Chapter 23: Chapter 023: It's Clearly a Setup!
If Porky hadn't fallen into the water, if Ji Xinhe hadn't run away, Wang Er Ya wouldn't have to go to all this trouble. She could have just taken people to the scene to catch them in the act. Unfortunately, things have not gone as planned, forcing Wang Er Ya into this confrontation.
However, Wang Er Ya was confident. As long as she firmly accused Ji Xinhe, when Porky woke up, he would undoubtedly back her up, and the dirty water would all be thrown on Ji Xinhe!
Thinking of this, Wang Er Ya's spirit was significantly lifted, she stood upright and said, "Our village is small, and there are even fewer young girls. Although I couldn't clearly see her face from afar, I remember the woman was wearing a yellow skirt. I recognized you at a glance! I'm sure you heard the commotion of the villagers coming and sneaked back home to act like you were asleep. What good does it do to have your brothers vouching for you now? If you don't believe me, we can wait for Porky to wake up and let him speak for himself!"
Wang Er Ya's righteous bravado earned a sigh of admiration from the villagers, who didn't know whom to believe in the moment.
Ji Xinhe snorted with derision, "I have lived my life righteously, yet there are people eager to sling mud at me. But black is black and white is white. I believe there is justice in this world, and I am not afraid of your slanders! If you still don't believe me, you can ask Porky himself! But, Wang Er Ya, you better have a clear conscience. I have no grudges against you, so why are you falsely accusing me?"
Ji Xinhe's words were decisive, and her thin figure seemed full of enormous energy.
Li Zheng couldn't help but take a second look at her. He had watched the village children grow up, but he had never expected the usually timid and cowardly Ji Xinhe to have such a defiant moment.
Wang Er Ya was too guilty to meet Ji Xinhe's gaze but still defiantly said, "Go ask Porky then!"
Li Zheng finally spoke in a deep voice, "What's the situation over at Porky's?"
Porky was being looked after by Li Lang, struggling to breathe after almost drowning, and was close to freezing solid. Li Lang was still working hard to save him.
"Alright, I'll go ask."
The one who replied was Li Zheng's youngest son, Jin Bao. He was only sixteen, full of energy, and usually took on errands for his father.
Jin Bao responded and quickly scampered off.
Wang Er Ya looked at Ji Xinhe with a bit of triumph, seemingly already anticipating Ji Xinhe's downfall. She daringly asked them to ask Porky, who was on their side!
What a fool she is!
Although things had somewhat spiraled out of control, the outcome was bound to be positive. As long as she succeeded, she would finally get the silver bracelet she had had her eye on for so long. She estimated it could be worth five or six taels of silver! If she could wear this luxurious piece in Yangluobay, no other village girl would be able to match her!
Thinking about this, Wang Er Ya's spirits were high.
Xiao Bei nervously held Ji Xinhe's hand. Ji Xinhe, however, was composed. She gently squeezed his hand in reassurance.
The villagers murmured quietly amongst themselves, all awaiting the results of the ranch.
In a short time, Jin Bao returned, panting, "Porky is awake!"
The villagers immediately exploded into a flurry of chatter. Li Zheng instantly asked, "Before he fell into the water. Was he indeed with a woman?"
"Yes, he said so."
Wang Er Ya impatiently asked, "Is it Ji Xinhe?! Did he say it was Ji Xinhe?!"
Jin Bao turned to Ji Xinhe, a complexity in his gaze, then reluctantly nodded, "Porky did say so."
"Ha!" Wang Er Ya let out a triumphant laugh, her gaze towards Ji Xinhe growing even more piercing and harsh, "What else can you deny?! I told you I wasn't mistaken. Porky confirmed your affair. What more can you say?!"
She immediately turned to Li Zheng and said, "Li Zheng, you must handle this situation impartially!"
Not giving Ji Xinhe an opportunity to speak, as if afraid she might respond.
Li Zheng stared at Jin Bao, "Tell me, did Porky say anything else? Be specific."
As soon as he regained consciousness, Porky was gasping for air, yelling that he had an affair with Ji Xinhe. He also said that it was Ji Xinhe who seduced him…"
As Jin Bao finished speaking, Ji Dong roared, "Nonsense! My sister would never lower herself to be with someone like Porky, let alone act so shamelessly! She wouldn't take advantage of the middle of the night to seduce a man-it must be a slander!"
Wang Er Ya smirked, "Who knows? Porky's family has some money. The Ji family's poverty is well known in the village. Everyone in the village knows about this - she was acting all high and mighty before, refusing to get married. Isn't it hilarious that she now eagerly seduces men at night!"
There was a hum of discussion among the villagers as they stared at Ji Xinhe with disgust, pointing and whispering about her.
"I have seen this girl grow from a baby, but now she has no decency. How could our Yangluobay produce such a shameless girl? This tarnishes our village's reputation. Our unmarried daughters will struggle to find husbands in the future! People will think all the girls from our village are like this!"
Ji Dong was angry and wanted to argue, but Ji Xinhe held him back and loudly said, "I'm surprised. Who wants to slander me today? The planning is quite detailed. However, without evidence, you will not manage to blame me!"
Wang Er Ya provocatively said, "Without evidence? I am the witness! Porky pointed a finger at you. What else do you have to say!"
Ji Xinhe sneered, "Is that so? The so-called witness refers to you and Porky, who else witnessed this?! There was only Porky at the scene when the incident occurred. I wasn't there. Maybe you two are in cahoots to frame me. This is a vicious scheme. I am sound asleep at home, minding my own business, but you two colluded to frame me!"
Upon hearing this, everyone paused. After contemplating Ji Xinhe's proposition, they realized indeed only Wang Er Ya and Porky were accusing her, and Ji Xinhe wasn't at the scene. Things indeed seemed fishy.
Wang Er Ya's face turned a few shades paler, and her voice became a bit more shrill, "Stop spouting nonsense!"
Ji Xinhe, however, didn't engage with her and turned directly to Li Zheng, "If Porky claims he saw me tonight, then have him describe what I was wearing! I don't believe him! How could I be sleeping soundly at home and then be drenched in this dirty water! Why should I believe what he says!'
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone