C12 Your Reputation will be Ruined!

Fong Xia's words sparked a flicker of resentment in Faang Jianmin's eyes.

In this day and age, how can these people still hold such outdated and frightening beliefs?

The argument sounded reasonable, but who had considered Xinrann's perspective?

If Xinrann truly wanted to elope, Faang Jian could understand Fann Jian giving her a beating, but what he couldn't forgive was Fann Jian wanting to bury Xinrann alive.

"Xue's mom, Qiuxiang's mom, you're both right. If your daughters get buried alive by their husbands, make sure you don't feel sorry for them. Stand behind your sons-in-law and support them in burying your daughters alive."

Faang Jianmin, fueled by a sudden burst of courage, blurted out these words.

Fong Xia immediately got angry upon hearing this.

"Faang Jianmin, you fool, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Fong Xia snapped, throwing down her hoe and lunging at Faang Jianmin in a fit of rage.

...

When Faang Jianmin appeared in his yard, his face was marked with deep red scratches. He looked exhausted and lifeless, as if he'd lost his spirit. He didn't even hear Hsu Caihua's cries echoing in the yard.

Hsu Caihua stopped crying the moment she saw Faang Jianmin.

"Jianmin, where did you get those injuries on your face? I knew it, those women in your family are not just bad luck, they're curses. You must have been beaten, right?"

Hsu Caihua shakily got up from the ground, leaning on her cane as she wobbled unsteadily toward Faang Jianmin.

"Leave..."

Faang Jianmin muttered. Hsu Caihua paused, thinking she misheard.

"Jianmin..."

"I said leave. Don't ever come back to my house again, unless you want those curses to ruin you."

Faang Jianmin pointed to the door, almost shouting.

Hsu Caihua stumbled back a step, unwilling to believe her son would actually yell at her. Her face turned sour, and though she wanted to curse, the words stuck in her throat. Leaning on her cane, she stormed off in a huff.

Fong Jianmin's outburst startled both Liu Yu'e and Faang Xinrann. In their memories, Fong Jianmin had never lost his temper with anyone or anything.

"Xinrann, when Qingqing gets back, you and the girls should head to town for a few days. Once things settle down, I'll come get you, okay?"

Unable to borrow money, Fong Jianmin could only think of offering his own life to pay Fann Jian. Even if it meant dying, he couldn't let Faang Xinrann suffer any longer. He felt inadequate; if it weren't for Liu Yu'e holding the family together, his clueless mother-in-law might have torn it apart long ago.

"Dad, we're not leaving. This time, Fann Jian attempted murder. We're not afraid of him. Trust me, I'm not who I used to be. Just wait and see."

"You stubborn child! This is all my fault. I should have let Chang'an take you away back then."

Fong Jianmin finished with a resigned sigh, lowering his head. Faang Xinrann's lips curled into a slight smile.

The night before her wedding, she had decided to leave with Lee Chang'an. But as she waited anxiously under the old oak tree at the village entrance, her anticipation turned to fear. Lee Chang'an never showed up. That night, he crushed any affection she had for him. Without tears or complaints, she obediently climbed onto the tractor that took her to Fann Jian's home in Stone River Village.

Thinking of Lee Chang'an still made her heart ache, but Faang Xinrann knew it was time to say goodbye to both him and Fann Jian.