Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Are You Happy?

Zhang Xiaofeng, recalling Lin Nannan’s tactics, let the words just spill out in a moment of inspiration. Seeing Lin Donglai’s hesitation, she doubled down, "What do you mean 'just a small matter'? It wasn’t you who got bullied at home, wasn’t you who got hurt, and wasn’t you who’s in pain, right?"

"We’re not letting this slide. Even if you beat Lin Yang to death, you still have to compensate—not a single cent less!"

Perhaps because Zhang Xiaofeng’s stance was unshakable, or perhaps because the fate of Han Li and his wife had frightened Lin Donglai, the Lins—who had aimed for gain but ended up with loss—finally backed down.

There was no choice. They couldn’t afford not to yield, especially since the entire village knew how harshly they had treated Lin Nannan. Bringing her up now was useless. In the end, including doctor’s bills, they had to compensate Zhang Xiaofeng twenty yuan before she, with her fierce attitude, finally left.

No benefits gained, chased down and scolded, and now twenty yuan lost—Lin Donglai, fuming, grabbed Lin Yang and gave him a beating, leaving the boy screaming his head off...

Lin Qingqing, who had egged Lin Yang on to steal the meat, kept her mouth tightly shut, not daring to utter a word of defense.

The rest of the Lins were furious too. Usually, they skimped on meat at meals, which was why they had their eyes on the Lu family's food. Yet, not only had they failed to get a single bite of meat, but they’d also lost twenty yuan. With that money, they could’ve each enjoyed several good portions of meat. Their resentment toward Lin Yang, the troublemaker, grew even stronger—they almost wished they could step in and beat him themselves.

This was the first time the usually spoiled Lin Yang had been beaten so badly. His eyes swollen from crying, he received no sympathy from his family. It was truly pitiful...

...

With twenty yuan in hand and her anger vented, Zhang Xiaofeng was riding high. She spread the story to anyone who'd listen, exposing the Lins’ bullying behavior to the entire village and thoroughly ruining their reputation.

Later, Lin Qingqing, who had been determined to marry into a better family, would realize that the very man she had refused—Lu Hang—was actually the best choice she could have made in her life.

After all, the Lu family stood by their own. Though Lu Hang’s health was poor, it only made them cherish and dote on him even more. No other family could match their attention to detail and care.

Far from making life difficult for their daughter-in-law, they would go all out to ensure she stayed, fearing she might leave. So when Lin Qingqing later saw that the man she married was not only poor and ugly but also talentless—even abusive—compared to Lu Hang, who was worlds apart, her regret would eat her up inside.

Knowing her mother-in-law had achieved a complete victory and taught the Lins a lesson, Lin Nannan headed home ahead of the others.

She had no interest in wasting words arguing with the Lins about debts of gratitude or upbringing.

Back home, the family recounted the Lins’ humiliation to those who had stayed behind, everyone grinning from ear to ear. Even Lu Hang, resting inside, couldn’t help but chuckle.

Had he been uninjured, Lu Hang might not have approved of such methods. With him keeping watch, the Lins wouldn’t have dared to act up. But now, remembering how they had mistreated Lin Nannan for over a decade and still sought to control her after her marriage, he felt they deserved this lesson—a hit in the wallet to knock them down a peg.

"Mom was amazing," Lin Nannan said admiringly. "Lin Donglai was completely shut down by her comebacks, cowering in fear. It was just pathetic to see!"

"Happy?" Lu Hang asked, unable to resist when he saw the joy in her eyes.

"Of course. I just don’t want the Lins to come out on top."