The Supporting Character's Revenge: A Mother's Journey from Novel Victim to Victor

Chapter 1

On my first day of retirement, I went to sign up for a tour group.

Just as I was about to pay, strange bullet comments flashed before my eyes.

[Here it comes! The male protagonist is looking for a caregiver for his paralyzed mother-in-law!]

[No one else is trustworthy to take care of her, only his own mother will do!]

While I was stunned, my son's phone call came through.

As soon as I answered, my son's panicked voice came through the line.

"Mom, I was driving drunk and hit someone, paralyzing them. You have to help me."

"How can I help you?" I asked, astonished and suspicious.

My son immediately said, "The person I hit was Ruirui's mother, Auntie Fu. She and you have never gotten along. At first, she insisted I go to jail."

"Mom, I just got into college. If I go to jail, my whole life will be ruined."

"It was Ruirui who pleaded for me, and Auntie Fu finally relented. She said as long as we cover her medical expenses and you take care of her, this matter will be settled. Mom, you'll help me, right?"

My mind went blank.

Fu Hui and I have had grudges for years.

It was Fu Hui who interfered back then, making me marry my ex-husband and live through three years of nightmare.

You could say I hate Fu Hui to death.

If it weren't for legal constraints, I would have stabbed her to death long ago.

Now asking me to take care of Fu Hui would be harder than killing me.

Seeing I wasn't responding, my son became anxious.

"Mom, just endure it for me. I just became an adult and have a bright future ahead. I don't want my life to end like this. Mom, please, I'm begging you to save me."

My son's voice carried a sob.

My heart instantly softened.

Just as I was about to agree subconsciously, the bullet comments before my eyes started scrolling again.

[Quickly agree! As long as the mother-in-law takes care of the mother-in-law, the male and female protagonists can start their sweet university life!]

[The male protagonist really dotes on the female protagonist! To let the female protagonist have no worries and attend university peacefully, he sacrificed his own mother!]

[The female protagonist was originally hesitant, but after this incident, she completely strengthened her determination to be with the male protagonist!]

[But, isn't this a bit unfair to the mother-in-law? She just retired and wants to relax properly.]

[What's unfair about it? This is the mother-in-law's honor. Being able to get a good daughter-in-law like Ruirui is a blessing she earned in ten lifetimes. Now, being a nanny for thirty years is nothing.]

From the bullet comments, I learned that I was just a passerby mother-in-law in a sweet romance novel.

In the original story, the female protagonist Su Ruirui's mother, Fu Hui, fell down the stairs and became paralyzed.

At this time, it happened to be when the female protagonist Su Ruirui was admitted to university.

In the female protagonist's nightmare-like life, the male protagonist Xu Jun appeared.

He had loved the female protagonist for years and now stood up without hesitation.

He called me, lying that he had paralyzed someone while driving drunk.

To achieve a settlement without going to jail, he begged me, who had just retired, to become a nanny at the female protagonist's mother's house.

From then on, the male and female protagonists began their sweet university love life.

And I would pack my bags to take care of the female protagonist's mother for thirty years.

Finally, the female protagonist's mother died from complications.

The female protagonist was heartbroken.

The male protagonist transferred his anger to me, kicking me, who was overworked and ill, to the countryside.

In less than a month, I died.

Half a month after my death, when I started to rot, someone discovered me.

My eyes couldn't close even in death.

Finally, when the male protagonist found out, he just said: This is my retribution for not taking proper care of my mother-in-law, and told me to be a good person in my next life.

A thousand grass mud horses galloped through my heart.

Be a good person my ass!

What kind of vicious plot is this!

I still couldn't believe that my son, who was excellent in character and studies, well-behaved and filial, could be as vicious and selfish as described in the book.

For a woman, to harm his own mother like this.

"Mom, if it's really difficult for you, then I'll turn myself in to the police station."

"Good, go ahead."

"I knew you loved me most, Mom... what! Mom, what did you just say?"

On the other end of the phone, Xu Jun's joyful voice instantly turned to shock.

But I slowly said, "Junjun, you're an adult now. You need to take responsibility for your own mistakes."

There was a pause for several seconds on the other end, and I could hear his breathing become heavy.

"Mom, I just got into a prestigious university with a great future ahead. Can you bear to ruin it?"

I said helplessly, "Mom still says the same thing: everyone must take responsibility for their own mistakes."

The other side suddenly became enraged and said, "Are you so heartless? Are you completely abandoning this son of yours? If you ignore me today, don't expect me to support you in your old age."

I decided to give him one last chance: "Tell me the specific situation, and we'll solve it through legal channels together. The premise is that you must be honest with me."

"Hmph! I don't need you! I don't have a heartless and ungrateful mother like you!"

The other side had already hung up the phone.

Having given birth to such a worthless son, I really wished I had strangled him at birth.

I composed myself and signed up for the tour group according to plan.

I had a good time traveling for a week. During this time, that worthless son didn't contact me again.

I thought the years were peaceful and calm, but the bullet comments started scrolling again.

[Hehe, the male protagonist is really clever. No wonder he can captivate our precious Ruirui!]

[Yeah, the vicious mother-in-law is still traveling here. But she doesn't know the male protagonist has prepared a big gift for her!]

[Looking forward to seeing the expression of this vicious female supporting character when she finds out the truth. It must be wonderful!]

