Regimental Commander Shen’s face flushed crimson under the scolding—after all, the neighbors were all listening, and he had to give an explanation.
Steeling himself, he called his children out and tied them to the front gate, then whipped them mercilessly with his belt until they howled in agony.
Ding Xiang kept pleading with Gui Fang to leave, but she refused, adamant that if her son had suffered, the Shen children wouldn’t get off easy either.
She didn’t mince words either. "Good! Beat them harder! In my opinion, they should be beaten to death so they don’t go around tormenting other people’s children.
That forest is full of dangers—bullying Bao Liang and Little Lin is bad enough, but to tie up a little girl too? Their hearts are truly black."
Ding Wen and Ding Wu endured the beating until their backs and thighs swelled, burning with pain. They protested weakly, "We didn’t mean to tie up Xu Baoliang—he insisted on protecting Lin Sizhe, saying they should share fortune and misfortune!"
"My son did the right thing! That’s how it should be!" Gui Fang wasn’t unreasonable; she wouldn’t blame the Lin family just because her son got dragged into trouble. Just like before, when Bao Liang had clashed with the Lin children, she had blamed her own child.
After what felt like an eternity, her anger finally subsided. The Shen brothers were sobbing weakly, and just as everyone thought the matter was settled, Nan Sheng arrived belatedly.
At the sight of her, Gui Fang, who had been about to leave, paused to watch the spectacle. The Shen couple’s hearts sank—if the beating continued, would their children even survive?
By now, many neighbors had gathered, and seeing the children in such a state, they urged Gui Fang to let it go.
Yet the moment they spotted Nan Sheng, an unspoken understanding silenced them. Some barely knew her, others had received her help—regardless, they knew better than to interfere.
Gui Fang greeted Nan Sheng warmly, asking first about her children. "Sister-in-law, how are your kids doing?"
Others who knew Nan Sheng chimed in, their chatter making the Shen family’s expressions darken—yet they couldn’t get a word in.
"My eldest is fine, just some bruises. The little one was badly frightened—it’ll take time for him to recover."
Nan Sheng didn’t exaggerate their injuries. Many knew the details from the military doctor’s report, so lying was pointless. Hua Fen also spoke up for her.
"Qiqi hasn’t stopped crying since they got back—her voice is hoarse. Regimental Commander Shen, your boys are too wild! Roughhousing is one thing, but bullying a little girl?
You have a daughter too—thank heavens nothing worse happened, or Deputy Regimental Commander Lin would’ve come back and fought you to the death!"
Nan Sheng thought to herself that Lin Han wouldn’t even need to lift a finger—she could take half the Shen family’s lives herself.
Exhausted from dealing with Gui Fang, Regimental Commander Shen could only bow his head and apologize. "Sister-in-law, my boys were wrong. Please be merciful—once they’ve recovered, you can beat them as you see fit. We won’t stop you."
Ding Xiang also groveled, "We’re so sorry—we failed to discipline them. Lao Shen has already beaten them half to death. Please spare them today?"
Nan Sheng glanced at Shen Wen and Shen Wu, satisfied with their current state—their clothes were shredded.
But she had no intention of bullying children today; it would tarnish the Lin family’s reputation.
"Regimental Commander Shen, Sister Ding, do you know why they tied my children up in the woods?"
Her question piqued everyone’s curiosity. Normally, kids here settled disputes with fistfights—tying someone up was unheard of.
Regimental Commander Shen frowned. Nan Sheng’s calm demeanor unsettled him—as a stepmother, shouldn’t she be more emotional?
"We haven’t had time to ask. Do you know, sister-in-law?"
Nan Sheng nodded. "I heard they wanted revenge for their grandfather. They believe I’m the reason Grandpa Ding was sent to labor reform. So I’ll ask—did you two put that idea in their heads?"
What had been a childish scuffle now reeked of conspiracy. Was this a misunderstanding, or had the parents deliberately turned their children against the Lin family?
"Of course not! Why would we bring up such disgraceful matters with the kids?" Regimental Commander Shen denied immediately, but then shot his wife a suspicious look. "You didn’t tell them, did you?"
Ding Xiang shook her head frantically. She resented Nan Sheng—if not for her arresting her uncle, her father wouldn’t have been implicated—but she’d kept those thoughts to herself.
Nan Sheng scoffed. "I didn’t think you would. Grandpa Ding was sent down for taking bribes—what does that have to do with me?
When Sister Ding begged for help back then, who lifted a finger?
I was the one who called the County Party Secretary to find out where he was. And how do your children repay me? With vengeance? How shameless!"
Regimental Commander Shen had kept this scandal under wraps, refusing to help his father-in-law—and now Nan Sheng had exposed everything. His face darkened.
The neighbors exchanged glances. The Shens had kept this well hidden—living next door, they’d heard nothing.
Gui Fang feigned sudden understanding. "No wonder they tied those kids up in the woods—they wanted the Lin children to die from snakebites!"
"That’s not true!" Shen Wen protested. "I found out the truth—you’re a revolutionary committee director, so you’re evil! You ruined Grandpa!"
"Shut your mouth!" Regimental Commander Shen kicked Shen Wen hard before apologizing to Nan Sheng. "Forgive him, sister-in-law. He’s just a child—he doesn’t understand."
"Children may not understand, but adults should. I served as revolutionary committee director for less than a year, but I never harmed anyone or took bribes—otherwise, the city leadership wouldn’t have appointed me as county disciplinary inspector. Their accusations are baseless.
On the other hand, Sister Ding, your uncle Director Yi not only had blood on his hands but split his ill-gotten gains with your father. That’s undeniable, isn’t it?
Your father’s punishment was deserved—his greed destroyed him. But let me ask: as his daughter, can you honestly say you never benefited from his corruption?"
Nan Sheng’s first goal today was to clear her name. She was no longer the controversial revolutionary committee director but a respected official—her children shouldn’t suffer for her past.
The revelations came too fast for the onlookers to digest.
What?
Lin Han’s wife is now the county disciplinary inspector? Then her character must be impeccable!
What?
Regimental Commander Shen’s father-in-law was sent down for bribery, and the Shens profited too?
This was explosive!
