C16 Ten Thousand Times Prettier than You

Shen Shuling returned triumphantly with Shen Zhong and a stack of cash, making Shen Dazhuang so happy he couldn't stop grinning. He didn't mention his earlier plan for Shen Zhong to earn money by following Lim Fuqing. With this money, he could use his connections to get his son a stable job at a factory, which was better than selling goods on the street.

After Shen Dazhuang left, Shen Zhong took a couple of steps, then turned back to slip a few bills into Shuling's hand. When she looked, it was two hundred dollars.

Lim Fuqing watched them walk away and said after a while, "Even if he's a bit slow, he can still turn things around." The fact that he fought to protect his sister was commendable.

Shuling, not interested in hearing more, turned and kicked the man's shin lightly. "I'm hungry. Go make me something to eat."

Lim Fuqing immediately dropped his serious expression and hurried into the kitchen. Lim Tianyang watched quietly, thinking to himself how lucky his aunt was and how considerate his uncle was. He wanted to be like his uncle someday.

Early the next morning, Shuling took Tianyang for a stroll around the village. They found a tree stump to sit on near the village entrance, listening to the local women chat.

"I heard that over at the Liu family's place, someone's been getting a beating every day lately."

"Why is she, just a young girl not even married yet, so sharp-tongued? Mrs. Lin is such a nice person, gentle and kind, but she's been painted in such a bad light. Isn't that just harmful?"

"Exactly. If Mr. Lin believed those rumors, it could ruin a perfectly good match. It's really malicious. I used to think that girl was nice and even considered introducing her to my nephew. Now... well, never mind."

Everyone who knew the situation understood, and Shuling leaned against the wall, feeling quite satisfied. She wasn't some naive, kind-hearted young girl. After all these years, her heart had grown tough.

The rumors Liu Xue spread nearly had everyone criticizing and blaming her. If she hadn't been so resilient, if she had just endured it, that label would have stuck with her for life, and even when her baby was born, people would still gossip.

Thankfully, Fuqing was straightforward and decisive, quickly putting an end to the rumors. Otherwise, the consequences could have been significant.

Her husband was quite on point. Maybe she should cook him a nice meal when she got home? Yes, that was a delightful decision.

Holding her little nephew's hand, Shuling started walking back. As they passed by the river, she saw Liu Xue squatting by the water, washing clothes.

Beside her, there was a large basin and a big bucket, both filled to the brim with clothes. It looked like it would take all day to finish the laundry. But what did that matter to her?

Shen Shuling took a couple of steps forward but was spotted by Liu Xue. Dropping her washboard, Liu Xue ran over with a sneer.

"You think you're something special just because you're having Mr. Fuqing's baby?"

Shen Shuling replied lightly, "Of course, it's the baby I'm carrying! Once it's born, I'll always have a connection with him."

Liu Xue was momentarily speechless with anger, then retaliated, "I just saw a really pretty girl talking to Mr. Fuqing at the edge of the village. She's a thousand times prettier than you!"

Shen Shuling simply said, "Oh," and turned to head home to make dinner.

In a hurry, Liu Xue called after her, "One day, I'll be living a life a thousand times better than yours!"

"Really? Well, good luck with that. I'll be waiting."

Shen Shuling's nonchalant attitude only made Liu Xue more frustrated. Why was Shen Shuling so lucky? Why would Mr. Fuqing go to such lengths for her?