Next, Lin Minglan's actions shocked the reporter. She actually slapped the child! And she was cursing him.
"This is a DK limited edition dress, do you know how much it cost?"
"Even if I sold you, you couldn't afford it! You little beast, stay away from me in the future!"
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, she unleashed her malicious words on the child, especially noticing the resemblance between the boy's eyebrows and Shen Jinxi.
This hint of resemblance reminded her of Shen Qingqing, and she cursed even more fiercely.
The reporter was dumbfounded, their jaw nearly dropping to the floor.
Was this the same kind person who had shed tears for the child just moments ago, the one who seemed so good and kind?
Shen Jinxi was also very angry. He had suspected this woman lacked class, but he never expected her to actually hit someone. He covered his face, burning with rage.
But he didn't retaliate. Instead, he cowered and ran away.
Even so, Lin Minglan was not appeased. She angrily said, "Such terrible manners, not even saying sorry!"
She still had to face the cameras later, and her dirty dress would affect her image.
The thought infuriated her, and she reached out to vigorously wipe the hem of her skirt.
But once stained, it was stained. It couldn't be cleaned.
She didn't notice that a reporter not far away had captured all of this. After discussing with colleagues, they decided to release this segment as a preview.
As soon as it was released, it caused a huge uproar online.
Everyone was already filled with doubt and surprise that they were participating in charity, and some even suspected that they were just putting on a show, incapable of genuine charity.
Seeing this clip further cemented their belief.
However, some people raised questions.
"Who is this woman? Why is she there? Is she from Mu Guang's company? She's so rude, and her heart is so cruel, hitting someone!"
"Who knows? Anyway, she definitely has no manners."
"The child didn't do it on purpose. It could have been washed if it got dirty. Why hit him?"
The internet was instantly filled with righteous indignation, and Lin Minglan was thoroughly condemned. Meanwhile, Lin Minglan and her companions, who had just arrived, were completely unaware of the gossip online.
Over there, Shen Jinxi washed his small face clean. Without changing his clothes, he went to find Shen Qingqing still in his ragged attire.
Upon seeing her son's red and swollen face, her expression turned grim. "What's going on? Who hit you?"
Shen Jinxi lowered his head and remained silent.
Fu Jingshu also looked over, his gaze falling on Shen Jinxi's face, a dark shadow suddenly appearing in his eyes. "What happened?"
Shen Jinxi sniffled, tugging at his worn clothes. "I accidentally bumped into Auntie Lin Minglan just now, and then she slapped me."
Fu Jingshu frowned.
Shen Qingqing's reproaching gaze had already shifted to him. He opened his thin lips, about to speak, when he saw Shen Qingqing turn away, no longer looking at him.
She took Shen Jinxi's small hand. "Come, Mommy will take you to get some medicine."
Fu Jingshu was somewhat surprised. Was she letting it go so easily?
As it turned out, Shen Qingqing was not the type of person to be overly generous or saintly. The only reason she didn't pursue it immediately was because the child's face was swollen.
Get the medicine first, everything else could wait. The person wasn't going anywhere.
After applying the medicine, she looked at her son's cheek, which had significantly reduced in swelling compared to before. However, she was still angry. The child she wouldn't even let her fingers touch, and Lin Minglan dared to lay a hand on him.
Who did she think she was!
"Let's go, Mommy will get justice for you," she said, pulling Shen Jinxi along, her face full of anger as she headed to find Lin Minglan.
Fu Jingshu quickly followed. Before he could speak, he was glared at by her. Realizing he was being unfairly blamed, he could only rub his nose, feeling both angry and annoyed.
He also felt heartbroken for the child.
When they found Lin Minglan, she was by the river, washing her discarded white dress. Shen Qingqing picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at her.
She avoided Lin Minglan's vital spots, hitting her on the back. The sudden impact startled Lin Minglan, and she almost fell into the river. Stabilizing herself, she turned around angrily and shouted, "Who is it?"
Upon seeing Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu, her expression changed slightly.
"Why did you hit my son?" Shen Qingqing got straight to the point, too annoyed to waste words.
Lin Minglan paused. "When did I hit your son?"
She stood up from the riverbank, her gaze instinctively falling on Shen Jinxi. To her surprise, she saw the child's red and swollen cheek. But most importantly, it was the clothes he was wearing.
They were identical to the ones worn by the child she had hit earlier!
Even the patch was in the same place!
She vaguely understood what was happening, a surge of anger rising within her. But back then, she had thought he was just a country bumpkin. She never imagined he was Shen Jinxi in disguise. In this situation, hitting him would be problematic.
She wasn't afraid of Shen Qingqing, but this was Fu Jingshu's child...
"So it was you. You did it on purpose, didn't you? You dressed like that just to dirty my dress. How could you be so wicked?" She quickly pondered a counter-strategy, turning the tables on them.
Shen Jinxi, as if startled, let out a cry, "Mommy, Mommy, she's so scary..."
Shen Qingqing hugged her child protectively, her voice cold. "You hit someone and don't regret it, and you're frightening a child. Lin Minglan, you've really outdone yourself."
"I didn't. You have no evidence, so don't talk nonsense."
Lin Minglan certainly couldn't admit it. After all, there were no other witnesses at the time.
Thinking this, she felt reassured. She reddened her eyes and looked at Fu Jingshu pitifully. "Do you believe them too? Relying on a child's words, what can that be considered? Children are ignorant; they learn everything from adults. They say what the adults tell them to say, it's not the truth."
Her words clearly implied that Shen Qingqing had coached the child.
Shen Qingqing stroked her son's slightly swollen cheek, her heart aching. Her words were naturally filled with coldness. "My son never lies, and as you just said, my son accidentally dirtied your dress. That was your reason for resorting to violence."
Lin Minglan immediately retorted, "That's not true. He did dirty my dress, but I had no reason to argue with a child."
The more she tried to argue, the more disgusted Shen Qingqing became. "If you don't want to participate in charity, then leave. No one is forcing you to be here. Don't come just to build an image and then be unfriendly to the children."
"You believe whatever he says. Do you know that indulging your child is like killing him?" Lin Minglan argued back, as if she were genuinely concerned for Shen Qingqing.
Shen Qingqing sneered, her words sharp as blades. "I know my child. On the other hand, you have always been someone who stops at nothing to achieve your goals. Your resorting to violence is not surprising at all."
Lin Minglan ignored her, her gaze instinctively turning to Fu Jingshu. "Jingshu, don't believe them."
Even at this point, she was still trying to charm Fu Jingshu with her eyes. Shen Qingqing, seeing this, became angry. She gave a cold glance at the man beside her, subtly shielding him and their son behind her, and directly issued an eviction notice.
"You can leave. This charity event doesn't need you anymore."