Three days later, Shen Fangchu returned to Linshui Village. He was full of fighting spirit as he entered the village—until he encountered the first group of people.

“Hey, isn’t that Fangchu? Why are you back already?” 

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Shen Fangchu frowned. He came back several times a year, and no one had ever asked him that before. What was going on with Hao Yulan and Shen Fanglin? Had they lost their minds?

“Sister-in-law, cousin, what are you two talking about? Can’t I just go home?”

“Of course not. Who would stop you from coming home? I just wonder if this is really your home. I’ve got things to do. I’m off.” Hao Yulan shot him a withering glance and walked away.

Shen Fanglin also rolled her eyes at him. “I don’t even know what the difference is between a cousin and a cousin’s husband. It’s really worrying. Sigh, I’m going home to scold the kids. See you later.”

Shen Fangchu was so furious that he was stomping his feet. He racked his brain for a while but couldn’t figure out what on earth had gotten into them. Since he couldn’t very well chase after them, he could only stand there muttering curses under his breath.

For some reason, he seemed to have run into far too many people today. Shen Fangchu had originally planned to stop by home first, but since he’d arrived a bit late, he worried that no one would be home at Shen Zhengchu’s place and that he’d have made the trip for nothing, so in the end, he went straight there.

“Cousin, Cousin-in-law, you two…” 

“Splash!”

Shen Fangchu was doused head-to-toe by a basin of water thrown right at him.

He was completely stunned. After a long moment, he raised his hand to wipe his face, then glared and shouted angrily, “Shen Zhengchu, what do you think you’re doing? Are you out of your mind, or do you think I’m an easy target?”

Behind the door stood Shen Zhengchu and Song Xunchun, their expressions stern. Behind them, Lin Yue and Shen Lingzhi peered around the corner toward the doorway.

The family of four stared straight at Shen Fangchu, especially Shen Zhengchu, whose right hand—clutching the wooden basin—was clenched into a tight fist, as if he were about to charge forward and smash the basin over Shen Fangchu’s head at any moment.

“What do you mean? I’d like to ask you what you mean! It seems we aren’t relatives, but enemies! He’s the kind of scum who indulges in every vice—drinking, gambling, and womanizing—yet you dare to come here proposing marriage to him? You’ve got some nerve! Do you think I’m afraid to hit you?”

Shen Zhengchu’s voice boomed so loudly that his outburst startled the neighbors on both sides—not to mention that they’d been forewarned; the moment Shen Fangchu entered the village, several households already knew.

People love a good spectacle, especially when it involves someone else’s family—and this was a major one at that.

Hearing this, Shen Fangchu felt a pang of guilt, then roared angrily, “What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I came here out of the goodness of my heart to discuss a marriage alliance, worried that your ger wouldn’t be able to find a wife, and yet you dare to slander me!”

“Pfft! If that Zhou fellow is so great, why haven’t you sent your own son to marry into his family? I’ve lived over forty years, and today I’ve truly seen it all.”

Shen Fangchu dared not admit it. In these times, the importance of one’s reputation goes without saying, not to mention that his mother’s family was from Linshui Village. If word got out, not only would he be shamed, but his entire maternal family would be the subject of gossip.

He was grinding his teeth in fury, but having been pampered since childhood, Shen Fangchu couldn’t stand even the slightest provocation. He lunged forward, intending to shove Shen Zhengchu.

Shen Zhengchu hadn’t expected him to be so bold. Caught off guard, he actually got scratched by him. Instinctively, he swung the wooden basin in his hand.

With a clang, Shen Fangchu landed on the ground.

“You walked right into that yourself—don’t try to blame me.”

Shen Fangchu sat sprawled on the ground, cursing nonstop with a string of obscenities, berating everyone from Shen Zhengchu down to Shen Lingzhi—the entire family got an earful.

Lin Yue felt that Shen Zhengchu was still too gentle; even Shen Lingzhi couldn’t take it anymore. The two younger ones suddenly popped out from behind, pointing at Shen Fangchu and laughing, “Cousin, you’re so old, yet you’re still so inconsiderate. You’re not a child—what kind of example are you setting by sitting on the ground and throwing a tantrum? Look, you’ve drawn the whole village here. Hey, isn’t that Grandpa over there?”