What had Xu Jun done now?

While I was feeling uneasy, I unexpectedly received a call from a distant relative.

"Fangfang, your Junzi borrowed five thousand yuan from me, plus interest totaling six thousand yuan. Is it convenient for you to pay me back first? My daughter-in-law is about to give birth and urgently needs it."

My head instantly buzzed. I casually made two excuses and hung up the phone.

Then I quickly called Xu Jun.

He answered quickly on the other end.

"How is it? Have you thought it through? If you agree to come take care of Auntie Fu, I'll still recognize you as my mother."

"Shut up, let me ask you, did you borrow money everywhere in my name?"

The other side was quite righteous: "I'm your son. I have no money to spend in college. Isn't it natural to borrow some money in your name?"

I gritted my teeth and asked, "How much did you borrow in total?"

Xu Jun said proudly, "I borrowed fifty thousand from relatives, with eight thousand in interest. I borrowed fifty thousand from loan sharks, with fifteen thousand in interest. So you need to pay back a total of 123,000 yuan."

I only felt a surge of anger rush straight to my head.

"The money you borrowed yourself, you pay back yourself. I won't help you."

Then I hung up the phone.

After hanging up, I still felt a suffocating anger in my chest.

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

WeChat notification sounds kept ringing. I picked it up and saw that it was indeed a message from Xu Jun.

[I've already borrowed the money. You must pay it back, or bear the consequences yourself!]

[I found a nanny to take care of Auntie Fu. That money is used to pay the nanny's salary for one year. If you have any conscience, just obediently pay back the money. And then annually, transfer 100,000 yuan to me as Auntie Fu's nanny fee.]

[Otherwise, I won't recognize such a heartless, selfish mother like you.]

He was certain of me, thinking I only had him as a son and would rely entirely on him when I got old.

So, he was so unscrupulous.

[I'd rather be an orphan than have such a vicious mother!]

[Yeah, the male protagonist is absolutely right. The female supporting character is selfish, only thinking about her own comfort, not caring about her son's life or death at all.]

[They'll be in-laws in the future. What's wrong with taking care of the in-laws in advance? So stubborn and incorrigible, such a vicious thing!]

The people behind the bullet comments weren't good people either.

As for this son Xu Jun, I also recognized him for what he was. He was just like his father, with selfish blood flowing in his bones.

Relying on him when I'm old would be less reliable than raising a dog.

So I posted a statement in my朋友圈 severing ties with him.

Just five minutes after posting the statement, the phone kept ringing.

Most of the calls were naturally from that worthless son.

Then there were calls from the creditors that worthless son had provoked.

I didn't answer any of them.

So, they switched to bombing me with WeChat messages.

[Xu Jun: Relatives and loan sharks all borrowed money in your name. Whether to pay it back or not is up to you. Anyway, Ruirui and I are already on the high-speed train to university.]

[Third Aunt-in-law: Fangfang, my son is preparing to buy a house. The three thousand yuan Junzi borrowed a few days ago, plus six hundred in interest, needs to be returned to me quickly. We're relatives, but we only lent it because of your face. Don't try to sever ties and default on the debt. Our family isn't easy to bully either.]

[Seventh Uncle: Don't give me that crap about severing ties! If you don't pay back the money within three days, I'll bring my children and grandchildren to your house to find you. After all, we're relatives. Lin Fang, don't be so extreme.]

...

And many more, all demanding I pay back the money.

[The male protagonist settled his mother-in-law and took the female protagonist sweetly to university. These messy troubles are left for the vicious female supporting character to clean up properly.]

[None of these creditors are easy to deal with.]

[And that loan shark creditor has some unknown preferences. Hey, maybe the female supporting character can enjoy some blessings.]

I rubbed my sore forehead and carefully looked at these relatives who had lent money to Xu Jun.

I quickly discovered some clues.

Xu Jun specifically borrowed money from relatives I didn't get along with.

Not only that, but these relatives were all famously difficult and unreasonable.

My good son really didn't want me to have an easy time.

He borrowed money, and since the relatives saw he was a college student with no money, they naturally all came to me.

If I didn't pay back, these difficult relatives could skin me alive.

And the loan sharks were even more troublesome.

But for me to swallow this dumb loss was also impossible.

I thought about it and first replied to those relatives one by one to appease them.

Then I quickly started dealing with my assets.

These years of raising Xu Jun alone, I didn't have much left on hand.

Now, the only thing I have is the house I live in. Although it's a bit broken and small.

It's only a seventy-square-meter, two-bedroom apartment, but fortunately, it's in a school district, and the current market value can reach six hundred thousand yuan.

Then there's the remaining savings of over one hundred thousand yuan, and nothing else.

I contacted a real estate agent, willing to lower the price just to sell the house as quickly as possible.

The agent was also quick, giving me a reply the next day.

Finally, it sold for five hundred and seventy thousand yuan.

I deposited the money from selling the house, packed my simple luggage, and left my hometown.

Then I found a small southern city with a pleasant climate to live in.

Just as I was about to start my laid-back retirement life, annoying bullet comments popped up again.

[The female supporting character is quite good at enjoying herself, hiding here to live in blessings.]

[This vicious mother-in-law has harmed our male protagonist terribly! Those relatives and loan sharks couldn't get the money and all caused trouble at the male protagonist's school. The male protagonist almost had his reputation ruined, but luckily he came up with a solution.]

