Ger, So Proud

Chapter 69

“Third Uncle Lin is dead.”

Upon hearing this news, Lin Yu, already stunned by a series of events today, was momentarily bewildered. “What happened?”

Last night, a major incident occurred in He Family Village. His infamous third uncle-in-law, Wu Cui, was caught in an affair with Li Dafu from Li Family Village by Li Dafu’s wife. He was not one to hold back and caused a huge commotion, almost demolishing their home. Before dawn, someone from Li Family Village informed the patriarch.

In just a couple of hours, the whole village knew. Even though the ground was covered with thick snow and a light rain was falling, it didn’t stop the villagers from rushing to the Village to witness the spectacle. Many even gathered outside the Lin family’s courtyard.

It’s said that when Third Uncle Lin heard the news, he was so shocked that he immediately fainted.

But didn’t they call a doctor? How did he pass away so quickly?

“For years, he has been weak. It seems this time the shock was too much for him. The doctor said there was nothing he could do. Just as he stepped out the door, he breathed his last.” Zhang Su sighed, his emotions mixed.

Perhaps due to his illness, Lin Tiangui and Dad Liu had always indulged Third Lin. Much of the money earned by the second son while he was still alive was used to support him. Later, when the second son was gone, and Lin Yu and his dad were still at the Lin family, he often made things difficult for them.

Thinking back to when they were driven out by Lin Tiangui, with him arrogantly protected by Dad Liu, it was ironic how quickly things had changed.

“And what about Lin Tiangui and his wife?” Third Lin was angered to death by Wu Cui, so how could Lin Tiangui and Dad Liu not go mad?

“I don’t know, but there will surely be more trouble.”

Zhang Su also saw the implications. This matter would not be easily settled. However, for them, this was a good thing. Call him heartless or cold, but if Lin Tiangui would return the second son, he wouldn’t have a word to say even if he had to mourn Third Lin.

This is all karma!

Lin Yu said nothing. Third Uncle Lin’s death stirred some emotions in him, not out of sympathy, but because it reminded him of He Ze’s promised “good show.”

However, what Lin Yu didn’t know was that this event was beyond He Ze’s expectations. He had seen the other members of the Lin family at least once, but he had no impression of Third Lin, and he certainly didn’t plan to target him specifically.

But now that he’s dead… so be it. What does it have to do with him?

Due to this scandal, the elders of both villages were alarmed, and the village, which had been quiet, was now abuzz with activity.

The next morning, the drizzling rain of the past two days finally stopped, though the sky remained overcast. By this time, not a trace of snow remained outside the Lin family courtyard, and half the villagers had gathered to witness the drama.

“So, how’s this show? Exciting enough?”

Two days ago was the 14th, and Li Dafu’s wife would always visit his parents’ home on that day and return the next. He instructed Liu San and He Dalang to take advantage of this pattern and lure him back early.

It worked as planned.

He Ze, with his arm around Lin Yu’s shoulder, blended into the crowd, listening to the surrounding commotion. He leaned in closer to Lin Yu’s ear.

Liu San and He Dalang stood nearby. Normally, they would have been at the forefront of such a spectacle, but today they remained unusually quiet. After learning about Third Lin’s situation yesterday, they were downcast and unsettled. Seeking out He Ze, they were scolded by him and subsequently refrained from making further mistakes.

Wu Cui was brought back by clan members early this morning.

Yesterday, it was supposed to be the Lin family who would retrieve him, but due to Third Lin’s incident, they couldn’t manage it. As a result, he and Li Dafu spent the night kneeling in the Li Family Village ancestral hall. Now, he was kneeling in the courtyard.

He looked emaciated, like a bamboo stick, his face covered in mud and blood, hair disheveled, clothes tattered, and in complete disarray. He was a far cry from the spirited person who had caused trouble two months ago.

Dad Liu stood beside him, constantly berating and beating him. The Lin family members stood to one side, while a few village elders stood on the other.

It had the air of a tribunal.

The village hadn’t seen such a scandal in a long time. Though Wu Cui was married into the Lin family, the marriage took place before the Lin family settled in He Family Village. They were refugees, and no one knew where Wu Cui’s maternal family was. Without a place to shift the blame, the villagers would lay the guilt squarely on them.

Having an adulterous ger among them, if not handled properly by the clan, would tarnish the reputation of any unmarried gers marrying out of the village. This meant that not only the families of eligible gers wanted to see the Lin family punished, but even the village elders standing there regretted not having expelled the Lin family earlier.

“How did we not have the resolve to drive them out back then?”

“You—” Lin Yu glanced up at He Ze, hesitant to speak.

“Honest to heaven, I didn’t do anything.”

“……”

Lin Yu didn’t really believe He Ze had done anything. Wu Cui’s infidelity and Third Lin’s death were beyond He Ze’s control.

But the “good show” He Ze had mentioned—he must have known about Wu Cui and Li Dafu’s affair beforehand!

“It was just a chance encounter. What, feeling sympathetic?” Noticing Lin Yu’s look, He Ze’s voice was calm.

