Chapter 18: You May Have No Shame, but I Still Do

Outside, a group of people were swatting at mosquitoes, while inside the house, a scene of warmth and intimacy unfolded.

After getting up and dressing, Qin Huairu gently wiped Lin Shaowen’s sweat with a towel. In all the years they had been married, this was the first time she truly felt the joy of being a woman.

Lin Shaowen’s heart was filled with turmoil; he honestly did not know how to settle Qin Huairu.

“Xiao Lin, don’t worry. Once we’re outside, I’ll divorce him and go back to the countryside, never to return,” Qin Huairu said softly.

“That’s a bit much,” Lin Shaowen replied awkwardly.

“You won’t despise me. I’ve given you my body, and it won’t be given to anyone else,” Qin Huairu smiled. “You’re still young. You can marry a pure-hearted girl someday.”

“Qin Jie, do you want to work at the factory?” Lin Shaowen suddenly asked.

“Work? Can I… really?” Qin Huairu’s eyes widened.

“Maybe,” Lin Shaowen smiled. “Wait a couple of days; I’ll get back to you.”

“All right.” After pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, Qin Huairu turned and walked outside.

Outside the courtyard, as soon as Qin Huairu appeared, the crowd immediately gathered around her.

“Huairu, what’s going on?” Yi Zhonghai frowned.

“He’s too drunk. I slapped him, but he didn’t react at all,” Qin Huairu said helplessly. “I couldn’t just shout and rush in, only to find him dead drunk on the floor, right?”

“Really?” Jia Dongxu doubted.

“If you don’t believe me, go in and see for yourself,” Qin Huairu raised her elegant brows.

“I’ll check.” Seeing the dispute, Shazhu didn’t hesitate and rushed inside.

He found Lin Shaowen lying sound asleep on the floor. Shaking his head, he stepped back helplessly.

“What’s the situation?” Jia Dongxu asked anxiously.

“He’s sleeping right on the floor,” Shazhu said with resignation.

“What now?” The group was stumped.

“Huairu, why don’t you hide inside? We’ll come back tomorrow morning,” Yi Zhonghai said coldly.

“What?” Qin Huairu looked incredulous.

“You shameless woman, do you still want Mom to come out?” Jia Dongxu sneered.

“Have you thought about how I’d live if everyone finds out tomorrow?” Qin Huairu cried.

“We’re here, aren’t we?” Jia Dongxu said awkwardly. “We all know what’s going on… no one will say anything.”

“Huairu, we’re counting on you,” Yi Zhonghai said grimly.

Tears streamed down Qin Huairu’s face as she looked at the crowd.

“Stop crying. Get inside now,” Jia Dongxu pushed her without hesitation.

“Dongxu…”

Yi Zhonghai took out a cigarette and lit it for everyone. “I plan to have the neighborhood committee and security team come by first thing tomorrow.”

Clink! Several cigarettes dropped to the ground as the men stared at Yi Zhonghai in fear.

They knew this meant they were going to ruin Lin Shaowen utterly.

At worst, he would lose all reputation; at worst, he might even face jail.

“Dongxu, what do you think?” Yi Zhonghai asked.

“I…” Jia Dongxu opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word.

“How much did you spend to marry Qin Huairu?” Yi Zhonghai asked again.

“Ten yuan,” Jia Dongxu muttered.

“I’ll give you a hundred,” Yi Zhonghai said, cigarette dangling from his lips, his face flickering with emotion.

“Really?” Jia Dongxu perked up immediately.

Qin Huairu was just a village girl anyway. If he could get a hundred yuan, he’d just marry a city girl next time.

As long as he kept his job, unlike Shazhu, finding a wife wouldn’t be hard.

Shazhu said nothing but his mind raced.

If Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu divorced, might he have a chance?

Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong said nothing. The situation had escalated too far. Unless they crushed Lin Shaowen completely, if this blew up, they would be the ones who suffered.

“Tomorrow morning, write a divorce agreement. I’ll take it directly to the neighborhood committee to get it processed,” Yi Zhonghai said through gritted teeth. “You block the moon gate early and don’t let them out.”

“All right.” The crowd nodded.

Inside the house.

“Damn it, you’re back again?” Lin Shaowen was completely stunned.

“Xiao Lin, they’re dead set on ruining you,” Qin Huairu cried as she recounted everything.

“It’s not a big problem. I have a way to fix this…” Lin Shaowen suddenly smiled.

If they wanted a fight, he’d make sure they lost both the woman and the man.

“Really?” Qin Huairu asked, tears in her eyes.

“Really,” Lin Shaowen said firmly.

“Then… I’ll give myself to you again.” Qin Huairu blushed.

“No…”

“Hey, Qin Huairu, don’t pull down my pants.”

“Hey, you pervert!”

…

At dawn.

Yi Zhonghai took Jia Dongxu to the neighborhood committee to finalize the divorce. Normally, both parties must be present. But no one knew what trick Yi Zhonghai used — the divorce was processed successfully.

Yan Bugui notified the neighborhood watch, and Liu Haizhong, not wanting to be left out, secretly informed the steel mill security department.

Soon, three groups converged on the courtyard, attracting many curious glances.

“Qin Huairu, Lin Shaowen, come out…” Jia Dongxu banged on the door, playing the victim.

Director Wang frowned but said nothing.

She had been shocked by the news but then thought, Qin Huairu was beautiful, and Lin Shaowen young and handsome — it wasn’t impossible they were involved.

The crowd surrounded the yard so tightly there was no room to slip through.

“If he doesn’t open the door, we break it down,” someone suggested.

“Fine.” The group nodded.

Almost everyone liked catching someone in the act, especially since Qin Huairu was known for her beauty. It would be perfect if they caught the two unclothed.

Boom!

The gate was kicked open.

Everyone rushed inside, only to find the bleary-eyed Lin Shaowen sound asleep on the bed.

“Xiao Lin, wake up.” Director Wang shook him.

“Ugh.” Lin Shaowen woke with a start, saw the crowd, and covered himself with a blanket, panicked. “What’s going on? What happened?”

“Don’t play dumb. Where’s Qin Huairu?” Jia Dongxu snarled.

“Who?” Lin Shaowen looked baffled.

“Qin Huairu,” Jia Dongxu said deliberately, enunciating each word.

Smack!

Lin Shaowen slapped Jia Dongxu, sending him sprawling. “Are you crazy? Coming to my room so early looking for your wife? Why don’t you go to Yi Zhonghai’s bed to find your mother?”

All eyes turned to Yi Zhonghai.

Snicker!

Director Wang couldn’t help but laugh, and many stifled their own laughter.

“Lin Shaowen, what nonsense are you talking about?” Yi Zhonghai scolded.

“If I’m making things up, then what are you doing here?” Lin Shaowen shouted. “Breaking down my door this early — is there any law?”

“Where’s Qin Huairu?” Jia Dongxu got up and asked coldly.

Smack!

Lin Shaowen slapped him down again.

“Say one more word, see what happens. You’re shameless, I still have some pride… You bring all these people here looking for your wife? If this gets out, how will I live?”

“Xiao Lin, calm down.” Director Wang held his hand, soothing him. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“You say Qin Huairu is here? Go ahead, search. But if you don’t find her, don’t blame me if I burn your house down,” Lin Shaowen said coldly, sending chills down many spines.