Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Feast at Hongmen
"What's wrong with it?"
The image of Zhang Chen appeared in Xin Li's mind.
The islanders all said he was honest and simple, and that he was only focused on studying medicine, but Xinli thought he was quite clever.
After all, sometimes hiding one's shortcomings is also a form of honesty and simplicity.
In any case, based on her experience of meeting all sorts of different people in the apocalypse, she felt that Zhang Chen was not as honest as everyone said.
He seems like an extremely selfish person who usually behaves very well, but abandons everyone else and runs away when it really matters.
It's just that he usually disguises himself very well, so he has never been caught.
"He has a few tricks up his sleeve, but the people he messes with can't find any fault with him and can only swallow their anger."
Looking at Zhang Jinhua, Xin Li always felt that she was the one who had suffered in silence at Zhang Chen's hands.
What did he do?
Zhang Jinhua said with a stern face, word by word: "Back then, he was nocturnal, preferring to come out at night and process medicinal herbs by closing the door during the day. There was a little boy on the island who said he looked like a bat."
"You've seen Zhang Chen's appearance; it's neither outstanding nor terrible. He seems to care about this matter quite a bit, but he just laughed it off in front of everyone, saying it was just a child's innocent remark, and that was the end of it."
"But not long after, the child had a stomachache and was taken to the doctor where he was diagnosed with gastroenteritis."
"That thing is pretty hard to treat, isn't it? He's taken a lot of medicine over and over again without getting better. The child has visibly lost a lot of weight, which has broken his parents' hearts. They begged Zhang Chen to come up with a solution."
"Zhang Chen said he had some methods but dared not use them easily, and he didn't have enough stock. The child's parents immediately said they were willing to pay for it and even help Zhang Chen with the work."
Zhang Jinhua wrinkled his nose as he said this, clearly understanding but unable to agree with the parents' actions.
He even felt a certain dislike for Zhang Chen.
"Later, the child's parents almost gave up all the food they had stored for half a year in exchange for Zhang Chen getting some medicine. After taking the medicine, the child got better, and the child's parents were extremely grateful to Zhang Chen."
Zhang Jinhua patted Xin Li's hand as he spoke: "Anyway, be careful. This person seems like he might play dirty tricks. If you're not comfortable here, just come back. Do you think you'll be short of food? You can eat anywhere."
Xin Li replied, "Of course you won't shortchange me, but they probably won't let this opportunity to treat me to a meal pass them by."
Zhang Jinhua was taken aback, but quickly realized what he meant and looked at Xinli with admiration: "Well done, Xinxin. I thought you didn't know anything, but I didn't expect you to understand it better than I do."
Xin Li smiled and said, "I just find it annoying that he took in Xu Haiyu and then talked badly about me behind my back, so of course I'll be more wary of him."
"I hate people who stab you in the back the most."
Zhang Jinhua also thought about what Xu Haiyu had done before, and realized that the girl she had watched grow up could have such a side to her, which made her very melancholy.
"That child, Xiaoyu... perhaps it's because she's been spending too much time with Zhang Chen, that's why..."
Xin Li did not respond to that.
In her eyes, Xu Haiyu was the one who was ruthless and heartless.
Zhang Chen was most likely framed.
But these two are birds of a feather, so she doesn't need to distinguish them so clearly.
Zhang Chen's choice to help Xu Haiyu is tantamount to making her her enemy, so why should she speak up for her own enemy?
A cold glint flashed in Xin Li's eyes.
She only hoped that Zhang Chen would treat himself better and not try to kill her, otherwise Xin Li would let him know how terrifying the Doomsday Lord was.
Her revenge would be something those two people couldn't possibly bear.
"In short, you need to be careful."
Zhang Jinhua knew it wasn't appropriate to praise Xu Haiyu in front of Xin Li, so he only said one sentence and then stopped.
"Okay, don't worry."
Seeing Xin Li's consistently bright and cheerful demeanor, Zhang Jinhua's face also softened with a smile.
"You are a good girl. Xiao He is so lucky to have married you."
Thinking of He Mingzhou, who had inexplicably gotten angry and left earlier, Xin Li pouted. This man was handsome, but his temper was really strange.
Oh well, I chose this man myself, so I'll just have to get used to it.
...
Xinli and Zhang Jinhua busied themselves airing out the quilts and some grain in the house. Seeing that it was almost time, they took a few melons and headed to Zhang Chen's house.
The people on the island no longer point and whisper about Xinli directly, but the disdain in their eyes remains.
Xinli understood perfectly and didn't care.
Xenophobia exists everywhere; it's normal.
Moreover, although Xu Haiyu's lie was exposed today, it only gave everyone a new impression of Xu Haiyu. It does not mean that everyone will transfer their affection and indulgence towards Xu Haiyu to her.
Xin Li is not the kind of person who cares a lot about other people's impressions, so she has always been carefree.
Those people were puzzled when they saw that Xinli could remain unfazed by their disdain and walk leisurely with her things, as if she were strolling in her own backyard.
"Is Xinli truly indifferent, or is she just pretending?"
"She's definitely faking it. If you ask me, she's a real Shanghai rich girl. She acts like it's the real thing. Think about it, if someone stared at you like that, could you keep a straight face?"
"She's so capable, either because she's seen it all before and is used to it, or because people don't even consider us a threat."
"Oh, that's too arrogant. It seems you really look down on us island bumpkins."
"Isn't that right?"
Xin Li has amazing hearing; she can hear what these people are saying even from a long distance away. She refocused her attention and quickened her pace, heading straight for Zhang Chen's house.
"Xinli is here."
Zhang Chen was waiting at the door. When he saw Xin Li coming, his smile widened: "You said you were coming, so why did you bring anything?"
Xinli casually handed him the melon: "I brought one for you guys, and the others are for you to cut up and eat. You probably don't have any of these at home. I've been craving them lately, so I brought them myself. Could you please wash them and cut them into pieces?"
Xinli waved her hand and sat down on a stone stool.
His posture was so relaxed, as if he had returned to his own home, showing no sign of being a guest at all.
Xu Haiyu was still at Zhang Chen's house when she saw Xin Li's attitude and her face darkened: "Xin Li, do you think this is your home in Shanghai? Still acting like a spoiled princess? We are not your servants."
Xin Li blinked: "Oh, then I'll go back and ask Sister Lu to help me. Sister Lu said she won't miss a single bowl of rice for me."
Xu Haiyu was so angry she almost fainted.
Zhang Chen's eyes flashed, and he quickly took the melon, smiling as he said, "It's alright, I'll cut it. After all, Xin Li, you're a guest, so I'll definitely fulfill your request. However, if I cut the melon for you, it might take a little longer. I wonder if you could help me?"
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