The “Grandpa” Lin Yue was referring to was, of course, Shen Fangchu’s father. He had intended to embarrass Shen Fangchu into standing up on his own; then, whether they argued or even came to blows, it would be better than this.

But Shen Fangchu seemed to have found a backer. He immediately turned around and scanned the area, only to find a crowd of onlookers—no sign of his father. He immediately snapped, “What are you yapping about, you little slut? Get lost. This isn’t your place to speak.”

Lin Yue, seething with rage, burst into a bitter laugh. He shot Shen Fangchu a glance as if he were filth. “I didn’t want to argue with you, but since you’re forcing yourself into this, don’t blame me. Someone who’s lived half a lifetime without figuring things out has the nerve to spout such nonsense. What? Do you still think you’ve taken advantage of the Zhou family?

“You don’t know yet, do you? Every single one of the dozens of households in Linshui Village knows about the shameful things you’ve done. You dared to act as a matchmaker for that scum just for a few pennies. Look—who in the village dares let you set foot here now? Do you know why you didn’t see my great-uncle just now?”

At this point, Lin Yue left the matter hanging. Shen Fangchu, sitting across from him, visibly grew frantic. His greatest source of confidence was his own father, who would grant him any request. Shen Fangchu jumped to his feet in an instant.

Lin Yue had achieved his goal, but he had no intention of letting it go just yet. His tone was gentle, yet the words he spoke sent a chill down Shen Fangchu’s spine.

“That’s because he didn’t dare come! The day before yesterday, my father and Huaizhi just visited your home. Your father wanted to protect you, but he was stopped by your older brother—my eldest uncle. We’ve spread the word not only in Linshui Village but even in Qingxi Village. You didn’t expect that, did you?”

Shen Fangchu was completely dumbfounded. Just moments ago, he’d been speaking harshly, but now he couldn’t utter a single word. He truly hadn’t expected things to blow up this big.

Shen Fangchu had indeed accepted gifts from the Zhou family and later even took money from them. He’d been tempted after hearing that Shen Lingzhi was doing business with Lin Yue. He’d seen them setting up a stall in town before—business was booming, and they were making at least a hundred wen a day. How could he possibly resist?

Once Shen Lingzhi married into the family, the money he earned would indeed go to his in-laws—but as his cousin, if he wanted to go into business with him, could Shen Lingzhi really refuse? It would be killing two birds with one stone. Besides, his own son was already married; otherwise, people would have pointed the finger at his own household.

Now that things had come to this, his father might not blame him, but what about his in-laws? What about his own children? What about his brother and sister-in-law? Shen Fangchu dared not think about it any further.

Seeing him so bewildered and at a loss, Lin Yue felt not a shred of sympathy. If his family hadn’t distrusted him and investigated the matter thoroughly, Lingzhi would have walked straight into a trap by now.

When Shen Huaizhi found out about this, he was furious. If Shen Fangchu hadn’t stopped him, he would have gone to Qingxi Village that very night.

In the end, unable to contain his anger, Shen Huaizhi first went to the village chief’s house, then to the home of Shen Fangchu’s older brother, Shen Hechu. He didn’t actually argue with them, but he spoke at length for nearly half an hour, his words implicitly condemning Shen Fangchu.

Shen Fangchu’s father tried to use his seniority to scold him, but Shen Hechu forcibly stopped him. His father, being older, dared to say whatever he pleased, but Shen Hechu couldn’t. His son had been married for less than two years and didn’t even have children yet. If he were to get into a quarrel with Shen Huaizhi—a junior—over something where he was clearly in the wrong over such a baseless matter, he wouldn’t be able to hold his head up in the village.

For two days straight, Shen Hechu’s family barely set foot outside.

At that moment, Shen Fangchu stood outside the Shen family courtyard gate, while the four members of the Shen family stood inside. Just as the two sides were locked in a standoff, Shen Hechu arrived.

