Gu Junming thanked them, feeling a bit disappointed inside, but mostly relieved. After such a big shock, if there really was a child, it would be troublesome.

He touched Sun Chan's hair. She was sound asleep on the bed, occasionally frowning, probably having a nightmare.

Feeling distressed, Gu Junming whispered, "Wife, please wake up soon. I'm worried about you."

It wasn't until the evening that Sun Chan finally woke up, opening her eyes to see Gu Junming seriously watching her.

Sun Chan tried to sit up, but her whole body was sore, so she had to lie back down.

Gu Junming quickly held her back, "Are you okay? Don't force yourself."

"I'm fine..." Sun Chan grasped her neck, finding herself unable to speak in a normal voice, sounding very hoarse and unpleasant.

"Don't worry. Your throat got injured after being strangled by that beast. You can't speak well temporarily, but it'll be fine in a few days."

Sun Chan let out a sigh of relief and nodded, "I scared you, didn't I?"

"Am I such a coward? Don't talk anymore, take care of your throat." Gu Junming said with a smile, picking her up, "Let's go home."

Sun Chan patted Gu Junming, playfully looking at him: How can you carry me back like this?

Gu Junming kissed her nose and set her down.

Only then did the two of them affectionately head home.

But the gossip over at the courtyard wasn't over.

Various versions were circulating, very lively. Zhuang Lin was washing dishes while excitedly talking to her husband about these matters, spattering saliva everywhere.

Her husband was reading the newspaper, his brow furrowing, already aggravated. Couldn't this wife stop talking after going on for so long?

I don't care about who's fooling around or what's happening in another family, okay?

Zhuang Lin washed her hands and put the utensils away, looking out the window just in time to see Sun Chan and Gu Junming hand-in-hand coming back, pursing her lips.

"Gu Junming really has a big heart. His wife was alone with Sun Chan for so long, is there really nothing going on? I bet something did happen. Didn't you see her clothes were ripped, if it was really silencing someone, would there be a need to tear clothes..."

"Shut up!" Her husband slammed the newspaper angrily on the table and stood up sharply.

Zhuang Lin was startled, "What are you doing? Trying to scare me to death?"

"What am I doing? I tolerate you spreading nonsense every day, but if you dare say anything about Gu Junming's family, I'll divorce you!"

Zhuang Lin was dumbfounded, "Why are you like this? I was just casually talking..."

"Even that is not allowed! Sun Chan is the deputy director's wife now, someone like you can't casually gossip about her. If you want me not to get promoted, then keep talking! When I get discharged, we'll both go beg for food! Aren't you the one who loves money the most? Let's see how you'll handle it then!"

Only then did Zhuang Lin quiet down at last. She couldn't voice out her suspicions, feeling unhappy inside, but her husband's promotion was still important, so she'd better hold back.

Her husband glared at Zhuang Lin and went back to the room. Marrying such a destructive wife, what bad luck!

Continuing with housework, Zhuang Lin was filled with jealousy towards Sun Chan.

If this had happened to someone else, a suspicion towards their wife would have likely arisen. Yet Gu Junming didn't, continuing to be affectionate with his wife. Why do others get such good matches, while I'm stuck with a wooden block who doesn't know how to care for anyone? It's truly unfair!

Though Zhuang Lin was unhappy, someone was pleased.

That person was Liu Gang. He was very excited, thinking to himself, Gu Junming, now it's your turn!

This time, I'm going to use this matter to splash dirt all over you, leaving you with no way to explain yourself. You and your wife will soon face misfortune! Haha!

Liu Gang was full of ambition, contemplating how to report this matter to the higher-ups.

His wife, Ai Mei, sat in the small room crying. Her husband had already handed over the previous truth-admitting apology letter she wrote to the leaders. They agreed to temporarily send her back.

Liu Gang quickly bought her a train ticket to send her back.

Ai Mei didn't want to return to the village! But no one was helping her. She knew the things she'd done before had chilled the neighbors' hearts, but what could she do? She was just trying to preserve her family, couldn't they see how pitiful she was?

Now no one cares about me, they clearly know what awaits me upon returning to the village but no one cares! How am I supposed to live my life!

She felt both wronged and heartbroken, crying through half the night. But because she and Liu Gang had already separated, Liu Gang was completely unaware of her actions. He was now devoting all his energy to that letter of accusation.

He intended to accuse Gu Junming of disorderly conduct, randomly beating people, kicking and breaking doors of others' homes, and claiming Sun Chan had an ambiguous relationship with Yuan Bing, which Bai Fanglan found out about and caused a ruckus, leading to a stabbing, and the like.

Anyway, the letter was anonymous, without revealing who wrote it.

Even if it can't bring bad luck to Gu Junming directly, disparaging him this once, and causing a strain in his relationship with Sun Chan, problematic reputation is still worthwhile. Then the leaders above would see their chaotic home life, there's no way they'll want to promote him!

After finishing the letter, he rechecked it, deleting some emotionally-revealing hateful phrases, finally feeling it was adequate, satisfied, and put down the pen, heading to bed.

Meanwhile, when Ai Mei came out, she saw the letter on the table. Liu Gang didn't mind leaving it out as she read very few words. However, Ai Mei had attended elementary school for a year, and after following him to the city for several years, she still recognized basic words.

Upon seeing the contents, Ai Mei trembled in shock, thinking—what on earth is this?

If this got out, how would Sun Chan face people? If Gu Junming were petty, the couple might not be able to stay together. Ai Mei initially felt happy, wondering if this would bring trouble to those who wouldn't help her.

But then she realized she was about to return to the village and suffer, what was the point of Sun Chan being unlucky? She wouldn't be able to see it, why feel glad?

If I could use this letter to stay here, that would be nice...

Ai Mei pondered, picked up the letter, quietly went out, and sent it downstairs.

She hesitated but still knocked on the door.

Gu Junming, thinking about the day's events, felt uneasy. Hearing the knock outside, he quickly sat up, suspecting someone might be up to no good again. He went down and opened the door, immediately frowning at the sight of Ai Mei outside.

"What are you doing at my house at this hour?"

Ai Mei softly said, "Don't worry, it's not my personal matter. I saw him write a letter, it seems related to you guys. I came to deliver it." She handed the letter to Gu Junming, her eyes full of expectation.