Chapter 67

"You insolent fool! How dare you hurt my daughter and not take responsibility? I'll beat you to death, you ungrateful bastard!" Wang Ergu shrieked, lunging toward Ji Chun before being restrained by Wang Zhen'er and the murmuring villagers.

The unwarranted accusation left Ji Chun both bewildered and furious. Stepping protectively in front of Su Ran to shield him from the vulgar scene, he fixed Wang Ergu with a piercing glare. His voice, though controlled, carried undeniable authority. "I've done nothing to harm your daughter. If you've come to make trouble, you'd better have proof."

"Proof?!" Wang Ergu's scream turned shrill, as if struck to her core. She violently shoved aside the villagers—and her own daughter—sending Wang Zhen'er crashing onto the doorstep stones. The girl's abdomen struck hard; cold sweat beaded her forehead, but the commotion drowned her whimpers.

Mad with rage, Wang Ergu charged at Ji Chun, claws outstretched. Just as Ji Chun prepared to evade, a strong hand yanked him backward—and Wang Ergu went flying from a vicious kick.

Su Ran stood there, heavily pregnant yet lethally poised, his robes settling around him like a storm passing. His eyes burned with murderous intent as he watched the woman writhe on the ground. One kick had been a warning. The next would be fatal.

Feeling Su Ran's trembling fury, Ji Chun clasped his cold hand, squeezing gently—a silent plea for restraint.

The villagers finally noticed Wang Zhen'er collapsed in pain, her mother now spitting blood between wails. "Mother... please, let's go..." Wang Zhen'er sobbed, her terror outweighing her physical agony. Her mother's sacrifices had led only to this humiliation.

"You heartless bastard!" Wang Ergu rasped from where the villagers propped her up, glaring at Ji Chun. "I was really blind to think that Ji Chun was a good man, but I didn't expect him to be heartless and unfaithful! Wife of the Ji family, you defend him—but do you know what he's done behind your back?" A wet cough wracked her chest, stirring pity among the onlookers.

At the word "bastard," Su Ran's gaze turned glacial. Shaking off Ji Chun's hand, he advanced on Wang Ergu, every step he took was heavy and imposing, as if he was stepping on everyone's heart. The crowd instinctively shrank back, as though meeting his eyes might invite death.

"Explain," Su Ran purred, his androgynous voice deceptively soft. His stare was a serpent's—patient, venomous.

Clutching her daughter's wrist for courage, Wang Ergu spat, "Your husband got my girl pregnant and now denies it! He owes us justice!" She glanced at the villagers for support, and they mumbled in agreement.

Ji Chun stepped forward, brow furrowed. "When have I ever touched your daughter?"

"Liar! You—" Wang Ergu's tirade died in her throat under Su Ran's glare.

"Mother... I'm going to faint..." Wang Zhen'er whispered, her face ghostly pale.

It was then they saw the blood—dark and spreading beneath her legs. Chaos erupted. "Fetch Doctor Liang!" someone cried.

Wang Ergu crumpled, cradling her daughter. "Beasts! You've killed her child!" she howled at Su Ran and Ji Chun. "Heaven will punish—"

"Pregnant?" Su Ran's laugh was ice. "Ask which real bastard knocked up your daughter before blaming others."

The crying ceased abruptly. Wang Ergu whirled to face her daughter, whose trembling hand still gripped her arm. "You mean is it not Ji—?" she demanded, her voice shaking with dawning horror.

"Mother..." Wang Zhen'er couldn't meet her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "I never said it was him—"

"Shut up!" Wang Ergu's shout cracked like a whip. "Then who was it?"

Wang Zhen'er wiped her cheeks with a shuddering breath. "He Dage."

"That worthless—!" Wang Ergu's face twisted in rage. "All this time I thought it was Ji Chun! You let me humiliate myself—"

"Please stop..." Wang Zhen'er whimpered, but the pain in her body was nothing compared to the agony of hearing her lover denounced. Overwhelmed, she collapsed into unconsciousness.

The villagers shifted uncomfortably. Their righteous fervor now seemed misplaced—they'd aided a false accuser. Two men hurried off again to fetch the doctor, while others avoided Ji Chun's gaze.

Ji Chun felt the last of his anger dissolve into weary resignation. The injustice still stung, but all he wanted now was to take Su Ran home. As their fingers intertwined, Doctor Liang arrived with a harried nod and rushed to Wang Zhen'er's side. The couple left without looking back.

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The next morning brought an unexpected visitor. Ji Chun opened the gate to find the Cunzhang standing there, a basket in hand.

"Ji Chun," the old man began awkwardly, "about yesterday... The families involved are ashamed. They asked me to deliver these goods as an apology." He lifted the basket of vegetables and meat. "Can we put this matter behind us?"

Ji Chun accepted the offering with a nod. "Of course. We'll invite everyone for dinner soon." There was no point holding grudges—they'd be leaving this village in a few months anyway.

The Cunzhang's shoulders relaxed. "You're generous. I'll take my leave now."

As the gate closed, Ji Chun returned to the kitchen where Su Ran soon appeared, leaning against the doorframe with folded arms. Watching the monk move efficiently between stove and counter, a warm satisfaction curled through him.

This man...

Reserved yet dependable, kind yet fiercely protective—every day revealed new virtues. Before he could stop himself, Su Ran stepped forward and ruffled that smooth scalp. When Ji Chun turned in surprise, Su Ran pushed the bald head down playfully and planted a kiss on his flushed cheek.

"Mm. I'm hungry," Su Ran declared, licking his lips as Ji Chun's ears turned scarlet.

The monk's hands still dripped with washing water, but his heart soared. Even after all their intimacy, these small stolen touches still sent his pulse racing. A quiet smile bloomed on his face as he returned to his cooking—contentment sweet as honey on his tongue.