After Rebirth, I Married the Great Demon King-Chapter 38: Reputation

Xu Ya wasn’t too familiar with the Cheng Family. Based on her impression, the Cheng Family really was good to Cheng Lie.

However, Yun Shifei, who didn’t know their actual relationship, could sense something deeper, which proved that the Cheng Family’s apparent kindness to Cheng Lie might not be the full story.

But as outsiders, even if they knew, what could they say?

"Our family isn’t particularly close to the Cheng Family; it’s only been more frequent recently because of you," Xu Ya said. Pausing, she sighed, "Actually, Cheng Lie is your Uncle Cheng’s illegitimate son."

"Ah..."

Hearing Cheng Lie’s background, Yun Shifei was stunned.

She truly hadn’t expected it to be like this.

In her previous life, she had hardly interacted with Cheng Lie.

The most involvement they had was through rumors and later when Yun Sisi framed her.

After that incident, Yun Shifei only heard about Cheng Lie through others.

Her impression was simply that he was cruel, especially toward his family.

In this lifetime, after learning a bit more, she realized the truth wasn’t quite what she had imagined.

Cheng Guomin hadn’t doted on him the way rumors suggested.

Zhao Haishuang didn’t either.

As for Cheng Huai...

Yun Shifei vividly remembered the moment after she had just been reborn and sent Cheng Lie home, seeing Cheng Huai standing nearby, smiling politely.

The lingering doubts in her head from recent days seemed to finally find their resolution in Cheng Lie’s identity.

Unable to hold back, Yun Shifei asked Xu Ya, "If he’s an illegitimate child, then what about Cheng Lie’s mother? Did she just abandon him?"

Xu Ya shook her head. "We don’t know much about that. All we know is that one day Cheng Lie suddenly appeared at the Cheng Family’s home. At the time, he was only a bit over six years old, just starting elementary school. He came with autism, always avoiding people, refusing to speak, and living in his own world."

So that’s how it was...

Yun Shifei thought back to the boy’s cold demeanor.

As icy and distant as a snow-covered mountain, so unapproachable.

Was he like a hedgehog, growing sharp quills all over himself just to protect his fragile heart?

He shut out the people he hated—but also shut out those who wanted to offer him warmth.

...

The next morning.

"Shifei, if that brat bullies you again, come home and tell Dad. I’ll go straight to the school and warn him," Yun Tiancheng said, having gotten up early deliberately to tell Yun Shifei this.

He had forgotten to say it yesterday.

Yun Shifei nodded, dazed.

When she got to school, Song Yang immediately picked a fight with her.

"Yun Shifei! You’re the one who made my parents beat me, right?"

Seeing Song Yang’s face, Yun Shifei was taken aback.

Why did Song Yang end up like this?

His face was bruised purple and blue.

It looked like a scene straight out of a TV drama where the villain gets their comeuppance—so vivid that Yun Shifei could hardly stop herself from laughing.

And that wasn’t all.

Song Yang even pulled up his pant leg to show Yun Shifei.

His leg was covered in more bruises and swelling, with traces of bleeding—it looked as though he’d been whipped.

Yun Shifei gasped.

She hadn’t expected Song Yang’s parents to be this harsh.

It seemed Yun Tiancheng’s claim that Song Yang wouldn’t dare bully her anymore was no empty threat.

She hadn’t thought that Song Yang’s parents would prove to be even crueler than him.

Still, she didn’t feel the least bit sympathetic for him.

But outwardly, she played along.

"Does it hurt?"

Song Yang: "..."

"You damn girl, what does it matter to you whether it hurts or not? What, are you going to come over and hit me again if I say it does?"

So violent! Yun Shifei’s heart quivered.

She wanted to retort: ’Of course it hurts—that’s the point. Let’s see if you dare act like that again.’

But being timid, she could only phrase it differently: "My dad already knows, so don’t do things like this ever again. My dad said he won’t let you off next time."

"You..." Song Yang pointed at Yun Shifei angrily.

But thinking it over, those were Yun Shifei’s dad’s words.

If he really caused trouble for Yun Shifei again, her dad might visit his dad once more.

Then, he’d get beaten again.

He’d been used to fighting ever since childhood, his body was tough.

Getting beaten a few times wasn’t a big deal.

But what scared him was his dad threatening to cut off his allowance if he bullied classmates again.

That would be terrifying.

No allowance meant no gaming at the arcade!

So, after some thought, Song Yang decided to let it go.

He had only wanted to vent to Yun Shifei in the first place.

In the end, he went back to his seat and continued on with his day.

Yun Shifei breathed a sigh of relief.

Making a fuss the other day had actually worked out well. At least Song Yang wouldn’t bother her anymore.

As for Yun Sisi, she had been in a bad mood all day.

By Monday, she didn’t even want to go to school.

Everyone in the gymnasium had believed she and Song Yang were close that day. Now that she was back at school, it was likely the entire student body already knew about her and Song Yang.

After all, she was quite well-known in school, with many boys pursuing her.

And there was no shortage of jealous girls either.

The rumors would surely become exaggerated!

Thinking about it, Yun Sisi felt deeply resistant.

But she couldn’t show it outwardly.

The incident had made Xu Ya and Yun Tiancheng’s opinions of her change.

Thanks to her efforts over the past couple of days, they were treating her like before again.

She was determined to downplay everything that had happened, pretending as if nothing had occurred.

So, no matter how hard it was, she went to school.

During morning reading, the homeroom teacher called Yun Sisi to the office to ask about what had happened in the gym that day.

Yun Sisi explained honestly.

The teacher seemed relieved. "Sisi, you absolutely can’t hang out with troublemakers like Song Yang. Your grades are so good—you should focus on your studies. Getting into relationships would have too much of a negative impact on your learning."

"I understand, teacher."

Later, when Yun Sisi went to the restroom during break, she overheard people gossiping.

She was hypersensitive all day.

Every little whisper made her wonder if they were talking about her.

Thankfully, Mu Jiayu stayed by her side, comforting her and making her feel less miserable.

After school, Yun Sisi left with Mu Jiayu.

Unexpectedly, Mu Chengzhu was waiting for her.

"Sisi, are you okay?" Mu Chengzhu looked at her with concern.

At that moment, Yun Sisi’s face was pale and her slender figure seemed frail. She wasn’t her usual self, happily chatting with Mu Jiayu by the school gate.

Seeing her like this made him feel incredibly protective.

When Yun Sisi saw Mu Chengzhu, the grievances in her heart grew even stronger. But she still shook her head. "Brother Mu, I’m fine. My sister spread rumors about me because she admires you."

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Mu Chengzhu’s eyes.

"Sisi, don’t worry—I’ll make things clear to Yun Shifei. I don’t have feelings for her."

At this point, Yun Shifei was nothing but cruel and malicious in his eyes.

That day, Yun Shifei had decided to join on her own but ended up giving the ticket to Song Yang.

Wasn’t it just to tarnish Yun Sisi’s reputation?

Seeing Yun Sisi in such pain made him feel wretched as well.