Chapter 180: The Light of the Righteous Dao Shines Upon Him

Lin Zhao gave her second brother a thumbs-up.

"Didn't expect you to move so fast, impressive."

Lin Lin Shisheng's brow furrowed with helplessness. "You know, finding work depends on luck—good luck, and it's smooth; bad luck, and you might wait two or three years without a chance."

He smiled at Lin Zhao. "It's just that seeing Big Brother get a job got to me. Big Brother and you are workers, Third Brother gets a monthly allowance, Fourth Brother knows medicine—even without a job, he won't starve. Only me…"

"I can't shame Father and Mother. So I got serious, and hard work pays off—I got it."

"It's just temporary work…"

"Temporary work's still better than tilling the land for work points—it's steady income, and the real bonus is the ration coupons. Later, when Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng need something, it'll be easier."

Lin Zhao nodded in agreement. "True."

The transport team's job? They go everywhere—easy to buy anything. Best job there is.

"Second Brother, work hard and aim for permanent status. If you need money, come to me—I won't charge you interest. We're siblings."

Lin Lin Shisheng: "..."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Lin Zhao yawned, slowly rising. "There's another room. You sleep there. Get to bed early—tomorrow's going to be eventful."

Lin Lin Shisheng: "..." You make catching an affair sound so violent. Thanks for caring about my feelings.

Lin Lin Shisheng was easygoing—he downed the brown sugar water in one gulp, sweet dreams carrying him off the moment his head hit the pillow.

The next room.

Gu Gu Chenghuai hadn't slept. He sat up reading, then turned at the sound of footsteps.

"Finished talking?"

Lin Zhao walked to the bed, kicked off her shoes, climbed in, removed her hair tie, and lay down.

"Tomorrow I'm going to tear apart Qiulian's face. You stay home and watch the kids."

Gu Gu Chenghuai: "?"

(? ◇?)?

He stared at her, forehead full of question marks.

"What's going on?"

Lin Zhao spoke with perfect confidence. "The Lin and Qiu families are done. Qiulian did something disgraceful, ignoring Second Brother's and the Lin family's honor—of course we settle old grudges and new ones together!"

"Ever since she married in, she's caused me and Father and Mother nothing but trouble. A beating's too light."

First beat her, then send her and that lover to the farm.

In the original novel, that lover and the adulteress ruined Second Brother and killed Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng. This time, they must be locked down—no choice.

Gu Gu Chenghuai didn't stop his wife, but his tone carried worry. "Just you and Second Brother?"

After all, it was the Qiu family's territory—he feared Zhaozhao might get hurt.

"Plus Second Brother's friend," Lin Zhao said. "Qiulian and that man are locked in the brigade warehouse, under reliable watch. Evidence is solid—no one will speak for them."

Back then, people still had high moral standards—and they loved a good spectacle. When they heard about adultery, they got as excited as if they'd found gold and rushed over en masse.

Gu Gu Chenghuai fell silent, a quiet, exasperated silence directed at the Qiu family.

... Idiots.

"Sleep."

Lin Zhao adjusted her position, wrapped her arms around Gu Gu Chenghuai's waist, and closed her eyes.

The man picked up a bamboo fan and slowly fanned the air.

Cool breezes brushed over her body. Lin Zhao opened one eye, smiling.

"Not sleepy?" Gu Gu Chenghuai raised an eyebrow.

Lin Zhao said nothing, closed her eyes again. The instant she did, she felt warmth on her lips.

"Gu Gu Chenghuai, you kissed me without permission." she said.

"Mm." His deep voice carried a smile.

"Gu Gu Chenghuai, your voice is so nice."

The man laughed. "Want a story?"

A clear, indignant tone rose. "I'm not Xiang Yubao or Hengbao."

"So what? No rule says only children get stories." Gu Gu Chenghuai looked at Lin Zhao like she was a rigid old-schooler.

Lin Zhao: "?"

No.

Who's the real stick-in-the-mud here?

