In the countryside, August marked the peak of the farming season. The rice seedlings planted in late July had been carefully tended for two weeks. With their roots now firmly anchored in the soil, it was time to flood the paddies and release the young fish into the water.
A black sedan glided along the newly paved road. Through the windows, farmers toiled in the golden fields; their figures etched sharply against the light. Overhead, the sky blazed with brilliant sunset hues, bathing the towering Mount Phoenix in a warm, fiery orange.
“So this is Stone Creek Village?” Aunt He’s face lit up with curiosity as she took in the sights, thoroughly delighted. Having spent her entire life in the city, this was her first time setting foot in the countryside. Surrounded by the rural charm, she could not stop marveling at everything around her.
“Yes, once we reach that huge banyan tree up ahead, we’ll be officially entering the village,” Su Ling shared, pointing toward the tree in the distance.
Aunt He peered through the windshield and saw a banyan tree so large it seemed to stretch like a giant umbrella. In disbelief, she exclaimed, “Goodness! That’s one massive tree! Could it have become a spirit?”
Su Ling chuckled, “I once asked the village chief, and he said this banyan tree is about two hundred years old.”
“My word, that’s a long time!” Aunt He marveled, clearly amazed.
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Idsokdt pbl oyp shlavbkdjkdt, Fw Nkdt bwaaklezu kdvlaflnvle, “R’hl sdzu bye vblx sdnl sa voknl obld R qkapv yaakhle, cwv R byhld’v lyvld vblx pkdnl R zlyadle vs nssj.”
However, his words did little to comfort her. If anything, they only intensified Aunt He’s sadness.
This primitive village was a far cry from the bustling city. The houses were old, and the public facilities basic and rudimentary, making life here a real struggle. When Mr. Su first arrived alone, he was completely inexperienced — he had to learn to cook, do the household chores, and till the fields. One could only imagine the struggles he faced and the hardships he endured.
Seeing Aunt He’s eyes well up with tears, Su Ling reassured, “The place I’m staying is really lovely. It has a new Chinese garden that my second grandfather built. Once we arrive, you’ll be able to see it for yourself.”
Aunt He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “Alright.”
As the vehicle reached the basketball court, Aunt He spotted the glazed tiles atop the walls encircling the ancestral home, and a spark of anticipation flickered in her heart.
“We’re here,” Su Ling announced, stepping out of the car. He quickly moved around to the other side, opening the door for Aunt He with a warm smile.
Aunt He stepped out of the car and onto the basketball court that was surrounded by lush green trees. As she breathed in the crisp, fresh air, a profound sense of peace settled over her.
“It’s lovely here.”
Where mountains embraced meandering streams, where flowers bloomed beneath whispering trees, and where fields unfurled like patchwork quilts, a quaint Chinese garden sat at the foot of the mountain. Its beauty steeped in time and idyllic charm.
Lin Feng opened the trunk and lifted out Aunt He’s luggage. “It’s even better inside.”
“I’ll open the gate,” Su Ling stated, pulling out his keys. He strode forward briskly, unlocked the gate with a swift turn of the key, then pushed it open and gestured for Aunt He to step inside, his manner every bit the gentleman’s.
Aunt He stepped over the threshold, and her eyes immediately lit up. Before her lay a Jiangnan-style garden with intricately sculpted stones, lush potted plants scattered throughout, and a tranquil pond bordered by a waterside pavilion and a colonnade. It was no wonder Mr. Su and Mr. Lin had grown so fond of the place, reluctant to leave such beauty behind.
“Absolutely beautiful!” she breathed, strolling forward as her eyes roved across the surroundings.
Arf arf! King shot out from some unseen corner, fur bristling and ears on high alert. The moment his eyes locked on the stranger, he barked out a warning.
“Quiet, King.” Su Ling stepped forward, bent down, and gave the dog’s head a gentle pat. “This is Aunt He. She’ll be living with us from now on.”
King let out a soft whine, sniffing at Aunt He’s feet before wagging his tail excitedly and darting off.
Aunt He gave him a startled look. “You have a pet now, Mr. Su?”
“That’s right,” Su Ling introduced. “That was King. I also have a Dragon Li kitten named Lion. He just got neutered, so he’s been resting at home these past few days.”
Almost without thinking, Aunt He turned to look at Lin Feng, who was carrying her luggage.
