Chapter 59

Lin Hongna wasn’t even married yet, so how could she be pregnant?

Zhang Cuilan thought either her elder brother was talking nonsense or her hearing was failing her. She looked around and saw that Gu Mancang was closest to her, so she pinched his arm, making him yelp in pain.

“Cuilan, what are you doing?”

“Oh, so my ears are fine.”

Realizing her hearing was indeed fine, Zhang Cuilan smacked her thigh and loudly demanded that Eldest Uncle Zhang explain the situation. She also asked Gu Shi’an to drive the Jeep slowly so not to miss any of the juicy gossip!

Gu Shi’an, who had been hesitating to speak, wisely chose to remain silent when he saw his father being pinched by his mother and quietly reduced the car’s speed.

Gu Shidong, eager for gossip, was straining to listen.

Lin Yao, however, seemed deep in thought. It appeared that Lin Hongna had finally managed to win over Sun Jialiang. In those days, being pregnant before marriage was considered disgraceful. Just a few decades ago, a young woman who became pregnant before marriage would face severe punishment in remote areas, and even ten years later, it could lead to public humiliation.

However, times had changed. While it was still a blemish on Lin Hongna’s reputation, it wasn’t as damaging as it used to be. After all, Lin Hongna and Sun Jialiang had been in a relationship for a while, and many people in town were aware of their relationship.

Lin Hongna had taken a significant risk, and now she was left with nothing but a temporary job at the soap factory. She had no choice but to cast aside her reputation, work, and family in order to marry into the Sun family. Her current situation left her with nothing to lose.

Lin Yao wondered how the Sun family, coerced into this situation, would react.

Dongzi was eagerly waiting for more details, and Zhang Cuilan gave him a look.

Lin Yao quickly pulled out two cotton balls from her pocket and blocked Dongzi’s ears.

Dongzi thought, where did his sister-in-law get those cotton balls?

Gu Mancang, feeling wronged, slapped Zhang Cuilan on the arm and grumbled, “Why do you keep pinching me? Are you looking for more?”

Eldest Uncle Zhang advised him, “Mancang, men need to be able to bend and stretch. Look at me, I’ve been pinched by your sister-in-law for years. You get used to it.”

Gu Mancang: “…….”

Zhang Cuilan, satisfied that her husband had been put in his place, nodded at Eldest Uncle Zhang.

“Big Brother, enough with the mumbling. What exactly happened with Lin Hongna?”

Eldest Uncle Zhang grinned, eager to share more, and with a flick of his whip, began recounting the gossip he had heard, accompanied by the jingling of the bells.

Lin Hongna and Sun Jialiang’s affair was actually a ploy by Lin Hongna to secure a marriage with the Sun family. This time, it was similar to before. Lin Hongna had visited Sun Jialiang late at night, successfully bringing him back.

Sun Jialiang frequently visited the soap factory dormitory, knowing he needed to be discreet and usually only left after dark. However, as often as he visited, the girls at the dormitory noticed him. Eventually, they figured out that Lin Hongna, the only temporary female worker with a single room, was the reason for his frequent visits.

Sun Jialiang and Lin Hongna’s scandal became the talk of the town.

Sun’s parents, unable to tolerate the situation, ordered Sun Jialiang to cut ties with Lin Hongna.

Desperate, Lin Hongna, who had just learned she was pregnant, was overjoyed. The news of her pregnancy brought her some relief and support from her family.

Even Lin Hongwu, who had been hiding from debts, returned home to strategize on how to ensure Sun Jialiang married Lin Hongna.

Lin Hongwu and Lin Hongna knew their parents were unreliable, so they took matters into their own hands. They discussed strategies in private to ensnare Sun Jialiang.

Lin Hongwu, skilled in scheming, knew the ins and outs of such affairs. He planned a trap, knowing that Sun Jialiang’s frequent visits to the dormitory could be used against him.

Sun Jialiang had planned to play around with Lin Hongna for a while before eventually abandoning her. The Lin family, being powerless and insignificant, had no way to fight back against the Sun family’s power. However, the Lin siblings managed to outmaneuver him.

Three days ago, Sun Jialiang had secretly visited the soap factory dormitory again, meeting with Lin Hongna. After their time together, as he was leaving, Lin Hongwu, who had been waiting outside, barged in with a flashlight and “caught” them in the act.

