Chapter 181: I Feel Like I

"Lin Zhao." Qiu Qiu Lian glared at Lin Zhao, her eyes heavy and piercing as she cried out bitterly: "Do you really want to drive me to death?"

Lin Lin Shisheng stepped in front of Lin Zhao, his tone sarcastic: "Zhaozhao didn't say anything wrong."

"Don't act like everyone owes you something—it wasn't my sister who forced you to cheat."

With that, he turned away from her and nodded to the Public Security officers.

The county was cracking down on examples, needing models in every category—Qiu Qiu Lian had kicked a iron plate. The only outcome awaiting her and that dog-man was being sent to a farm to do the dirtiest, heaviest labor, with no fixed timeline.

Qiu Qiu Lian's face turned pale; with her swollen, bruised face, she wept and begged for mercy: "Husband, don't be so cruel to me. Think of our two daughters—spare me. I swear I'll never cause trouble again…"

Tears and snot smeared her face; she looked utterly disgraceful.

Lin Zhao sneered.

Now you remember Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng?

What were you doing these past few years?

The onlookers whispered among themselves, occasionally bursting into laughter.

"How pathetic—Qiu Qiu Lian used to be so arrogant, showing off how her husband doted on her, how her in-laws favored her, how the young girls admired her. Turns out her status in her in-laws' home was nothing special. What a liar."

A girl who'd grown up with Qiu Qiu Lian spoke up: "You must have a conscience in this world. Anything you gain through scheming won't last."

Thinking of how Qiu Qiu Lian had mocked her family and repeatedly sowed discord between her and her mother-in-law, she could only sneer.

She knew Qiu Qiu Lian would eventually destroy herself.

Look.

Here it is!

The Public Security officers demanded Chen Chen Jieshi and Qiu Qiu Lian return to town with them.

The thought of the terrifying scenes they'd seen in the county sent them into a frenzy of struggle.

"I was forced."

"I was seduced."

They spoke at the same time.

Hearing each other's voices, their expressions shifted, their entire demeanor sharpening.

"Chen Chen Jieshi, you're shameless—it was you who forced me!" Qiu Qiu Lian shrieked, lunging to slap Chen Chen Jieshi's face.

Chen Chen Jieshi couldn't beat his strong-willed wife, but he could certainly beat Qiu Qiu Lian.

He swung one palm.

The blow sent Qiu Qiu Lian spinning.

"Dare you say you didn't want it?" Chen Chen Jieshi smirked, his expression mocking.

"Dare you say you never came to me? If you didn't want it, why didn't you go back to Dongfeng Team? Why did you stay at your parents' home? You wanted to have fun with me—that's why. Now that you've had your fun, you want to blame it all on me? Qiu Qiu Lian, listen: don't even think about it. I'm not that useless husband of yours. If you piss me off, I'll kill you."

Lin the Useless Lin Shisheng: "..."

Dammit, what did he ever do to anyone?

Lin Zhao's face was cold; she raised her hand and slapped the dog-man hard across the face. "Watch your tongue. Don't make me slap you again!"

Chen Chen Jieshi yelped, clutching his forehead, tears welling in his eyes.

Fuck.

This woman's got the strength of an ox—worse than his own wife.

Chen Chen Jieshi dared not harm the innocent anymore; he only clung to the Public Security officers, wailing: "Comrades, believe me—I'm innocent!"

"Ask the villagers—I'm a decent man. If I hadn't been seduced, how could I have committed such a grave mistake? My wife's so capable—why would I need this? Isn't that right?"

"I've been ruined by that worthless woman, Qiu Qiu Lian!"

"I know I'm wrong—please spare me. I'll change, I'll change right now. I swear I'll never do it again, okay?"

Chen Chen Jieshi dropped to his knees fast—utterly pragmatic.

He didn't want to be publicly denounced.

Here was a grown man, nearly in tears.