Since she had worked for the Lin family, she was well aware of Mr. Lin’s fear of small animals. When Mr. Su first brought up the idea of getting a dog shortly after their marriage, Mr. Lin had turned it down gently but firmly. And yet here was Mr. Su in the countryside with two little pets, and to her amazement, Mr. Lin could live alongside them without batting an eye.
Stepping into the house, she noticed a plump Dragon Li kitten sprawled on its back in the cat bed, snoozing soundly in the corner of the living room.
Aunt He let out a wistful sigh. Mr. Lin really does love Mr. Su.
Su Ling showed Aunt He around the house, pointing out where everything was.
“This is the guest hall,” Su Ling pointed out. “That’s the study, and across from it is the dining room, which connects to the kitchen. There’s no gas, so I cook on an induction stove. Step out of the kitchen, and you’ll find the backyard. You can help yourself to vegetables from the garden anytime.”
“Just around this folding screen is the back hall of the guest hall,” Su Ling indicated. “There’s a staircase leading upstairs. Watch your step… It’s a little steep, so take your time…”
Once they reached the second floor, Su Ling led her to the guest room on the west side. “Aunt He, you can stay here. There are new bed sheets in the wardrobe. I’ll help you change them in a moment.”
Zhan Yang had checked into a hotel in town two days ago, freeing up the guestroom. But it was just that Su Ling had not gotten around to tidying it up yet.
“No need, really. I can manage just fine on my own.” Aunt He beamed with satisfaction and motioned for Lin Feng to set her luggage down in front of the wardrobe. “I must say, the place is very well-kept. Do you usually do all the housework yourself, Mr. Su?”
Su Ling shook his head. “When Second Grandfather was around, he hired Aunt Zhang from the village to help with the cleaning. After I moved in, I kept her on for that, but I did the laundry and cooking on my own.”
“Ah, that explains it,” Aunt He murmured, her eyes lighting up with understanding. No wonder the house is so impeccably kept. So he has hired someone.
Now that she was here, all the household chores naturally fell to her. But she believed in giving way to those who came first. Not wanting to take someone else’s livelihood away, she decided to leave the cleaning to Aunt Zhang. As for the laundry, cooking, and the pets, she would handle those herself.
With that, she shared her thoughts with Su Ling, who readily agreed without a second thought.
As they stepped out of the guest hall and passed through the hallway toward the master bedroom, Aunt He could not help but ask, “Why is this room left unused?”
The room was large and bare, with not a bed in sight.
“This used to be Second Grandfather’s bedroom,” Su Ling shared. “I’ve been meaning to renovate it for a while but never got around to it. In a few days, I’ll head to town to find a contractor and turn it into a children’s room.”
“Eh? A children’s bedroom?” Aunt He blinked in confusion. Where’d this child come from? Mr. Su and Mr. Lin are both men… There’s no way they could’ve had a kid, right?
Standing beside Su Ling, Lin Feng disclosed, “Ling wants to adopt a child.”
“Adopt?” Aunt He questioned, her tone laced with surprise. “Is it a child from the village?”
Su Ling’s voice softened with a deep sadness as he spoke, “No, he’s from town. His parents died when he was young, and he had no relatives to speak of. So, he was raised by an adoptive mother who abused him. Now, he’s in the ICU.” His face contorted with sorrow as he told Aunt He about Fang Qi’s tragic past.
Aunt He was seething with fury when she heard what had happened. “They even abused a child… They’re not fit to be parents!”
Su Ling pressed his lips together, a fierce glint in his eyes. “That’s why I won’t let her off easy.”
Aunt He nodded. “I agree, she must be brought to justice!”
“Yeah.” Su Ling’s fingers curled around Lin Feng’s hand, an attempt to quell the fire igniting within him.
Once the house tour wrapped up, Aunt He rolled up her sleeves and dove right into preparing dinner.
Su Ling took the initiative to help and headed to the vegetable garden, handpicking a selection of fresh vegetables. With those, he paired the seafood he had bought earlier at the supermarket in town. The result was a dinner that rivaled the lavish feasts they had enjoyed back at the villa.
The Su Clan Ancestral House was filled with warmth and laughter while online discussions raged fervently, buzzing with heated opinions.
News of Xiao Fangqi’s abuse at the hands of his adoptive mother made headlines on Weibo and across major media platforms. Reporters grew visibly emotional during the live stream after hearing from doctors about the extent of his injuries.
With the hospital’s consent, they snapped several gut-wrenching photos and posted them online — images so harrowing they set the internet ablaze with fury.
How could someone like Zhang Man call herself a mother? Is she even human?
