People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Chapter 266 Lin Dongzhe Stands Up for the Wrongdoing

In January of 1986, the weather in Suzhou was extremely damp and cold. The sky was completely shrouded by a thick layer of leaden-gray clouds. The chilling atmosphere could penetrate straight into one's heart through one's pores, making one's mood heavy.

Zhou Qing squatted alone at the door of Wang Yong's house, her body slightly curled up.

She had just returned from school in Shanghai for the holidays, but her grandparents' place was too small, and there was nowhere for her to stay, so she had to go back to her uncle Wang Yong's house.

She raised her hand and inserted the original key into the lock, but no matter how she turned it, the lock cylinder wouldn't budge.

After trying several times, she gave up completely and could only squat at the door, staring longingly at the closed door, hoping that her uncle's family would come back soon.

Meanwhile, Lin Dongzhe and Xiaoting also started their winter vacation.

The two were holding steaming hot buns they had just bought from a street corner bun shop, steam still rising from the paper bags.

"Xiaoting, it's still warm, do you want some?"

Lin Dongzhe smiled and handed it to Xiaoting.

Xiaoting waved her hand, a smile spreading across her face. "I have some here, you can eat it when you get home."

They walked side by side to their doorstep and immediately spotted Zhou Qing squatting in front of Wang Yong's house.

Lin Dongzhe frowned slightly, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes. He quickly stepped forward and looked at her, asking, "Zhou Qing, what are you doing sitting here?"

Zhou Qing slowly raised her head, a few strands of messy hair blowing against her cheek in the wind. She reached out and smoothed them down, her voice tinged with grievance. "The lock on my uncle's door has been changed, so I can't get in. I can only wait here for them to come back."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongzhe quickly walked to the door, gripped the doorknob with both hands, and pushed with all his might, but the door did not budge.

He straightened up and raised his voice.

"Uncle Wang, is anyone home? Zhou Qing is back, Uncle Wang!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and knocked on the door twice forcefully.

"Not home?" he muttered to himself, then raised his hand to look at his watch. It was almost five o'clock, long past the time he should have been off work.

After a moment's thought, Lin Dongzhe turned and walked into his own yard.

Seeing this, Xiaoting quickly stepped forward, helped Zhou Qing up, and hurried after Lin Dongzhe, calling out, "Lin Dongzhe, what are you doing, Lin Dongzhe?"

Lin Dongzhe returned to the courtyard, hurriedly placed the paper bag containing the steamed buns on the table in the yard, then quickly picked up a stool and walked to the window, to the side of the courtyard wall shared with Wang Yong's family.

He placed the stool steadily against the wall, stood on it, cupped his hands around his mouth, and shouted loudly again.

"Uncle Wang, open the door, Zhou Qing is back!"

Xiaoting was extremely anxious down below and reached out to grab Lin Dongzhe's sleeve. "Lin Dongzhe, come down quickly."

Seeing no movement inside, Wang Yong still showed no intention of coming out to open the door.

Lin Dongzhe's anger surged. He had never met such a heartless and ruthless person.

Zhou Qing is his niece, after all. How could he turn her away?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Coupled with the impulsive nature of adolescence, he was overcome with passion and, without thinking, jumped over the courtyard wall.

Xiaoting quickly put everything she was holding on the table, ran to the wall, and reached out to grab Lin Dongzhe's clothes.

"Lin Dongzhe, what are you doing? Uncle Wang might be at home. Don't climb up there, it's dangerous. Come down quickly."

But at this moment, Lin Dongzhe, who had successfully climbed the wall, jumped into Wang Yong's yard without hesitation.

After landing, he quickly ran to the courtyard gate and opened it from the inside. "Zhou Qing, come in."

Hearing the door open, Wang Yong slowly walked out of the house.

He had actually been hiding inside the house for a while, hoping to keep Zhou Qing, that "little rascal," out.

Ever since Zhou Qing returned to Shanghai, he has been coveting this small house, wanting to take it for himself. So he deliberately refused to open the door, hoping to force Zhou Qing to leave.

Unexpectedly, Lin Dongzhe ruined his plans.

"Lin Dongzhe, what are you doing? Why are you knocking on my door? What right do you have to come to my house?"

His face was full of anger as he strode toward Lin Dongzhe, cursing under his breath.

"What are you doing? Didn't your parents teach you that you can just barge into other people's houses like that? You little brat, don't teach me anything."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongzhe frowned even more deeply. He turned around and saw Wang Yong accusing him with a ferocious expression.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Uncle Wang, you're home? Then why didn't you open the door for Zhou Qing? I thought you weren't here."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yong's face flushed with unease, his eyes darting around, and he retorted defiantly, "So what if I'm at home? This is my house. I can let whoever I want in. What right do you, a little brat, have to tell me what to do?"

Lin Dongzhe looked at Wang Yong, his anger intensifying, but he still tried to control himself. "Uncle Wang, Zhou Qing is your niece. Is it appropriate for you to lock her out alone in this cold weather?"

Wang Yong's face flushed red, like a powder keg that had been lit, and he reached out and pushed Lin Dongzhe forcefully.

"Our family affairs are none of your business. Get out of here right now."

Lin Dongzhe was tall, a full head taller than Wang Yong. He lowered his head slightly and stared straight at Wang Yong.

"Uncle Wang, why didn't you tell Zhou Qing that you changed the locks? She's still your niece, after all."

Enraged by these words, Wang Yong stretched out his index finger, almost poking Lin Dongzhe's nose, and shouted while spitting everywhere.

"Get out of here right now, or I'll have to hit you."

Xiaoting, standing to the side, knew perfectly well that Wang Yong was an unreasonable person, and if the stalemate continued, the two of them would start fighting.

She quickly reached out and grabbed Lin Dongzhe's arm with both hands, her grip very strong.

"Uncle Wang, let's go now."

Watching them leave, Wang Yong wasn't finished. He spat at them from behind and said, "Pah, you little brat, it's none of your business how our family does things."

Several neighbors who heard the commotion gathered around and started criticizing Wang Yong.

Wang Yong's face grew increasingly grim. Amidst the accusations from the crowd, he could only glare fiercely at Lin Dongzhe, who was being pulled by Xiao Ting, before turning back into the house and slamming the door shut.

Lin Dongzhe stumbled as Xiao Ting pulled him along, his collar being pulled to one side. "Xiao Ting, don't pull me, I just can't stand it."

Xiaoting pulled Lin Dongzhe outside, and only let go of his hand when they got back to their room.

Xiaoting, panting, earnestly advised, "Lin Dongzhe, this is their family matter no matter what. There's no use in you disapproving of it."

Lin Dongzhe sighed heavily. He knew that Xiaoting was right, but he couldn't suppress his sense of justice: "Xiaoting, I know what you're saying. Don't tell my mom about this. I'm afraid she and Wang Yong will argue again."

Xiaoting turned around, poured a cup of hot water, and handed it to Lin Dongzhe.

. . . . .