[This time, we should hammer this vicious mother-in-law to death and see if she still causes trouble.]

Chapter 2

Soon I knew what trouble Xu Jun was causing again.

This day, I went out to buy vegetables. When paying, the female shopkeeper kept staring at me.

Then just as I finished paying and turned to leave, she suddenly asked, "Are you Xu Jun's mother, Lin Fang?"

My steps paused, and I turned back to look.

I saw the shopkeeper's face full of sarcasm, looking at me viciously.

And soon, quite a few people gathered around.

"So this is the vicious mother Lin Fang! She actually knew to hide. Her son has been looking for her crazily, but she was hiding in our small city, living a carefree life."

"So pitiful for such a well-behaved and filial child, implicated by her."

"She took all the money and ran, completely ignoring her son who had just been admitted to college. And yet, such a filial child still cares about this vicious mother, afraid she would be bullied outside alone!"

"Spit! Such a vicious person should go to die!"

"Such a vicious person doesn't deserve to have a son!"

...

The people around me surrounded me, pointing and talking.

Some even secretly threw vegetable leaves and eggs at me.

In just a few breaths, I was in a sorry state.

I calmly took out my phone and dialed the police emergency number.

"Hello, 110? I want to report to the police. I'm at the Xinlong Road Farmers' Market, next to the seafood stall at the road entrance. There are people gathering here to cause trouble, maliciously humiliating me and attacking me personally. There's surveillance evidence here. Please send police quickly. Good, I'll wait."

I hung up the phone, and the surroundings fell silent.

Everyone looked at each other.

Then they scattered like a flock of birds, as if the earlier attack had never happened.

And that shopkeeper said with a fierce face, "I didn't do anything just now. Don't falsely accuse me! Go away, you stink. Stay away from my stall."

I took out my phone and turned on video recording mode.

"Keep talking, I'm recording."

The shopkeeper shut up.

After a while, the police came.

I went to the police station to make a statement. The police said they would find everyone who threw things at me from the surveillance footage.

After leaving the police station, I went online to search.

I soon knew what Xu Jun had done.

He had started a live broadcast online.

The name of the live broadcast room was: "Mom, don't be so heartless as to abandon me."

It happened to be live broadcasting now. I clicked into the broadcast room.

I found this live broadcast room had quite high popularity, with three million in views.

In the broadcast room, Xu Jun had red eyes as he recounted various conflicts between him and me.

"When I was little, my parents didn't get along, and it ended with my father leaving. I was raised by my mother alone. Although my mother was very controlling, I still loved her very much."

"This incident was also caused by my mother hitting Auntie Fu and then ignoring her."

"I know my mother doesn't like Auntie Fu's soft personality and always likes to pick on Auntie Fu. But this time, my mother hit someone and paralyzed them, yet ignored it completely. This is really too much. As her son, neither my conscience nor morality allows me to stand by and watch."

[Poor little Junjun, auntie will give you a rocket gift.]

[Such an obedient and well-behaved child, Lin芳 actually had the heart to harm him. She's worse than an animal.]

[Sisters, I'm starting a crowdfunding campaign here to support Xu Jun's kindness.]

[We not only need to help Xu Jun but also punish that bitch Lin芳!]

[If anyone provides effective information about Lin芳, there will be a reward! I just can't stand vicious mothers. This time I must properly discipline her.]

...

There were various comments below the live broadcast room, and quite a few were clamoring to punish me.

Chapter 3

I immediately registered for a Douyin account.

Then I started a live broadcast, named [Lin Fang is here].

The name Lin Fang naturally attracted attention, and in just half an hour, there were hundreds of thousands of views.

I saw the time was about right and appeared in front of the camera.

I held up my ID card and said, "I am Lin Fang, Xu Jun's mother. Regarding Xu Jun, I can say I have a clear conscience."

"Xu Jun says I injured Fu Hui. Is there evidence? Relying solely on his words to spread rumors? Xu Jun likes Su Ruirui, willingly plays the role of a simp, voluntarily sacrifices himself for love, and wants to bear all responsibilities for his paralyzed mother-in-law. If I were a bystander, I would also sigh at this devoted male protagonist. But Xu Jun targeted me, his mother. He called me, lying that he had hit someone himself, and to avoid going to jail, asked me to take care of Fu Hui and bear her medical expenses."

"After I exposed him, he threatened me with elder care. If I didn't comply with his wishes, he wouldn't recognize me as his mother. What use is such a worthless son? I might as well consider my years of dedication as feeding a dog, and we would go our separate ways in peace."

"But this good son borrowed money everywhere, even from loan sharks. Where did the money go? He used it to hire a nanny for his future mother-in-law, leaving the debts for me. After I learned the news and communication with Xu Jun failed, I left my hometown. Is this wrong?"

"Every word I say is true. If there is even half a lie, may I be struck by lightning!"

After speaking, I ended the live broadcast.

But my tough response video went viral.

Because of my clarity and decisiveness, I actually gained a following.

Many people online supported me.

"This is the awakened female protagonist! My idol, I'm following!"

"What simp filial son, get out of my world!"

"The pinnacle of simps! Too bad he met an awakened and independent female protagonist mom!"

