Wenqing, this child is different from Wenqing, he doesnât have the ability to adapt like Wenqing does. The Grand Old Master Liu was worried heâd get stuck in his own head and remember this for life, so he spoke to him.
But Liu Wenqing was still very upset, continually crying, "Grandfather, no, itâs disgusting... my life is ruined, sob sob sob..."
Liu Wenqing is someone who remembers everything clearly, even how many times Liu Wenqing hit him when they were kids. He always thought of seeking vengeance on Liu Wenqing once he succeeded in life, let alone Tong Sanâs affair, which he couldnât possibly stop thinking about.
The Grand Old Master Liu frowned, grabbed Liu Wenqingâs hand, preventing him from squatting: "Stand upright, you are a man, no squatting!"
But Liu Wenqing didnât listen; he felt he couldnât stand tall and live proudly in this lifetime, only crying.
Liu Wenqing rushed over, grabbed his arm, and lifted him up, angrily saying, "Stand up! Why are you crying? Itâs not like you were really violated, Tong San is dead, and outsiders donât know about this. Do you have to act this way?!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenqing was infuriated and shook off Liu Wenqingâs hand, pointing at him and shouting: "Itâs not you who encountered this, of course you can speak lightly!"
He covered his face and cried, "I know you like to bully me; youâll definitely laugh at me over this for a lifetime!"
Liu Wenqingâs wound wasnât treated yet, and the blood that had flowed earlier began to clot, sticking to his lashes, causing some discomfort to his eyes. He rubbed his eyes, looking at Liu Wenqing crying and covering his face, annoyed, saying: "Stop crying! How do you know I havenât encountered the same thing?!"
As soon as he said this, Liu Er was shocked, suddenly looking at Liu Wenqing. Could it be, even Wenqing was targeted by Tong San?
Liu Wenqing was also taken aback, letting go of his face and looking at Liu Wenqing, saying: "You, what are you saying? How is it possible?"
"How is it not possible? Tong San has a taste for this kind of person. Do you think I climbed to him and kept the familyâs Carriage Inn protected without going through this?!" Liu Wenqing said, forcing himself to squeeze out a couple of teardrops, his expression sorrowful, saying: "Getting close to Tong San isnât easy, Iâve suffered too... so when I came to pick you up last night, thatâs why I warned you... Itâs my fault. I shouldnât have been threatened by Tong San and come to get you. I shouldâve stopped you from going, but itâs too late now."
He continued: "My affair with Tong San, I intended to bury deep within, seeing youâre having a hard time, fearing youâd lose it, hence forced to tell you the truth."
After Liu Wenqing finished speaking, he immediately turned around, covering his face. The others could only hear him sniffling and, combined with what he just said, assumed Liu Wenqing couldnât face his long-standing "scar" and was crying alone.
Crying for no reason, Liu Wenqing was faking it; heâd never been violated by Tong San, who disliked his slightly dark and rough features, preferring fair-skinned, delicate little men who looked like women.
But neither Liu Er nor Liu Wenqing thought he was lying, since everyone loves their reputation. Being violated by another man is something no one would easily claim falsely.
Liu Er cried, hugged Liu Wenqingâs shoulders, and comforted: "Wenqing, youâve suffered... Donât worry, Tong San is dead, Tong Family is fallen, you never need to rely on serving Tong San to keep the Carriage Inn safe again."
Liu Wenqing nodded, responding with a crying voice, hoping to squeeze out some tears. But starting at twelve, heâd been working at the Carriage Inn to help the family, seeing countless people, experiencing a lot, and knew crying was useless, so he hadnât shed tears for years.
He barely managed to squeeze out a couple of tears earlier because he truly felt sorry for Liu Wenqing. Now having tricked them into believing him, the heavy weight in his heart lifted, leaving no tears to shed, only producing some sobbing sounds to signify he truly cried, not deceived.
Liu Er prompted Liu Wenqing, still dazed: "Wenqing, come over and comfort your cousin Wenqing, for you heâs revealed his disgraceful affair."
After a moment, Liu Wenqing approached, dared not look at Liu Wenqing, merely raised his hand to pat his shoulder saying: "Stop crying, Tong San is dead, from now on, we can live well."
Then, somewhat unsurely asking, "Youâre not lying to me, right?"
When he was young, he liked playing with Liu Wenqing, but Liu Wenqing found him a burden and disliked taking him along, often lying to get rid of him.
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenqing inwardly cursed, idiot, Iâve even discarded my reputation to lie, just believe it, why so doubtful?
No choice, Liu Wenqing had to embrace Liu Wenqing and start wailing, saying: "After so many years, my heart is bitter! Donât tell anyone about this, or my life is over, sob sob sob!"
Just dry crying, no tears at all, but Liu Wenqing couldnât see it, believed Liu Wenqingâs words, embraced him, cried together, thinking the brothers of Liu Family this generation were really pitiful, both trapped by Tong San.
Liu Wenqing was crying, out of breath, but Liu Wenqing couldnât cry anymore, had to let go and say: "Wenqing, letâs forget Tong Sanâs affair, live well now, and succeed later, justifying this life."
Liu Wenqing, quite concerned about his dignity, couldnât accept initially being nearly violated by Tong San, but now thought Liu Wenqing suffered worse, gaining courage to face, nodded saying: "Yes, cousin Wenqing, donât worry, I will forget last nightâs matter, study well, earn money, live well."
Liu Wenqing, at hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief, damn it, finally coaxed him, any more stubbornness and he wouldnât bother caring.
"Uncle, donât be sad, Tong San is dead, now nobody dares bully Wenqing." In no time, Liu Er turned to comforting the Grand Old Master Liu.
The Grand Old Master Liu felt indescribable; he was insightful, realized Liu Wenqing lied, although he felt sorry for Liu Wenqing spoiling his reputation to comfort Wenqing, he saved Wenqingâs life. Consider it redemption for scolding and hitting Wenqing as a child.
The Grand Old Master Liu sighed saying: "Letâs not speak of these anymore, Wenqing lived quite a reckless life these years, treat Tong Familyâs affair as a lesson, no more talking."
Speaking more would break his poise.
"Yes, yes, yes, no more talking." Liu Er nodded continually responding.
Truthfully, although he felt sorry for Wenqing, Wenqing and Tong Sanâs affair was shameful. Now knowing Wenqing suffered similarly, he was completely relieved.
The Grand Old Master Liu said: "Go call your dad, I have things to tell him."
The Second Old Master Liu was unreliable. The Grand Old Master Liu feared his brother would panic and leak the well-hidden matter about Wenqing, hence he didnât let the Second Old Master Liu return home, but dragged him to the house as well.