The Lin Family courtyard was filled with onlookers; Zhao Hua closed the lights on schedule and gave Feng Kai a knowing look, hinting towards the upstairs.
Only when she saw Feng Kai enter the room did she settle down beside Ren Jing to watch the movie.
Ren Jing looked around, perplexed, and asked,
"Where's Wenchang? Why did he leave the movie and go off somewhere?"
He better not have gone to find Lin Anning again!
Zhao Hua smiled reassuringly, indicating she didn't need to worry.
"He must be with Jiaojiao! Let the young people be, and let's just watch the movie."
Not long after the movie started, thuds were heard from upstairs. They were not loud, but the Lin couple heard them immediately.
Zhao Hua was pleased inside and shot Lin Jianguo a knowing glance.
Lin Jianguo slapped his forehead and turned off the projector first.
"Did you all hear that noise? I hope it's not the balcony on the second floor that's collapsed. Let's go check it out quickly."
Everyone was engrossed in the movie and hadn't noticed any noise.
But seeing Lin Jianguo's urgent expression, they all stood up and went inside to help.
A collapsed house was a minor issue, but it would be terrible if someone got crushed.
Lin Jianguo led the way, rushing a group of people directly to Lin Anning's bedroom door.
The door was wide open, pitch black inside, nothing was visible, but heavy breathing could be heard.
"Anning, are you alright?"
The lights outside were suddenly switched on, and the burst of brightness made it difficult for anyone to open their eyes.
Suddenly, everyone saw two naked figures embracing on the floor.
Lin Jianguo was visibly distraught as he stamped his feet and cursed.
"Lin Anning, you have no shame, engaged to the Huo Family, how could you do such a disgraceful thing?"
"You are morally corrupt, a loose woman..."
"Dad, who are you scolding?"
Lin Anning emerged from the kitchen and looked up to ask.
Lin Jianguo peeked around and was momentarily stunned.
"How are you there? Then...then who is in the room?"
He rushed into the room and turned on the lights.
The light fell on Su Jiaojiao's flushed face; she regained her senses for a moment, screamed, and hid in Huo Wenchang's embrace.
"Ah, Brother Wenchang, save me!"
Huo Wenchang was also somewhat confounded but still held Su Jiaojiao close.
Looking up and seeing Lin Jianguo, his face showed shock.
"Uncle Lin, why are you here?"
Turning his head, he then noticed a sneaky-looking man standing in the corner of the room.
He jolted in surprise, sitting up abruptly.
"Who the hell are you?"
He had been taken by the moment and thought it was thunder when he heard the noise, only to realize such an intruder had come in.
Feng Kai rubbed his hands together and gave a sly grin.
"Me? I'm, uh, waiting in line for a wife!"
"You're finished, aren't you? Isn't it my turn next?"
This made everything clear to the onlookers.
The young Lin Family girl hadn't just hooked up with her future brother-in-law, but there was also a lover waiting in line.
Since the girl's return, the Lin Family praised her to the skies.
They all thought she was such a fine young lady, but this was the reality.
Lin Anning had made her way upstairs at some point and glanced into the room.
"What's going on? Why is everyone gathered here?"
Upon seeing the two bare people inside, her complexion changed, and tears fell like broken beads.
"How could you—how could you do such shameless things?"
"Jiaojiao, my dear sister, since you've come back, everything in the house has revolved around you. I've never fought with you over anything."
"But how could you do such shameless things with him, knowing that I'm to marry Huo Wenchang?"
"Mom and Dad favor you—no wonder they've been keeping me hidden at home these past few days. Was it all to plot this for you?"
Huo Wenchang looked at Lin Anning crying with tears streaming down her face like rain falling on pear blossoms, his heart ached with every sob.
"No, Anning, listen to me explain!"
With so many onlookers, and Su Jiaojiao without clothes, she could only turn pale and cling to Huo Wenchang's embrace, daring not to move.
"Sister, listen to me!"
She stretched out her tiptoes, trying to hook the clothes nearby.
Lin Anning, covering her face, rushed into the room and pushed the two out the door, not forgetting to yank off the quilt that covered their shame.
"I won't listen, won't listen..."
The onlookers had by now come back to their senses and helped pull the two out, naturally Feng Kai wasn't left behind either.
"Fine, have your fling, but did you have to do it in her room, as if it isn't disgusting enough?"
Bang, Lin Anning closed the door and burst into tears.
The heart-wrenching cries spilled out, making the bystanders feel a tinge of heartache, but mostly confusion.
Did the Lin Family couple have holes in their brains? Why else would they abet the young girl in such a shameless act?
Lin Jianguo snapped back to reality at this moment, helplessly stretching his neck to shout outside.
"Jiaojiao's mom, come quick! Come on!"
He wanted to find something to cover Su Jiaojiao's shame, but there was nothing.
He couldn't go back to the room to fetch something, as he didn't dare to leave.
Zhao Hua had been about to enter the house, when suddenly she heard a commotion at the door.
Turning her head, she saw the elder Huo approaching and became so flustered that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet.
"Oh my, Elder Huo, you, why make the trip all this way yourself?"
Huo Yang strode forward robustly, with a hearty laugh.
"Isn't today Anning's birthday? I've been missing the girl, so I made a special trip, also to discuss the engagement!"
Zhao Hua's heart leapt with joy, thinking of Jiaojiao's good fortune!
Elder Huo came in person tonight! The coming dramatic scene would be even better if Elder Huo witnessed it.
"Yes, yes, Anning is inside!"
Although nearly seventy years old, Huo Yang had kept a robust physique from his military days.
He moved briskly, reaching the doorway in just a few steps.
Just then, he heard Lin Jianguo's cries, reminiscent of a pig being slaughtered.
"Jiaojiao's mom?"
"What's happened here?"
Zhao Hua, following close behind Elder Huo, hurriedly came forward to push open the door.
"It's nothing, probably just something about Anning."
"Oh Elder Huo, I have to say, Anning really is a difficult child to discipline. Whatever you see later, please don't let it upset you."
Upon entering, they saw a crowd of people at the foot of the stairs.
The most striking sight was the two people standing naked in the middle.
After seeing the two, Zhao Hua's smile froze on her face, how could this be?
Huo Wenchang saw Elder Huo and his face turned pale in an instant.
Su Jiaojiao had fainted in his arms, leaving him uncertain whether to push her away or protect her.
"Grandfather, I..."
Huo Yang clenched his teeth, and instantly became furious.
"Beast, you are truly a beast, what vile things have you done?"
"Today, I must beat you to death!"
He charged up the stairs in a few strides and, raising his hand, delivered Huo Wenchang a slap.
The force was no joke, sending Huo Wenchang sprawling to the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Huo Wenchang, dizzy with pain, could no longer tend to Su Jiaojiao and threw her aside, wiping the blood from his mouth and kneeling on the ground.
"Grandfather, I know I was wrong!"
As Su Jiaojiao lay limp on the ground, Lin Jianguo hurriedly removed his clothes to cover her modesty.
"Grandfather, I really don't know what happened. It was Su Jiaojiao who threw herself at me, and by the time I realized, my clothes were already stripped off..."
"Nonsense, my Jiaojiao is not that kind of girl."
Zhao Hua ran up the stairs, fiercely standing in front of Su Jiaojiao, teeth clenched.
"It must be Lin Anning, yes, she must have drugged us!"