Although many people still doubted me, those who cursed me decreased significantly.

After all, no one had evidence, each side had their own reasoning.

As time passed, the热度 faded, and this matter was forgotten.

For safety's sake, I went out fully armed these days, hat and mask essential.

After three days of such calm, another huge storm broke out online.

Xu Jun's live broadcast room posted new evidence.

Chapter 4

It was those relatives who had lent money appearing on camera to accuse me.

"I am Lin Fang's third aunt-in-law. This child Jun is really pitiful. I must stand up and say something fair, otherwise I can't face my conscience. I did lend money, but it was to Lin Fang. Lin Fang took the money to travel and said to let Jun pay it back. She said Jun was already an adult and should take on the responsibility of supporting her."

"I am Lin Fang's cousin. I also lent money to Lin Fang. Lin芳 said this was to buy luxury bags, and Jun would pay the money back. Where is there such a mother? Her son just became an adult, and she lets him support her various extravagant expenses."

"I am Fu Hui's neighbor. I can guarantee this with my personality. It was Lin Fang who hit Fu Hui. I happened to be walking nearby that day and saw it. After Lin Fang hit someone, she fled the scene. I notified Jun to come and handle it. This child Jun is loyal and righteous, cleaning up the mess for his mother. But Lin Fang, as a mother, is not a good thing, just thinking about evading responsibility and squeezing her son dry."

...

And testimony from several villagers.

Instantly, online public opinion boiled over.

A huge wave swept toward me.

I was cyberbullied and doxxed.

I received more than a dozen packages a day, containing blood-stained dolls, dead mice, funeral portraits, and wreaths.

Threatening and intimidating phone calls were endless.

For a time, I became like a street rat, everyone yelling to beat me.

Those online who had originally supported me all turned against me, and the returning malice was doubled and叠加.

"Ugh! What kind of vicious mother script is this! I almost believed she was the awakened female protagonist! Vicious Lin Fang, go die, die, die!"

"I actually followed such a vicious woman! Thinking about it makes me want to vomit last night's meal! This disgusting thing only harms her own son. She also caused a hit-and-run. Without her son to cover for her, could she still be living freely outside? Yet she dares to brazenly lie and frame her own son. This is probably more venomous than a viper!"

"Sisters, I organized an anti-vicious-woman alliance, planning to go to her house to teach her how to be a good person. Anyone who wants to join can private message me to sign up."

...

Looking at comment after comment, I not only felt my heart grow cold, but my body also grew cold.

Thinking about the feces and garbage splashed at my door this morning, I shuddered.

I needed to leave here and hide for a while.

Otherwise, I might really be injured or disabled by these passionate fans.

Just as I was thinking about where to hide, Xu Jun's phone call came through.

Chapter 5

I answered, and Xu Jun's proud voice came from the other end.

"How is it? I told you you would regret it! Now, are you regretting it? Regretting it so much you can't sleep?"

"Say what you have to say!"

As my cold voice fell, Xu Jun on the other end couldn't help but curse.

"Damn it! I shouldn't have had a sudden moment of kindness and pitied you. I should have let the vicious you be cyberbullied to death!"

Hearing this, I laughed angrily, "Oh, you want to pity me? How do you want to pity me?"

Xu Jun thought my attitude had softened and said condescendingly, "I'm preparing to start a live broadcast, and you'll apologize to the广大网友 in the broadcast. After all, you're my biological mother. I'll also speak up for you then. And you'll come back and properly take care of Auntie Fu Hui. I'll occasionally post videos of you taking care of her on the platform. This way, everyone will gradually change their opinion of you, and the matter will be resolved."

Truly ugly in appearance yet beautiful in imagination!

"If I had known I would give birth to such a beastly thing, I should have directly aborted it and flushed it down the drain! Simp! Idiotic thing! Get out of my world!"

After cursing, I hung up the phone.

When he called again, I directly declined and quickly blacklisted him.

I quickly packed my luggage, preparing to go to a mountain city when I discovered Xu Jun's live broadcast room was on the hot search list again.

I clicked in and saw that this beastly thing had schemed against me.

He had recorded the phone call he just made and even edited it, cutting off the beginning and end before posting it.

I gritted my teeth and could only endure it for now.

The priority was to hide first; otherwise, the angry fans might tear me apart.

Just as I finished packing, there was a knock on the door outside.

"Hello, your food delivery has arrived."

I didn't order any food delivery. While puzzled, I prepared to open the door.

But at this moment, the long-absent bullet comments appeared again.

[Hehe! Outside are chainsaw enthusiasts! If the vicious female supporting character opens the door, she'll have quite an experience.]

[Quick, open it quick, I want to see the female supporting character's comeuppance in this life!]

[When the female supporting character dies, the male protagonist will directly inherit all her property and start a romantic campus life.]

The hand on the doorknob shrank back in fright.

Outside, the knocking continued, and the urging voice became impatient.

"Hurry up and open the door, the food delivery is about to time out."

I looked out through the peephole and saw a man wearing a raincoat and a helmet staring straight inside.

I was so frightened I stepped back, almost sitting on the ground.

I calmed myself and said loudly, "I have already called the police! The police will arrive in five minutes. You can continue waiting."

The person outside cursed twice and left.

But I was still terrified.

Xu Jun had stirred up too much momentum online, and his impact on me was too severe.

