Chapter Twenty-Five: How to Teach a Child

The moment the word "Village Chief" was uttered, everyone fell silent. Even Lai Ruyu and Li Fulan dared not continue their scuffle; they hurried to stand beside their husbands. Yet their disheveled clothing and wild hair made them look laughably like madwomen.

Under the gaze of the crowd, an elderly man with graying hair approached, leaning heavily on his cane. This was Old Master Luo Hongming, the village chief of Shuangji Village. Though already over sixty, his health was still decent. Having served as village chief for thirty years, he commanded immense respect among the villagers. Even Lai Ruyu and Li Fulan felt a measure of fear in his presence.

Luo Hongming's stern eyes swept over the assembled crowd. He struck his cane twice against the ground with authority. "What are you all doing here? Why the commotion?"

"Aiyah, Chief, it's not that we wanted this," Aunt Wu quickly explained. "It's the Lin family’s eldest and second households, they're fighting like cats and dogs!"

"How can you blame us?" Lai Ruyu interjected shrilly. "It was clearly—"

"Shut up!" Lin Shengrong glared at her.

Without delay, Lin Shengrong stepped forward, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, "Chief, there's a reason behind today's events. I hope you'll allow my daughter to explain first."

Luo Hongming turned his gaze to Lin Shuimei. "Go ahead."

Liao Shuxia glanced nervously at Lin Sangqian, but Lin Sangqian remained impassive, as if wholly uninvolved.

Lin Shuimei shot Lin Sangqian a resentful glare before beginning, "Chief, Grandfather, here's what happened. Today I met Lin Sangqian on my way home. We exchanged a few words, and she told me she’d overheard my second aunt say she no longer wanted to care for my grandmother. I went home and repeated this to my mother, who became angry and came to confront my second aunt. That’s why the fight broke out."

"When did I ever say such a thing!" Li Fulan protested, her voice full of grievance. "There’s not a word of truth in that!"

"I don’t know anything about it," Lin Shuimei replied, sounding aggrieved. "That’s just what Lin Sangqian told me. How was I to know she was lying?"

Luo Hongming turned to Lin Sangqian. "Did you say that to Lin Shuimei?"

Lin Sangqian lowered her head and remained silent.

Lai Ruyu grew anxious. "Speak up! What, are you too afraid to admit it?"

"And what are you shouting for?" Liao Shuxia retorted loudly. "Think yelling will get you anywhere?"

"You—"

"Quiet!" Luo Hongming’s voice cut through the clamor like a whip. "I have no interest in listening to your endless bickering!"

He then looked at Lin Sangqian, his tone much gentler. "Sangqian, child, don’t be afraid. Tell me, was it you who said those words to Lin Shuimei?"

Lin Sangqian shook her head timidly. "Should I tell the truth? But if I do, I’m afraid my cousin will hit me..."

"You!" Lin Shuimei stamped her foot in fury. "Stop pretending!"

"And you, look what you've done to the poor girl!" Aunt Wu said indignantly.

"Don’t be afraid, tell the truth. With the chief here, no one will dare harm you," Luo Hongming reassured her.

"I... I never said anything like that to my cousin," Lin Sangqian said with a miserable expression. "In fact, I didn’t even see her today."

Lin Shuimei’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected Lin Sangqian to lie as well!

"You little wretch! Liar! You told me yourself! Just wait, I’ll beat you for this!"

With that, she lunged at Lin Sangqian in rage.

"Hey, you little brat, you want a fight?" Liao Shuxia rolled up her sleeves. "Today I'l