Chapter 69: Apologize at the door

“What exactly happened? Quickly explain it clearly so we can come up with a countermeasure.”

Father Lin looked at Caiyun and asked.

“It’s like this, Sister-in-law Xiulan was helping to pull pigweed by the river field in the afternoon, and Wang Cuilian from the village was also there pulling pigweed.

In the afternoon, Sister-in-law Xiulan saw a nest of wild eggs in the grass by the forest, but Wang Cuilian insisted that she saw it first. When Sister-in-law Xiulan didn’t let her take the wild eggs, she secretly slapped her.

Mom saw Xiulan being bullied and ran over to argue with her. That Wang Cuilian is so shameless, she secretly slapped Sister-in-law Xiulan, and her face turned red.”

Xiaoxia took a breath and angrily recounted the incident.

Upon hearing it was Wang Cuilian, Father Lin immediately got a headache: “This shrew is really crazy, causing trouble all day long, and her family doesn’t even care.”

“Yes, this woman has to quarrel with someone every few days. Didn’t she just quarrel with Li Caifeng for an entire afternoon a few days ago? It’s not easy to deal with this matter, we can’t just go and hit a woman.”

Elder Brother Lin Yue also felt troubled upon hearing it was Wang Cuilian, as reasoning with such a shameless shrew was impossible.

“So what if she’s a shrew? If she dares to hit Xiulan, I’ll make sure she can’t get away with it.” Lin Heng sneered, not willing to let it go after his woman was hit.

“Don’t be impulsive, if things get out of hand, both sides will be embarrassed.” Father Lin quickly advised, fearing that Lin Heng might do something rash and end up causing more trouble for their side.

“Hitting people is something only incompetent people do. I want Wang Cuilian’s entire family to come and apologize.” Lin Heng sneered, then looked at Father Lin: “Dad, give me ten yuan.”

“For what?” Father Lin looked puzzled.

“Lin Heng, don’t do anything reckless.” Lin Yue also felt worried.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hit anyone, just give me the money.” Lin Heng shook his head.

“Alright then.” Father Lin still didn’t understand what Lin Heng was planning, but he went inside to get the money.

Lin Heng took the ten yuan from his father and handed it directly to Caiyun: “In a while, you go and quarrel with Wang Caifeng, provoke her to hit you, but don’t really get hit, then give her the ten yuan without saying anything.

As long as she takes it, you bring Xiulan and Mom back, and on the way, spread the word that Wang Cuilian hit you and took your money.”

“Huh? She hit us, and we still have to give her money?” Caiyun was very confused.

“Just do as I say.” Lin Heng didn’t bother to explain, just told Caiyun to follow his instructions.

“Alright.” Although Caiyun didn’t understand, she took the money and left.

“Little brother, what are you thinking?” Lin Yue didn’t understand.

“Of course, I’m going to the town police station to report that someone hit and robbed us. The police will come and arrest her.” Lin Heng spread his hands.

“Isn’t that lying? You gave her the money…” Father Lin was puzzled.

“Who said that? As long as Caiyun and Xiulan insist, someone got hurt and the money is gone, what else could it be but robbery?”

Lin Heng spread his hands and sneered.

“But we don’t really need to report it. I’ll head towards the town, and you find someone to inform the village head. They will explain the consequences to the Wang family, and they will naturally come to apologize.”

Lin Heng said slowly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue looked at Lin Heng in disbelief, even feeling a bit unfamiliar: “Little brother, your method is a bit too ruthless.”

Father Lin was also shocked, Lin Heng’s strategy was brilliant, achieving victory without a fight. Why hadn’t he thought of it?

“It’s not ruthless, what if they bully Xiulan again next time?” Lin Heng sneered, “A shrew, huh? Let’s see if she can keep being a shrew.”

On the other side, Caiyun had already arrived at the river with the money. Because of the argument between Mother Lin and Wang Cuilian, many people were watching from a distance, enjoying the spectacle.

Caiyun, holding the money, felt a bit nervous, not good at cursing, but thinking of her second brother’s instructions, she mustered up the courage and walked over: “You are really shameless, robbing our things and hitting people. Don’t you have anything to eat yourself? My mom taught me from a young age to be law-abiding and kind to others. Didn’t your mom teach you anything?”

