Chapter 119 Rumors
The next day, we spent half a day packing our luggage, went shopping for a bunch of New Year's goods, and then drove back to my house, our bags full. I was a little excited along the way, thinking that I could finally take Lin Yan home to celebrate the New Year.
As a result, as soon as I entered the house, I felt that the atmosphere was not right.
My parents are at home, but the house is quiet, without the lively atmosphere of preparing for the New Year like in previous years.
My mother was sitting on the sofa knitting a sweater, her expression quite calm, but my father was sitting beside her with a frown on his face, smoking one cigarette after another, and the ashtray on the coffee table was almost full.
My heart skipped a beat, and I had a bad feeling. I put my things down, walked over and whispered to my mother, "Mom, what's wrong? What happened at home?"
My mother sighed, put down the yarn in her hand, glanced at my father, and then lowered her voice and said to me, "It's all because of your good uncle, that bastard Chen Jianguo! Last time, after hearing that you had a boyfriend, he shouted it all over the village, telling everyone he met. Now, it's almost New Year's Day, and those old friends in the village ask your father when they see him, 'Old Chen, I heard that your son found a man? Is it true?' 'Oh, what should I do?' ... The gossip is so unpleasant."
I was completely stunned and subconsciously looked at my father.
My dad took a long drag on his cigarette and said unhappily, "It's been like this for a long time! You know his rotten mouth!" After he finished speaking, he seemed to have just noticed Lin Yan behind me. A trace of embarrassment and apology flashed across his face, and he quickly added, "Well, it's not about you... it's just this shitty thing..."
Lin Yan immediately stepped forward, his tone sincere and apologetic: "Dad, this matter... why didn't you tell us earlier? I'm sorry for making you feel wronged."
My dad waved his hand, his expression weary and helpless. "What's the point of telling you? Once something like this happens, it's bound to get people pointing fingers and gossiping about it. I've told you all along that this road is difficult to tread, so be careful. Well, that's just the way the world is. If you do something different from most people, you're bound to be the subject of gossip."
My heart felt like it was being pricked by a needle, sour and bitter, and full of guilt.
Outside, under Lin Yan's protection, I hardly hear these malicious voices, but my parents have to bear these rumors and strange looks for me at home.
"Dad, Mom... I'm sorry, I'm an unfilial son and I've made things difficult for you..." My throat was tight and my voice was a little hoarse.
My mother glanced at me, her tone still characteristically calm, even tinged with a hint of dry humor. "What's the big deal? Remember when I had a falling out with my family? Wasn't I called an 'ungrateful person' and an 'unfilial daughter' by my parents for years? I'm used to it."
I:"……"
Instead of comforting me, these words made me feel even worse.
Because of me, my parents have to go through the days of being criticized behind their backs again.
My dad put out his cigarette and forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood: "Alright, alright, it's New Year's Day, let's not talk about these things that will spoil the fun. You've finally come back, and the most important thing is that you're happy. Lin Yan, will you have a couple of drinks with Dad tonight?"
Lin Yan and I were silent.
We knew that Dad was forcing a smile so that we wouldn't worry.
Lin Yan held my hand tightly, his palm was warm and strong.
At the dinner table, Lin Yan tried hard to find topics to talk about with my parents, asked about the situation at home, and talked about the development of his company. The atmosphere finally eased a little.
My dad drank a few glasses of wine and became more talkative. He patted Lin Yan on the shoulder and teased, "My son-in-law is still the best! As soon as he comes back, I have good wine to drink! Haha!"
My face flushed instantly: "Dad! What's the use of uncle or not... Are you really marrying your son off as if he were your daughter?"
My dad chuckled, a bit drunken, "What else? You can't fulfill your obligation to 'carry on the family line,' so I can't just enjoy the fruits of my labor and gain a good son and a good son-in-law for nothing?"
He paused, then said with a bit of pride, "Old Li, who plays cards with me, envies me. He says I'm so lucky to have such a capable son!"
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and could only look at Lin Yan helplessly. Lin Yan also smiled, his eyes gentle.
Well, my dad is a thorough pragmatist. In life, the most important thing is to live comfortably. Why should he care what others say?
In the evening, after washing up, I returned to my little room and finally had some space to be alone.
Lin Yan hugged me from behind, rested his chin on my shoulder, and said in a muffled voice: "Baby, I'm sorry... Being with me has caused you and your uncle and aunt to bear so much criticism and pressure."
I shook my head and turned to look at him. "Don't say that. We chose this path together. We have to bear all the good and bad together. Isn't it the same for you? You and your family..."
I paused, then spoke firmly. "Forget it, let them talk! We haven't stolen or robbed anyone, and we live an upright life. Those people are just jealous of our increasingly better lives."
Lin Yan looked at me, her eyes lit up, she couldn't help but smile, and kissed the tip of my nose: "Rui Rui, you are really open-minded. You are much better than me in this respect, you are worthy of being my wife."
I leaned into his arms, the pent-up energy in my heart because of my parents' injustice slowly transformed into a kind of determination: "Lin Yan, I've made up my mind. Even if it's not for myself, then for my parents, I have to fight for my reputation and make a name for myself! I want to let those gossipers know that even if I like men, I can still live a prosperous life, more exciting than anyone else!"
Lin Yan was stunned for a moment, then looked down at my eyes, which were filled with unprecedented determination and light.
A hint of approval and pride appeared on his face, and he hugged me tightly: "Okay! Then I will accompany you. Let's work hard together and do our best to shut up all those who are dissatisfied!"
In the middle of the night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning but still couldn't fall asleep.
What happened during the day was like a thorn in my heart, not because of fear, but because of love for my parents and anger at the helpless malice.
Lin Yan was woken up by me. He drowsily pulled me into his arms, his voice filled with sleep: "Baby, why aren't you sleeping yet? Are you still thinking about what happened during the day?"
I sighed and snuggled into his embrace. "Well... I just suddenly feel that life is so tiring. I just want to be with the person I love, why is it so difficult? Why can that Chen Jianguo just spread rumors and cause trouble everywhere, stirring up trouble for our family?"
Lin Yan gently rubbed my hair, his voice much clearer: "Do you think this world is unfair?"
"Of course it's not fair!" I said angrily.
Lin Yan chuckled softly. In the darkness, his voice carried a calm tone: "Don't worry, Ruirui. Evildoers will be punished by heaven. He will get his comeuppance."
I was stunned and raised my head to try to see his expression in the dark: "You didn't... do something?"
Lin Yan pressed me back into his arms, his tone as calm as if he was saying that the weather was nice today: "Before going to bed, I asked someone about it. After all, I've been running the company for a long time and I have some connections. I heard that Chen Jianguo seems to be active recently and wants to compete for a small leadership position in their factory. It seems that he has already paid the money and is just missing the final push. Coincidentally, the largest customer of that factory happens to be one of the people I will discuss cooperation with next."
I instantly understood what he meant, and the anger in my heart dissipated a lot. I couldn't help but laugh: "Lin Yan...it has to be you!"
This move of cutting off the source of funds is simply too cruel!
When I think about how Chen Jianguo came to nothing, I feel relieved!
"So, honey," Lin Yan's voice was filled with a smile and a hint of dangerous temptation, "Now that your worries are resolved, you can go to sleep obediently, right? If you don't sleep... I guess I'll have to use some 'unconventional methods' to help you sleep~"
I immediately gave in, quickly closed my eyes, and snuggled into his arms: "Sleep, sleep! Soon! Good night, husband!"
After all, knowing that the person you hate is about to get into trouble, as soon as you relax, you immediately feel sleepy.
What's more, the embrace beside me is so warm and reassuring.
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