Chapter 55: Life isn’t easy for homosexuals

Lin Feng slowly raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Grandpa, at first, I thought I could suppress these feelings. I was confused and tried to deny them, but eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep pretending they didn’t exist."

Grandpa Bai’s chest tightened.

During the journey to Beigou Village, he had repeatedly rehearsed how he would respond if Lin Feng admitted to being homosexual. He had planned to question him sternly, urge him to reconsider, and remind him of the life expected of him.

Yet, faced with his grandson’s tearful confession, those carefully prepared words seemed inadequate.

Times had changed, and even someone as conservative as Grandpa Bai understood that homosexuality wasn’t an illness to be cured. It was a natural sexual orientation that couldn’t be changed through persuasion or force.

He had encountered many homosexuals in high society and business circles, where such relationships were more common than people realized. Still, understanding something in principle was different from accepting it within one’s own family.

What worried him most was the hardship Lin Feng would face—the judgment, gossip, and whispers.

Such things could cause more suffering than the boy imagined!

Just look at Tang Xulei. He had done nothing wrong, yet endless rumors had driven him into seclusion.

Lin Feng had always been delicate. Could he endure the same treatment?

Grandpa Bai steeled himself and spoke solemnly.

"Ah Feng, you may think other people’s words are nothing to fear, that rumors can’t hurt you, much less ruin your life. But you’re wrong. Words can wound more deeply than you imagine.

"I’m not sure how much you know about what happened to the Tang family, but it’s time you understood. What happened back then was connected to you. If you’re not careful, you may one day face the same suffering."

Lin Feng was briefly confused before recalling that the Tang family was the family his second aunt, Bai Ruoxi, had married into.

Tang Hongyi had once been considered a legitimate member of the Tang family. Everything changed when it was revealed that he was actually Lin Dong’s illegitimate son.

Lin Feng quickly understood his grandfather’s meaning. Remembering the warning about how rumors could destroy a person, his eyes widened.

Seeing that his grandson understood, Grandpa Bai explained what had happened.

Back then, the original Lin Feng had been consumed by grief and anger. Determined to seek revenge, he exposed Lin Dong’s affair, dealing a devastating blow to those responsible. However, his actions had also dragged innocent people into the scandal.

Among the worst affected was Tang Xulei, the Tang family’s Fourth Uncle, whom Lin Feng had respectfully called Uncle Tang.

Tang Xulei was a gentle man who had done nothing wrong, yet he became the target of relentless gossip and ridicule. The pressure eventually took a toll on his mental health, leaving him withdrawn and afraid to leave the Tang family home.

The scandal drove a wedge between the Tang and Bai families, eventually causing the Tang, Bai, and Lin families to sever ties.

It was also why Grandpa Bai had sent Lin Feng away from the capital. The incident had earned both Lin Feng and the Bai family too many enemies, making it dangerous for them to remain there.

Lin Feng was stunned. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

He wanted to smack himself on the forehead. Having come from a world where family scandals and social reputation carried serious consequences, how had he failed to consider the harm the original Lin Feng’s actions had caused innocent people?

He fell silent before managing a bitter smile.

"Grandpa, if I could do it all over again, I’d handle things differently. I’d still seek justice for myself, but I wouldn’t let so many innocent people suffer."

His smile turned rueful.

"But I can’t turn back time. What’s done is done, and regretting it won’t change anything. All I can do now is face the consequences."

He meant not only the past but also the recent situation involving his own sexuality.

Grandpa Bai was silent for a moment before asking, "Have you really made up your mind?"

Lin Feng smiled helplessly.

"It’s not about changing my mind, Grandpa. It’s about facing what’s already happened. People already know the truth, so what’s the point of continuing to hide it?"

"I can control the public narrative and prevent this matter from spreading further," Grandpa Bai offered.

Lin Feng shook his head.

"Grandpa, you know we can’t stop people from talking completely. And even if we suppress the rumors, wouldn’t that just mean I’m refusing to face reality?"

He took a breath, his expression turning solemn.

"I want to face the world with a clear conscience. Uncle Tang suffered because of rumors he never deserved. If I hide from the rumors surrounding me now, wouldn’t that be hypocritical? I can’t expect others to endure public scrutiny while refusing to face it myself, especially when my own actions contributed to someone else’s suffering."

"Since you’ve already made up your mind, then so be it."

Lin Feng’s eyes widened slightly.

Grandpa Bai rubbed his forehead with a sigh. "What can I do? You’ve already said so much. I still find it hard to accept, but I’ll do my best to come to terms with it. Your Uncle Tingyu feels the same way. He’s been telling me not to be too harsh on you."

The old man sighed again, suddenly looking much older.

"Ah Feng, I hope you understand that we’re only worried about you. Life isn’t easy for homosexuals. People might take advantage of you, and you might never find someone you can rely on for the rest of your life. You could end up spending the rest of your life alone."

Lin Feng’s eyes grew warm as he listened to the old man’s words. He could feel the genuine concern behind them.

He had been fortunate in his previous life, too. Although he had lived in a daze, unable to recognize the malice in people’s hearts, he had at least been surrounded by love. As Madam Lin, he had elders who cared for him and guided him. And in this life, as Lin Feng, he had Grandpa Bai, Grandpa Wang, and Housekeeper Yang.

"Grandpa, when I finally accepted who I am, I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I realized that admitting the truth wasn’t as difficult as I’d imagined. Instead, it helped me figure out what I should do next."

He paused before continuing, "I don’t want to live with regrets, so I’ll do what I want while I still can. Even if nothing comes of it in the end, at least I’ll have tried, won’t I?"

Grandpa Bai’s expression softened. He didn’t seem to notice the deeper meaning behind his grandson’s words.

"Then what do you plan to do next? Since things have come to this, you should return to Beijing with me. I also think you should have a proper talk with the people involved and apologize to those you’ve hurt."

Lin Feng fell silent.

Thinking about his own plans, he realized that things had reached a standstill. More importantly, he could not deny that the original Lin Feng’s actions had hurt many people.

Even though he had not been the one to do those things as Madam Lin, he was now living in this body. He couldn’t simply ignore the consequences.

After a moment, he slowly nodded.

"Yes, Grandpa. I’ll go to Beijing with you."