"Pfft! That makes so much sense! I don't even know how to refute it."
"Hey! Young man, is your father really your father?"
"Yes! You need to prove it first, so that others can prove it too!"
The diners in line, not wanting to miss out on the excitement, started shouting.
Since they had nothing to do while queuing, and it wasn't like they couldn't buy braised food, they figured they might as well watch this kind of joke; it was quite amusing.
Chen Gen's face flushed red with anger, his blood rushing to his head. "My father is my father! What need is there to prove it? How absurd!"
They were clearly talking about this shop, so why did they drag me into it?!
He was not only humiliated by his second aunt, whom he had always looked down upon, but also ridiculed by a group of ignorant fools. Even his classmates silently stepped aside and ignored him.
Even the students who were with him couldn't stand it anymore. "Asking you to prove yourself is absurd, so asking someone else to produce evidence is even more absurd?"
"Yeah, why do you have two different standards for yourself and others? You can't even do it yourself, so why do you expect others to?"
"You insist on picking on others, allowing yourself to criticize others but not others to criticize you? What kind of logic is that?"
Normally, Chen Gen would have already snapped if he were teased by his classmates, but he didn't dare to because Song Zhibai was there today.
Although Song Zhibai stood silently to the side, his expression was very impatient.
But if he says nothing, wouldn't he lose face completely? He's clearly the victim.
Chen Gen had no choice but to reorganize his words and retort, "If she wants to prove whether the shop is hers, she only needs to produce the contract."
They can't prove it, and instead they're resorting to sophistry, asking me to prove my father is my father. How can I prove that? Isn't that just deliberately insulting me?
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at him as if he were a fool. They had originally wanted to see a joke and have some fun, but who knew this person was not smart enough? The more they looked at him, the angrier they became.
"How can you, a scholar, not understand human language? They've already said it, why should they prove to you who you are?"
"Exactly, we don't care who owns this shop. What's the point of proving it? As long as the braised food tastes good, that's all that matters."
"Yes, hurry back and go find your father. Stop whining and wasting our time!"
"If you're not going to buy anything, then hurry up and leave! Stop blocking the way and spouting nonsense! If you have nothing better to do, go home and get your dad to do a blood test to prove your kinship!"
Chen Gen was completely dumbfounded. How could these people be so stubborn? If they said he couldn't understand human language, then they were the ones who couldn't understand human language!
"I'm only doing this for everyone's good. Their family is swindling and cheating, and who knows what they're doing isn't clean either!"
And him, he's a thief! He was always dishonest as a kid, stealing my calligraphy brushes. Who knows what he's added to this now? You guys dare eat this?!
Chen Gen was at a disadvantage and was anxious. Just then, he saw Zhang Shaowen watching him from inside and immediately felt that he had found a breakthrough. He immediately pointed at Zhang Shaowen and shouted.
Everyone looked towards the window, wondering why there was suddenly another thief.
Zhang Shaowen was suddenly pulled into the battle and almost didn't react. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Cheng Yue's cold voice.
"What? You can't slander us, so you start biting like a mad dog?"
Chen Gen was furious. "He's a thief! Zhang Shaowen, you dare to do it but not admit it?"
After being persuaded by Cheng Yue and the others yesterday, Zhang Shaowen has resolved much of his inner conflict.
Faced with Chen Gen's repeated slander, he immediately shouted, "Who dares to do it but not admit it! You are clearly the one who deliberately framed me, and you still have the nerve to accuse me first!"
I swear to God, if I've stolen anything, may I die a horrible death! Do you dare swear that you haven't slandered anyone?
"They've already sworn a solemn oath, so it probably isn't true."
"I think so too. Look at this chubby boy, he's acting like a madman, saying this one minute and that the next. He must not be very bright."
"Look how scared he is, his face has turned pale. He must be feeling guilty!"
The voices of the crowd reached Chen Gen's ears one by one, making him feel as if he had been struck by lightning.
Uncle and Aunt have changed, that idiot has changed, and even Zhang Shaowen, who never dared to oppose him before, has become bolder. Wasn't he someone who never dared to utter a sound before? How could this be!
Cheng Jun grabbed Chen Gen by the collar and warned him:
"How could someone be so vicious? It seems even the classics can't teach you. We might as well just throw you to the authorities and let you learn some manners!"
If he hadn't been afraid that Chen Gen would actually enter the government office and damage his aunt's family's reputation, he would have taken him away immediately instead of listening to him make slanderous remarks here!
Chen Gen was terrified at the mention of the government. His second uncle's family was so calm, and he couldn't be sure who the shop actually belonged to.
He hasn't been home for some time now. Who knows what happened at home? What if this shop really belongs to my second uncle?
And this Zhang Shaowen, he deliberately framed him. If it gets found out, he's finished.
Falsely accusing someone can result in a fine, beating, or even imprisonment!
The academy will definitely expel him, and his future will be completely ruined!
Chen Gen's face turned pale, and his obese body twisted a couple of times, but Cheng Jun's strength was too great, and he couldn't break free at all.
A true man can bend and stretch; what's wrong with bowing his head temporarily?
Chen Gen begged for mercy, "Let me go! I was out of my mind. I promise I won't say anything like that again!"
Hearing this, the crowd became even more disdainful. They thought he had some kind of ability, since he was so persistent just now, but now he's backing down.
How dare you speak recklessly without being able to bear the consequences?
Gao Sheng said disdainfully, "Just send him to the authorities! Keeping someone like that in the academy is a disgrace to the academy!"
Qingfeng Academy is a private academy jointly run by several scholars who have passed the imperial examinations. Its only drawback is that anyone who can afford the tuition can attend.
The tuition fees were not high, and the teachers at the academy were truly talented, so Qingfeng Academy always had a good reputation.
Accepting all comers is a way to earn some money to make a living, which is nothing special. It also indirectly lowers the threshold for education, which is a good thing.
However, lowering the threshold for reading does not mean lowering the moral threshold. The academy would absolutely not tolerate someone like Chen Gen.
Song Zhibai frowned. The county magistrate was his uncle, so he should avoid any appearance of impropriety. It wouldn't be appropriate for him to speak up himself.
Cheng Jun pushed Chen Gen aside and looked at Cheng Yue.
Ultimately, how to deal with Chen Gen depends on the younger sister's opinion. If she were to punish him, it would put her in an awkward position, which would be counterproductive.
He himself shared the same thought as Gao Sheng: such a vicious person should be severely punished!
Cheng Yue received a questioning look from Cheng Jun and said coldly, "Anyone who dares to slander others must bear the consequences. Send him to the authorities!"
Chen Gen is ignorant and arrogant. He was bound to get his comeuppance sooner or later. Since he insisted on provoking me, there's no reason for me to let him off the hook. The sooner he goes in, the sooner I'll have some peace and quiet.
Zhang Shaowen felt his heart pounding; he had finally waited for this day!
Cheng Jun hesitated and said, "Aunt, then you..."
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