She had a biological son of about five or six, yet she could be so cruel to an adopted child. The photo revealed a chilling sight: the child’s back was riddled with new and old needle marks, a grotesque pattern that would send a shiver down anyone’s spine. And that was just the start. His body was a map of red, swollen bruises, with no spot left untouched.
A former neighbor of Xiao Fangqi told reporters that the boy had once lived in a happy home until tragedy struck. His grandmother died of illness the year before last, and just two months ago, his parents were taken from him in a sudden accident. With no immediate family left, Zhang Man used her status as a distant relative to secure adoption papers.
Just a few days after the child arrived, the neighbors began to sense something was amiss.
Coming from a well-off family, Xiao Fangqi had always attended a prestigious private preschool and worn branded clothes. But everything changed when he moved in with Zhang Man. His enrollment at the preschool was abruptly canceled, and he was barred from attending. His once pristine clothes became worn and ragged, and he was confined to the house day after day. From time to time, the neighbors could even hear Zhang Man’s furious tirades and the sound of beatings from the ground floor.
“Did you report this to the Women’s Federation?” the reporter inquired, his voice edged with curiosity.
“Um… we’re neighbors, after all. We see each other all the time, whether we want to or not. So what if she finds out I reported her to the Women’s Federation? Imagine how awkward it is to run into her in the elevator after that! Besides, Zhang Man is… well…”
A pause. Then, the neighbor hesitated, “And, um, will my face be blurred out when this airs?”
The reporter offered, “We can blur it out if you’d rather not have it shown.”
“Blur my face—seriously, you have to,” insisted the neighbor whose face had already been blurred in the video. “Zhang Man’s the domineering type. If she finds out that someone’s talking behind her back, she’ll raise hell. She might even spit at you right there on the street. That woman’s downright nasty.”
The reporter stated, “The police have stepped in regarding the child abuse allegations. If it’s deemed a crime, she will face legal consequences.”
The neighbor exclaimed, “Really? Well, hurry up and throw her in jail! I hope she rots there for years!”
The reporter asked, “If she’s in prison, who will take care of her child?”
The neighbor scoffed, “Her husband, obviously! And if that doesn’t work, there’s always her in-laws and her parents.”
The reporter pressed, “What’s her husband like with Xiao Fangqi? Has he played a part in the abuse?”
“Hmm… I’m not entirely sure,” the neighbor admitted. “Her husband’s out all day working and hardly ever around. But I’ve heard he’s got ties to some powerful people and acts like he owns the place. Around here in Sylvan Willows, he’s considered quite the bully.”
The reporter echoed, “A bully?”
The neighbor nodded emphatically, “Yeah, nobody dares to mess with him… Oh dear, I’ve said too much today. I really must be going.”
No matter how persistently the reporter pressed for answers, the neighbor waved her hand in refusal and hurried away as if fleeing.
After watching the interview, the netizens activated their inner Sherlock Holmes, scouring for any clue or hint they could find. Once they tapped into the powerful Tianyancha1 天眼查 (tiān yǎn chá): It is a Chinese online platform that provides detailed information about individuals and businesses, including ownership records, legal filings, financial details, and more. You can check it out here: https://www.tianyancha.com/search tool, they unearthed every detail about Zhang Man and her husband, leaving no stone unturned.
Good heavens, Rising Tide Inc., the company her husband ran, was far from legitimate. On the surface, it appeared to be a security firm, but in reality, it was a front for violent debt collection, usurious loans, and shady demolitions. They hired local thugs to terrorize the town, disturbing the peace wherever they went. Just a few months ago, they were even implicated in a murder.
As the netizens peeled back layer after layer, they were stunned to discover a chilling truth: the murder was tied to Lin Enterprises.
Yes, it was the very incident that unfolded when Lin Enterprises purchased land in City H, which led to a forced demolition and tragically ended in an unforeseen death.
At that time, Lin Enterprises’ reputation was hanging by a thread, and their stock plunged several points. It was later revealed that a gang of thugs had posed as members of the demolition squad to extort money. The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, which ultimately led to a tragic death.
Even though the police cleared Lin Enterprises of wrongdoing, countless netizens were skeptical, believing there was more to the story. They speculated that the corporation utilized its immense wealth to bribe the police to sweep the issue under the rug.
Now that the truth about Rising Tide Inc. had come to light, the voices questioning Lin Enterprises had all but vanished. Almost immediately, netizens’ fury turned toward Zhang Man and her husband.
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