He didn’t care about Third Lin’s death or the fate of the Lin family. Everything he did was merely to make the Lin family pay for the suffering Lin Yu had endured over the years.

However, a life was lost in the process. If Lin Yu felt bothered by this, it would be understandable. As He Ze considered this, he maintained a calm exterior, though a sense of unease crept into his heart.

A rare feeling indeed.

“No, whether they live or die has nothing to do with me,” Lin Yu said, nestling closer to He Ze, his voice tinged with coldness. “When my father was alive, he often told me to forgive my grandparents because they were elders and their act of raising me was a great kindness. I would always nod in agreement, but each time I thought, they didn’t give birth to me or raise me. Why should I be like my father?”

“After my father passed away, my dad had to do all the household chores alone. Whenever they were displeased, they wouldn’t let my dad and me eat. Every autumn, I would go to the fields to collect unwanted sweet potatoes so I wouldn’t go hungry.”

“He Ze, I hate them.”

To be precise, it was hatred. The resentment he had toward the Lin family had already faded, but it resurfaced when they reappeared.

Lin Yu’s voice was calm. He hadn’t thought about those memories for a long time, but now he spoke of them in public.

Liu San and He Dalang exchanged a glance, the lingering guilt in their hearts slowly dissipating with Lin Yu’s measured tone.

He Ze didn’t reply because he knew Lin Yu didn’t need him to. He was simply providing reassurance.

“With Third Lin’s sudden death, even if the clan wants to take action, it will have to wait,” Liu San said, noting the surrounding crowd’s outrage.

True enough. With the Lin family mourning a son’s death, any attempts to expel them would have to be postponed.

“Why worry? This matter won’t end peacefully, and dragging it out won’t solve anything,” He Ze said, unconcerned.

It was no longer about whether the clan would act but that the Lin family had incited public anger because of Wu Cui. Even now, with Lin Tiangui shouting about divorcing his wife on behalf of his son, no one would heed him.

“Indeed. But this situation benefits Li Dali. I heard the elders of Li Family Village have decided to let him inherit the Li family estate. He Bao’er is fortunate,” He Dalang said. He Bao’er had accepted Li Dali’s marriage proposal, and their wedding was soon. “Since Li Dafu is a man, the clan’s punishment will focus on that.”

He said this casually, and the others didn’t respond. Inside the courtyard, Dad Liu seemed to have lost his mind, his beatings and curses growing louder. He grabbed a thick wooden stick from the wall and swung it at Wu Cui’s head.

Wu Cui, who had been kneeling silently for a long time, suddenly jumped up and dodged the blow.

The events that followed were unexpected. Wu Cui managed to snatch the wooden stick from Dad Liu. Unable to speak, he let out a series of unintelligible cries, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of rage. He looked like a vengeful spirit as he charged at the Lin family members with the stick.

Many villagers outside the house moved forward, but they gathered around the elders to shield them from the chaos. As for everyone else, if Wu Cui hit them with the stick, would the Lin family pay for their medical bills? Dream on!

So, why get involved in such a mess?

The Lin family members scattered in all directions to escape Wu Cui, filling the courtyard with shouts, curses, and cries of pain. The situation was rapidly escalating.

He Ze whispered something to Liu San, then grabbed Lin Yu’s hand and left.

The two of them walked in unusual silence, with Lin Yu staring intently at the footprints he left in the snow. He Ze couldn’t help but smile, “Are you unhappy?”

Lin Yu didn’t answer, just pulled him towards a side path. They walked until they were behind someone else’s courtyard, in a small alley. Lin Yu stopped, looked around briefly, and then suddenly lunged at He Ze.

He Ze opened his arms just in time.

Perfect!

This was the first time Lin Yu had thrown himself into He Ze’s arms willingly. If he ignored the circumstances, He Ze would have been overjoyed.

But right now…

“Really unhappy? Or is it that the stone that’s been blocking your heart finally shattered, leaving you lost and confused?” He Ze patted Lin Yu’s shoulder, his tone teasing.

He was spot on.

Lin Yu himself wasn’t sure how he felt. As he had said before, he hated the Lin family and knew they would face a bad end after this incident. Yet, after a moment of satisfaction came a sense of loss.

It was very strange.

He Ze’s presence made him want to act spoiled.

How embarrassing.

“The Lin family’s issues have nothing to do with you anymore. Don’t overthink it,” He Ze said, ruffling Lin Yu’s hair and giving him a big kiss before changing the topic. “You’ve been cooped up at home for so long, you must be bored. How about we go to town tomorrow?”

After all these days, there should be some progress with the shop.

Lin Yu stepped back from his embrace, his face flushed, “Is there something to do?”

“Remember that pot of flowers I gave you earlier? Wasn’t it beautiful?” He Ze asked, seemingly out of context.

“Yes.”

Lin Yu hesitated but nodded. He Ze just smiled and pulled him out of the alley.

Beautiful flowers, and there would be even more beautiful ones in the future.

Author’s note: After this chapter, the Lin family will have less of a role, let’s celebrate 2333333