Now, even wanting to leave here to hide was very difficult.

I rubbed my sore forehead, feeling cold sweat all over my body.

Just when I was at a loss, the bullet comments actually gave me a surprise.

[The male protagonist did beautifully this time, directly paying people to give false testimony and疯狂ly discrediting the female supporting character online.]

[It will be difficult for the female supporting character to turn things around this time, unless she can go back to her hometown to collect evidence.]

[Those people really have no moral integrity at all. They clearly accepted money from the male protagonist and guaranteed to keep their mouths shut. But in the countryside, their mouths were like loudspeakers, unable to contain it at all. Fortunately, no one will go to the countryside to investigate. Otherwise, it would be the male protagonist who would be condemned by thousands.]

My eyes lit up.

This was my breakthrough.

Chapter 6

While I hired a private detective to openly and secretly investigate my old hometown, Xu Jun took advantage of this wave of popularity to start live streaming and selling products.

Because the story was dramatic enough, the popularity remained high.

Xu Jun's live streaming business flourished, earning a full basin every day.

I went into his live broadcast room every day to watch, seeing his proud and triumphant appearance of building a tall building, but I laughed coldly in my heart.

Laugh on, in a few days you won't be able to laugh anymore.

No matter how gorgeous the tall building, it will collapse into ruins before the truth.

When I received the evidence from the private detective, I couldn't help but marvel at the stupid teammates Xu Jun had found this time.

Those extreme relatives were all people who only cared about grabbing money. Once the money was in their hands, they didn't care whether you kept it secret or not.

So as long as someone brought up the topic, they immediately opened like floodgates, spilling everything.

I edited and organized the evidence and posted it to my platform.

I gave it an eye-catching title.

[The Real Truth!]

As soon as the video was uploaded, in just three minutes, it was downloaded hundreds of thousands of times.

Under the weight of ironclad evidence, Xu Jun's selfishness was completely exposed.

All the malice directed at me rebounded onto him.

The internet was filled with denunciations and curses against him.

"Xu Jun is truly a pile of stinking dog shit!"

"Finally I understand Ms. Lin Fang's words. Giving birth to such a son is really better than aborting him early and flushing him down the drain."

"The truth reversed again, but this time the ironclad evidence is undeniable. Xu Jun can't wash himself clean!"

Xu Jun's image collapsed instantly. Almost all the products he sold in his earlier live broadcasts were returned overnight.

This caused huge losses for the sponsors, who according to the agreement, demanded huge compensation from Xu Jun.

Xu Jun faced millions in compensation.

Just when everyone thought Xu Jun would quietly退网 like a rat in a sewer, he actually started another live broadcast.

"I sincerely apologize! I have brought such bad influence to everyone. I hereby formally apologize to all the viewers in the live broadcast room."

"I really do like Ruirui and want to help solve her troubles. As for Auntie Fu Hui's matter, I really didn't consider it properly. I only thought that my mother and Auntie Fu Hui have been neighbors for years. Now that Auntie Fu Hui is in difficulty, it shouldn't be hard for my mother to help out for a few months. I didn't expect that without communication, I became angry and caused so many misunderstandings and disputes later."

"I originally planned to have my mother help look after her for a month or two. After Ruirui and I settle down, we will bring Auntie Fu Hui over to take care of her. The plan hasn't changed. We will still bring Auntie Fu Hui over to take care of her. At that time, I will often live broadcast, hoping that our love and filial piety can receive everyone's encouragement."

"As for my mother, I really was too wrong. Beat me or scold me, it's all fine. But I only ask Mom to give me another chance, let me have the opportunity to correct my mistakes. Can I? My most beloved mother?"

...

Unexpectedly, on the day the public opinion reversed, Xu Jun publicly apologized and admitted his mistake in the live broadcast room.

His dare-to-act-and-dare-to-accept attitude barely retained a few followers.

And quite a few people continued to watch and wait.

Xu Jun really did as he said, appearing repentant.

Every day he started live broadcasts, and each time he would definitely do three things.

The first thing was to apologize to me in the live broadcast and reminisce about beautiful moments from the past.

The second thing was to live broadcast his daily life of taking care of Fu Hui together with Su Ruirui.

The third thing was to live broadcast some scenes of him working part-time to earn money.

This combination of moves really restored some of Xu Jun's negative image.

And Xu Jun persisted for half a year. Gradually, he earned a nickname online.

[The Most Filial Son-in-law]

I also found a new place to settle down, and Xu Jun's affairs seemed to be getting further and further away from me.

Until this day, a group of people carrying cameras rushed into my yard.

Chapter 7

"Ms. Lin Fang, hello. We are the host and interview reporters from S City's famous emotional mediation program 'Family Harmony Leads to All Prosperity.' We have come today at the request of Mr. Xu Dahai and Mr. Xu Jun to invite you on the show to mediate family conflicts."

The three words Xu Dahai struck my head like a heavy hammer.

Those distant memories, which I had fiercely sealed deep in my memory, suddenly rushed out wantonly.

My face changed dramatically, and I drove those people out.

"Get out! Get out of here! Without the owner's permission, trespassing on private property, I can call the police."

"I don't know any Xu Dahai! And I won't go on any mediation program!"

"You all leave, and don't come again in the future, or I'll call the police."

I drove those people out.