Wang Cuilian: “???”

She was stunned by the sudden scolding.

“You little brat, are you looking for death?”

She immediately became furious and slapped towards Caiyun. Fortunately, Caiyun was prepared and dodged quickly, then threw the ten yuan and pulled Xiulan and her mother away.

“What are you doing?” Mother Lin frowned, “Someone hit you, and you still give them money?”

Xiulan was also puzzled.

“My second brother said so, just follow me.”

Caiyun said, pulling the two of them away. On the way back, she complained to everyone they met, saying they were hit and robbed.

“These three women are really useless, getting hit by one person and even having their money taken, hahaha!”

Hearing this news, Li Caifeng laughed heartily, having not lost a quarrel a few days ago.

“Serves them right, it’s best if their faces get swollen. I said their family wouldn’t be good for long.” Aunt Li Ping laughed even more.

“Xiulan is really pitiful, she never argues with anyone, and that Wang Cuilian is such a shrew.”

“Ten yuan, Wang Cuilian is really something.”

Some people in the village hadn’t realized the seriousness of the situation, most felt sorry for Xiulan, being hit by a shrew.

Xiulan was known in the village for being kind and never arguing with anyone, well-liked by everyone.

Only a few people, out of jealousy, thought it was good she got hit.

Almost no one liked Wang Cuilian, everyone hated her. She loved to haggle over every penny, often stealing melons and vegetables, and would act shamelessly if scolded, even lying on the ground.

But no one dared to really hit her, fearing they would have to pay compensation if something happened. They preferred to avoid trouble, just cursing to vent their anger.

What was more annoying was that they often couldn’t even win the argument.

As Xiulan returned home, Lin Heng quickly came out.

The villagers watching were curious: “Lin Heng, your wife was hit, aren’t you going to take care of her? What are you doing?”

Lin Heng glanced at everyone and said sternly: “Nothing, I’m going to the town police station to report that someone hit and robbed us. If the town doesn’t handle it, I’ll go to the city.”

After saying that, he walked along the road.

“Reporting it, isn’t that too much?” The villagers were stunned.

Soon someone reacted: “If this is reported, what will happen?”

“What will happen? Someone hit and robbed, at least a few days in jail.”

“Well done.”

The news quickly spread in the village. Everyone lived close by, and nothing could be hidden until the next meal. The Wang family and village officials soon knew.

“What? Lin Heng went to report it? What happened?” Village head Zhao Xiancheng was stunned, having some relatives in the Wang family.

“I heard Xiulan was hit, and Caiyun went to reason, but not only was she hit, they also took ten yuan.” Tang Qing said while drinking tea and looking at her husband.

“Quickly inform the Wang family to apologize and bring the person back, or Wang Cuilian will go to jail. What a fool.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiancheng quickly said, thinking that taking the money was asking for trouble.

The Wang family soon got the news. Hearing about the serious situation, the old man of the Wang family quickly went to chase Lin Heng.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xiancheng and Wang Cuilian’s husband Wang Yongshan went to find Wang Cuilian.

On the other side, Wang Cuilian was still happy about the ten yuan she got, thinking it was a windfall.

“Yongshan, village head, why are you here?” Seeing her husband and the village head, she was still confused.

“Slap!!”

Wang Yongshan slapped her and angrily said: “You fool, you’re going to jail, and you’re still happy?”

“Jail?” Wang Cuilian covered her face, confused about why she would go to jail.

“You hit Xiulan and took ten yuan from her. Her husband Lin Heng went to report it. Once reported, it’s robbery, a serious crime.”

Village head Zhao Xiancheng was also speechless. Wang Cuilian had no education and didn’t understand anything, yet dared to take someone’s money, not fearing death.

“Robbery?” Hearing about jail, Wang Cuilian panicked: “The money was thrown by Caiyun, I picked it up from the ground, I didn’t rob.”

“What?” Zhao Xiancheng felt something was wrong and quickly asked: “Explain the whole incident in detail.”

Frightened by the mention of jail, Wang Cuilian, who had no education and was full of fear and respect for the judicial system, quickly recounted the incident in detail.

