Chapter 346: The Soft-Waisted Educated Youth Is Spoiled by His Boyfriend 09

How is it this educated youth again, with unclean hands and feet?

Exactly, what's so special about coming from the city? They have no quality at all.

The neighbors crowded into the courtyard, talking over each other, their conversation completely unrestrained.

Uncle Sun stood opposite Mo Zhinan, face flushed with anger, gripping an iron hoe, radiating the aura of demanding an explanation.

You tell me, you don't raise chickens at home, so if you didn't steal mine, where did those eggshells come from?

Since you came to our village, you don't work for work points, you don't earn anything, you're always thinking about stealing chickens and dogs—you've really ruined the reputation of educated youths!

He gave Mo Zhinan no chance to explain, rushing over to unleash a barrage.

Mo Zhinan, already uncomfortable around crowds, felt as if he were about to suffocate, as though a hand were tightly gripping his throat, rendering him speechless.

He glanced toward the outside of the courtyard, as if hoping someone would come by.

One villager chimed in, "Don't say that, he's pretty sinister! I cursed him a few times yesterday, and when I got home I took a nasty fall!"

Exactly, exactly, last time we struggled in a struggle session, I came back with diarrhea—surely it's his fault!

An aunt who couldn't stand it interjected, "Hey hey hey, don't keep saying more outrageous things! He's at least an educated youth—what feudal superstition are you up to here? Give him a chance to explain!"

Just then, Zhang Zhishuai, who happened to be passing by, entered from outside the courtyard, face full of confusion, "What's going on? Why are you all gathered here?"

"Educated youth Zhang, you've come at just the right time!" The villagers all liked Zhang Zhishuai, having received various benefits from him, and thought he was quite adept at handling affairs.

Uncle Sun snorted, pointed at Mo Zhinan, and said, "This guy tried to steal your money last time and failed, and today he stole my free-range chicken eggs! It's so hot now the hens hardly lay, and I'm saving these for my grandson to eat!"

There's actually something like this!

Zhang Zhishuai was greatly shocked, looking at Mo Zhinan with a face of 'wishing iron could become steel,' and said, "Wasn't the last lesson enough? You at least represent the reputation of educated youths—don't let the villagers think we're all bad people!"

Mo Zhinan: "……"

He glanced back at the accusing Zhang Zhishuai, his eyes hidden beneath his hair cold and murky, yet under the gaze of so many he couldn't utter a word, cold sweat pouring down, his thoughts even a little foggy.

He closed his eyes, his body swayed for a moment, and his face grew even paler.

A flash of smugness crossed Zhang Zhishuai's expression as he thought to himself, "Sure enough, as long as Mo Zhinan is surrounded by people, he feels miserable without anyone needing to lift a finger."

He continued, "Don't go accusing me of framing you again—if it wasn't you who stole, then give a proper explanation."

Seeing others chime in, Uncle Sun's vigor surged, and he immediately shouted, "Yeah! You tell me! What's the deal with the eggshells in your yard? And I clearly saw you sneaking around in my yard today—if you can't explain it clearly, watch me not beat you to death!"

Who do you want to beat to death?

A violent, cold-hard voice came from behind the crowd.

Several villagers hastily made way.

Jin Chen's face was cold, his expression overcast with dark clouds, his brows furrowed with a sinister look.

He was already much taller than the villagers, and when his intensely oppressive gaze fell upon them, Uncle Sun couldn't help but feel a jolt in his chest.

Moreover, behind him followed the three newly recruited thugs from yesterday, each tall and big, looking quite intimidating.

With such a show of force, Uncle Sun didn't know what to say next.

Jin Chen walked straight over to Mo Zhinan, stood face to face, and reached out to steady him.

But as soon as he touched him, Mo Zhinan shrank back like a hedgehog with a stabbed belly, lowering his head and crossing his arms over his chest—a posture utterly lacking in security, his fingertips almost digging into his flesh.

That motion caused Jin Chen's heart to ache, a fine, dense sorrow welling up, gradually loosening his hand and softening his tone.

It's me, don't be afraid.

Mo Zhinan seemed to recognize Jin Chen's voice, slowly lifting his gaze; his previously unfocused eyes settled on Jin Chen's face full of worry and pity, the murkiness in his pupils gradually fading.

He let Jin Chen lead him, catching the familiar scent of sandalwood, and his breathing gradually smoothed out.

Only then did Jin Chen let go of the worry he'd been holding.

Having just been fully briefed by 0731 on the whole story, he now shielded his wife behind him, gave Uncle Sun and the villagers behind him a cold stare, and when his gaze swept over Zhang Zhishuai it turned even colder.

It seems this matter is again inseparable from the protagonist's love interest.

"Jin Chen, what do you mean! You're helping this thief, but you won't help me, your fellow villager who's watched you grow up since childhood?"

Uncle Sun collected himself, perhaps intimidated by Jin Chen's show of force, and his shout wasn't as loud as before.

"I'll ask you instead—what do you mean? If you have evidence, just bring a crowd to my door."

Jin Chen's voice wasn't loud, but his aura was surely many times stronger than Uncle Sun's.

"Just based on a few eggshells, you dare say he stole them? If I put my money in your yard today, could I then claim tomorrow that you stole my money?"

"You!"

Uncle Sun choked for a moment, then after a pause continued, "I just saw it! And besides, if he's a repeat offender, I don't doubt him doubting anyone!"

Jin Chen: "Really? Then when did you see it?"

"At seven o'clock today! I discovered my chickens had laid eggs, went out to look, and lo and behold I saw the eggshells in his yard!"

Uncle Sun responded full of confidence, seeming to have already concluded that Mo Zhinan was the thief who stole the eggs.

"No way. Never mind that Erding saw you turning over grain in the field at that time—by seven o'clock Mo Zhinan's household probably hadn't even opened its door—how could you just happen to pass by and see inside the yard?"

While speaking, Jin Chen also soothed Mo Zhinan's emotions to steady him as much as possible; just as he turned his head, his peripheral vision caught the child of Uncle Sun waiting at the courtyard gate, and a flash of realization crossed his eyes.

Lv Erding also chimed in, "Exactly, Uncle Sun, I saw you turning over grain in the field this morning too—it seemed like you later saw someone, suddenly put down your rake and ran home, I thought something had happened!"

In fact, Lv Erding didn't go to the field at all this morning; this remark was something Jin Chen had prepared him to say ahead of time.

As expected, Uncle Sun fell for the trap right away.

"Nonsense! There was nobody in the field today except me—how did you see it?"

Jin Chen scoffed, "Isn't having just you enough?"

Uncle Sun: "……"

He suddenly realized he'd misspoken, his face turning black and red from holding it in, "You little brat, you're trying to trick me!"

"As long as it works."

Jin Chen lifted his chin toward the child at the courtyard gate, "Dazhuang, bring that kid over."

Alright, Jin ge. Dazhuang responded immediately, walking toward the Sun family child.