Chapter 14: Lin Yi Is Beaten

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Lin Yi prepared sweet potato porridge and even extravagantly fried two eggs to serve to Chen Wenjun.

“Eat it while it’s hot. Soon the day will break, and we’ll take a walk around the vegetable field.”

Lin Yi had overheard the recent conversation between his daughter and Chen Wenjun. From their natural and easy manner of speaking, they seemed more like an old married couple than strangers.

He trusted that the relationship between his daughter and Chen Wenjun was pure, but as a father, he had to be cautious. He did not want them to get too close.

Chen Wenjun was completely unaware of Lin Yi’s thoughts. After breakfast, he followed Lin Yi outside.

Lin Qin helped clear the table and took the opportunity to wash the fish Chen Wenjun had brought.

That noon, the family still ate fish soup.

The next morning, Lin Yi woke to find another fish in the kitchen, along with a larger batch of stone snails. He frowned.

When Lin Qin woke, he couldn’t help but grumble to her.

“I told that Chen Wenjun kid yesterday not to keep bringing things, yet he still sent a whole bowl of stone snails. It’s infuriating!”

Lin Qin was speechless. “Dad! He’s giving us things for free, and you’re unhappy?”

“What is there to be happy about? There’s no such thing as a free lunch. I know exactly what Chen Wenjun’s intentions are! He’s after you! Dad’s telling you now, even if you can’t get along with Liu Yongming, I won’t let you be with Chen Wenjun.”

For the first time, Lin Yi laid his feelings bare.

Lin Qin leisurely propped her chin on her hand and looked at him. “Why? Because he’s a boat-dwelling nomad? Or because he has a son with a disability?”

“You know the answer and still ask!” Lin Yi glared at her with no patience. “With our family’s standing in the village, we barely have a good name. Otherwise, the Liu family wouldn’t dare treat you so shamelessly! If you get involved with Chen Wenjun, our family will become the village’s laughingstock!”

It wasn’t that he looked down on boat people; it was the harsh reality. Deep-rooted prejudices couldn’t be changed overnight. He’d rather have Lin Qin marry a widower with land than be tied to Chen Wenjun.

Seeing Lin Yi so agitated, Lin Qin laughed. “Dad, why say so much? I’m not divorced yet. Even if I do get divorced, do I have to remarry? Can’t I just stay at home and care for you in your old age?

Besides, what if I marry into a family worse than the Liu’s? How would I survive?”

“Pah! Why must you always jinx yourself? What’s the fun in saying such gloomy things? If you don’t marry, what are we going to do when Yaya grows up? I won’t be around forever to take care of you!”

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The more Lin Yi looked at Lin Qin, the more worried he became. He had only two daughters; the elder was doing well with a supportive in-law family. Why was it so difficult for the younger one?

Lin Qin decisively fell silent and went to check on the stone snails. “Dad, let’s keep them for a couple of days so they can purge the sand before cooking.”

Lin Yi agreed and brought another wooden basin to hold the snails.

Liu Yaya’s skin had scabbed over after three days and no longer hurt, so Lin Qin finally let her go outside to play.

Lin Qin took her for a walk around the village. The kind-hearted old women and grandmothers asked questions, and Lin Qin lifted Yaya’s back to show everyone, passionately recounting the abuses they suffered from the Liu family.

Now, the entire Shanglin Village knew that the Liu family was beyond unscrupulous and aware of the mistreatment Lin Qin and her daughter endured.

Lin Yi heard the gossip but said nothing, continuing his work as usual.

That evening, Lin Qingxiang arrived in a panic. “A Qin, your dad was beaten in the vegetable field with a sack over his head. Hurry and come see!”

Lin Qin knocked over the bowls and chopsticks in her haste, anxiously rushing to the field with Liu Yaya. Seeing Lin Yi lying on the ground, covered in blood and groaning, she was stunned. Desperately, she asked for help to get him to the hospital.

Fortunately, this was Shanglin Village. With Lin Qingxiang’s calls for assistance, Lin Qin didn’t have to intervene as others carried Lin Yi to the hospital.

While Lin Yi was being treated, the village chief and police officers arrived.

“Lin Qin, how’s your father?” the chief asked with concern.

Lin Qin, holding Liu Yaya, stood up quickly and replied hoarsely, “He’s still inside. We’re waiting for the doctor.”

The chief glanced at Liu Yaya in her arms with pity. “What’s been going on with your family lately? One thing after another. Is there something wrong with your family’s luck?”

The police officers were silent.

Lin Qin didn’t know how to respond.

After some time, Lin Yi was brought out for transfer to a ward.

The attending doctor explained to the group, “The patient has head injuries, two broken ribs, and a fractured small bone in his left leg. The leg has been X-rayed. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. The ribs will require bed rest for around three to five months to heal. Luckily, the head injury didn’t affect vital areas. Family members can come pay the hospital fees shortly.”

Lin Qin’s mind went blank.

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The chief and police waited until Lin Yi regained consciousness and questioned him about the incident before leaving.

Seeing the chief about to leave, Lin Qingxiang urged Lin Qin, “I’ll go get money. You stay here and watch over your dad and the child. Don’t wander off.”

“Uncle, I have money. I’ll repay you once my dad is discharged,” Lin Qin said tearfully.

Lin Qingxiang waved it off. “We’ll settle that later.”

After Lin Qingxiang returned with the money and completed Lin Yi’s admission, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Once composed, Lin Qingxiang cursed outside the ward, “If I catch that bastard, I’ll cut him down! A Qin, did your dad offend anyone?”

Lin Qin, eyes red, shook her head. “Uncle, you know my dad’s temper. He’s never been in a serious fight with anyone in the village. If anyone, it’s only the Liu family. Especially Liu Yongming. That day he came to snatch the child, my dad scolded him, I slapped him, and smashed his bicycle—that’s all.”

Lin Qingxiang angrily punched the wall. “I knew Liu Yongming was no good! Where is he? I’m going to settle this!”

“Don’t! Uncle, please don’t be impulsive. We have no evidence, and the chief has already called the police. Let’s wait for their investigation,” Lin Qin urged, fearing Lin Qingxiang might escalate things.

The chief, having just arrived, overheard and scolded him like a disappointed father, “You could learn a thing or two from Lin Qin. You’re old but still so reckless. Don’t you fear death?”

After that, the chief turned to Lin Qin. “I just came from the station. The police have started investigating. Your father’s field is near the village entrance but still within the village. His money wasn’t taken, so it’s unlikely they targeted him for robbery. The severity of the attack suggests it was an act of revenge. Think carefully—who has your father offended recently?”

Lin Qin exchanged a glance with Lin Qingxiang.

Lin Qingxiang shouted in anger, “It has to be Liu Yongming! No doubt about it! That bastard, I’m not done with him yet!”

Lin Qin was about to say something when she caught sight of Chen Wenjun at the end of the corridor. She gave him a slight shake of her head.

Chen Wenjun immediately understood and turned to leave.