When a rumor spreads, it tends to spawn multiple versions. For instance, so said that Shen Youling, blinded by love, insisted on marrying a poor boy from the countryside. This enraged the elders of the Shen Family, who cast her out. Afterward, her husband supposedly abused her and disfigured part of her face. Overco with despair, she took her own life.
Others claid her husband was a thug who betrayed his gang leader, resulting in a hit being placed on him. Shen Youling was caught in the crossfire and died a tragic death. Still, others spun different tales. The one thing they agreed on was that Shen Youling was dead. So, how was she alive again?
Eventually, a rich young man stepped forward to "dispel the rumors." He claid Shen Youling's husband, arrogant due to his martial arts prowess, had dared to make an enemy of an extrely powerful figure. As a result, his legs were broken and his martial arts were completely crippled, with security footage to prove it. The Shen Family, terrified of being dragged into the ss, had severed all ties with the couple. In short, Shen Youling was no longer a wealthy heiress, nor was she the breathtaking beauty she once was.
"They're walking disasters now," the young man had warned in the group chat. "Even I am keeping my distance. You all have so nerve, inviting her to a reunion! If those powerful people decide to take their anger out on you, you'll be in for a world of hurt."
"What?"
"What do we do?"
"Should we cancel the reunion?"
"I'm definitely not going now."
The few who had been so proud of securing Shen Youling's attendance turned pale with regret. Why had they been so boastful? The others who had considered joining the reunion quickly went silent, pretending they were never there.
Shang Yuenong was also in the group, silently lurking and reading the ssages. Previously, she had been hiding, living in constant terror that Lin Tang would find and kill her. She had fled in such a rush that she hadn't even resigned from her job, rely calling her supervisor at the hospital to request a leave of absence. Recently, her leadership had grown impatient, threatening to consider her to have automatically resigned if she didn't get back to work. Of course, she would rather lose her job than return!
But then, a sudden twist. Several colleagues from the hospital confird that Shen Youling's mother had been at the hospital, wailing and mourning. She said both Shen Youling and Lin Tang were dead! Shang Yuenong was ecstatic. What a good death, a wonderful death! What was she waiting for? It was ti to return and rescind her leave, of course! That job was hard to co by, and it would be a sha to lose it.
Earlier, soone in the alumni chat had ntioned Shen Youling's death. Upon seeing it, Feng Nailin had imdiately gone to verify the news. Shang Yuenong saw his confirmation and beca even more convinced it was true, which was why she had gladly accepted the reunion invitation. Now, hearing that Shen Youling and Lin Tang weren't dead after all, she was terrified and nearly fled again.
But then she read on. Lin Tang was crippled? Wasn't that a fate worse than death? He couldn't possibly kill her now, could he?
Shang Yuenong cackled. Her mind was made up. She had to attend this reunion. She would kick them while they were down and humiliate Lin Tang to his face, venting all her pent-up hatred!
***
Soone called Feng Nailin, warning him to distance himself from Shen Youling and not to invite trouble. They suggested he find an excuse to uninvite her from the reunion.
That's right, Feng Nailin thought. Weren't they saying Shen Youling was dead?
He turned and asked Shen Youling directly.
"Did soone in the alumni chat say that?" Shen Youling unlocked her phone and unblocked the alumni group chat. After reading through the ssages, she shook her head. "That's not what really happened. Lin Tang didn't make an enemy of so powerful figure. Soone gifted him a very sharp, precious sword, which that powerful person coveted. When he refused to hand it over…"
Lin Tang willingly played along, feigning indignation. "My martial arts have been crippled, and the sword was destroyed. If they still try to hunt us down, it would go against the rules of the martial world and be utterly disgraceful! So, it's all been settled. You can all rest assured, you won't be implicated."
"Well…" Feng Nailin and his wife, Liang Shuzhen, exchanged a look. Seeing Lin Tang's frail and sickly appearance, they believed his tall tale.
That makes sense, Liang Shuzhen thought. If he still had his martial arts, he would have beaten to a pulp earlier when I was targeting them.
When the other mbers of the alumni group saw the clarification, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Shang Yuenong was even more delighted and couldn't resist sharing the good news with her husband. When Yao Qian heard, he gloated, "They had it coming!"
***
With their worries gone and their curiosity piqued, the reunion, which was originally for fewer than ten people, swelled to include several dozen. Almost everyone who had stayed in Jiangbei to build their careers showed up. They had to book a larger restaurant and reserve an entire floor.
As the classmates arrived one by one, their gazes all converged on Lin Tang. Though his legs weren't broken, his complexion was terrible; he looked as if a gust of wind could knock him over. This confird it for everyone: he really had been crippled.
"Pardon my asking, but is martial arts really like what you see in the TV dramas? Can you fly? Is there such a thing as internal energy?"
"Now that your skills are gone, can you still fight?"
"Even if your martial arts are gone, you still have the experience, right? Have you considered starting a martial arts class? I'd like my son to learn; tuition isn't an issue."
"I'll sign my daughter up too!"
"Can I sign up myself?"