Shen Hechu hadn’t wanted to come, but his father had been making a scene at home, insisting that if Shen Hechu didn’t come, he would come himself. At over sixty years old, leaning on a cane, he could barely take two steps in half a day—his legs were swollen as big as radishes. Shen Hechu dared not let him come, so he had no choice but to come himself.

The relationship between Shen Hechu and Shen Fangchu was much like that between Shen Zhengchu and his brother—they basically couldn’t stand the sight of each other. Now, having come here reluctantly. He was already seething with anger, and when Shen Fangchu actually dared to glare at him, Shen Hechu exploded with rage on the spot.

“Apologize to your cousin right now. If you don’t apologize today, don’t ever come back. You’ll end up giving Dad a heart attack.”

Shen Fangchu clearly had more backbone when facing his older brother. “Get lost. I don’t need your interference. Dad wouldn’t be mad at me. Stop spouting nonsense.”

Shen Hechu wanted nothing more than to turn on his heel and walk out, but when he thought of his father still causing a scene at home, his wife threatening to return to her parents’ house in a fit of anger, his son and daughter-in-law constantly hinting at the issue, and his daughter worried about their reputation, he forced himself to hold back.

“Either you apologize right now and come with me, or you can consider yourself cut off from your family. You’re over forty—you don’t need your family anymore. We’re done with each other. And don’t go on about ‘Dad’ or whatever. If you want, you can take Dad with you. If I say one more word, I’ll take your last name.”

Shen Fangchu stared at his older brother in disbelief, even angrier than he had been during his earlier argument with Lin Yue. His brother had never spoken to him like this before—what right did he have to say such things?

Shen Zhengchu didn’t want to get entangled with them any further. He said coldly, “Cousin, although this has nothing to do with you, I’d like you and the villagers here to bear witness. As of today, my family, the Shen Zhengchu household, is severing all ties with Shen Fangchu. We will have no further dealings with him. And you, Shen Fangchu—either get out on your own right now, or I’ll see to it that you’re shown the door myself.”

Shen Zhengchu had a bit of a reputation in the village—after all, he was the kind of man bold enough to split the family estate while his parents were still alive. Since that incident, the number of biased elders in the village had dwindled considerably. Now, seeing him about to take action, Shen Hechu was genuinely startled.

“Zhengchu, I’m truly sorry for what’s happened to you all. And to you, nephew—your uncle apologizes.”

As soon as Shen Hechu finished speaking, without waiting for a response, he grabbed Shen Fangchu by the arm and walked away without looking back.

As soon as Shen Fangchu left, the onlookers outside dispersed. They weren’t fools—it was obvious the Shen family was still fuming, so why would they want to get in the way and risk a scolding?

Back in the kitchen, Shen Zhengchu grew angrier the more he thought about it. He regretted not landing a couple of punches on him right then and there—people like that clearly wouldn’t learn their lesson unless they were taught a hard one. Shen Lingzhi also wore a long face, full of worry. Was she really going to end up an old maid…?

Lin Yue and Song Xunchun, on the other hand, had their hands full. Two endless streams of comforting words echoed through the small kitchen.

Upon hearing Shen Lingzhi’s worries, Shen Zhengchu instantly forgot his anger. He grabbed Song Xunchun and walked over together. Alright, that made three voices of consolation.

Actually, it should be counted as three and a half, because Lin Yue had brought Shen Huaizhi along as well. “Don’t worry. You’re so wonderful; there are plenty of men who’d want to marry you. What’s a butcher, anyway? We’ve only been in business for a short while and have already saved a few taels of silver. In another couple of years, who knows how much money you’ll have in your hands? By then, forget about getting married—even if you don’t marry and just stay at home, it won’t matter.”

“Besides, your brother’s going to take the provincial exam in a few days. If he passes and becomes a Xiucai, you’ll be the brother of a Xiucai. In these surrounding villages, who wouldn’t want to marry you? You might even end up marrying someone from the town, or even the county town!”

Shen Lingzhi was taken aback. Was he really that impressive?