The Public Security officers shook their heads. "We can't let you go, but your attitude in admitting fault is good—we'll consider leniency."

Chen Chen Jieshi knew resistance was futile; he smiled meekly: "I admit it. I admit everything."

He'd been caught red-handed—what else could he do?

Better to confess honestly than resist stubbornly—it might lead to lighter punishment.

After Chen Chen Jieshi's words, everyone's gaze toward Qiu Qiu Lian turned even more hostile.

Oh? So Qiu Qiu Lian was the one who pursued him?

Tsk tsk tsk.

What a woman without virtue.

The Lin family was such a good household—how could she not cherish it? If it were us, we'd live quietly and properly.

Qiu Qiu Lian's face turned ashen.

"Comrades, Chen Chen Jieshi is lying—he forced me. Yes, he forced me. I'm just a weak woman, with no strength. Once he set his sights on me, how could I escape..."

Before she finished, Chen Chen Jieshi spat in her face: "Shameless old hag! You're the one who said life with the Lins was unbearable—that your husband was uncaring and useless, that your mother-in-law was cruel, that you were suffocating in your in-laws' home—weren't those your words?"

Chen Chen Jieshi, who dared to cheat, clearly had no scruples—and his tongue was sharp as a blade.

"You told me you found me more considerate than your husband, that being with me made you ecstatic—didn't you say all that?"

Qiu Qiu Lian's face turned blue; a flicker of guilt passed through her eyes.

The onlookers: "Huh..."

Public Security: Not yet—let's wait and see.???

Chen Chen Jieshi didn't stop. With his battered face, he continued his sneering: "What are you pretending for?"

"I'm no good, sure—but I own up to my actions. I admit I messed around, but I didn't seduce you—you came to me first!"

"You threw yourself at me—could I refuse? A free meal? Even a fool wouldn't turn it down."

This was deeply degrading. Qiu Qiu Lian's face flushed crimson. "Chen Chen Jieshi!"

"What are you yelling for? I know my own name—no need for you to remind me." Chen Chen Jieshi stuck out his neck, sneered, and muttered: "Play all you want, but outside women can never compare to your wife."

Against Chen Chen Jieshi's sharp tongue, Qiu Qiu Lian's feeble sophistry was useless.

She gasped for breath, clearly furious, about to speak again—when the Public Security officer, having eaten his fill of gossip, spoke: "Enough. Let's go."

Qiu Qiu Lian looked pleadingly at Lin Lin Shisheng—but he turned his gaze away. Her heart instantly turned cold.

As if struck by a massive blow, her shoulders slumped.

The villagers shouted accusations.

"Our village is cursed—now we've got someone like this. Which team will dare marry a girl from here?"

"Exactly! One rat spoils the whole pot."

"Breaking up families—people like this deserve to be drowned in a pigsty!"

"They've had too many good days!"

A righteous aunt flung rotten vegetables at the adulterers' heads.

"Spit! Shameless!"

Chen Chen Jieshi thought he was indeed shameless and didn't argue.

But Qiu Qiu Lian didn't feel guilty—only furious she'd been caught. She brushed off the yellowed, rotting leaves from her head and glared at the woman who'd attacked her, eyes full of hatred.

"What are you glaring at? You did something shameful and still dare to glare? You've been spoiled rotten by your blind, unjust parents!" the aunt snapped.

Qiu Qiu Lian's fierce expression didn't soften. "None of your business."

The villagers were furious.

Someone who ruined the team's reputation still dared to act tough? Who gave her the nerve?

Then...

Whoever had anything in hand threw it—soon, Qiu Qiu Lian was even more battered.

She scanned each face, memorizing those who'd kicked her while she was down, her eyes filled with hatred.

No matter how much hatred Qiu Qiu Lian had built up inside, she was still taken away by the Public Security officers.

In this era, marriage required no certificate—just a banquet. Lin Lin Shisheng went to the team office, obtained a document, and legally dissolved his marriage to Qiu Qiu Lian.

