Lin Shikang suppressed his anger and said, "A single tree cannot make a forest. Of course I will not abandon my people. Don't worry. However, I have only just returned, and so many things have happened in the clan. We will deal with them one by one."
Upon hearing this, Yan Shi Fang Xiaodan immediately beamed with joy: "It's good that the third-ranked scholar remembers. Thank you for your trouble."
Fang Xiaodan's family wasn't the only one who was happy. The entire Lin family was overjoyed to hear Lin Shikang's words, thinking that there was finally hope for the future, and their recent gloom vanished.
In the afternoon, Yang Cui and Cen Xiao took their child back to Anjia Village, only to find Zhou Daqing already waiting there.
"Grandpa Village Chief, what brings you here?"
"I heard the two children had an accident, so I came to see them." Village Chief Zhou didn't come empty-handed; he brought a basket of eggs, two geese, and two chickens—a rather substantial gift.
"You're too kind."
"Xiao Cui, Lin Shikang is back!" Zhou Daqing suddenly said.
Yang Cui was taken aback.
It was a little later than she expected.
"It's good that you're back. Some things should be resolved as soon as possible."
"He does have official rank after all, so you need to be careful. If there's anything you can do to help, just ask."
"Thanks."
Zhou Daqing didn't stay long. He told Yang Cuilin that Lin Shikang had returned, inquired about Lin Chunmei's situation, and then went back.
After Zhou Daqing left, the villagers of Anjia Village and several of Anjia's uncles came to visit, bringing eggs and other gifts to show their concern for the two children.
"Were the two children scared?"
"Should we call a shaman to summon the soul?"
"I heard it was Lin Chunmei who did it? Xiao Cui, is that true?"
"The Lin family, from top to bottom, is rotten to the core!"
"So vicious at such a young age, what will he be like when he grows up! From now on, I'll avoid anyone with the surname Lin!"
...
The villagers were talking amongst themselves.
When Lin Shikang and his entourage arrived, they overheard these words and felt a surge of annoyance. Lin Shikang, in particular, had such a bad reputation; if the imperial envoy came, they would be doomed!
"Xiao Cui," Lin Shikang called out.
Upon seeing Lin Shikang, Yang Cui and the villagers of Zhong'an Village were all taken aback.
Yang Cui smiled and said, "So it's the esteemed Scholar Lin who has graced us with his presence!"
"Xiao Cui, let's head back now."
"Xiao Cui, let me know if you need anything. We can't let anyone bully the An family."
"Yes, shout if you need anything."
After they finished speaking, they gave the Lin family a meaningful look.
Lin Shikang and the others were furious. These words made it sound like they would lay a hand on Yang Cui!
To resolve the current crisis, he had no choice but to endure it!
Lin Shikang looked Yang Cui up and down. The Yang Cui of today was completely different from the Yang Cui of his memory.
In my memory, Yang Cui always had messy hair, always kept her head down, and was always timid and hesitant in front of herself. Now, she wears a high ponytail, no makeup, and no jewelry, but she looks particularly capable and dares to look me in the eye. She stands tall and proud, showing off her beautiful swan neck. When facing me, she is neither humble nor arrogant.
He then realized that Yang Cui was incredibly beautiful, no less so than Wang Mengyun.
Upon seeing Lin Shikang, Yuan Qiu immediately ran to the kitchen and looked at Cen Xiao, who was cooking, with a disappointed expression: "Why are you still cooking? That scumbag Kang is here. I think he's even worse than you. You hurry up and go out to keep my godmother in check and wipe that scumbag out of the water!"
Yuan Qiu heard the words "scumbag" and "instant kill" from Yang Cui. He found them particularly interesting, especially "instant kill," which sounded especially domineering!
Cen Xiao put down his work and came out: "Xiao Cui, our son said he wants to eat braised chicken tonight because he thinks my cooking is not good."
Yuan Qiu looked completely bewildered: "......" Did I say that? Our son? When did I become his son? Aren't I his nephew?
Lin Shikang then noticed Cen Xiao. Lin Shikang considered himself a worldly man, and he knew that Cen Xiao's demeanor was definitely not that of an ordinary country bumpkin!
Son? Our son? They have a son? Yang Cui actually had a son with another man?
Lin Shikang suddenly felt like he was being cuckolded.
Upon seeing Cen Xiao, Lin Qi's legs trembled. He whispered to Lin Shikang, "Shikang, be careful. This man is ruthless and skilled. He might be a robber or bandit!"
Yang Cui introduced, "I'll do it in a bit. Let's get to know each other first. This is my ex-husband."
Cen Xiao glanced at Lin Shikang and said, "Not so great either."
Lin Shikang: "..."
The Lin family members: "..."
Yang Cui chuckled, "Of course I can't compare to you."
Hearing this, Cen Xiao was extremely satisfied, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "You have a good eye."
Watching Yang Cui and Cen Xiao interact, Lin Shikang felt very uncomfortable. Yang Cui used to only have eyes for him!
A woman's heart can change so quickly!
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