Then I locked myself in the room, drawing all the curtains.

Only darkness could give me a brief sense of security.

For the next few days, I kept hiding at home.

But outside the door, across the yard from me, it was quite lively, with various people coming to live broadcast continuously.

"Hello everyone, I'm blogger Xiao Youyou. I've been squatting here for two days and haven't seen Ms. Lin Fang. Is Ms. Lin Fang feeling guilty toward Xu Dahai and his son, so she's ashamed to show her face?"

"I'm blogger Ma Weimin. I've brought a tent and a box of food. I'm already prepared to squat here long-term and will definitely dig out the final truth for everyone."

"To be able to contact Ms. Lin Fang as soon as possible, darlings, I've been working as a food delivery driver here for three days. But Ms. Lin Fang still hasn't ordered any food delivery. But it's okay, I'll keep trying."

...

Finally, on a sunny afternoon, the gate of my yard opened.

All cameras aimed at me.

In the camera, I wore an elegant and dignified green cheongsam.

My hair was meticulously coiled.

I showed no trace of the destitution of someone in hiding, but rather looked like a high-spirited warrior.

Yes, I am a warrior.

Fifteen years ago, I could defeat Xu Dahai.

Today, I can do the same.

Chapter 8

On the "Family Harmony Leads to All Prosperity" program, Xu Dahai had a face of honest integrity.

Just like when he met me for our blind date back then.

Who could have known that under the skin of honest integrity lay a violent beast.

And Xu Jun, with red eyes, occasionally looked at me pitifully and hurt.

Before the program even started, the live audience's emotions were already stirred up, all staring at me viciously.

As if I had committed some unforgivable sin.

And I always held my back straight, fearlessly facing all the wind and frost swords.

The program began, and the host delivered an opening speech about family harmony.

After the opening, it entered the formal mediation segment.

"Our mediation segment works like this: we will first let Mr. Xu's side ask questions, and Ms. Lin Fang will answer truthfully. After Mr. Xu's side finishes their questions, Ms. Lin Fang will ask questions, and Mr. Xu's side will answer."

"After both sides have finished asking questions, we will enter the demand segment. At that time, both sides will present their demands. If reconciliation cannot be reached, we will invite relevant people to the scene for mediation. If mediation still cannot be achieved, we will then..."

I listened impatiently and directly interrupted: "How can we repay kindness with kindness?"

"I didn't come here to mediate the conflicts between me and Xu Dahai and his son. Our conflicts can never be reconciled in this lifetime."

"I came here to seek justice for myself and to give the countless netizens a truth."

"So here I only have one segment: they ask three questions, I ask three questions. This will serve as the final conclusion."

The smile on the host's face froze. She had never encountered someone like me in her career.

And Xu Dahai and his son Xu Jun also looked stuck.

I guessed they must have prepared long speeches, ready to win over the audience in front of them.

Regardless of how ugly their faces were, I said directly: "If you agree, we'll start. Otherwise, I refuse mediation."

The host looked at Xu Dahai and his son, and seeing the two nod silently.

She smiled and said, "Father and son both hope for family reunion, so they are very accommodating to Ms. Lin Fang and have agreed to Ms. Lin Fang's requirements. Then below, let's proceed according to Ms. Lin Fang's requirements. First, the father and son will ask questions."

Chapter 9

Xu Dahai asked first: "First question. Back then, for Jun to have a complete family, I knelt and begged you. Why did you still insist on divorce so heartlessly?"

"You, a domestic violence abuser, still have the face to ask me why I insisted on divorce so heartlessly?"

As soon as my answer came out, the scene boiled for a moment, with everyone suspiciously looking at Xu Dahai.

Xu Dahai just smiled bitterly: "Now you want to fabricate such a lie to answer me, I have no way to stop you."

After Xu Dahai finished speaking, he said no more, just sitting to one side with a bitter expression.

Then it was Xu Jun's turn to ask.

"Second question, from childhood to adulthood, you were extremely controlling toward me, causing me to suffer from depression. I want to know, do you really love this son of yours?"

I seriously looked at this son I had truly cared for and dedicated eighteen years to, and calmly asked: "You did have depression when you were little, but your depression was caused by the psychological trauma of seeing Xu Dahai's domestic violence since childhood. For your illness, I took you across the country to see countless doctors. Now, you blame it on me instead. Truly a good son who crawled out of my belly."

As my words fell, Xu Jun's eyes turned redder, and tears even fell.

He choked up: "Whatever Mom says is what it is. My father and I have never been able to resist your decisions since childhood."

Xu Jun sobbed uncontrollably, and Xu Dahai asked the last question.

"Is it because you hate that I can't earn big money to give you a prosperous life, so you vented all your anger and resentment on Jun? For eighteen years, you abused Jun from body to mind."

I directly laughed, pointing at Xu Jun and asking: "I abused him?"

Xu Jun seemed unable to bear it any longer and suddenly stood up, taking off his clothes.

Instantly, his body covered in injuries, old wounds overlapping new ones, appeared before everyone.

The scene boiled, and several girls even cried.

"Oh my god, so pitiful. What kind of demonic mother is this?"

"Such a vicious mother should go to die, harming the pitiful father and son."

"Lin Fang, you bitch, go die, die, die!"

...

But I calmly looked at the father and son, the noisy insults around my ears like a light breeze.

