She too had been slandered by rumors back then. She hadn't done anything, yet people called her promiscuous. If Zhu De hadn't stepped forward to protect her and married her, she might have been forced to jump into the river and die.
Having suffered the sting of gossip herself, Aunt Liu understood it best. Because of her own experience, she never spoke ill of others.
Aunt Liu dropped Zhu Xi and turned back into the room, leaving Zhu Xi alone in the courtyard. Seeing that no one had spoken a word for her, she harbored an even deeper resentment towards Fu Wenwen.
She regarded Fu Wenwen as the culprit. If it weren't for her, how could her doting parents treat her this way?
After leaving the village chief's house, Fu Wenwen walked home with a cold expression. Several children suddenly darted past her, chattering as they ran, which startled Fu Wenwen.
"Quick, quick, quick! Lin An is telling stories under the tree! They say he tells them so well! Let's hurry! If we're late, there won't be any seats."
"Shi Tou and the others have already gone, hurry up!"
"Oh dear! I'm already running as fast as I can, wait for me..."
Hearing Lin An's name, Fu Wenwen knew he had gone out with his storybook. She hadn't expected him to attract all the children in the village.
Fu Wenwen curiously followed, trailing behind the children to the big tree in the village. A crowd of children, big and small, had gathered under the tree. There were even quite a few adults who had finished their work and came to rest. A tiny figure stood in the middle of the crowd, speaking with confidence. Those listening had rapturous expressions, as if entranced.
As Fu Wenwen slowly approached, she heard Lin An's voice, recounting the story she had told him today.
His childish voice was very serious. "There was a farmer who worked from sunrise to sunset. In good years, he would just have enough to eat and wear. When disaster struck, he had to starve. He wanted to improve his life, but he was too lazy and too timid. He did everything lazily and fearfully, always hoping for unexpected fortune to fall into his lap..."
"...Suddenly, a rabbit, without warning, bumped its head and died at the root of the tree by his field."
Fu Wenwen stood by, watching Lin An with relief. He truly remembered every word she had said, and he had even added his own understanding, speaking as if he had witnessed it firsthand. He told the story exceptionally well.
She found herself somewhat mesmerized, her mood rising and falling with his narrative.
"...All day long, the farmer guarded the magical tree root, waiting for a miracle to happen again, waiting for rabbits to bump into the tree root. The story of 'Waiting by the Tree Stump for a Rabbit' tells us that we cannot expect to gain without effort. To have a happy and fulfilling life, we must put in our own effort and strive for it." After finishing, Lin An closed his storybook and, imitating Fu Wenwen's tone, gave the concluding remarks.
However, he himself was just a baby. When he uttered such profound wisdom, it couldn't help but elicit amused smiles.
"Lin An, you told it so well! How do you know so many stories?" The adults found him endearing, while the children were deeply admiring.
They excitedly crowded around Lin An.
"Lin An, can you tell it again? I arrived late and didn't hear the beginning..."
"Yes! Lin An, you told it so well! Better than the teachers at school!"
"Lin An, we'll never scold you again. Can you lend us your books to read!"
"..."
The children fawned over Lin An, but he coolly put his book away, lifting his chin.