After listening, Zhao Xiancheng understood immediately and shook his head: “You’ve been acting arrogantly all this time, and now you’ve met your match. They clearly set a trap for you. You could have just taken the wild eggs, but you had to hit someone. Isn’t that asking for trouble?”

Wang Yongshan, standing beside, got angry: “Uncle, this is obviously a setup by the other side. Why should we be afraid?”

Zhao Xiancheng looked at him: “You’re too naive. You took the money and hit someone. No matter what, it’s your fault. Who can prove you picked up the money?”

Lin Heng, who has attended junior high school, really knows how to handle things. This move has completely cornered you. You should bring some gifts and apologize in person.

Zhao Xiancheng also realized that Lin Heng wanted to teach Wang Cuilian a lesson and establish his authority. However, he admired and appreciated this young man, as he hadn’t noticed his capabilities before.

“I understand, Uncle,” Wang Yongshan nodded and angrily told his wife, “Hurry up, take the things and go apologize.”

Soon, everyone saw Wang Cuilian and Wang Yongshan carrying a jar of honey and knocking on Lin Heng’s door.

“Oh my, Wang Cuilian is actually here to apologize. This is rare!”

“Indeed, the sun must be rising from the west.”

“Lin Heng really has some skills, he managed to subdue Wang Cuilian.”

“Well, if you were facing the risk of imprisonment, you would apologize too.”

The villagers were all gloating, unaware that this was all part of Lin Heng’s plan. If they knew, they would probably be terrified.

At this moment, Wang Yongshan was a bit scared. This kind of scheming made him shiver. He used to think that indulging his wife was no big deal since they could gain a lot of benefits.

From now on, he would never provoke this family again.

When Lin’s father and others opened the door and saw Wang Yongshan and Wang Cuilian, they were astonished. Lin Heng had predicted it accurately.

“Uncle Lin, my wife was ignorant. She hit Xiulan and took your money. We are really sorry,” Wang Yongshan said with a low posture.

“It’s not a big deal, come in and sit,” Lin’s father said with a smile. He was not the kind of person who would hold a grudge. He was a simple and kind farmer.

If Wang Cuilian hadn’t been so hateful, he wouldn’t have wanted Lin Heng to do this.

Inside, Xiulan was sitting in the main room with a red mark on her face. Wang Cuilian hit her partly out of jealousy for her good looks.

“Hurry up and apologize!” Wang Yongshan said impatiently.

Wang Cuilian, who had been domineering for many years, didn’t know how to apologize for the first time. She directly placed a jar of honey and the ten yuan she ‘picked up’ on the table.

Then, without saying a word, she slapped herself and bowed her head, saying, “Xiulan, I’m sorry. Please don’t hold a grudge. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have taken your wild eggs, and I shouldn’t have hit you.”

Xiulan looked at the humbled Wang Cuilian and felt a sense of relief. Anyone would be furious if they were robbed and beaten for no reason.

“It’s okay,” Xiulan finally waved her hand lightly, forgiving her without any sarcastic remarks.

Seeing this, Wang Yongshan felt much relieved. He was afraid of being mocked and losing face.

Now it seemed that Chen Xiulan was indeed a good woman, beautiful and kind-hearted. Even after being beaten, she didn’t mock her.

No wonder many people in the village envied Lin Heng for marrying such a good wife from Lushui County.

Looking at his own wife, who was round, had smelly feet, was stupid, and caused him to lose a jar of honey, Wang Yongshan was filled with anger and wanted to beat her up.

“You can take the things back. I don’t need them,” Xiulan pointed to the honey on the table.

“No, no, you take it to replenish yourself. If there’s nothing else, we’ll leave now,” Wang Yongshan said, wanting to pull his wife away.

“Hmph, this time we’ll let it go. But if it happens again, it won’t be so easy. Remember, Wang Cuilian, if it weren’t for Xiulan’s magnanimity, you would have to spend a few days in jail,” Lin’s mother warned sternly, feeling heartbroken for her daughter-in-law.

“Yes, yes, there won’t be a next time,” Wang Cuilian said, her face red, not knowing what to say.

The situation was tense for a minute. Lin’s father, seeing that it was enough, said, “It’s okay, you can go now. It’s not a big deal.”

