Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 217: Rumors around Block 217

Chapter 217: Rumors around Block 217

After more rambling, Nanzhi finally left the room satisfied, hopping along with her crutch.

This matter needed time.

Once she left, the river clam in the wooden basin breathed a sigh of relief.

Then it felt somewhat gloomy again.

Why had it transformed back into this state?

No one in the Lin Family knew about the river clam’s distress in the backyard as they slept soundly.

The only ones were two old hens in the chicken coop, staring blankly with their beady eyes.

The next day, the Lins didn’t go to the North Market. Father Lin took his two sons to work at the carpentry shop. The Lin women and children stayed home to rest.

Since Nanzhi had injured her foot, Shen Zhiyu and Lin Zihan carried a chair and put it in the yard for her to lie down and sunbathe.

The three boys also sat in the yard studying, while Yuanbao snuggled up to Nanzhi and dozed off.

The February sun warmed the people. As Nanzhi was drifting off to sleep, she heard her courtyard door kicked open, accompanied by Father Lin’s loud swearing.

"This Shen Xiaolang! I’ll break his legs!"

Father Lin’s face darkened with anger. He’d kicked the door so hard it nearly scared Nanzhi out of her wits.

Even the dozing Yuanbao was startled and woke up confused.

"Grandpa, what’s wrong?"

Being older, seeing his father’s rage, Lin Zihan quickly put down his book.

Lin Jian gave Shen Zhiyu a look. The two children exchanged glances, put down their books, and ran into the main room.

When they came back out, Lin Jian had fetched a stool, and Shen Zhiyu brought out a bowl of tea.

After sitting down and having tea, Father Lin’s anger subsided a little.

He sighed at the sight of the three children.

"Fatty Girl, you can’t marry Shen’s lad anymore!"

Being called out like this, Nanzhi was still a little confused, just staring blankly at her father.

"Dad, what’s the meaning of this?"

She remembered that before her father was quite pleased with Shen Wenchen, wasn’t he?

So why the sudden change of heart?

"Do you know what they’re saying outside?"Father Lin furrowed his brows, his tone clearly dissatisfied. Looking at his precious daughter’s swollen ankle, he said helplessly.

"Forget it, in the state you’re in, it would be strange if you knew."

"What happened exactly that upset you so much?"

Mother Lin was sitting in the main room mending clothes. Seeing her husband unable to explain clearly, she also started to get annoyed.

"Everyone outside is saying it! They say Shen’s lad was strolling around the North Market with Miss Su yesterday! Someone even said they saw him flying on the rooftops, cradling her in his arms!"

Father Lin’s anger grew as he spoke. He had been happily making furniture in the shop today. A customer had ordered a bed, which made him quite cheerful. Then he heard some small talk.

At first, he enjoyed the entertaining gossip. But then, something felt off.

Something about Miss Su, and General Shen, who was walking and flying around with her. He initially found the gossip amusing, but then he started to think. The General Shen of Yan City... wasn’t that suitor of his daughter?

They were only engaged, but Shen lad had come recently to propose to his daughter. How much time had passed and he’s out in public with another girl?

Nanzhi was also stunned after hearing her dad’s words.

Shen Wenchen was strolling with Miss Su yesterday?

And flying around with her?

But wasn’t she the only one with Shen Wenchen yesterday?

"Father, I’m afraid there might be a misunderstanding..."

"The rumors have spread so widely, how can there still be any misunderstanding? Don’t speak on his behalf, that boy might not even be a good one! He was the one who left you and Zhiyu in Lihua Village for three years, and now he’s making such an issue, I’m not going to agree to your marriage."

Father Lin finished his tea as he spoke.

Standing at the entrance of the courtyard with gifts in his arms, Shen Wenchen felt at a loss, unsure whether to enter or not.

"Father-in-law..."

Caught off guard by a sudden call of "Father-in-law" from behind, Lin’s father almost dropped his tea bowl.

"Ah, Wenchen... why do you have free time to come visit us?"

"Yesterday, Nannan helped arrest an escaped criminal at the yamen. I brought some things over today to check on her."

Shen Wenchen paid his respects, then carried his gifts into the living room.

"Wenchen dear, have a seat, have a seat." Mother Lin put down her needlework to pour a cup of tea for Shen Wenchen.

"You must have heard what your uncle just said; I’d like to hear your version of the story."

Mother Lin placed the tea in front of Shen Wenchen, her face revealing a slight smile.

"Yesterday morning I ran into Miss Su, who had been separated from her maid. I had my men go investigate. Then later I went to North Market to catch the criminal, and was with Nannan after that. I didn’t encounter Miss Su again, but there were patrols on the streets yesterday, so she should not have been kidnapped."

While Mother Lin was speaking, Shen Wenchen sat upright, looking like an obedient child.

"Really?"

Father Lin chuckled awkwardly and did not have anything more to say. He just laughed it off.

"Every word I said is true."

"If that’s the case, why are there rumors about you embracing Miss Su?"

Mother Lin asked as Nanzhi also showed curiosity.

Were there not many people who saw her with Shen Wenchen yesterday? Why did it turn into Su Tao?

"I genuinely do not know."

Shen Wenchen shook his head honestly. He had stayed in the dungeon all day after returning home yesterday, and had no knowledge of any gossip circulating among the people.

Ever since they started to eradicate ’vipers’ in Yan City, there had been incessant rumors about them.

Especially after the twelfth return to the capital, when he took up the position of city lord.

The rumors never stopped.

In the early days, he paid attention to them, but as more and more ridiculous rumors spread, he stopped paying attention.

"They said they saw Wenchen with a lady in a goose yellow dress, and later someone claimed that the lady was Miss Su."

As Father Lin scratched his head, he noticed the color of the dress his daughter wore.

Wasn’t it goose yellow as well?

"I, I misunderstood."

Zhiyu, who had been surreptitiously listening to their conversation, finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that her father had no relations with Su Tao.

"Wenchen, stay and have lunch with us." Mother Lin served another plate of Osmanthus Cake to him, smiling.

Shen Wenchen nodded and automatically brought a small stool to sit next to Nanzhi.

"Did you get any information from that man?"

"Not yet, but it should be soon." Shen Wenchen looked affectionately at Nanzhi.

"The man is of high status, not used to hardship. Once he talks, I might have to leave for half a month."

"You must keep safe." Nanzhi nodded, without saying much.

However, Zhiyu reached out her hand, beckoning Shen Wenchen to hold her in his arms.

Her mother used to say that she was a lucky charm. If her father held her more, he would have good luck!