Chapter 522: Shazhu's Plea

The sky wasn't fully bright yet, and cooking smoke rose from the Lin family Siheyuan.

Zheng Juan tied a blue cloth apron and stood before the stove, simmering millet porridge.

Flames licked the pot bottom, emitting a faint crackling sound.

The porridge aroma slowly spread, mingling with the cool fragrance of chrysanthemums in the courtyard, exuding tranquility.

He Yushui held her young son's hand, doing morning reading in the courtyard.

The child's voice was soft and childish; when he occasionally misread a character, she bent over to correct him, her tone gentle.

Zheng Juan glanced at He Yushui, and the spoon in her hand paused.

Regarding the investigation, she said nothing.

She suspected the rumor-monger was likely Xu Damao and Shazhu.

Shazhu is He Yushui's older brother; although He Yushui had said so, she had cut ties with Shazhu.

But blood is thicker than water—how could one say they'd severed ties just like that?

Yesterday evening, she went to find Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai had spent his whole life in the old Siheyuan; no one knew the neighborhood's comings and goings better than him.

Zheng Juan didn't say much, only asking who had recently been spreading rumors about the Lin family.

After Yi Zhonghai pondered, he blurted out Xu Damao and Shazhu.

"Definitely those two good-for-nothings," Yi Zhonghai said firmly. "A few days ago I even caught Xu Damao sneaking around, trying to throw trash at your doorstep—I scolded him away. Shazhu hangs out with him; they're surely up to no good."

Zheng Juan now had a figure in mind.

She didn't erupt immediately.

Lin Shengli was busy with the Annihilator 20 test flight, leaving early and returning late every day, his eyes bloodshot.

She didn't want these trivial matters to distract him.

The porridge was done.

Zheng Juan ladled a bowl and set it on the stone table to cool.

"Elder sister, let me," Qin Jingru said, carrying freshly steamed buns over. "You rest; I'll have Sister Xue Ru watch the kids."

Zheng Juan nodded and wiped her hands.

She walked to the eaves, didn't mention the investigation, and only said to He Yushui:

"He Yushui, later go to the alley entrance and buy a catty of fresh pork belly; we'll stew it for lunch."

"Okay." He Yushui replied, handing her textbook to the daughter beside her. "Take your siblings and read it twice more; Mom's going to buy meat."

He Yushui had just stepped out of the courtyard gate when a silhouette blocked her path.

It was Shazhu.

He wore a faded grey old jacket, cuffs frayed, hair messy, face bearing a fawning, servile smile.

Seeing He Yushui, he stepped forward two feet, voice lowered: "He Yushui..."

He Yushui's face instantly turned cold.

She stepped back, opened distance, tone harsh: "What do you want from me?"

She hadn't forgotten the matter of cutting ties years ago.

Back then, for Qin Huairu, Shazhu fell out badly with her, declaring from now on she wasn't his sister.

These years, they hadn't contacted each other.

Shazhu's smile froze, he rubbed his hands, tone pleading:

"He Yushui, I know I was wrong…… I came to ask you a favor."

"I have nothing to say to you." He Yushui turned to leave.

"It's about the Lin family rumors!" Shazhu hurriedly shouted to stop her, voice trembling, "Those words were spread by me and Xu Damao; it was Xu Damao who told me to spread them. I know I was wrong, I shouldn't have gossiped…… He Yushui, you tell Shengli and Zheng Juan, spare me this once, okay?."

He Yushui stopped, turned back to look at him.

Shazhu bowed lower: "I know I'm worthless; I envied Lin Shengli's good life, so together with Xu Damao I just made up nonsense…… I truly know I was wrong; if General Lin found out, my job would surely be gone, maybe even land me in jail. He Yushui, considering we are blood siblings, help me plead—just this once; from now on I won't dare again."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened, voice choked: "I know I previously wronged you; I'm a bastard, I shouldn't have cut ties with you for an outsider. These years I've had a rough time, just drifting day by day, I regret…… He Yushui, please help me this once."

He Yushui looked at his miserable state, her heart felt as if pricked by something.

The hatred was real.

But blood is thicker than water; seeing her older brother beg like this, her heart still softened.

She remained silent for a while, her face still grim: "What you and Xu Damao did—do you know how immoral that is? The Lin family didn't provoke you; what right do you have to gossip about others' kids?"

"Yes yes yes, we're immoral, we aren't human!" Shazhu nodded repeatedly, "We've taken back our words, explained clearly to those old ladies; we won't dare gossip again. He Yushui, please."

He Yushui sighed.

She turned back to walk, didn't look back, only leaving a sentence: "I understand, I'll tell the elder sister. But whether it works depends on your fortune."

Shazhu stood stunned; after a while he reacted, repeatedly thanking her back: "Thank you, He Yushui! Thank you, He Yushui! I will definitely change!"

He Yushui returned with the meat, her heart in turmoil.

She walked into the courtyard, didn't go straight to find Zheng Juan, but first went to the kitchen to put the meat away.

Zheng Juan had already noticed her oddness.

She walked to the kitchen doorway, leaned on the frame, and asked softly: "What's wrong? Ran into trouble?"

He Yushui raised her head, saw it was Zheng Juan, hesitated a while, then still related what had just happened.

"Elder sister, those rumors were indeed spread by Shazhu and Xu Damao." She lowered her head, tone guilty: "Shazhu came to beg me, saying he knew he was wrong…… Elder sister, considering my face, spare them this once."

Zheng Juan looked at her, said nothing.

He Yushui's eyes reddened: "I know what they did was wrong, but he is after all my older brother. I've cut ties with him for years; I don't want because of this to completely sour the relationship…… Elder sister, just pity me, spare them."

Outside the kitchen, children's laughter came.

Zheng Juan fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

She walked over to He Yushui, patted her shoulder, and said, "I know you're soft-hearted."

"Those words, making up stories about the children, are truly hateful." Zheng Juan's tone was heavy, "But I never intended to blow things up, after all Shengli is busy with his research and doesn't want these trivial matters to bother him."

He Yushui lifted her head, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Letting them off is okay." Zheng Juan shifted her tone, becoming stern, "But we must give them a lesson, let them know the Lin family is not to be trifled with."

She paused, then continued: "Go tell Shazhu to have Xu Damao come to the Lin family courtyard gate this afternoon to apologize to the children. No need to shout; a sincere apology will do. Also, have them clear up all the rumors circulating in the old Siheyuan; if I hear another word, I will show no mercy."

He Yushui nodded immediately: "Okay! I'll go tell him right now! Thank you, big sister!"

"Go." Zheng Juan waved her hand, watching He Yushui's hurriedly retreating back, her gaze growing darker.

She is not a soft persimmon; she simply doesn't want to disturb the household's peace over unrelated people.

Giving them a lesson also does He Yushui a favor, and the matter is settled.