The battalion commander who buttoned his shirt to the top even in summer.

Gu Gu Chenghuai picked up a book: "Spark Can Ignite a Prairie."

In an instant, Lin Zhao felt the light of the righteous Dao shining on him—making her feel solemnly reverent.

Look at that—so noble, so upright.

Putting your wife to sleep feels like giving a presentation.

"What's wrong?" Gu Gu Chenghuai noticed his wife's odd expression and looked at her with questioning eyes.

"Nothing." Lin Zhao lay flat, closed her eyes, and began drifting to sleep.

Before dawn the next day, Lin Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng woke up.

The two girls swept the courtyard clean and washed the clothes they'd changed the night before.

Then, when Xiang Yubao and the others came out, they helped the twins wash up.

Afterward, they fed Seeing Da Huang, Xiao Hu Po, and Xiao Jin together with Xiang Yubao.

"Xiang Yubao, Hengbao, Xiao Jin is so smart," Zhengzheng's face glowed with admiration.

Lin Lin Xuan dared not touch it, afraid the pretty monkey would scratch or bite her—but she was still envious. "Xiang Yubao, does Xiao Jin bite?"

"No, Xiao Jin's good—just as well-behaved as... as Seeing Song Qian Bao." Xiang Yubao even found a comparison.

Seeing Song Qian Bao, who was listening to a story in his mother's arms, looked up, his clear eyes puzzled.

"Big brother, play car." Seeing Yaobao called, urging her older brother to play with the wooden car.

Seeing Song Qian Bao shook his head, telling his sister to play alone.

Seeing Yaobao sighed, wiggling her short legs, steering the little wooden car toward where Seeing Da Huang was.

Seeing Da Huang, curled in the corner, stood up at the sight of the child, watching her movements closely.

"Seeing Da Huang, eat." Seeing Yaobao smiled sweetly, offering Seeing Da Huang a small cookie.

Over there, Lin Lin Xuan cautiously reached out to stroke Xiao Jin's head—so soft, so smooth—her eyes lit up with delight.

Xiao Jin leapt straight onto her shoulder. The girl froze.

"Xiang Yubao, what do I do? What now?"

"Sister Xuanxuan, don't be afraid. Xiao Jin likes you—he won't scratch." Xiang Yubao said.

Zhengzheng reached out toward Xiao Jin. The monkey extended a front paw and placed it gently in her palm.

"So good."

Lin Lin Xuan slowly relaxed, her smile becoming more genuine. "He's so smart."

"My mom says monkeys are very smart little animals—they understand human speech," Hengbao said enthusiastically.

After speaking, she rushed into the kitchen and asked, "Mom, what's for breakfast?"

"Didn't you want fish? Your dad caught two this morning—we'll cook them, then stir-fry eggs and smash some cucumber." Lin Zhao worked slowly, her voice calm.

She wasn't fast, but her cooking had order—it was a pleasure to watch.

"Mom, I'll light the fire." Hengbao sat on a small stool, feeding small twigs into the stove.

"Slow down, don't let the sticks prick your hand," Lin Zhao reminded automatically.

"Don't worry—I'm super good at this," Hengbao boasted. "I've been learning to light the fire for a long time—I won't get pricked."

"Grandma says I'm the best kid at lighting fire."

Before Lin Zhao could speak, Xiang Yubao, who had just entered the kitchen, corrected sternly. "Grandma said it was me. I'm the best kid at lighting fire."

"Fine, then I'm the second-best kid at lighting fire," Hengbao conceded without arguing.

Lin Zhao: "..."

Lin Zhao was someone who didn't skimp on food—she used plenty of oil, so the family ate well; otherwise, the four kids wouldn't be so plump.

This was the first time Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng ate at the Gu household—they felt like they were dining at a state-run restaurant.

Aunt kept piling food and fish into their bowls; the two girls ate without looking up.

After breakfast, Lin Zhao and Lin Lin Shisheng headed to the Qiu household.

