Xu Ruantang and Chen Ji exchanged a glance and finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
She steadied herself and pulled Li Shuhe aside, asking, "Tell me slowly, what happened?"
She was well aware of the way everyone looked at them along the way.
However, whatever she has to do with Chen Jineng is ultimately a matter for the Chen family.
Li Shuhe's face flushed red, and when it was her turn to speak, she couldn't manage a complete sentence for a long time, "It's... your second uncle... he... he..."
Xu Ruantang took a deep breath, "What's wrong with him?"
Could it be that everyone has found out about that matter?
Xu Ruantang had a bold guess in her mind, and her heart sank to the bottom.
She wasn't afraid of anything else, but she was afraid that the old lady wouldn't be able to bear it if she heard it.
"Oh dear, your second uncle was holding hands with a man, and the people in the yard saw him!"
This matter was so drastic that it completely overturned Li Shuhe's existing values, making it really difficult for her to say it out loud.
Li Shuhe gritted her teeth and stamped her foot, then blurted out in one breath: "The rumors going around the compound are really outrageous. Some people even said they saw your second uncle hugging a man! They're saying your second uncle likes men and that his marriage to Jia Shuling was a sham!"
If the everyday family matters were just topics of conversation after dinner, then Chen Gang's case is a bombshell.
Men with men? This is unheard of.
Generally speaking, even if people see two men entering a guesthouse together, or even staying in the same room, it's not a big deal.
But if they were caught holding hands or hugging, that would be terrifying.
Xu Ruantang's expression changed. Without thinking, she grabbed the chicken coop and ran towards the Chen family.
The old lady is quite old; she probably wouldn't be able to accept such rumors.
I hope nothing really happens.
Before Xu Ruantang entered the room, she had prepared a story. She thought that since this was such a terrible thing, she would make up a lie to keep it from the old lady.
As long as Chen Gang doesn't admit it, just say that someone is jealous of the Chen family and is spreading rumors.
It was just a baseless rumor, and it will eventually fall apart on its own.
But to her utter surprise, the moment she stepped into the main room of the Chen family home, she heard Chen Gang's still gentle voice.
He said in a less-than-gentle tone, "It's all true. Zhang Chao and I have been together for ten years."
Xu Ruantang's mind went blank.
Once those words were spoken, there was no room for reconciliation.
Inside the main room, the old lady sat there blankly, perhaps too shocked to react for a moment.
Jia Shuling was also there, silently shedding tears.
He was completely devoid of his former arrogance and domineering attitude, his expression filled with sorrow.
Chen Lin was also there. He was the first to react, slamming his fist on the table in a rage and roaring, "Second brother, are you crazy? What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Brother, calm down first."
Chen Gang remained expressionless, speaking in a calm tone.
Chen Lin stood up, pointed at Chen Gang's nose, and snapped, "Calm down? Second brother, go outside and see what's going on in the compound. Everyone's talking about our family now. You've completely disgraced the Chen family. How can I stay calm?!"
"I think you've lost your mind, you need to go to the hospital to get treated! Aren't you disgusted to be with a man?!"
“When your father was alive, he often praised you for your good nature and told me to learn from you and be more mature.”
Chen Lin's face was full of mockery, his features slightly distorted, and a smile still lingered on his lips. "You really are his favorite son!"
Chen Lin felt a mix of emotions.
On the one hand, he was shocked by Chen Gang's outrageous behavior and feared that it might bring disaster to the Chen family. He was already thinking about how to resolve and make amends.
On the other hand, deep down there is a subtle and secret joy.
From childhood to adulthood, Chen Gang's parents always loved their youngest son more, thinking he was obedient, filial, steady, and sensible.
In comparison, he, as the leader, became known to them as someone with a bad temper, who acted impulsively and without considering the consequences.
What about now?
The father's proudest youngest son brought shame upon the Chen family.
They should regret it now!
Chen Gang remained seated, ignoring his elder brother's insults.
After he finished cursing, he said helplessly, "Brother, this is my private matter. They'll just gossip about it for a bit, and it'll be over soon."
"What do you mean, 'your private matters'? What about Shuling? You're married now!"
Chen Gang sighed softly, not intending to explain himself.
As if he had caught Chen Gang red-handed, Chen Lin quickly said, "Your behavior is simply morally reprehensible. If the higher-ups find out, I can't protect you either!"
Xu Ruantang stood at the door, and Chen Ji took the chicken coop from her and pulled her inside.
No one reacted particularly when they saw them.
Ye Lan finally realized what was happening and got up to close the door.
We can argue about this at home however we want, but if others overhear us, the consequences could be dire.
Xu Ruantang walked to the old lady's side and gently patted her back.
Chen Ji poured a cup of tea and placed it next to the old lady.
The two sat around the old lady.
Chen Gang lowered his head slightly and said nothing more.
Just when everyone thought the matter was over, Jia Shuling raised her hand to wipe away her tears, a resolute glint in her eyes, "Brother, my marriage with Chen Gang was something I forced him to have, I don't blame him."
She picked up the photos on the table and slowly flipped through them one by one.
The image above clearly shows Chen Gang and Zhang Chao holding hands, standing in front of the guesthouse entrance.
There were also photos of them hugging, gazing into each other's eyes, and so on.
Jia Shuling's hands trembled uncontrollably, and her voice was hoarse: "A few years ago, I accidentally saw them together, and I used that as leverage to threaten Chen Gang, saying that if he didn't marry me, I would let everyone know about it."
At that time, Zhang Chao's career was on the rise, and Chen Gang didn't want to harm him.
Moreover, the situation back then was much more severe than it is now.
Xu Ruantang couldn't understand Jia Shuling anymore. If she liked Chen Gang, why would she bother Lu Shishen?
If she likes Lu Shishen, wouldn't she have a better chance of being single?
And those photos she was holding were obviously taken secretly.
This was not done by Jia Shuling, nor by the Chen family.
Who could it be?
Why do this?
Like wisps of fog floating before her eyes, Xu Ruantang felt a headache coming on; things were getting more and more complicated.
Chen Gang tried to stop Jia Shuling from continuing, so he took her arm and gently shook his head at her, "Shuling, let's not talk about the past anymore. We're already married."
Jia Shuling opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, tears streamed down her face.
The old woman, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Now that you know you're married, what are you planning to do?"
The old woman lifted her eyelids, her wrinkled face appearing to have aged ten years in an instant. "Are you just going to let everyone talk about you and criticize your wife like this?"
Chen Gang paused, his expression sorrowful.
Jia Shuling spoke first: "Mom, let them criticize, I don't care, it's fine."
Her tone was unusually gentle.
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