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

The old woman's eyes reddened as she spoke.

"And her father? A man in his forties who never believed in ghosts or gods before, but now goes to the temple every day to burn incense and pray to the Bodhisattva to bless his daughter so that she can be reborn into a good family in her next life."

Tell me, how can you bear to rub salt into the wounds of people like this?

The old woman's voice choked with sobs, and she could barely speak. She wiped away her tears and glanced at everyone present.

She didn't have the courage to stand up, but Zhang Wenying's actions gave her the confidence to speak the truth.

"Exactly! Men with long tongues, spewing such vicious words at a young girl—aren't you afraid of retribution?"

Several elderly women in line spat at the gossiping men, saying, "You'd better watch your mouths, or even God will be disgusted."

"He's not even human!"

"That kind of person is disgusting!"

Several men couldn't stand it any longer. Their faces turned pale and then red. They lowered their heads and slunk out of the crowd.

Some people wanted to say something in their defense, but after opening their mouths, they ultimately said nothing.

Zhang Wenying wiped the red stains from the corner of her eyes, took a deep breath, and said in a hoarse but firm voice, "From now on, stop talking such nonsense."

Everyone come and get your food. Today, I'll make sure everyone gets a generous portion.

The crowd gradually quieted down, and the line was re-established.

Zhang Wenying scooped up the food spoonful by spoonful, her hands steady without trembling, but her eyes remained red.

She served everyone more food than usual, and picked out large pieces of meat for them.

When it was the old lady's turn to speak, Zhang Wenying gave her two extra braised eggs.

Some rumors need to be shattered by such bloody facts.

Those who dare to stand up and speak the truth are the brightest light in the world.

When it was Shen Mingyuan's turn, Zhang Wenying looked up at him and said with a smile, "I told you you don't need to queue."

Shen Mingyuan handed the lunchbox to Zhang Wenying.

"Same as always, two servings of braised beef rice."

"Okay." Zhang Wenying efficiently filled two bowls with rice, and still served vegetarian dishes and braised eggs.

"You did a great job just now." Shen Mingyuan took the lunchbox and said softly, "You protected the reputation of an innocent child and upheld the basic principles of being a decent human being."

Zhang Wenying raised an eyebrow.

"That's only right." There was a hint of stubbornness in her voice. "My daughter isn't much younger than her."

She understands the pain of a parent outliving their child, and she understands even more the bitterness a mother feels when faced with gossip and rumors.

She couldn't let her child leave, or she would be gossiped about behind her back.

Shen Mingyuan stared at her, somewhat stunned.

He seemed to have seen this kind of justice and stubbornness in someone before.

"You remind me of someone." Shen Mingyuan's voice was very soft, as if he were afraid of startling something.

Zhang Wenying paused in her movements.

"Really?" She lowered her head and continued getting her food, her tone indifferent.

"He must be a good person."

"Yes." Shen Mingyuan's gaze drifted into the distance.

"He is a very good person."

He's like that too; once he's made up his mind about something, he'll see it through to the end, even if the whole world opposes it.

Just like the perseverance over the years, even when the hope was slim, we never gave up.

He always said that doing the right thing has meaning for every day you do it.

Those who are willing to wait may one day finally get what they deserve.

Shen Mingyuan looked at Zhang Wenying's eyebrows and eyes again, and his heart suddenly started pounding uncontrollably a few times.

Their eyebrows and eyes are so similar.

From the first moment he saw her, he felt she looked somewhat familiar. But the thought was fleeting, and Shen Mingyuan shook his head self-deprecatingly. There are too many people in this world who look alike; he couldn't let a slight resemblance lead him to overthink things.

But he still wanted to mention this to the old general.

After all, we can't afford to miss even the slightest hope, can we?

Shen Mingyuan knocked on the door.

"Mingyuan, come in quickly, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Shen Mingyuan went inside and found that there was another person in the room.

The woman, dressed in a fitted long dress, exuded a gentle and refined air. She was sitting on the sofa, flipping through an old photo album.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and smiled slightly at Shen Mingyuan.

"Brother Mingyuan, you're here."

Shen Mingyuan nodded indifferently and placed the food he had brought on the coffee table.

"Oh my, this is the braised pork rice I've been craving for so long, plus two vegetable dishes."

"Okay, okay, Mingyuan, you're very thoughtful."

The old general chuckled and invited him to sit down. Then he turned to the woman and said, "Xiao Rou, you should try it too. The braised pork rice here is very authentic."

Zhang Yurou frowned as she glanced at the lunchbox, then frowned in disgust.

"Dad, you dare to eat this kind of food from a roadside stall?"

As you get older, you need to reduce your salt and oil intake every day. It's best to eat less of these high-salt and high-oil foods.

She put down the photo album, her tone filled with undeniable concern.

"Dad, you should eat the porridge I specially cooked for you. It's light and good for your stomach."

As she spoke, she got up and went to the kitchen to bring back a bowl of steaming porridge, placed it in front of the old general, and pushed the braised pork rice aside.

The old general's smile froze for a moment, then he waved his hand and said, "Xiao Rou, Mingyuan brought this especially for me. I love eating this."

"Dad, you can't be so willful."

Zhang Yurou's tone softened slightly, but she still insisted, "Your health is the most important thing. The doctor said you need to avoid certain foods."

As she spoke, she looked at Shen Mingyuan with a hint of apology in her eyes, "Brother Mingyuan, I'm not targeting you, it's just that my dad's health really can't be taken lightly."

This old man is her backer; she can't afford to fall anytime soon.

She wants to be promoted to director of the cultural bureau at the end of the year, and she still needs this old man's help.

Shen Mingyuan didn't reply, but just glanced at Zhang Yurou and then turned his gaze to the old general.

The old general didn't care about anything else. He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of braised pork, put it in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and nodded in satisfaction: "Delicious! Mingyuan, you really understand my taste."

He ate while praising her indistinctly, completely ignoring Zhang Yurou's anxious expression as she hesitated to speak.

Zhang Yurou's expression darkened.

"Mingyuan, Sister Song Can has been wanting to meet you. When are you free to have dinner together?"

Her tone was soft, as if she were mentioning it casually, but there was a hint of probing in her eyes.

Song Can is her good friend and also Shen Mingyuan's ex-wife.

Song Can still can't forget Shen Mingyuan.

But Shen Mingyuan was a stubborn mule who never responded to Song Can's advances.

He picked up a piece of vegetarian food with his chopsticks and said in a flat tone, "I'm busy."

Zhang Yurou's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and said softly, "Brother Mingyuan, Sister Song Can has been busy with work lately, but she keeps talking about you, saying that there are some misunderstandings between you two and she wants to find an opportunity to explain things to you in person."

As she spoke, she looked at Shen Mingyuan with eager eyes, as if she genuinely hoped that he would relent.

Song Can said that if she could help Shen Mingyuan change his mind, she would give him a house in Shanghai.