015 Uncle was murdered.

In the past, getting hurt like this was an everyday occurrence for An’an. She never cried because she knew that even if she did, no one would feel sorry for her or wipe away her tears.

Now, meeting Shen Zhihan’s concerned gaze, An’an’s eyes inexplicably welled with tears, her nose tingled painfully, and the tears slipped down uncontrollably. Yet she still comforted him in a soft, tender voice, “Daddy, don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt. Sister, please don’t pinch me anymore, it really hurts.”

The moment An’an spoke, Xiao Duoduo’s expression changed immediately.

Like a cat with its tail stepped on, she jumped up, her voice trembling with sobs, “Little sister, why are you falsely accusing me? I accidentally bumped into you. I was just trying to help you up. If I hurt you, it was my fault. But you can’t say I pinched you! Boo hoo, Mommy, little sister said I pinched her! Boo hoo…”

Wu Zhen wiped away Xiao Duoduo’s tears with a heart full of pity, her tone steady and gentle. “Little one, if you lie, your nose will grow longer! You’re both good children. Duoduo, apologize to your sister. Even if it was an accident, if you bumped into her and hurt her while helping her up, it’s still your fault and you should apologize.”

“Sorry, little sister, I accidentally bumped into you and hurt you. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”

An’an had never encountered such a scene before, but she was not naive; ‘accidentally’ meant intentional.

Back when she lived at Lin Aifang’s house, whenever the village chief visited, Lin Aifang would pretend to be kind to her but deliberately pinch her where she couldn’t see, making her cry, so she appeared pitiful and the village chief would be more lenient toward Lin Aifang’s family.

Just now, Xiao Duoduo had deliberately pinched her, and it hurt badly.

Seeing Shen Zhihan’s face grow stern, Xiao Duoduo and Wu Zhen both insisted she was lying. Would her father believe she was lying too? Would he stop liking her?

Tears fell from An’an’s eyes as her voice quivered with sobs, “Daddy, I’m not lying, sister really pinched me. Daddy, it hurts so much.”

Shen Zhihan’s heart ached profoundly.

Once, that man had pinched and beaten him too: “Do you admit your mistake?”

He had done nothing wrong; why should he admit it?

Now, An’an looked at him fearfully; her sense of security wasn’t something built overnight.

It was his fault for not protecting her.

“An’an, I believe you. Young lady, you pinched my daughter, won’t you apologize?”

Xiao Duoduo refused to admit it and cried even harder. “Mommy, I miss Daddy so much. If Daddy were here, he would definitely stand up for me, right? Doesn’t Daddy hurt too? Does Daddy hurt a lot in the fire?”

Shen Zhihan’s face darkened.

He never underestimated the malice of children.

There are those born kind, and those born cruel—especially under the influence of adults’ instigation and environment.

—

Xiao Duoduo showed no remorse; the mother and daughter each cast An’an as a lying, spoiled child.

But his An’an was a good girl, kind-hearted—how could she falsely accuse others?

“Where did she pinch you?”

An’an rolled up her sleeve. Beneath the short sleeve on her arm, a clear pattern of pinch marks was visible.

A cold aura seemed to emanate from Shen Zhihan, chilling everything like ice.

His gaze was icy; Xiao Duoduo shivered in fear.

Wu Zhen’s face changed instantly.

Shen Zhihan pushed Xiao Duoduo to the ground with a cold voice, “Sorry, uncle wasn’t careful.”

Wu Zhen’s eyes turned red, and she looked pitiful. “Sir, my daughter is kind, she didn’t mean it. How can you push my child? Besides, adults shouldn’t interfere in children’s matters.”

Shen Zhihan picked up An’an and dialed a number on his phone. “Send someone here immediately to retrieve the surveillance footage from this shop.”

Xiao Duoduo’s face paled. “Mommy, I’m scared. Mommy, let’s go home. I don’t want to eat, I’m afraid.”

Wu Zhen, full of sympathy, grabbed Xiao Duoduo, preparing to leave.

Bodyguards stepped forward at once. Shen Zhihan’s tone was cold: “Did I say you could leave?”

Someone pulled out a phone to film. Shen Zhihan shot a glance their way, and they immediately put their phones down.

Wu Zhen’s attitude hardened. “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t think your money gives you power! My husband died for the country. You bully a martyr’s widow—do you know what consequences you’ll face?”

The guests originally thought Shen Zhihan was just wealthy, but now they realized he was this rich.

A family who could afford bodyguards was surely part of a wealthy household that ordinary people rarely encountered.

Hearing Wu Zhen’s words, everyone’s eyes turned to Shen Zhihan.

Someone stepped forward to smooth things over. “Sir, let’s just forget about this. Maybe the girl accidentally applied a bit too much force when helping your daughter. Kids’ skin is tender after all.”

“Shut up!” Shen Zhihan snapped.

The man fell silent immediately under Shen Zhihan’s icy glare.

—

The atmosphere grew tense. The noisy children were told to quiet down by their parents. Other diners, having finished their meals, lingered to watch the unfolding drama.

Wu Zhen pulled out her phone and dialed a number. “Director Li, someone is bullying Duoduo here. When Duoduo’s father died, she was only three. I barely managed to raise her all these years. Director Li, that man is very rich.”

She looked at Shen Zhihan. “Just wait!”

What was the use of having money?

An’an clung to Shen Zhihan’s neck, looking confused. “Daddy, what does it mean to die for the country?”

Shen Zhihan patiently explained, “Our country has some great people, like police officers who sacrifice themselves when catching bad guys, or firefighters who rescue trapped residents but don’t escape themselves. During the war, those brave people gave their lives so we could have peace today. That’s what it means to die for the country.”

He explained in language An’an could understand.

The onlookers felt their eyes grow moist.

A father was patiently explaining to his innocent daughter. From this, it was clear Shen Zhihan was not a rich man who abused his power or confused right and wrong.

An’an nodded vigorously. “I understand now. The uncle is so pitiful.”

Xiao Duoduo immediately interrupted, “My daddy isn’t pitiful! My daddy is a hero!”

An’an ignored her. “The uncle was killed. He saved people and could have escaped, but someone knocked him out and then he was burned alive. Daddy, what I’m saying is true.”

An’an’s words stunned everyone.

Wu Zhen’s face turned pale instantly. Though her panic lasted only a moment, Shen Zhihan noticed every detail.

“Little one, where did you learn that? Do you know my husband? Can you tell me who hurt him?” she begged desperately, tears falling, looking like a grieving widow.

An’an shrank closer into Shen Zhihan’s arms. She did not like this aunt.

An’an looked puzzled. “Auntie, you were the one who sent someone to knock uncle out!”

It was clearly the aunt’s doing—why was she playing dumb now?

Wu Zhen, furious and overwhelmed, raised her hand and slapped An’an.

“What nonsense are you talking about!”