Zhang Yunzhu’s wife’s words clearly had no effect. Zhang Wenbing merely scoffed, “Hmph. With her level of idiocy, how long will it take her to find anything out?”

Hearing Zhang Wenbing speak like that, Zhang Yunzhu’s wife also became concerned. What if Tian Shi really couldn't find anything out? But she couldn't show her worry, or wouldn't her son become even more anxious?

“No, she’ll figure it out quickly. Don’t worry yet!” Zhang Yunzhu’s wife tried to reassure him.

Zhang Wenbing was highly unimpressed. He felt he had been mistaken before; how could Tian Shi possibly outmaneuver Wang Youliang? It seemed his plan was going to fall through. But he couldn’t stomach it—why were others getting ahead while he was reduced to this miserable state, even blinded? The more he thought about it, the angrier Zhang Wenbing became. He even considered simply exposing the matter to everyone. He refused to believe that if Tian Shi couldn't uncover it, no one else in the village could. Then, Wang Youliang would surely be ruined.

Thinking this, Zhang Wenbing said to his mother, “I think if Boss Wang’s wife investigates this alone, we won’t know when she’ll find anything. Why don’t you tell the other villagers? If more people know, the investigation will be easier. It’s simple for Wang Laoda to deal with one person, but much harder to handle a crowd.”

Zhang Yunzhu’s wife hesitated upon hearing this. “But I promised Boss Wang’s wife I wouldn't tell anyone. After all, this isn't something honorable. If more people find out, their family’s reputation will be completely destroyed!”

Zhang Wenbing’s tone turned sharp. “I’m not asking you to harm her by telling others; this is for her own good. Think about it: the more people help her investigate, the sooner she’ll know Boss Wang has another woman, right? It saves her from being deceived by Wang Laoda for so long.”

Zhang Yunzhu’s wife started to waver. Her son had a point. Tian Shi had been deceived for so long; a few more people helping her uncover the truth would mean less deception for her. But she had given her word not to spread the news. What was she to do now?

Seeing his mother hesitate indecisively, Zhang Wenbing grew impatient. “Oh, what else is there to think about? We aren't harming her. It’s her own fault for being slow-witted and unable to find anything! Otherwise, we wouldn't need to stir up trouble! Besides, if we don’t push things along, when will my eyes ever get better?”

The mention of his son’s eyes made Zhang Yunzhu’s wife less insistent. After all, she had gone to tell Tian Shi primarily for her son’s sake. However, she had given her word against spreading it, so she needed to find a compromise.

“Don’t be angry. How about this: let’s wait a few more days. If, after ten days, Boss Wang’s wife still hasn't found anything, I’ll ask the other villagers to help investigate. Will that work?” Zhang Yunzhu’s wife proposed.

Zhang Wenbing found this suggestion barely acceptable. “Fine, let’s leave it at that for now!”

Seeing Zhang Wenbing back down and realizing she hadn't completely broken her promise, Zhang Yunzhu’s wife finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Over on their side, after Wang Youliang returned from town, Tian Shi told him about Zhang Yunzhu’s wife visiting their home again.

“I don’t get how thick-skinned Zhang Yunzhu’s wife can be. After coming over to sow discord once, she dares to come a second time, acting like it’s all true. I truly don't know what she’s thinking. What good does stirring up trouble between my husband and me do her? Is it just because she can’t stand seeing us live well?” Tian Shi couldn't fathom it.

When Wang Youliang heard Zhang Yunzhu’s wife had visited again, a headache immediately started. When would this end? Why hadn't that accursed Zhang Wenbing been beaten to death by someone else!

“Just ignore her. It’s probably because her son’s eyes aren't healing that her mind has gotten muddled. Just pay her no mind,” Wang Youliang advised.

“That’s what I thought! I was just placating her, and I told her not to spread rumors outside, and she promised me,” Tian Shi replied.

Hearing Tian Shi, Wang Youliang began to worry that if Zhang Wenbing’s scheme failed, he might just decide to blurt everything out directly. Thinking this, Wang Youliang said, “Don’t relax too soon. I suspect that since her mind is already unstable, even if she promises not to say anything, who knows when she might forget her words and start gossiping? Then our family’s reputation will be finished.”

Tian Shi felt what Wang Youliang said was plausible. Who knew if someone whose mind was damaged would remember to keep promises? So, Tian Shi anxiously asked, “Then what can we do? The mouth is hers; if she starts gossiping, we can’t stop her!”

Wang Youliang sighed. “Indeed. It will be quite difficult then!”

Tian Shi paced nervously. “How about this: I’ll preemptively tell people in the village I know about this matter. Then, when Zhang Yunzhu’s wife says something, no one will believe her. Husband, what do you think of that idea?”

