Wang Yue could see how things were going to end, so he deliberately let Xie Guifang catch him and drag him back home.
The others saw that there was nothing more to watch and promptly dispersed, but what had happened here today would give them plenty to gossip about for a while.
Only Lin Dongzhe stayed behind, holding his mother's hand and following Wang Yue and Xie Guifang. As they walked back, he kept his eyes fixed on Wang Yue.
Lin Dongzhe thought Wang Yue was incredibly cool—and incredibly loyal, too. He'd actually argued with an adult for the sake of a friend!
The last time Lin Dongzhe remembered talking back, his mother had chased him for two li. It was only thanks to his father protecting him that he'd escaped a beating.
So Lin Dongzhe decided to follow them home and see what happened. If Wang Yue could get away without a beating after making such a big scene, then he'd become Lin Dongzhe's idol.
Song Ying had no idea her son was about to find himself an idol. She thought Wang Yue had handled things admirably today, like the sort of uncle who'd stand up for his sister's family. As a woman, she couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be to have a relative like that.
So when Song Ying saw her son staring at Wang Yue, she didn't stop him. She was still wondering whether she should intervene and try to keep Wang Yue from getting beaten.
After hearing the commotion, Lin Wufeng quickly asked around to find out what had happened. He couldn't help thinking Wang Yue was a little too strange for his own good.
When he saw his son enter the courtyard and look toward the neighboring one, he worried that the boy