Panicking, Sun Jialiang didn’t want a serious relationship with Lin Hongna and was desperate to avoid being tied down by the Lin family. As he tried to escape, Lin Hongwu struck him, and Sun Jialiang fell to the ground, unable to get up.

Lin Hongwu played his role to the fullest. Not only did he beat up Sun Jialiang, but he also gave Lin Hongna a good thrashing.

Lin Hongwu, throwing punches and kicks, caused Lin Hongna to cry out. The commotion in the middle of the night even brought the soap factory’s leaders out to investigate.

Seeing the situation escalate, Sun Jialiang could only admit to everyone that he and Lin Hongna were a couple and were engaged. He claimed that his overwhelming affection had led him to visit Lin Hongna at night.

As for Lin Hongwu, he said he had returned from out of town, was out of money, and was seeking a loan from his sister. He explained that he had mistakenly thought Sun Jialiang was a thug forcing his sister, which led to his excessive reaction.

Everyone sympathized, acknowledging it as a misunderstanding, and decided to leave the family matters alone.

Thus, Sun Jialiang was effectively trapped by the Lin siblings.

When Sun’s parents arrived, Lin Daguo and Li Aifeng also came from the countryside to the town. Li Aifeng, in tears, clung to Mother Sun, not letting go.

Mother Sun, used to a privileged life and accustomed to being treated with respect, was overwhelmed by the rural woman’s coarse behavior and was left dizzy by the encounter.

Father Sun, grim-faced, was deeply disappointed to see his son’s disgraceful behavior and the entanglement with such a family, particularly being caught in such a compromising situation.

The issue was significant—on one hand, it was a matter of improper conduct; on the other, it could have severe consequences.

To safeguard his son’s future, the Sun family had no choice but to reluctantly accept Lin Hongna as their daughter-in-law.

Lin Hongna took advantage of the situation and revealed her morning sickness, which further shocked Sun’s parents, causing them to nearly faint.

With the news spreading, Li Aifeng couldn’t resist boasting about the favorable marriage arrangement, claiming that her daughter was about to marry into a prestigious family and that the upcoming grandchild would bring prosperity to their family.

Li Aifeng’s big mouth was her downfall. Her proclamations led people to understand why Lin Hongna was marrying into the Sun family—because she was carrying the Sun family’s child.

The Lin siblings’ scheme to entrap Sun Jialiang was something Lin Hongwu drunkenly shared with outsiders. As the gossip spread, it quickly became common knowledge.

Eldest Uncle Zhang, having shared the story, was parched and worn out from talking.

The Gu family was stunned by the Lin family’s tactics and remained speechless.

Eldest Uncle Zhang shook his head, commenting on how unusual and shocking the situation was. He mentioned that such rural scandals were not uncommon, though he had seen even more shocking stories in his lifetime. In Yunshui County, where people were more refined, he kept quiet out of respect for traditional views held by his sister and her family.

The Gu family remained silent for a long time.

Finally, Zhang Cuilan, relieved, patted her chest and thought to herself that their ancestors must have done good deeds to have avoided such misfortune.

Gu Shidong, with cotton balls blocking his ears, couldn’t hear what his uncle was saying. He could only see his mouth moving and fidgeted in frustration, eager to know what was being discussed.

Lin Yao took the cotton balls out of his ears, and the brat asked quietly, “Sister-in-law, what did Uncle say just now?”

Lin Yao sipped her red date honey tea, enjoying the warmth and sweetness. She took another sip, watching as Dongzi grew more impatient and began speaking slowly.

“Uncle said…”

“Hm?”

“What did he say?”

Dongzi looked on with anticipation.

“Uncle said if you don’t study hard, you’ll have to go back to the countryside and scoop cow dung. They’ve even prepared a dung basket for you.”

Dongzi: “……..”

The little rascal pouted and hugged the orange cat, falling silent.

Gu Shi’an, smiling, stepped on the gas, speeding away in the jeep, while Eldest Uncle Zhang urged the donkey cart to catch up.

After a bumpy twenty-minute ride, they finally arrived at the entrance of Gujiaao Village.

Gujiaao Village was a small mountain village with only a few dozen households. The old Gu family home was nestled in front of a bamboo forest, giving it a unique charm despite the cold winter morning. Frost covered the dry grass, but the paths alongside the bamboo forest were flat and easy to walk.

The Gu family home, hidden among the trees, had a distinct appeal.

Lin Yao jumped out of the car and looked up at the old house, feeling a pair of warm, dry hands clasp her small ones.