Chapter 4: A Performance for Whom?

Wen Wan’s eyes locked onto Liu Xiaoling, who was hiding behind Ding Guihua. Her tone was laced with sarcasm. “Liu Xiaoling, what are you hiding behind Ding Guihua for? Have the courage to come out and explain yourself clearly!”

Liu Xiaoling clutched her head, staring at the hair scattered on the ground, her heart filled with bitter resentment.

Damn Wen Wan, damn Cui Yulan! Two shrewish women, vicious creatures!

Seeing everyone watching, Liu Xiaoling feigned a pitiful expression. “Xiaowan, I know you’re angry that Jianbing saved me instead of you, but you shouldn’t wrongly accuse me.”

Heh, she deliberately said this, certain that Wen Wan, who had a crush on Chen Jianbing, would be consumed by jealousy.

As long as Wen Wan dared to attack her in front of the village chief, she could ruin Wen Wan’s reputation. Even if Er Laizi failed to save Wen Wan, she would ensure Wen Wan couldn’t marry Chen Jianbing.

Wen Wan curled her lips into a cold smile. “Liu Xiaoling, I’m not wrongly accusing you. Do you remember this note?”

She pulled a small note from her pocket and waved it in front of Liu Xiaoling.

Luckily, the original owner had good habits and kept letters and notes as souvenirs; otherwise, she would have had to work harder.

Liu Xiaoling’s face changed drastically. She had hastily written the note to lure Wen Wan out. Remembering its contents, she relaxed slightly.

“Xiaowan, it was just a joke. You’re taking it too seriously.”

She added, “Xiaowan, don’t make a fuss. Jianbing will be here soon, and it won’t look good.”

Wen Wan’s eyes flickered, a new plan forming in her mind.

“Liu Xiaoling, you said I wrongly accused you, right?”

“Yes, you wrongly accused me,” Liu Xiaoling breathed a sigh of relief, quickly agreeing.

“Good. Then swear that you didn’t push me into the river for Chen Jianbing,” Wen Wan smiled calmly, her red lips slightly parted. “If you’re lying, you and Chen Jianbing will never speak to each other again.”

“I swear, I…” Liu Xiaoling’s face turned pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

She had been given a second chance at life, and a broken oath could have serious consequences.

Coldness filled Wen Wan’s eyes. She knew Liu Xiaoling wouldn’t dare to swear.

Wen Dafu nodded silently from the side. His daughter’s strategy was excellent.

Seeing Liu Xiaoling’s expression, the onlookers fell silent. No one was a fool.

The onlookers loved the drama, but the question of murder for love needed clarification.

“Wen Wan, you dead girl! Besides reading books, you can’t even cook properly. It’s no wonder no one wants you,” Ding Guihua panicked, fearing the loss of a good son-in-law.

Cui Yulan, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward and slapped Ding Guihua twice.

“My daughter is far better than your daughter, a murderer’s daughter!”

She couldn’t stand anyone speaking ill of her daughter, who was sweet, kind, and considerate.

Ding Guihua sat on the ground, slapping her thighs and wailing, “It’s a sin! It’s unjust! The Wen family is bullying us because they have more people. I’ll go to the police station and have you all arrested!”

Wen Wan suddenly raised her voice, “Fine, let’s go now. Let’s see if the police station arrests the murderer or the victim.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. We’re all from the same village. Minor disputes shouldn’t involve the police station,” Liu Qingliang objected, the fire now reaching his doorstep.

If a murder occurred under his watch, the police would arrive, and his position as village chief would be lost.

Liu Xiaoling understood. Seeing the village chief on her side, she finally…

“Village Chief, this is a new society, not your one-man show,” Wen Dafu stepped forward, protecting his daughter, refusing to yield to Liu Qingliang.

“Village Chief, we all saw that Liu Xiaoling didn’t dare to swear,” Wen Hu and the others joined in. “What? Are you using your position to bully honest people?”

The situation reached a stalemate, with the crowd subtly dividing into two factions.

“Dad, you said yesterday that the village chief is always fair and just. What happened?” Wen Wan feigned regret.

Liu Qingliang seized the opportunity, pounding his chest. “Xiaowan, your father is right. I’ve always been impartial, and I would never protect a criminal.”

Seeing the Wen family’s faces brighten, Liu Qingliang wiped his face, his expression worried. “Our village has finally made it into the selection for ‘Excellent Village’ this year. If this matter comes out…”

He didn’t finish, but the meaning was clear. The title of ‘Excellent Village’ affected everyone’s interests.

Wen Dafu and Wen Wan exchanged glances, muttering, “Old fox!”

Unfortunately, they couldn’t completely defeat Liu Xiaoling today and avenge the original owner.

But a slow knife cuts deepest. Liu Xiaoling wanted wealth and power, to become the wife of a high-ranking official, but Wen Wan wouldn’t let her have it.

Thankfully, they had anticipated this situation and planned accordingly.

“Village Chief, I want what’s best for the village, but Liu Xiaoling harmed my daughter first. If we let her off, other young people will follow suit…” Wen Dafu pretended to be concerned for the village’s well-being.

Liu Qingliang, a clever man, understood the Wen family’s intentions.

“We can’t just let her off,” Liu Qingliang glanced sideways. “Liu Sanmu, your daughter committed a crime. As her father, you must take responsibility. What do you say we do?”

Liu Sanmu’s face turned ashen. What could he do? The village chief was forcing him to pay a price to settle this.

With a slap, Liu Sanmu struck Liu Xiaoling across the face. “Damn girl, I’ll teach you a lesson!” Then, he kicked her several times.

“Liu Sanmu, what are you doing?” Ding Guihua rushed over, her face grim. Liu Xiaoling’s face couldn’t be damaged; she was still waiting to marry a wealthy man.

Liu Xiaoling’s face quickly swelled up. Crouching in Ding Guihua’s arms, her head buzzed, and the pain intensified her hatred for Wen Wan and her family.

No one stood by her side. Wen Wan had evidence and showed no mercy. This bitch, who usually called her “Sister Xiaoling,” was a fake.

The onlookers hesitated, wanting to intervene but afraid to. They lowered their heads under the Wen family’s intense gaze.

Cui Yulan watched, muttering to herself, “Liu Sanmu, who are you acting for? There’s not a single scratch.”

“Liu Sanmu, don’t think this is over with a beating,” Wen Dafu calmly intervened, after the beating had subsided.

Humph, he thought it was a childish mistake that could be solved with a beating. The Liu family would pay dearly this time, or his name wasn’t Wen.