With each question Guan Wenru asked, the person being called upon became more and more embarrassed.
Although neighbors see each other all the time and one should give them face, since she had already spoken up, she was prepared to resolve the matter thoroughly. So, with a cold laugh, she continued:
"When you all need help, what does my son Hongqi do? Does he try his best to answer your questions and help you whenever he knows or can speak up? Has he ever shirked his responsibility? Has he ever complained about the trouble?"
As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, but it was mostly resolute:
"What? It's only been a short time. The matter hasn't been clarified yet, and based on a few unclear words from outsiders, you've already labeled a child you've watched grow up with such heavy accusations as 'Chen Shimei,' 'irresponsible,' and 'snobbish'?"
Is this being blamed on my parents' kind and helpful old neighbor who has been kind to everyone for most of his life?
What heinous things has our Guan family done that deserves your eagerness to kick us when we're down and turn your backs on us like this?!
This series of reasoned and emotionally charged rhetorical questions struck like heavy blows into the hearts of those neighbors who blindly followed suit and made accusations.
They looked at each other, their faces burning with embarrassment. The righteous excitement they had felt moments before vanished instantly, replaced by awkwardness, shame, and bewilderment.
The alleyway was eerily quiet for a moment, with only Lin Wei's low, somewhat fake sobs remaining.
Guan Wenru stood at the door, her posture upright and her eyes piercing. The gloom that had just been cast by the criticisms of others seemed to have been completely dispelled by her words.
She used facts and reason to temporarily suppress this indiscriminate public opinion storm.
Seeing that Guan Wenru's words had rendered her neighbors, who had previously sided with her, speechless and ashamed, Lin Wei knew something was wrong.
Guan Wenru's logic is clear and every sentence is reasonable. If this continues, the carefully constructed image of the weak will likely collapse, and he will end up losing more than he gains.
So she acted immediately, her acting instincts kicking in again. With reddened eyes, she pretended to cover her face and run away, her voice trembling with tears, "I...I'm leaving! I'm leaving right now! I wasted my time coming here..."
She knew that as long as she appeared heartbroken and desperate enough, she might be able to gain some sympathy by appealing to the conventional wisdom that the weak are always right, and get away from the situation first.
However, Guan Wenru had put up with her for far too long!
Previously, she had only been secretly pursuing Hongqi, and Guan Wenru was unable to act because she lacked substantial evidence and grounds.
Now she dares to come to our door and slander my brother's innocence in front of everyone, ruining the reputation of the Guan family. This has crossed Guan Wenru's line!
How could she let go of this opportunity to completely expose the other party's hypocritical mask in public?
Just as Lin Wei turned to run away, Guan Wenru reacted quickly and grabbed her wrist firmly!
The force was so great that Lin Wei hissed in pain and couldn't break free.
"Stop right there!" Guan Wenru's voice was like ice, carrying an undeniable authority. "The matter hasn't been clarified yet, where do you think you're going?! You're not going anywhere until this is all settled!"
Lin Wei was grabbed, both surprised and panicked, and immediately used her last move...
I broke down and cried!
She tried to evoke confusion and sympathy with her tears.
So she suddenly squatted down, almost collapsing to the ground, and cried her heart out, as if she had suffered a tremendous injustice:
"Sister! Sister Guan! I know I was wrong! I know your family looks down on me and thinks I'm not good enough for Hongqi!"
I...I'll never come back again! I'll never bother Hongqi again! Please, let me go, let me go! Waaah..."
Her sudden breakdown and admission of wrongdoing did indeed touch the hearts of some soft-hearted neighbors, who wondered if the Guan family had gone too far.
At this critical juncture when public opinion might waver again, Guan Wenru not only did not let go, but instead let out a mocking sneer.
She stopped watching Lin Wei's performance on the ground, and instead abruptly raised her head, her gaze fixed precisely on her husband, He Yanzhi, who stood behind her like a stabilizing pillar, his expression cold and aloof. Her voice was clear and icy:
"Yan Zhi! Did you hear everything? This is no longer just a private matter for our family; it concerns the reputation and innocence of veteran Guan Hongqi! Soldiers protect the country and its people, and even after retirement, they cannot be allowed to be slandered or defamed by anyone!"
So now, immediately, do three things!
First, call Hongqi and his former comrade Lin Wei in the Southern Military Region, find their old leaders and comrades-in-arms, and verify what exactly happened during their relationship, who initiated the breakup, and what the reasons were! Were there any entanglements that went beyond the scope of a normal romantic relationship?
Second, call the police station to file a report! Tell them that someone is openly fabricating facts, defaming others, attempting extortion, and disrupting social order, and request their intervention and investigation!
Third, call Lin Wei's direct superiors at the Capital Military Region Hospital where she currently works! Ask them if the hospital is aware of her actions. Is someone of questionable character and a habitual liar still suitable for a life-saving position?
Finally, her gaze swept over the silent neighbors and the ashen-faced Lin Wei, and her voice rose, carrying a resolute determination:
"Finally, call Hongqi! Tell him to come over right now! In front of all the neighbors, confront this Comrade Lin Wei and those fabricated 'clothes left at her place' face to face!"
I, Guan Wenru, am making this clear today! My brother Guan Hongqi's reputation is more important than my own life!
"Anyone who tries to destroy it, no matter who, I, Guan Wenru, will go bankrupt and risk everything to make them pay the price—a price worse than death!"
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