Looking at that thin sheet of paper, with its tiny red stamp, Lin Lin Shisheng felt a sudden lightness all over.

He grinned, his smile growing wider and brighter.

He couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Cough... sorry, I feel like I've just been released from prison—it's just so exhilarating." Lin Lin Shisheng gave an apologetic look to his good friend and Lin Zhao, but his smile didn't fade one bit.

Wu Wu Guodong punched him on the shoulder. "Brother, congratulations. Borrowing a phrase I heard: May your future be smooth sailing."

Shen Jianjun glanced at Wu Wu Guodong, his scalp prickling—congratulations is congratulations, why quote the educated urban youth? What's a man with no ink in his belly supposed to do?

He shot a resentful look at his childhood friend, then said dryly to Lin Lin Shisheng: "... Congratulations. Your days ahead will be sweet."

Watching this, Lin Zhao couldn't help smiling.

Second brother's friends were hilarious.

Lin Lin Shisheng said: "Thanks."

He was in excellent spirits.

Lin Lin Shisheng regained his freedom thanks entirely to Wu Wu Guodong and Shen Jianjun, who took turns watching the Qiu family and caught the adulterers red-handed. Grateful for their help, he raised his hand: "Let's go to the state-run restaurant for meat this afternoon—I'm treating."

Wu Wu Guodong and Shen Jianjun were country men who naturally felt inferior around Cheng Li people and always avoided the state-run restaurant, afraid of being mocked.

Hearing Lin Shi's words, none of them could believe it.

"Shengzi, are you serious?" Wu Wu Guodong asked.

Shen Jianjun asked, "Do you have money coupons?"

At that moment, Lin Zhao spoke up: "I have them. Wu Guodong, Shen Jianjun, you've helped my second brother so much—he owes you a meal. Go ahead and eat your fill this afternoon."

Shen Jianjun raised his thumb. "Lin Xiao Mei is generous."

Wu Wu Guodong elbowed Lin Shi. "Shengzi, our little sister's really good."

"Get lost—she's my sister," Lin Shi laughed and scolded.

The four of them finished laughing and fooling around.

Lin Zhao and Lin Shi went to the Qiu family's home and smashed everything they saw.

The Qiu family members who had been feigning death sat up in panic, shouting and trying to stop them—but they couldn't.

Qiu Qiu Lian's younger brother grabbed tools to fight back: "I'll fight you to the death!"

"Bang!"

Lin Shi punched him in the eye; the lazy, good-for-nothing man instantly had a black eye and crouched there, sobbing.

He cried out to the heavens: "Father! Mother! I can't take this life anymore!"

He sobbed in ragged gasps, his voice shrill.

Knowing he was being beaten because of Qiu Qiu Lian, he began cursing foully.

Qiu Qiu Lian's sister-in-law was also crying.

But what good did crying do? Who made Qiu Qiu Lian bear the Qiu surname? Who made the Qiu family act like beasts?

The Lin family didn't care about compensation—they only wanted to vent their anger. They smashed the Qiu home to vent, and before leaving, they left a message—

From now on, the Lin family and the Qiu family are sworn enemies. Any advantage the Qiu family took from the Lin family is forfeit—consider it compensation for the destruction.

Old Lady Qiu was so furious she couldn't speak, slamming her thigh hard and growling: "Gone. Everything's gone."

Old Man Qiu stared at the wreckage, eyes bloodshot, wishing he could tear Qiu Qiu Lian apart: "Unfilial daughter! If I'd known Qiu Qiu Lian would do something so shameless, I never should've raised her!"

Qiu Qiu Lian's sister-in-law stared blankly.

She had warned them.

She told them to control their little sister.

The Qiu family greedily took the benefits Qiu Qiu Lian brought home, ignored her entirely, and even helped cover for her—this family had no bottom at all.