Seeing that Lin Tang seed approachable, a crowd surrounded him, chattering away. Soone even prodded his abdon, trying to figure out the exact location of the Dantian.
Of course, there were also unmarried n who were deeply captivated by Lee Encai. They shalessly tried to make a move.
"Excuse , beautiful, who are you?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Can I add you as a friend?"
As the young lady of the Li Family, Lee Encai was exceptionally proud. She wouldn't even give scions of other great families, like Wang Shouzhen or Xie Changchun, the ti of day. If a strange man tried to chat her up on the street, she would ignore him completely. If they persisted, she would have her bodyguards teach them a lesson. After all, her first eting with Lin Tang had started with a conflict.
Now, however, out of consideration for Shen Youling, Lee Encai didn't respond coldly. She simply shook her head. "I'm just here to freeload a al. You don't need to pay any attention to ."
Then she stepped back and stood obediently behind Lin Tang, like a little attendant.
This irked so of the n. How did Lin Tang get so damn lucky, marrying Shen Youling? And now he's monopolizing another gorgeous woman? Shen Youling isn't even jealous?! Could it be that she despises him now that he's crippled and wants a divorce? Makes sense. He's just a country bumpkin. Having so martial arts skills was his only advantage. Now? He's nothing.
"Oh, Youling, my dearest friend! I'm so relieved to see you're alright!"
At that mont, a ticulously dressed-up Shang Yuenong entered on Yao Qian's arm. She imdiately rushed toward Shen Youling, putting on a sickeningly sweet act. "You have no idea, when I first heard you had died, I cried my eyes out, boo-hoo-hoo."
Shen Youling, whose expression had been neutral, suddenly turned cold. "Cut the act. We're not that close, and we're certainly not best friends."
"How can you say that? That's so hurtful!" Shang Yuenong's expression stiffened. She glanced at Lin Tang, then sneered, "Do you still think you're the beloved princess you used to be?"
Lin Tang walked over. "What kind of person my wife is has nothing to do with a venomous snake like you," he said, his voice glacial. "Shang Yuenong, do you rember the little girl whose teeth you pulled out from one side of her mouth? And you call yourself a doctor, doing sothing so vicious to a child!"
"Hmm?"
"Pulled out all the teeth on one side of a little girl's mouth?"
"What's this about?"
The crowd murmured in surprise. Yao Qian was also stunned. "Yuenong, you…"
"You're full of shit!" Shang Yuenong shrieked. "Lin Tang, you crippled jinx! What right do you have to speak to ? How dare you slander ! Do you have any proof?"
"I don't need proof to teach you a lesson," Lin Tang said calmly, preparing to strike.
Yao Qian chose to believe his wife and stood with her. He stepped forward and barked, "Lin Tang, you're already a damn cripple and you still want to start a fight? You think I'm afraid to put you in your place?"
He was popular and had a few close buddies, who, seeing the situation, imdiately stepped up to back him, cracking their knuckles.
"This is a class reunion. We're already giving you face by letting an outsider like you attend, so don't cause trouble!"
"Talk is cheap. Don't accuse people without proof!"
"I know Yuenong well. She's not the kind of person you're describing. Why are you trying to sar her na like this?"
Of course, most of the classmates remained neutral, trying to diate. They urged everyone to calm down, saying that they shouldn't ruin a rare get-together.
Shen Youling quietly tugged on Lin Tang's sleeve and whispered, "Maybe you can settle the score with her in private later. I don't think she'll run away again."
"Fine. I'll listen to you," Lin Tang nodded.
Though he backed down for the mont, Shang Yuenong wouldn't let it go. Even after being pulled away, she continued to mock them in a loud voice, specifically targeting the dark mark on Shen Youling's face.
"Leave it to the ugly ones to stir up trouble. Does she still think she's so great beauty everyone adores? She doesn't even cover up that disfigured patch on her face. Just looking at it makes lose my appetite."
Shen Youling fell silent. The dark mark on her face had always been a thorn in her side, and Shang Yuenong's mockery cut deep.
Suddenly, a gentle, magnetic voice called out, "Shen Youling, do you rember ?"
Shen Youling turned, a look of surprise on her face. "Hua Fengchen? When did you get back?"
"Who's that?"
"Wow, isn't that our campus heartthrob?"
"I rember Hua Fengchen was utterly devoted. He rejected countless girls who chased him all through college, all for Shen Youling."
"But… Shen Youling's face is scarred, and she's been married. Can he possibly still be interested in her?"
Lin Tang's ears twitched. Hearing the crowd's whispers, he raised an eyebrow. He looked over this Hua Fengchen. Well, look at this guy. He looks like a movie star. His features were sharp, his eyes deep, and he naturally exuded a lancholic aura.
Even Lee Encai couldn't help but take a few extra glances. He really is handso.
"I just got back to the capital a few days ago. When I heard you were in trouble, I rushed back to Jiangbei. I hoped it was all just rumors, but to see you like this…"
Gazing at Shen Youling, Hua Fengchen's voice was filled with pain and pity. He reached out to stroke her cheek. "It's all my fault. I should have stayed by your side to protect you. I let you suffer so much!"
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