MGASC -Chapter 97 Stirring Up Trouble

Xiangshui County wasn’t big. After fermenting overnight, the news had already spread everywhere.

When people heard that something had happened to the Lin family, they grew especially worried that the franchise plans would fall through. Those who had already paid deposits were even more anxious, showing up early in the morning to ask around about the situation.

Li Dong blended into the crowd. Looking at the mess filling the courtyard, he put on a face of sympathy for the Lin family, but inside he was sneering with smug satisfaction.

That crazy woman had really gone all out. It was obvious how deeply she hated the Lin family.

Originally, when Li Dong had egged on Wang Yan’s mother, he’d only wanted her to teach Zhang Qiao a lesson. With Lin Tianyue not at home, it was the perfect opportunity.

If anything went wrong, it wouldn’t be traced back to him anyway.

Who would’ve thought that the lunatic would set the whole place on fire and burn someone’s house down.

When he first heard the news, Li Dong had been scared out of his wits.

But misfortune turned into luck—Wang Yan’s mother fell into the river and drowned. It was practically divine assistance. Now that she was dead, there was no proof. Li Dong no longer had to worry about anyone suspecting him.

He even had the mood to make snide remarks.

Li Dong said, “Sure, Zhang Qiao and Yingzi usually don’t go easy on us, but how could they be this unlucky? The whole house burned down.”

“Tell me about it. I just paid the franchise fee, thinking I’d really work hard with those sisters.”

Li Dong widened his eyes. “What? You already paid? Tsk, then you’re really unlucky. Look at this fire—nothing’s left. Even Yingzi’s stall is probably finished. Franchise? You can forget that. Just pray for yourself. If it comes down to it, consider the money gone.”

“It wasn’t your money, of course you don’t feel the pain! That’s more than two hundred yuan! I worked half a year to save that much!”

“Well then, why don’t you hurry up and ask them for it back? But I’m afraid those two can’t come up with the money right now. Kicking someone when they’re down isn’t very decent. Or you could just treat it as a donation. I told you all to be more cautious back then—you didn’t listen. Now look, you’re all unlucky together!”

The few vendors who had invested money were already upset enough. After Li Dong’s goading, they grew even more furious and stifled with anger.

Li Dazhuang said, “No way. I have to ask them for my money!”

Qian Gui added, “That’s right. They must give us an explanation.”

“Yes—go ask them for it!”

Some neighbors tried to persuade them, when suddenly someone shouted, “Director Lin and his wife are back!”

Everyone turned to look, and in unison they stepped aside to make way.

Lin Tianyue was as cold and stern as ever. Zhang Qiao walked beside him. In front of them lay the charred black remains of the courtyard. Being thrust into the spotlight in such an awkward situation, surrounded and stared at by onlookers, made her feel quite uncomfortable.

“Xiao Lin, Qiaoqiao is still pregnant—why did you bring her back?” someone asked.

Aunt Liu came up first. While greeting them, she gave Zhang Qiao a meaningful look and whispered, “Qiaoqiao, you really shouldn’t have come back. Some people are planning to make trouble.”

Zhang Qiao tightly grasped Aunt Liu’s hand. “It’s okay. I was worried something unexpected might happen, so I came back to take a look.”

“But you’re heavily pregnant.”

“Even so, I can’t just sit by and do nothing.”

Aunt Liu sighed. She genuinely felt sorry for Zhang Qiao.

A perfectly good home, ruined like this. And she was still pregnant. Why was it so hard for a woman to live a good life?

Who had they offended?

Though Lin Tianyue felt stifled inside, he still faced everyone’s “attention” with composure, neither servile nor overbearing, open and upright.

He cupped his hands to the crowd. “Everyone’s here—thank you all for your concern. There was a small accident yesterday, but please rest assured, the factory is operating normally and production is ongoing. I came back to check on things, and I still need to head to the factory later. The house is in chaos, so I won’t invite everyone in to sit.”

In just a few sentences, he made it clear that the Lin family hadn’t fallen and that everything was still business as usual.

Those who had come hoping to enjoy the Lin family’s misfortune were disappointed. Those who were genuinely concerned could finally relax.

After all, everyone was socially savvy. Seeing this, they began chatting at once, offering words of concern. Some neighbors even asked Lin Tianyue whether the police had found any leads after the report.

At that moment, someone mentioned that Wang Yan’s mother had drowned. Most likely she was the one who set the fire, and they asked Lin Tianyue what he thought.

As soon as those words were spoken, Li Dong fixed his gaze intensely on Lin Tianyue.

Lin Tianyue’s eyes turned icy. Without showing it, he slowly swept his gaze over everyone present.

Finally, his eyes met Li Dong’s.

Li Dong panicked. “I—I can prove it. Aunt Wang really did jump into the river. The body was just recovered, and the Wang family is handling the funeral arrangements now. Tianyue, there’s really no reasoning to be had in this matter. You suffered a disaster, but the Wang family also lost two lives. Luckily, you and Sister-in-law were blessed with good fortune and survived. In my opinion, grudges only lead to more grudges. The Wang family is pitiful too. Brother Yue, why not just let this go? There’s no point arguing with the dead—you won’t gain anything.”

While he spoke, Lin Tianyue kept his cold eyes fixed on him. That gaze was like a poison-coated blade, making Li Dong tremble with fear.

Suddenly, Lin Tianyue’s powerful hand landed on his shoulder.

Li Dong shuddered all over—his legs nearly gave out.