Chapter 10

I began my questioning.

"First question, Xu Dahai, you domestic violence abuser, what qualification do you have to stand here questioning me? Do you think that after more than a decade, there's no evidence left? You brought this on yourself. I'll let you become famous in front of millions of viewers."

Xu Dahai's face showed surprise and fear.

But it was too late. I projected a stack of materials onto the large screen.

"I was married to Xu Dahai for four years and was subjected to domestic violence over a hundred times. Among them, three were particularly serious, and neighbors called the police. These are the three police statements. The first time, my head was broken and required over forty stitches. The second time, more than thirty bones in my body were broken, and I was almost paralyzed. The third time, my chest was split open by an axe, and I nearly lost my life. Here are the police statements, hospital diagnosis reports, some photos from that time, and the judge's verdict when I appealed for divorce."

Xu Dahai over there had his mask torn off, instantly revealing his violent nature.

"Bitch, what a pity I didn't beat you to death back then!"

The whole scene was in an uproar!

I continued with the second question: "You were originally dating Fu Hui, but later Fu Hui discovered you liked to use violence and introduced you to me instead. But after marriage, you two still had unclear ties. These things, Xu Jun was too young at the time, but he saw them with his own eyes. So, Xu Dahai, you cheated during marriage. And Xu Jun, you recognized a mistress as your mother. You two are disgusting, why drag me into the mud with you."

Xu Jun opened his mouth to refute, but I again presented a series of evidence.

There were letters between Xu Dahai and Fu Hui carrying on a secret affair, and various photos of the three of them going out together.

Without giving them time to react, I pressed my advantage and dropped the final bomb.

"Xu Jun, I don't want to ask the last question. I just want everyone to listen to a recording."

Then I played a recording that the private detective had given me.

[Mom, you are my real mom. In the future, I will be filial to you together with Ruirui. As for Lin Fang, if she is willing to be a good servant and take care of you, I will naturally throw her a meal when she gets old. Otherwise, I will ruin her reputation and make her wish she were dead! I found a makeup expert, and at that time, I'll put some wounded makeup on my body. Then those female netizens will definitely feel sorry for me and help me attack Lin Fang together.]

This time, I tore off all the false masks of Xu Dahai and Xu Jun.

The scene was filled with curses against the father and son.

And I left stylishly.

After leaving, I proceeded to sue the father and son for defamation and rumor-mongering against me.

The final result was that the father and son happily received two pairs of silver handcuffs, fortunately reuniting in prison.

As for Su Ruirui, without Xu Jun's support and backing, she couldn't bear the burden and became a mistress.

Later, I heard she contracted a dirty disease and was beaten by the legal wife on the street until her uterus ruptured, ruining her life for good.

As for Fu Hui, without anyone to care for her, she rotted to death in her rental apartment.

This was the ending they deserved.

After those protagonists received their evil rewards, the bullet comments also completely disappeared.

And I welcomed my brand new life.

I went to a small town where spring lasts all year round and bought a small courtyard there.

Every day, I pet cats, grow flowers and vegetables, living a smooth and worry-free life.

Chapter 11

Three years later, my courtyard was filled with blooming flowers and thriving vegetables. I had made friends with the local community, teaching elderly residents how to use smartphones and helping children with their homework after school. My life was peaceful and meaningful.

One autumn afternoon, as I was watering my chrysanthemums, a young woman hesitantly approached my gate. She looked familiar, though I couldn't immediately place her face.

"Excuse me, are you Lin Fang?" she asked softly.

I nodded, setting down my watering can. "I am. How can I help you?"

The woman's eyes filled with tears. "My name is Li Mei. I was Xu Jun's classmate in college. I... I need to apologize to you."

I invited her in for tea, curious about what had brought her to my door after all these years.

"I was one of the people who believed Xu Jun's lies about you," Li Mei confessed, her voice trembling. "I even participated in some of the online attacks against you. At the time, I thought he was telling the truth, that you were this terrible mother who abandoned him."

She paused, wiping her tears. "But after everything that happened, after the truth came out, I've felt guilty every day. I should have known better. I should have questioned his story."

I poured her a cup of jasmine tea and sat across from her at my wooden table. "Why come to me now, after all this time?"

"Because I recently saw Xu Jun again," she said. "He was released from prison a few months ago. He's been trying to contact old classmates, asking for money, making up stories about how he was wrongly accused, how he deserves another chance."

Li Mei looked me directly in the eyes. "I wanted to warn you. And I wanted to apologize properly. What I did was wrong, and there's no excuse for it."

I studied her face, seeing the sincerity in her expression. "Thank you for telling me," I said calmly. "And for what it's worth, I forgive you. We all make mistakes, especially when we're young and easily influenced."

Li Mei broke down crying then, and I found myself comforting her, this young woman who had once been among those calling for my destruction online.

"I should also tell you," she said after composing herself, "Su Ruirui is back in town too. She's... not doing well. The disease she contracted... it's left her in poor health. She's been asking about you, actually."

I raised an eyebrow. "About me? Whatever for?"

"She says she wants to apologize too. She claims Xu Jun manipulated her, that he threatened her if she didn't go along with his stories. She says she was young and stupid, that she didn't know how to stand up to him."

I leaned back in my chair, considering this information. "And do you believe her?"

