Reborn as an 80s-aged woman, her unfilial son begs for forgiveness on his knees.

Who on this street hasn't talked about someone behind their back?

When people get together, they just chat about this and that, so how does that become spreading rumors?

How did it become a matter of life and death?

Besides, ever since that old woman opened a braised meat shop across from her house, the souls of her dead husband and several other men in the neighborhood have been bewitched by Zhang Wenying. Was she wrong?

The proprietress was indignant, but the look in the eyes of the police officer made her swallow back the words she was about to say.

There was no joking in that gaze, only a heavy warning.

"Gossip can kill without ever needing a knife."

The police officer's voice wasn't loud, but it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

"You casually say 'I heard,' and it becomes 'fact' in other people's ears; you lightly say 'it seems,' and it becomes 'certainty' in other people's mouths."

You might speak your mind in a moment of anger, but others will have to bear the consequences for a lifetime.

You think you're just chatting idly, but have you ever thought about how you would feel if Comrade Zhang really couldn't accept what you said?

Do you sleep well at night?

The proprietress opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't utter a single word.

Zhang Wenying wiped away her tears and said, "Aren't you just trying to force me to close down because you see how good my business is?"

Let me tell you, I, Zhang Wenying, am upright and honest, and I'm not afraid of you tripping me up behind my back.

The security officer is right. The one who made a mistake today is you, you gossipy woman, not me!

I'm not falling for your tricks to commit suicide.

I still have a daughter and son to raise, and I have a long life ahead of me. Why should I take my own life because of a few rumors you spread?

The security officer praised, "Comrade Zhang, it's good that you can think things through."

Rumors cannot harm those who are truly innocent; they will only make those who spread rumors suffer the consequences.

Don't worry, we will handle this matter according to the law. We will criticize and educate those who need it, and punish those who need it.

The cost of spreading rumors will never be low.

Zhang Wenying nodded repeatedly.

She has always been very open-minded; how could she possibly contemplate suicide because of someone unrelated to her?

The police officers could only shake their heads in silence.

Today we can clear up Zhang Wenying's name, but tomorrow there might be Li Wenying and Wang Wenying who will get stuck in the same mess.

A couple of years ago, there was a young woman in this area whose husband had gone to war. People started saying that she had an affair with her brother-in-law, and the rumors spread like wildfire.

The young wife couldn't bear it and eventually hanged herself at home.

When the young wife's husband returned, he beat the person who spread the rumors half to death.

That family couldn't stay in Haicheng any longer, so they moved away.

But what's the use of that?

The person is gone, the family is broken, and a simple "I was just saying it offhand" can't bring a life back.

"Comrade, I know I was wrong. I will definitely watch my mouth from now on."

The proprietress's voice finally softened, tinged with lingering fear and shame.

"That won't do."

I was unjustly wronged and almost driven to the brink of despair. You think you can just let it go with a simple "I know I was wrong"?

"It's not that easy." Zhang Wenying wiped her face, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Sister Zhang, I'm sorry, I apologize to you. I was just talking nonsense."

I made up those lies because I felt uncomfortable seeing that you were prettier than me and better at business than me.

"I promise I'll never gossip again." The landlady's voice trembled with tears as she finally lowered her head.

The gossipy women around them were secretly relieved.

Fortunately, they didn't gossip about Zhang Wenying.

Otherwise, they would probably be getting scolded too.

The proprietress lowered her head, tears streaming down her face, repeatedly saying "I'm sorry."

Seeing her like this, Zhang Wenying's anger gradually subsided.

But she still said, "I will not forgive."

This woman has said a lot of bad things about her behind her back.

They also said she seduced her husband, that she was shameless, and that she was a slut.

Do you think a simple "I'm sorry" can erase all those vicious words?

dream.

Zhang Wenying is not a saint; she cannot repay evil with good.

She might not care, but she would never pretend that nothing had happened.

She used to pretend she couldn't hear because she didn't want to cause trouble.

But this woman actually went and made fun of her daughter, which is intolerable.

Upon hearing this, the police officers immediately handcuffed the proprietress and dragged her out.

The proprietress was so frightened her legs went weak, and she kept shouting, "I was wrong, I really know I was wrong, don't arrest me... I don't want to go to jail... the authorities are arresting people randomly..."

Seeing this, the surrounding neighbors all took a few steps back, and no one dared to step forward and say anything.

Many people were frightened.

Unexpectedly, the proprietress was about to be arrested because of a few casual remarks.

"Good heavens, isn't this a bit too much?"

It's just a few idle words, isn't it?

How did it escalate to the point of him being handcuffed and arrested?

Zhang Wenying looked at the man with disdain.

"gossip?

It's only natural to chat about everyday things.

But to ruin someone's reputation and spread rumors is tantamount to attempting murder and taking a life.

Zhang Wenying went to the police station to give a statement, and after returning, she went back to her usual business.

She knew in her heart that life had to go on, and she couldn't let a bad person ruin her life.

The shop owner across the street, Mr. Wang, hurriedly closed his shop and ran to the police station to inquire about the outcome of the matter.

"What do you think the proprietress will be sentenced to?"

The neighbors huddled together, whispering among themselves, their faces showing a mixture of lingering fear and curiosity.

Someone lowered their voice and said, "I heard that spreading rumors and slander can get you detained for several days if it's serious."

"Zhang Wenying is really ruthless; she's sent so many people in there already."

"You'd better shut up, or you'll end up in jail too."

Someone whispered a reminder, their tone clearly showing apprehension.

"Hey, hurry up and disperse, stop talking."

When the proprietress was arrested, all the gossipy women on the street fell silent instantly, like ducks with their necks being choked.

Those who usually loved to gossip in groups would avoid Zhang Wenying, afraid of upsetting her and getting themselves arrested.

Because of Zhang Wenying's insistence, the proprietress was detained for half a month in accordance with the law and was also compensated Zhang Wenying with fifty yuan for mental distress.

Fifty yuan was no small sum in the 1980s; it was enough for an average family to live on for one or two months.

The news spread, and the whole street was in an uproar.

Some people thought Zhang Wenying was too ruthless, while others secretly cheered – those who had been bullied by the landlady finally felt they had gotten their revenge.

Mr. Wang cursed his wife fiercely through the fence.

"You foul-mouthed old hag, I was only gone for a little while and you've caused me such a big mess!"

Fifty yuan! That's enough for so many meat meals for our family!