Chapter 8: A Hint of Green on Scumbag Dad’s Head

Tongtong trotted over on her short little legs, her sweet, soft face still wearing an innocent expression. She spoke in a gentle, tender voice, “Auntie, you look so familiar… Ah! I remember now! Last night when I got up to use the bathroom, I saw you stealing the cucumbers Grandpa Liu planted in the yard. You even called him a stingy old man.”

“Stealing property and cursing people—that’s a double offense, you know!”

Of course, this was what Old Ginkgo had told her last night.

Grandpa Liu, who was present, immediately exploded, “Well, I’ll be! I wondered who was so rotten as to steal an old man’s vegetables. Turns out it was you!”

Zhang Yanfang, feeling guilty, angrily retorted, “She’s talking nonsense!”

Tongtong giggled, “Whether it’s nonsense or not, Grandpa Liu can just go check her house and see. It’s hidden in the cupboard!”

Grandpa Liu grumbled and cursed as he dragged Zhang Yanfang off to check. Sure enough, they found half a cucumber that hadn’t been finished yet, and he immediately started shouting and swearing.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Zhang Yanfang paid compensation, shut herself in her room, and didn’t dare come out.

Tongtong snickered triumphantly to herself, then turned her gaze to another woman who had joined in, Li Xue.

“Auntie Li, I saw you yesterday pouring your foot-washing water from the third-floor balcony onto the clothes Grandma Wang had hung out to dry. Ew! That’s so unhygienic!”

As she spoke, she wrinkled her little nose in disgust.

Grandma Wang also exploded, grabbing Li Xue’s hair and starting to curse.

The two sides argued fiercely, much to the amusement of the women in the compound.

The System lifted its little head, feeling incredibly proud!

Hmph! How dare they bully her mother? She’d curse them to death!

Shen Wei felt annoyed and somewhat resentful as she glanced in Tongtong’s direction. She sighed helplessly, “…Life is already so hard, but some people just can’t stand to see us widows and orphans doing well. They keep making up stories behind our backs… This life is truly unbearable…”

Yu Wanqin couldn’t stand her hypocritical, affected act.

She shielded her daughter behind her, wearing a gentle, concerned expression on her face. “Sister-in-law, what are you saying? How could we make up stories about you? Everyone is just concerned about you… If you really feel it’s too hard to manage alone and want to find a caring man to share the burden, you absolutely shouldn’t hold back!”

Shen Wei choked up, her face turning ugly. “I… I intend to remain faithful to your eldest brother.”

Yu Wanqin waved her hand dismissively, speaking briskly, “Sister-in-law, we’re in a new society now. That kind of thinking is outdated. They say it’s honorable for widows to remarry! Our whole family supports you! Once you find a new husband, upright and proper, who could say a single bad word about you?”

She emphasized the words “upright and proper” heavily, laced with sarcasm.

Without waiting for Shen Wei to refuse, Yu Wanqin turned enthusiastically to the aunties around her.

“Sisters, isn’t that right? Please help my sister-in-law keep an eye out for suitable candidates.”

Everyone snapped back to attention, bursting into chatter.

“Yes, yes, yes! Sister Wanqin is absolutely right!”

“Nurse Shen is so young; she really should find someone else. I think my cousin from my maiden family is quite good. His wife died years ago, and raising a son alone isn’t easy. Nurse Shen would be perfect for him!”

“My maiden family also has a brother. Although he doesn’t have a job, he’s strong and hardworking. Life would definitely be happy with him…”

The aunties responded with exceptional enthusiasm, chattering away about which relatives might be suitable.

Especially those who had eaten Yu Wanqin’s egg pancakes this morning went all out with their recommendations.

Shen Wei: “…”

This situation was completely different from what she had expected!

A surge of old blood choked in her throat, her face turning from green to ashen with rage.

That bitch Yu Wanqin!

And now both of her lackeys had been driven away, leaving no one to speak up for her!

Just then, Lin Zhiguo returned with a dark expression.

He had just been subtly questioned by his superiors in the office about conduct issues and was already seething with anger.

“What’s all this noise about here!”