“Thank you, Uncle Lin,” Wang Yongshan quickly said, taking his wife and leaving in a hurry, too embarrassed to stay in the village.

“Ah, Xiulan is kind and gentle, but Lin Heng is not to be trifled with. Be careful in the future,” the old hunter Tian Baishun said, watching the two leave with a smile. He had long seen that Lin Heng was not an easy person.

“Yes, don’t think you can bully them just because they are kind. Didn’t you see how Lin Heng treasures her?”

The other villagers also sighed.

Lin Heng’s actions left a deep impression on many people. Even Wang Cuilian, who was a shrew and a rogue, was subdued by him. Who would dare to provoke Xiulan now?

On the other side, Lin Heng returned before dark. He hadn’t gone far and was resting by the roadside.

When Uncle Wang came after him, saying good things and promising that such things would never happen again, Lin Heng reluctantly returned.

Back home, he immediately went to see his wife Xiulan. Seeing the red mark on her face, he was heartbroken, “Does it still hurt? You should have mocked Wang Cuilian harshly to teach her a lesson.”

“It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt anymore,” Xiulan shook her head gently.

“Here, take a warm towel and apply it to your face,” Caiyun handed a towel to Lin Heng.

Lin Heng wanted to apply it for Xiulan, but she felt embarrassed and took it herself, “I can do it myself. It’s not a big deal.”

Seeing the injury on his wife’s face, Lin Heng wanted to rush out and slap Wang Cuilian.

This incident was sudden, a butterfly effect of his rebirth. In his previous life, he hadn’t heard of Xiulan being beaten for picking wild eggs.

But it reminded him not to think that everything was under control just because he was reborn.

Fortunately, after today, the villagers would think twice before bullying Xiulan, considering Wang Cuilian’s fate.

“Hurry up and cook, it’s getting dark,” Lin’s father said.

“Okay, I’ll go cook now,” Lin’s mother nodded and went out with her sister-in-law Liu Juan to cook.

“Mom, hug!” Xiaoxia ran over and said sweetly.

“Hug? Your mom was beaten,” Lin Heng said, pulling her into his arms.

Xiaoxia tilted her head, seemingly understanding what being beaten meant. She struggled to run out and patted Xiulan’s hand, blowing on it, “Hoo hoo, it doesn’t hurt, be good.”

“Haha!”

Xiulan was amused by her daughter’s actions. She used to comfort her daughter like this when she fell.

“Hahaha, Xiaoxia is so smart, she knows how to comfort her mom,” everyone in the room laughed. No one expected a little girl over a year old to have such strong imitative ability.

“Come, mom will hug you!” Xiulan happily hugged Xiaoxia. With such a husband and daughter, her face didn’t hurt at all.

“I guess she understands what being beaten means because she often gets beaten,” Lin Heng said with a smile. Xiaoxia was too cute.

Wearing a red dress, she looked like a little angel, sweeping away the unpleasant atmosphere in the room.

“Lin Heng, the wooden grid you asked me to make is ready. It’s easy to assemble and disassemble,” Carpenter Liang said, bringing a wooden board with rectangular wooden grids held together by grooves.

“Thank you,” Lin Heng said, looking at the work. As expected of an old carpenter, the craftsmanship was impeccable.

This box was for making soap. With this box, Lin Heng planned to try making a batch of soap tomorrow.

During dinner, Lin Heng’s nephew Lin Wei came back from playing, holding a green bird and said with a smile, “Second Uncle, look, I caught a prey too.”

Since Lin Heng gave him a slingshot, the boy had been practicing.

“Great, you’re making progress,” Lin Heng said with a thumbs up.

“Hehe, compared to you, Second Uncle, I’m still far behind,” Lin Wei said with a smile. At school, he boasted to his friends that his second uncle had caught a deer weighing over fifty pounds, feeling very proud.

“Let’s eat. Tonight we have pork intestines, it’s a delicacy,” Lin Heng said with a smile.

Lin Wei put down his things and sat next to Lin Heng, closer to him than to his own parents.

“Yes, this tastes amazing. Xiulan, you should eat more.”

The stir-fried pork intestines with pickled radish were so delicious that Lin Heng couldn’t get enough of them.

End of chapter