He Sheng's cry of "Bad woman!", tinged with childlike anger, was clear and loud, carrying far in the relatively quiet courtyard alley at dusk.
The courtyards are separated by only one wall, offering no sound insulation whatsoever.
The sudden commotion immediately attracted the attention of the neighbors on both sides.
The two households living in the courtyard to the right of the Guan family were the first to make a move.
An elderly woman rinsing her mouth with an enamel mug and an auntie holding a rolling pin, clearly rolling out noodles, leaned out at almost the same time, curiously looking towards the Guan family's doorway.
The old woman immediately recognized Lin Wei; she seemed to have seen her before, but didn't have a strong impression of her.
Seeing her locked out, a hint of embarrassment on her face, her gossipy nature ignited, and she called out from a few steps away:
"Hey comrade, who are you looking for? Why won't you let me in?"
Lin Wei was embarrassed by He Sheng's actions, but when she heard the neighbor asking about it, she was secretly delighted.
The opportunity has arrived!
She quickly adjusted her facial expression, putting on that gentle yet slightly embarrassed smile again.
Then he turned around, brandished what was supposedly a shirt that didn't exist in his bag, and spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the neighbors who were listening intently to hear him clearly:
"Auntie, I...I'm looking for Hongqi. He left one of his shirts with me."
As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly, a blush rising to her cheeks, her voice tinged with an unspoken shyness, "I just happened to be passing by today, and I thought I'd bring it to him..."
These words had an immediate effect!
The old lady holding the enamel mug widened her eyes instantly!
He quickly exchanged a knowing look with the aunt who was holding the rolling pin.
A grown man's clothes ended up with a young girl who was a complete stranger.
What does this mean?
In today's relatively conservative social climate, this is almost a self-evident implication...
The relationship between the two is definitely not ordinary!
It may have even crossed some kind of boundary!
The other neighbors who had been drawn out by the commotion, though they hadn't fully heard the whole story, were able to imagine a whole drama from the keywords "red flag" and "the clothes were left with me," along with Lin Wei's hesitant, blushing, and shy demeanor.
Immediately, whispers arose among the neighbors.
Their gazes toward the Guan family's tightly closed gates and Lin Wei were filled with inquiry and profound meaning.
This gossip is way more exciting than the usual dating stuff!
Inside the door, Qin Yue, who was about to tell Lin Wei to leave, clearly heard Lin Wei's hurtful words outside the door. She was so angry that she trembled all over, her hands gripping the door latch so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Guan Yuanxiu, who came from the kitchen, also heard it. His face turned ashen, and his chest heaved violently, clearly furious.
"Shameless! Despicable!" Qin Yue squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, her voice trembling with anger. "This girl... this girl is truly shameless! To cling to Hongqi, she dares to fabricate such blatant lies that ruin both her own and Hongqi's reputation!"
Her eyes were red with anger, and her voice was choked with sobs, "What is she trying to do! Is she trying to force Hongqi to her death?"
If these words get out, how will Hongqi face anyone? How will she find a partner? How will she get a job?! She herself will be affected!
The elderly couple were both angry and anxious. Since they weren't the type to argue with people, they were at a loss as to how to deal with the carefully orchestrated slander outside their door and the growing number of onlookers.
Although He Sheng didn't fully understand the deeper meaning of Lin Wei's words, seeing how angry his grandparents were, he knew that the wicked woman outside the door had said some very bad things.
He clenched his little fists tightly and glared angrily at the door.
Outside the door, Lin Wei listened to the increasingly loud discussions among her neighbors behind her, a hint of smugness and ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.
This is exactly the effect she wanted!
Guan Hongqi, Guan Wenru, you've made things difficult for me, so I'll ruin your Guan family's reputation first!
Let's see how long you can keep hiding!
Guan Yuanxiu and Qin Yue have dedicated their lives to teaching and educating people, upholding principles and dignity. They have never encountered such scoundrels who fabricate lies and slander people's innocence to their faces.
He wanted to refute, but the foul language just wouldn't come out. He felt a tightness in his chest, and his face turned pale.
The three brothers, He Yi, He Qi, and He Sheng, were only thirteen years old and were completely confused by the subtle hints between men and women.
But they could see just how angry their grandparents were!
The three boys, barely out of school, frowned, their faces instantly contorted with anger.
He Sheng, in particular, couldn't stand seeing his family being bullied. When his impulsiveness kicked in, he forgot all about his mother's previous instructions.
He rushed forward and flung open the courtyard gate, his small frame ramrod straight, and pointed at Lin Wei outside, shouting loudly:
"What are you doing at my house! We don't even know you! Get out of here! Don't upset my grandparents!"
The child's voice was clear and crisp, carrying an undisguised sense of disgust and a desire to expel him.
Lin Wei was taken aback by He Sheng's sudden accusation.
Immediately, as if she had suffered a great injustice, her eyes reddened instantly and quickly filled with tears, threatening to fall but not quite, making her look pitiful and heartbroken.
She crouched down slightly, trying to meet He Sheng's gaze, her voice choked with sobs and disbelief:
“Shengsheng, how can you not recognize your aunt? We’ve definitely met before… Last year in the yard, didn’t you call me ‘Little Aunt’? How could you forget?”
The word "little aunt" was like a thunderclap, stunning the three children and causing an uproar among the neighbors who were listening intently!
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