The twins begged to come along, but Lin Zhao refused coldly; the two children trudged home with drooping heads.

Xiang Yubao dragged his brother off to study; Hengbao's face fell.

The dilapidated warehouse had small, high windows; the wooden door hung with an iron lock, trapping the illicit pair inside.

A few withered trees stood around the warehouse.

Now, several people crowded beneath the trees—long ignored—talking excitedly, standing on tiptoe to peer inside. But the windows were too high; they saw nothing.

"Hey hey, did you hear? The woman inside is the Qiu family's daughter..." someone started.

"We know—it's been all over since morning. They say they were caught last night and spent the whole night inside."

"Heh, the Qiu daughter's got guts. In the old days, adulteresses got drowned in pig cages—now the Qiu family's face is lost to the ancestors!"

"If I remember right, she forced her way into the marriage with the Lin family of Dongfeng Brigade—total shameless hussy."

A young bride who had only recently married into the family, unfamiliar with these old affairs, asked curiously: "What does that mean? I want to hear."

The young bride's eyes sparkled; the emotional value was delivered fully.

The older aunts were happy to share gossip with her.

"Actually, there's nothing special about it—just the same old story..."

"Here's how it went: Lin's fool of a son came to our village looking for Guo Dong and Shen Jianjun. That boy was tall, good-looking, and well-dressed—of course the Qiu family took notice."

Young men don't have the cunning of old wolves. One time, Lin's boy got tangled up with the Qius—and so, Qiulian married into the Lin family."

The young bride's curiosity wasn't satisfied. She asked again: "How did they scheme it?"

The old aunt snorted.

"Supposedly, one day Qiulian went up the mountain to dig wild vegetables and got bitten by a snake. Just then, Lin's boy happened by. Qiulian begged him to save her, and he carried her to the clinic..."

Lin's boy was clearly trying to save her, and Qiulian knew it—but the Qiu family made a scene anyway, claiming Lin's boy took advantage of Qiulian, ruined her reputation, and forced him to marry her—or else they'd report him and send him to jail."

Back then, the crackdowns were strict; one misstep and you'd end up behind bars. Later, some other things happened, and eventually the Lin and Qiu families became in-laws..."

The older aunt's expression grew more contemptuous with every word.

In her opinion, the whole "happened to be there" story was nonsense.

Qiulian being bitten by the snake was a setup by the Qiu family—to trap Lin's boy.

The young bride had never seen such shamelessness. Her face filled with shock. "What? Isn't that repaying kindness with malice?"

The old aunt patted her arm. "People like the Qius don't care about face. They only want what they can get."

Another old woman said: "I remember the Qius used to be poor. Ever since Qiulian married into the Lin family, they stopped looking like starving ghosts."

Who knows how much they stole from the Lins.

In truth, Qiulian never had a chance to take anything from the Lin household. Song Xi was in charge, so where would she get the opportunity to steal? At most, she'd hide an egg or hoard half a steamed bun.

The Qius lived well because they extorted a hundred yuan from the Lins when Qiulian married in.

A hundred yuan had enormous purchasing power—it could keep the Qius in comfort for a long time.

The young bride asked again: "Who's the man inside?"

The lead aunt said nothing, her gaze flicking toward a spot not far away.

Oh dear, young brides just don't know how to read the air.

Can't you see Chen Chen Zhuangshi's face has turned green?

As they spoke, several unfamiliar faces appeared in the distance.

"Oh my, it's the Lins! The Lins have arrived!" The woman speaking grew excited. "There's going to be a show!!"

She stepped forward a few paces, securing the best spot to watch.

The others followed.

"Lin Xiaozi, you're here. He's locked up inside." The lead aunt greeted Lin Shi, pointing at the warehouse door.

Then, unable to hold back, she blurted: "Have your parents said what they'll do? Are you still going to stay together?"

Lin Zhao's pale, beautiful face was expressionless, her voice cold as ice.

"What are you talking about? After what Qiulian did, how could they possibly stay together?"

