Chapter 47: Stuart’s Straightforward Nature

Laura was still holding a mesh bag in her hand, but now she had no time to put it down. She stretched out her arms and blocked Justin's path. "Sister-in-law, what are you doing? If the child made a mistake, you can talk to him properly."

Bonnie refused to give in. "Laura, move aside! If I don't beat this brat to death today, he'll never learn respect!"

Laura stayed still. "Sister-in-law, calm down first. Don't hurt the child when you're angry. Besides, Justin is just naughty, he's not a bad kid."

Annette was a little puzzled. This was the boy's real mother taking care of him, yet Laura was defending him like he was her son. And Laura acted like she wasn't an outsider at all.

Annette took a few steps back to watch the commotion.

Since Laura blocked her, Bonnie no longer dared to get angry and glared at Justin. "You little brat, just you wait."

Laura saw Bonnie put down the rolling pin and turned gently to Justin. "Justin, why do you still make your mother angry at this age?"

Justin instantly lost his mischievous look and hung his head silently.

Annette found it amusing. No wonder everyone thought Laura was Stuart's fiancée. Just look at how she handled things—it was like she was part of the family.

After the noise settled, Grace came out of the house, wearing a broad smile. "Laura is back? It's been a while since I last saw you. I was thinking of visiting you in town someday."

Her smile was flattering, as if she wanted to ingratiate herself with someone important, but it was just to annoy Annette.

Laura smiled back. "Aunt Grace, I just got home. I was supposed to come back with Stuart and the others this morning, but I had some work to finish."

She picked up the mesh bag from the ground and handed it to Grace. "I brought some food for you and uncle."

Grace's eyes narrowed into slits as she accepted it, her smile growing even wider. "Look at you, so polite! As long as you come to visit us, we're happy."

They acted as if no unpleasantness had ever happened between them, as close as mother and daughter.

A woman wearing a floral scarf peeked around the main gate, looked several times, then came in smiling. "Oh, I could hear the commotion from afar. Are guests visiting? Isn't this Laura? When did you come back?"

She glanced several times at Annette, with a look full of expectation. It seemed the Zhou family was about to have some drama.

Grace didn't want to bother with the woman, Autumn, who was the only one in He Wan Village she couldn't out-argue. Autumn loved gossiping and stirring trouble everywhere.

Laura greeted Autumn cheerfully, "Aunt Autumn, I just got back. Come visit us sometime."

Autumn nodded repeatedly. "Good, good. Glad you're back. Look, Hopewell Longlife is back too. You should visit home more often."

Her words aimed to stir up trouble.

Annette watched silently. Though she didn't know Autumn, her exaggerated tone and darting eyes made it clear this woman was trouble, probably the biggest troublemaker around.

Grace grew impatient. "Autumn, why don't you go home? You're everywhere!"

Autumn sneered. "You think I want to come here? I'm just passing by and afraid you'd start a fight…"

Suddenly, she saw Stuart enter the yard and excitedly called out, "Hopewell Longlife! My goodness, you look impressive after all these years! Being an official makes a difference."

Stuart was stunned by the sudden enthusiasm, then politely greeted, "Aunt Autumn, how have you been?"

Autumn nodded repeatedly. "I'm fine, how long are you staying this time? Why don't you stay with Laura?"

Her face was full of pity as if she felt sorry for Laura.

She completely ignored Annette, standing nearby.

Laura hurried over and pulled Autumn's arm. "Aunt Autumn, what are you saying? Stuart's wife is right here."

Autumn didn't care. "I'm not saying anything wrong. Everyone in the village knows Laura has been waiting for you for so many years. Just two years ago, when you got injured, Laura even went to the city to take care of you for a long time, a man and woman alone…"

Grace got anxious. "Autumn, stop causing trouble! Our second son is already married."

Autumn snorted coldly. "I only know he's married, so I'm standing up for Laura."

Laura's face paled. She never expected Stuart to suddenly speak up. With his personality, he never explained anything.

Annette was shocked, realizing her previous guess was true: Stuart really and Laura had nothing.

Autumn was not convinced. "How is that possible? Didn't you write letters to Laura and send her clothes and shoes from the army?"

Back then, having army-issued rubber boots made the whole village jealous.

Laura did have them, and they fit her size. The postman delivered them to the village, and everyone thought Stuart sent them.

Stuart shook his head. "No, I never sent her anything. I did send Aunt Wang some things twice. Aunt Autumn, please tell the village not to misunderstand anymore."

He had initially thought the rumors were because he and Laura's families were close.

These days, he realized it was different, and he had to clear it up quickly.

Autumn gasped several times, then looked at Laura in disbelief. "Laura, is what Hopewell Longlife said true?"

Laura bit her lip, red-eyed and silent. She finally broke down crying and tried to leave but was stopped by Stuart.

"Better clear it up, so the village stops misunderstanding."

Autumn finally understood it was all Laura's own story. Seeing her cry, she didn't care.

"Laura, you're wrong. You say you didn't take care of Hopewell Longlife—then what were you doing?"

She enjoyed stirring the pot.