.

She thanked everyone and explained briefly. The villagers exchanged looks and slowly filed out of her yard.

“How could someone be as heartless as Bai Shuishui?”

“Hasn’t Yao Yao done enough? She’s been raising those kids alone, struggling in the village. And that Bai Shuishui still did this?”

“Asked her to help look after her husband, and she really went that far?”

“Disgusting!”

…

The villagers’ scolding continued, but Bai Shuishui couldn’t care anymore. As she left, her fists clenched.

She was furious inside!

How dare those two little brats speak out like that?

And Lu Zhiyao—she really planned to go to the capital and confront Mu Qingyuan?

No. That absolutely couldn’t happen!

She swore to herself she’d stop her no matter what. But then she remembered—Lu Zhiyao was already struggling just to survive. She probably didn’t even have money for a train ticket.

Thinking of this, Bai Shuishui’s lips curled again.

She scoffed coldly.

A country bumpkin like her? Dreaming of going to the capital?

Ridiculous!

All talk, that’s all she is!