Chapter 111: Clearing One's Name and Going Ashore

Mao Wang still couldn't get the cigarettes Wu An handed out; this bastard is definitely intentional—every time he comes over, they're gone, making him waste his feelings for nothing.

He stretched out his hand then put it down again— isn't that tiring?

What's more infuriating is that Wu An took out cigarettes again, handed them around, and still left him out.

Everyone was puffing away, their mouths full of Hua Zi, while he alone smoked a cheap pack costing a few dozen yuan.

Someone as face-conscious as him naturally couldn't stand such treatment.

Swearing, he shoved through the crowd heading out, saw Shen Fang standing there dazed, quickly put on a smile and went up: "Shen Fang, you're really too kind, actually willing to testify for Wu An."

Shen Fang didn't speak.

Kind?

I guess Wu An must have hated her guts at first.

Thinking of this, she felt another wave of sorrow.

Mao Wang also didn't think it was a big deal; he was used to Shen Fang ignoring him, so he continued on his own: "Wu An kid actually didn't even come to thank you in person."

"Enough." Shen Fang couldn't help shouting, "Wu An would never thank me—after all, this is all my fault."

At first, she still wanted Wu An to apologize to Chen Long.

Thinking of this, Shen Fang felt utter regret— back then she was really muddle‑headed, brain‑waterlogged; how could Wu An not be better than Chen Long?

Just then their eyes met, she quickly dodged and turned to leave.

After this incident, she and Wu An were completely cut off— you don't owe me, I don't owe you, and she had no face to say anything to Wu An anymore.

She didn't know how to face Wu An.

Or rather, she felt embarrassed.

Why?

Back then it was she who said they should break up; after Wu An split with her, he kept getting better, and even a great beauty like Gu Anran appeared by his side.

And her?

Although she kept her reputation, aside from Mao Wang she had nothing else.

People fear comparison.

The gap shows up.

"Slow down, wait for me." Mao Wang hurried to catch up.

Shen Fang didn't look back, walking faster and faster until she broke into a run.

She regretted, felt vexed, helpless— what should she do from now on?

She was also unwilling to accept it!

She wanted to find a tall, rich, handsome guy and also gain face in front of the whole village.

……

The villagers smoked, chatted a few words, it was already two in the afternoon, and soon the tide would start to ebb.

They then scattered in twos and threes, each heading home to prepare.

After the big tide, the seafood by the shore was more plentiful than usual.

After everyone left, Mei Yueqin swept the doorway, cleaning up cigarette butts and such.

Don't think the doorway is just a main road— each family treats the little plot before their door as their own; Mei Yueqin likes cleanliness, keeping both inside and outside tidy.

Duan Dajie hadn't left yet, speaking in a snide tone: "A An, you've got some nasty tricks— you can even scheme against such a formidable woman."

Wu An looked innocent and asked: "What do you mean?"

Duan Dajie smiled: "Others may not know your character, but we're neighbors—I've watched you grow up since childhood, I know what kind of person you are."

"Those words Shen Fang said— were they taught by you?"

"And you had the police arrest people— later, probably no one in the village will dare provoke you."

Wu An smiled and said: "Duan Dajie, if you're going to say that."

"Then I also want to give you a heads‑up."

"If you're going to speak, speak properly— aren't you afraid I'll scheme against you too?"

Duan Dajie's smile froze.

Wu An's smile didn't fade: "Sis, what's wrong with your complexion— why is your face so pale?"

"Did I scare you?"

"I'm just joking, just joking."

"You're overthinking it—I don't have the ability to scheme; they're the ones who've done endless evil and brought it on themselves."

"My sister‑in‑law is calling me— I'm going home."

Having said that, he turned and walked back into the courtyard, casually closing the door.

Duan Dajie came to her senses, shivered under the blazing sun, and silently cursed: "It's not scary for a person to turn bad; what's frightening is turning bad and then turning good again."

She felt Wu An now was a wolf in sheep's clothing— looks like a good person but is rotten to the core.

"A An, I mean nothing else." She shouted over the wall: "Sis, I'm just happy for you."

Wu An gave a casual reply.

Duan Dajie felt uneasy, worried Wu An would take a grudge against her, scheme again, and bring her harm.

Wu An naturally didn't know what Duan Dajie was thinking; otherwise he'd surely shout that he's being wronged— if you haven't done anything bad, he can't conjure something out of nothing.

In the courtyard.

Mei Yueqin happily brewed tea, just about to pour, when Wu An snatched it away— as the youngest in the family, he naturally ought to be more attentive.

After drinking tea, before they could say a couple of sentences, Wu Ping's phone rang— he had received the news while in class, and since the lesson wasn't over yet, he hurried back home.

With the second class about to start, the school asked whether he could come.

Wu Ping quickly promised he could come.

Running back would definitely not make it in time, Wu An had him ride the motorcycle back to school.

Lao Meng set down his teacup and asked: "Now that A An's reputation has been restored, when will you father-son also broadcast the restoration over a loudspeaker?"

"Speaking of which, originally A An acted with righteous courage, but we all wronged him."

"A An didn't explain either... sigh..."

Wu Yingwei was smoking; hearing this, he suddenly coughed.

Everybody laughed.

Mei Yueqin said: "A An didn't explain; he said so much, yet nobody believed it, nor did I."

She looked at Wu An: "Second son, sister-in-law ought to say sorry to you."

Wu An hastily waved his hand: "Sister-in-law, please don't, I can't afford it."

"Back then I really was a scoundrel; I don't blame you."

He didn't expect that Duan Dajie wouldn't believe Shen Fang's words, while his own family all truly believed Shen Fang's words—what is this, this is family trust, right?

Wu Yingwei blushed, shook his leg and said: "The village committee still has business."

After saying that, he hurried away.

Lao Meng joked: "This old brat is still embarrassed."

Mei Yueqin happily said: "Dad not speaking means tacit approval."

Wu An also laughed along.

From then on, even if he cleared his name and started anew, there wasn't much left for people to criticize.

In the future, he still needs to keep striving and struggling to have a better future.

Lao Meng drank a cup of tea, got up to take his leave.

Wu An shouted for him to come drink alcohol at night.

Lao Meng asked: "What alcohol?"

Without waiting for Wu An to speak, Mei Yueqin interjected: "Of course it's to celebrate today's matter."

"We won't invite outsiders."

"Uncle Meng, you must come."

Lao Meng upon hearing happily said: "Alright, it's time to celebrate."

"This kid hasn't been idle lately."

Wu An laughed.

Lao Meng is a sensible person, but it's fine, this is our own people.

Speaking of which, lately the family's feasting has been frequent, but can't resist the many good things at home; Wu An thinks it's fine, after all today he even bought a boat.

Actually, his original intention was to say celebrate this.

After Lao Meng left, Wu An called A Qing; A Qing had already returned, he told A Qing not to save money and just run back all the way, hailing an old man's car in town.

It's only about twenty bucks, treat it as a good deed.

A Qing originally wasn't willing, but Wu An had him come back to go clam digging together, so A Qing hastily called for a car to return.

On the other side.

Wu Yingwei indeed went to the village committee; as soon as he entered the room, he heard Chen Gui greeting him in a sarcastic tone.