"My parents said the Lin family doesn't need a daughter-in-law with no shame. My second brother will divorce that woman today—no delays, not even until tomorrow."

Hearing this firm declaration, the crowd erupted in murmurs.

Divorce?

This was unheard of in the entire village and surrounding areas!

People whispered in small groups.

Lin Zhao ignored them, using a rusted key to unlock the door.

The key had been given to her by her second brother's good friend, Shen Jianjun.

"Click!"

The lock fell.

As the door swung open, Qiulian covered her face and lunged out.

Straw clung to her hair, mud splattered her clothes, and her whole body reeked.

The instant Qiulian shoved at Lin Zhao's shoulder, Lin Zhao kicked forward.

"Thud!"

Qiulian's body flew back into the warehouse, crashing into the man inside—both tumbled to the ground.

The man groaned.

That groan echoed.

Before anyone could react, a tall, muscular figure dashed in and grabbed the groaning man, pounding him relentlessly.

"Chen Chen Zhuangshi, you dare put green horns on my head! You went out to piss, didn't you? And you had to go right here? I'll let you piss—I'll beat you, you shameless bastard!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Chen Chen Zhuangshi cried out in pain.

"You bitch, you dare hit me? You're defying heaven! Do you think I won't divorce you..."

Before he finished his threat, his wife slapped his head sideways.

"Ahh—"

"Ow ow ow..."

"It hurts, it hurts! Easy, easy! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I won't do it again! I didn't mean to—Qiulian seduced me, I couldn't resist!"

Chen Chen Zhuangshi's wife grew even angrier.

Only beasts couldn't control their lower bodies.

She hit harder, beating Chen Chen Zhuangshi until his face was bruised and swollen.

After finishing with Chen Chen Zhuangshi, she'd vented half her rage—then turned and beat Qiulian too.

A piercing cry of pain echoed from the warehouse.

Qiulian curled on the ground, clutching her head, desperately dodging as punch after punch landed on her.

Every part of her ached. She screamed at Lin Shi: "Husband, save me! Chen Chen Zhuangshi forced me! I didn't put horns on you! Ah..."

Lin Shi's brow was thick with revulsion.

Wu Wu Guodong & Shen Jianjun: "..." How shameless!

Lin Zhao: How thick-skinned must you be to say something like that?

Since others were already beating them, she held back, watching coldly.

Hearing Qiulian's words, Chen Chen Zhuangshi's wife felt disgust mixed with fury. She hit harder, slapping Qiulian's face into a swollen pig's head, blood trickling from her lips.

"Spit! You and Chen Chen Zhuangshi are made for each other—both cowards who dare do it but won't own up! Disgusting!"

After venting her rage, the woman spat on the ground, hands on her hips: "Chen, I'm divorcing you. If you can't control your two ounces of flesh and you're fooling around with Qiulian, I'm moving out. From now on, you two can do whatever you want!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

She packed her things at the Chen household and left for her parents' home without a backward glance.

"No, wife, don't divorce me!" Chen Chen Zhuangshi reached out.

He had never imagined divorce.

His wife was incredibly capable—she earned full work points every day, skilled at everything inside and outside the home. His good life depended entirely on her.

So, gritting his teeth through the pain, he tried to chase after her.

But two police officers stepped forward and seized his arms.

"Don't move!" one said. "You're messing around with women and you think you can run? Stay put!"

The other officer looked at Qiulian. "You, come with us."

Chen Chen Zhuangshi and Qiulian stared wide-eyed, terror in their gazes.

Qiulian stepped back. "... Go where? I want to go home. I'm going nowhere."

Spotting Lin Shi, she lunged to grab his arm.

Lin Shi recoiled as if avoiding a virus.

"Husband, I really know I'm wrong! I'll live properly with you! Take me home, let's go back..."

Lin Shi didn't look at her—only gave a cold scoff.

"My second brother's position is this: you're dreaming," Lin Zhao kindly translated.