Li Mei shrugged. "I don't know what to believe anymore. But I thought you should know, so you can be prepared if she tries to contact you."

After Li Mei left, I sat in my courtyard as the sun began to set, thinking about her words. Part of me wanted to dismiss it entirely—these people had caused me enough pain, and I owed them nothing. But another part of me, the part that had found peace in these years of solitude, wondered if perhaps forgiveness was not for them, but for me.

Chapter 12

True to Li Mei's warning, Su Ruirui did try to contact me. She showed up at my gate two weeks later, looking frail and unlike the confident young woman I had seen in Xu Jun's live broadcasts those years ago.

"Ms. Lin," she said, her voice weak. "I know I have no right to ask for anything from you. But I needed to see you, to apologize in person."

I studied her face, noting the pale complexion and dark circles under her eyes. The consequences of her life choices were written clearly on her features.

"Come in," I said, leading her to the same courtyard table where I had met with Li Mei.

As we sat, Su Ruirui told me her story. How Xu Jun had pressured her to participate in his schemes, how he had promised her a bright future together, how she had been too young and naive to recognize his manipulation.

"My mother died alone in that apartment," Su Ruirui said, tears streaming down her face. "I should have been there for her, but I was so focused on maintaining this image with Xu Jun, this perfect life he promised. By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late."

She looked at me pleadingly. "I know nothing can make up for what I did to you, for the pain I caused. But I wanted you to know that I regret it every day. I'm working now, trying to build an honest life. It's not much, but it's mine."

I listened quietly, sipping my tea. There was a time when I would have felt satisfaction at seeing her like this, at seeing the consequences of her actions. But now, I mostly felt a quiet sadness.

"Your mother's death wasn't your fault," I said finally. "She made her own choices, just as we all did."

Su Ruirui looked surprised by my response. "You... you don't hate me?"

I shook my head. "Hatred is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I spent too many years angry, and where did it get me? Alone, bitter, nearly destroyed. No, I don't hate you. But I also don't forgive you—not because I'm holding onto anger, but because it's not my place to forgive the harm you did to yourself."

This answer seemed to shock her even more. "What do you mean?"

"You participated in lies and manipulation that ultimately destroyed your own reputation and future," I explained gently. "That's something you need to reconcile with yourself, not with me. My forgiveness doesn't change the consequences you're living with now."

We talked for another hour, and when she left, I felt a sense of closure I hadn't expected. Not closure with her, but closure with that entire chapter of my life.

Chapter 13

A month later, I received a registered letter from the prison. It was from Xu Dahai. He was dying, he wrote, and he wanted to see me one last time to ask for forgiveness.

I burned the letter without responding.

Some debts cannot be paid, and some harms cannot be undone. Forgiveness doesn't erase consequences, and sometimes the most compassionate thing we can do is allow people to live with the reality of their choices.

As winter approached, I prepared my garden for the cold months ahead, pruning back the rose bushes and covering the delicate plants. There was something satisfying about this seasonal work, about acknowledging the natural cycles of growth and decline, of preparation and renewal.

One evening, as I sat by my small stove, knitting a scarf for my neighbor's granddaughter, I realized something important: the greatest revenge I could have sought wasn't punishment or destruction, but building a life so full and meaningful that the past became just that—the past.

I had survived. Not just survived, but thrived. I had created beauty where there had been ugliness, found peace where there had been chaos, built community where there had been isolation.

Outside my window, the first snowflakes began to fall, dusting my garden in white. I watched them drift down, each one unique yet part of something larger, something beautiful.

In the silence of my little courtyard, I understood at last: the best revenge isn't living well—it's living with purpose, with kindness, with grace. It's creating something that outlasts the pain, that outshines the darkness.

The bullet comments had disappeared long ago, but in their place, I had found something far more valuable: my own voice, my own story, my own truth.

And that was more than enough.

Epilogue

Five years later, my little courtyard has become known in the neighborhood as "Grandma Lin's Garden." Children come to learn about plants, elderly neighbors gather for tea, and sometimes, travelers passing through stop to rest in the shade of my wisteria arbor.

I never remarried, nor did I seek out new romantic relationships. Some might call that a lonely life, but I have found a different kind of love—the love of community, of friendship, of purpose.

Occasionally, I think about Xu Jun and what became of him. Last I heard, he was working menial jobs, moving from place to place, never staying long enough to put down roots. A sad ending, perhaps, but one of his own making.

Su Ruirui, I'm happy to say, seems to have found her way. She works at a community center now, helping young women avoid the same mistakes she made. She sends me a card every New Year, updating me on her life. We're not friends, exactly, but there's a mutual respect between us, a recognition that we both survived something difficult and came out the other side.

As for me, I spend my days tending my garden, teaching children to read, and enjoying the simple pleasures of a life lived on my own terms. The anger that once consumed me has transformed into compassion, the bitterness into wisdom.

Sometimes, on quiet evenings, I sit in my courtyard and watch the fireflies rise from the grass, blinking like tiny stars come down to earth. And I think about how strange and wonderful life is—how the things that break us can also be the things that teach us how to mend.

I am Lin Fang. I was once a character in someone else's story, a pawn in a game I didn't choose to play. But I wrote my own ending, and it's better than anything that could have been imagined for me.

And in this garden, in this life, I am finally, truly free.