Chapter 34: Compromise, Becoming a Live-in Son-in-law

To prevent Old Man Gu from siding with Gu Jianing, Wen Zhuqing handed the paper to the village chief.

“What’s written on this paper is exactly what I just said. You can compare it with Gu Jianing’s handwriting to find out the truth.”

Bao Shanyan frowned as she saw the slip of paper, debating whether she should snatch it away. If her and Gu Jianing’s plan was exposed, she wouldn’t have a good ending either.

But in the next instant, she dismissed the idea.

This was Gu Jianing’s mess. She’d already warned Gu Jianing not to leave any evidence behind.

If Wen Zhuqing still managed to catch something, then Gu Jianing was just too stupid.

Besides, even if Gu Jianing was exposed, she could always deny any involvement or knowledge of the plan.

However...

Bao Shanyan glanced at Gu Jianing. Seeing that the latter remained calm, she wondered if there was some trick here. Gu Jianing used to be foolish, but ever since she was pulled out of the river after attempting to jump in, she seemed to have gotten smarter.

Maybe...

Just like Bao Shanyan, everyone’s gaze fell on the paper now in the village chief’s hands.

Old Man Gu was muttering to himself. This Wen educated youth sounded so confident—could it really be his daughter’s handwriting?

As her father, he knew very well that his daughter used to really like Wen Zhuqing.

To be honest, the village chief, now the center of everyone’s attention, was feeling a bit nervous too.

Still, he slowly unfolded the paper.

The moment he opened it, the village chief’s expression changed.

His face was hard to read, a bit strange and inscrutable.

Old Man Gu leaned over for a look. One glance, and his own expression became just as odd as the village chief’s.

“Village chief, does it say what Wen Zhuqing claimed?”

“Is it Gu Jianing’s handwriting?”

“Village chief, you can’t cover for her just because Gu Jianing is your relative.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

The other educated youths started clamoring.

The village chief’s face darkened as he looked at the noisy group.

Earlier, these people kept complaining about being tired and overworked, but now, listen to how loud they are! If they have that much energy, it means they’re in good health.

He could definitely assign them more work later.

After all, they claimed they’d come to the countryside to help build it up—how could he not give them a proper chance to contribute?

The village chief snorted and held the paper out to Wen Zhuqing. “Wen Zhuqing, are you trying to fool me because I’m old? You just handed me a blank piece of paper! There’s nothing written here at all.”

“Everyone, take a look. There’s nothing on this paper.”

The educated youths immediately craned their necks to look. Sure enough, both sides of the paper were blank—not a single word.

At that moment, Wen Zhuqing was the one who found it hardest to believe. For the first time, panic flickered across his face.

He took the paper, turning it over and over, holding it close, holding it far, but no matter how he looked at it, there wasn’t a single word—not even the faintest trace of ink.

“How could this be? How is this possible?!”

For a moment, Wen Zhuqing even wondered if he’d imagined receiving the note yesterday.

He was sure that when he opened the note yesterday, it was covered in writing—clearly Gu Jianing’s handwriting. So how had all the words disappeared?

What on earth was going on?

Wait, if there was something wrong with the note, then what about the handkerchief that had been used to drug him?

Wen Zhuqing handed Bao Shanyan’s handkerchief to Old Zhang, who had just arrived.

“Uncle Zhang, could you please check if there’s any trace of drugs left on this handkerchief?”

Bao Shanyan raised an eyebrow. After she’d used the handkerchief to cover Wen Zhuqing’s mouth, she’d tossed it aside, never expecting him to pick it up.

She had to admit, even after being set up and losing his innocence, Wen Zhuqing was still frighteningly rational—he’d even thought to keep the handkerchief as evidence.

But right now, Bao Shanyan wasn’t worried.

Especially after seeing that the note, which might have had Gu Jianing’s handwriting, was now blank.

She was sure this was Gu Jianing’s doing.

So, there was no way Gu Jianing would have left any evidence on the handkerchief either.

And sure enough—

Old Zhang took the handkerchief, examined it closely, sniffed it, then said, “Wen Zhuqing, I’m sorry, but I don’t see or smell any trace of drugs on this.”

“You can all take a look and a sniff too.”

The people nearby passed it around.

It was just a clean handkerchief—no marks, no smell.

When the handkerchief was finally returned to Wen Zhuqing, he stared at the spotless cloth in his hand, knowing that his defense had failed. The so-called evidence simply didn’t exist.

His shoulders slumped, as if all the strength had left his body in an instant.

Bao Shanyan’s eyes lit up. She shot a look at her mother.

Bao Yingzi immediately understood, putting her hands on her hips and raising her voice, “Everyone saw it! Wen Zhuqing claims my daughter and Gu Jianing set him up, but he can’t produce any evidence. He can’t just accuse people with his mouth alone, can he?”

“I don’t care, Wen Zhuqing. I want an answer from you right now.”

“Are you going to marry into our Bao family, or should I go to the police and report you to the commune for being a hooligan? You decide.”

At this, even the other educated youths fell silent.

There was nothing to be done—after all, Wen Zhuqing really had been caught taking advantage of Bao Shanyan, and he had no evidence to prove otherwise. He could only consider himself unlucky.

Wen Zhuqing hung his head, clutching the handkerchief tightly. After a long while, he squeezed out three words through gritted teeth: “I’ll marry in.”

Bao Yingzi was satisfied, and Bao Shanyan was overjoyed.

“That’s more like it! I think three days from now is a good date. Let’s set it for then.”

“Everyone, you’re all invited to the wedding banquet for my daughter and our new son-in-law!”

As Bao Shanyan happily invited everyone to the feast, no one noticed the bloodshot eyes hidden beneath Wen Zhuqing’s bowed head.

Today was the most humiliating day of Wen Zhuqing’s life.

He had chosen to compromise for now, but he would not compromise forever. When the time was right, he would pay them all back.

The villagers, seeing the excitement was over, began to disperse.

Gu Jianing also wanted to leave with Sheng Zexi, but unexpectedly, Wen Zhuqing strode over to block her path.

His red-rimmed eyes stared at her intensely. “Gu Jianing, tell me—how did you do it? The note, the handkerchief—how?”

Gu Jianing was startled by Wen Zhuqing’s sudden approach and his bloodshot eyes. Sheng Zexi quickly pulled her behind him, facing Wen Zhuqing.

Standing over 1.9 meters tall, even taller than Wen Zhuqing’s 1.8 meters, Sheng Zexi looked down at him, eyes narrowing with a hint of danger. “Comrade, what do you want with my wife?”"