Qiu Qiu Lian and her lover became the town's prime example of immoral relationships; everyone in the city spat at them.

Eventually, they were forcibly sent to a farm.

Because they'd blamed each other before being caught, the lovers, once so passionate, tore each other apart—and caused plenty of ridicule at the farm.

Chen Chen Jieshi had a powerful uncle; after barely surviving half a year on the farm, he was transferred back—and heard his wife was pregnant with his child.

Chen Chen Jieshi: "???"

Chen Chen Jieshi: "!!!"

He had a son?

He went to her door—and got beaten badly.

Chen Chen Jieshi didn't get angry; he rubbed his hands and groveled, rushing to his father-in-law's house daily to flatter him, swearing never to stray again and vowing to give every penny he earned to his wife.

His wife trained him like a dog—until two years later, she finally took their child and returned with him to the Chen household.

After having a son, Chen Chen Jieshi truly changed: he worked hard, stopped hovering around his little wife, and only revolved around his wife and child.

As for Qiu Qiu Lian, she had utterly alienated Chen Chen Jieshi on the farm; a petty man like him would never lift a finger to help her.

Lin Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng saw the divorce papers of their parents.

Zheng Zheng glanced at her sister and asked her father: "She won't come home again, right?"

"Right," Lin Shi gently ruffled his younger daughter's hair.

"Will you remarry?" Zheng Zheng asked again.

Lin Shi paused, then smiled bitterly: "One marriage was enough. From now on, I'll just focus on raising you two, turning you both into capable people. When I'm old, I'll grow old with your aunt and uncle—fishing, playing chess, tending flowers…"

Zheng Zheng's eyes were serious: "Father, I'll take care of you in your old age."

"Me too," Lin Xuan Lin Xuan said.

"Good," Lin Shi smiled broadly—a wide, open smile neither Lin Xuan Lin Xuan nor Zheng Zheng had ever seen before.

He glanced at his daughters, told them to behave well at their aunt's, then returned to Dongfeng Team.

The family was still waiting for news.

More than half an hour later.

Lin Shi arrived home; after hearing the news, the Lin family all felt a deep sense of relief.

Out of respect for Lin Shi's dignity, none dared show it openly—only nodded to acknowledge they'd heard.

Song Xi took out money coupons: "Xiao Er, go buy a pound of meat. We'll make dumplings for lunch."

Hearing they'd have dumplings, the children were ecstatic.

"Ooh! Dumplings!!" Er Dan cheered.

Lin Xibao frowned: "Lin Xuan Lin Xuan and Zheng Zheng aren't home—what do we do? Should we send some to them? If we do, we should send some to Aunt and Xiang Yubao too."

Lin Shi laughed: "Lin Xibao, you're thoughtful. Don't worry—Lin Xuan Lin Xuan and Zheng Zheng are eating well and sleeping well at your aunt's. They won't miss a single dumpling."

Then he turned to his parents: "Father, Mother, I'd like to renovate the house. Is that okay?"

"What do you want to do?" Song Xi asked curiously.

"My room's big. I want to model it after Xiang Yubao's room and arrange it for Lin Xuan Lin Xuan and Zheng Zheng," Lin Shi explained.

Song Xi had seen the four kids' rooms—they were excellent. "Go ahead and do it."

"Since we're doing it, let's fix up Dadan's room too—I'll pay."

Lin Shi: "Alright. I'll go find a carpenter later."

With the Lin family now completely severed from the Qiu family, Lin Zhao felt wonderfully light—sky bluer, clouds whiter, flowers more fragrant. She stayed home, fully devoted to making delicious food for the children.

A group of children sat by the kitchen door, munching on fragrant meat strips, their smiles bright.

Military district.

The guard was earnestly urging the commander: "Commander, you're not fit to travel yet. Grandmaster Sun recommends rest. I think—"

Before he finished, the vigorous man cut him off: "What do you mean 'think'? That matter is more important. Before the nation, personal matters are trivial."