He glared at Yu Wanqin, convinced she must be stirring up trouble again.

Tongtong’s eyes darted, and she flew over like a cheerful little bird, her voice clear and bright.

“Daddy! You’re back! Eldest aunt said she wants to find a new daddy for Jiaojiao sister to take care of them, and the aunties are all eagerly helping!”

Shen Wei: “!!!”

Lin Zhiguo’s face instantly turned extremely ugly as he glared fiercely at Shen Wei.

The nature of their relationship was something only they themselves knew.

Lin Zhiguo felt a tinge of green on his head.

Shen Wei immediately turned on the drama, tears welling up as she looked at Lin Zhiguo with sorrow: “Brother Zhiguo, I… I didn’t mean that. Is it because me and the children are a burden to you? If you’re tired of us, I… I’ll take the children and leave right now…”

Lin Jiaojiao and Lin Ruihu also began crying at just the right moment.

“Wahhh… Daddy doesn’t want us anymore…”

Their crying instantly swayed Lin Zhiguo’s heart completely.

He turned sharply to Tongtong: “Nonsense! What are you talking about!”

“Yu Wanqin, how are you raising this child? Eldest sister-in-law is a respectable woman who gave birth to a son and daughter for our Lin family, working hard and contributing greatly! How can you slander her like this? Have you no conscience!”

Yu Wanqin lowered her eyes, a hint of mockery in their depths.

Tongtong pouted, her rosy little face full of grievance, speaking just loud enough for everyone around to hear.

“If eldest aunt doesn’t want to find a new daddy for cousin, she can’t keep hogging my daddy forever… Besides, their daddy is eldest uncle, not you… If they all call you daddy, then who will visit eldest uncle’s grave in the future?”

These words struck precisely at Lin Zhiguo’s most guilty spot.

Especially as everyone around listened, their expressions growing peculiar.

Exactly!

Deputy Battalion Commander Lin keeps saying he’s helping his elder brother take care of the children, yet they all call him Daddy.

Isn’t that cutting off his elder brother’s lineage!

Shen Wei paled: “I… I was just afraid the children would feel fatherless and develop psychological issues…”

Tongtong blinked her big eyes: “Then why do people in the village still call me a fatherless wild child when I have a daddy…”

Because her daddy went off to be someone else’s daddy!

Everyone thought to themselves.

Her innocent childish words stirred pity among the aunties.

Lin Zhiguo felt his head buzzing as he lectured the two children: “From now on, call me Uncle!”

Lin Ruihu immediately burst into loud sobs: “No! You are my daddy!”

He pointed at Tongtong and cursed viciously: “Mom says you’re just here to collect debts, wahhh… It’s all because of you, you little bastard! Get out! Our family doesn’t welcome you!”

Lin Jiaojiao also darkened her expression.

Tongtong hid aggrievedly in her mother’s arms, secretly laughing inside.

Curse away, curse away!

Sure enough, after hearing Lin Ruihu’s words, everyone’s expressions grew even more disapproving.

Yu Wanqin held her daughter and sneered: “Listen to that! This is your wonderful eldest sister-in-law, your wonderful nephew!”

Shen Wei hurriedly covered her son’s mouth in fright.

A vein throbbed at Lin Zhiguo’s temple: “Everyone shut up! We’ll discuss this at home!”

He suppressed his anger and glanced at Yu Wanqin before squatting down to pick up the crying and fussing Lin Ruihu.

The group entered the house, shutting out all prying eyes.

Once inside, Lin Zhiguo dropped the pretense.

He roared at Yu Wanqin, “Look at what you’ve taught the child! Spouting nonsense all the time! Utterly disgraceful! Pack your things immediately. I’ll take leave and send you back to our hometown!”

Yu Wanqin held her daughter and looked up, her gaze calm. “We’re not leaving. It’s fine here.”

“Not leaving? What are you going to do staying here, just cause more trouble?” Lin Zhiguo was furious and exasperated.

“I am your wife, Tongtong is your own daughter. We have the right to live here!” Yu Wanqin stood her ground, her icy stare meeting his.

“You…!” Lin Zhiguo raised his hand in anger.