Wang Youliang watched Tian Shi anxiously strategizing on his behalf, and a slight pang of guilt surfaced. If Tian Shi ever learned that Zhang Yunzhu’s wife was speaking the truth, the consequences... Although he knew he was doing wrong by Tian Shi, he couldn't bring himself to completely let go of Huang Shi.

“Agreed, let’s do as you say for now!” Wang Youliang said, slightly avoiding Tian Shi’s gaze.

And so, before Zhang Yunzhu’s wife could spread the word about Wang Youliang having another woman, rumors began circulating in Wangjia Village: Zhang Yunzhu’s wife had been so shocked by her son losing his sight that she had become unhinged and frequently spoke nonsense, ruining others’ reputations. For instance, she had gone to the old Wang residence to stir up trouble between Boss Wang and his wife, claiming Boss Wang had a mistress outside.

Initially, people were skeptical. After all, Wang Youliang was more prosperous now than before; didn't men always go astray once they got rich? Who knew if Wang Youliang was any different? But later, they heard that Tian Shi herself brought up the matter, supposedly out of fear that other villagers would be fooled. At this point, more people believed it. After all, Tian Shi was the one who revealed it. If the matter were true, given Tian Shi’s temperament—or any woman’s temperament, for that matter—how could she speak of such a thing so casually? Furthermore, Tian Shi had claimed she spoke out only to prevent others in the village from being deceived, reasoning that if Zhang Yunzhu’s wife would accuse Wang Youliang of having a mistress, she might soon accuse others in the village of similar conduct.

The villagers thought Tian Shi was truly virtuous. Such a matter was inherently disgraceful; whether true or not, it would damage the Wang family’s reputation. Yet, Tian Shi was willing to speak it out to protect others from being misled by Zhang Yunzhu’s wife. The fact that she sacrificed her reputation to expose Zhang Yunzhu’s wife’s true nature indicated that Zhang Yunzhu’s wife was completely untrustworthy.

Thus, after ten days passed with no significant development at Wang Youliang’s house, Zhang Yunzhu’s wife stopped visiting the old Wang residence. Instead, following her son's advice, she sought out a few acquaintances in the village and brought up the matter, hoping they could keep an eye out for any signs of Wang Youliang having a mistress.

Zhang Yunzhu’s wife had assumed that since these acquaintances were usually on good terms with her, and since this was a critical issue concerning her son’s eyesight, they would surely help her. To her surprise, things unfolded differently than she imagined.

It was true that these few women usually got along very well with Zhang Yunzhu’s wife. In fact, precisely because they were on good terms, they initially disbelieved the recent village rumors. After all, Zhang Yunzhu’s wife had always appeared completely normal, showing no signs of mental instability. But now, things were different: Zhang Yunzhu’s wife was, just as the rumors suggested, talking about Wang Youliang having a mistress.

Honestly, if Tian Shi hadn't brought it up herself, these women might have believed Zhang Yunzhu’s wife. But because Tian Shi was the one asserting it, they reasoned: if the affair were true, would Tian Shi dare to publicize it so widely? She would be trying to hide it! Moreover, how could this alleged affair possibly be connected to Zhang Yunzhu’s son’s eyes? Zhang Yunzhu’s wife’s words sounded utterly unbelievable.

Consequently, these women began to suspect that Zhang Yunzhu’s wife might indeed be mentally unwell. They even worried that Zhang Yunzhu’s wife might start fabricating stories about their own families next. With that thought, they instinctively distanced themselves from Zhang Yunzhu’s wife. After offering superficial assurances to Zhang Yunzhu’s wife, they unanimously decided that they must avoid extensive contact with her in the future, lest they become the next targets.

Zhang Yunzhu’s wife had no idea what these women were thinking. When they agreed to help investigate, she felt immensely grateful; now her son’s eyes had hope. She never suspected that these women had already concluded she was unstable.

Meanwhile, Tian Shi felt a genuine wave of relief seeing that the villagers believed what she said and did not heed Zhang Yunzhu’s wife’s nonsense. Although her actions had slightly tarnished the Wang family’s reputation, it was certainly better than keeping silent and letting everyone believe Zhang Yunzhu’s wife.

When Zhang Wenbing learned his mother had spoken to the villagers, he anticipated Wang Youliang would soon be in deep trouble and cheerfully gave his mother several pleased smiles, which left her feeling overwhelmed by his sudden good mood. She seized the opportunity while Zhang Wenbing was happy to coax him into taking his medicine, and Zhang Wenbing, feeling his mother had handled things well this time, graciously cooperated.

However, Zhang Wenbing’s hopes were clearly destined to be dashed. Very few people in the village actually believed his mother’s words; instead, they started pointing fingers at their own household. This left Zhang Yunzhu and his wife bewildered for a long time.