Capítulo 829: Chapter 560: Reconciliation
“Xiaoqiong, do you really think I weigh more in your brother’s heart than Zhong Hongying?” Zhang Erniu looked at Luo Xiaoqiong somewhat uncertainly, “I’m far less attractive than Zhong Hongying. Can he really think I’m better than her?”
“My brother is stubborn. Once he’s decided on you, it means he truly loves you. I’ve told you before, my parents and Uncle Baohe and Aunt Yulan all once thought my brother and Chuxia should be together. But he just wouldn’t go for Chuxia. Now tell me, who is more beautiful, you or Chuxia? Oh no, let me phrase it this way: who is prettier, Chuxia or Zhong Hongying?”
Without thinking, Zhang Erniu said, “Of course, it’s Chuxia. If even the regiment leader favored her at first glance, she must be good-looking!”
“Exactly! Chuxia is prettier than Zhong Hongying, yet my brother just didn’t like her. It’s not that his feelings for Zhong Hongying are so deep that no one else can replace her; it’s just that once he’s expressed his love to Zhong Hongying, he can’t like another girl.
Now that he has agreed to be with you, he naturally won’t like any other girl. However, Zhong Hongying is relentless and won’t stop until she reaches her goal. Both you and my brother are such simple and kind-hearted people. I fear you might fall for her tricks…” At this point, Luo Xiaoqiong couldn’t help but sigh, “Chuxia told me that once there are flaws in a relationship, it’s very difficult to mend.
Clearly, you’re about to have a happy ending with my brother. Is it worth it to encounter unnecessary setbacks because of Zhong Hongying? If your parents and grandma truly care for you, they wouldn’t blindly oppose you, would they?”
“Well…” After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Erniu finally nodded, “When my parents and grandma arrive, I’ll tell them about me and Hongqi.”
“The most important thing now is for you to tell my brother that you’ve decided on him and he can’t have any entanglements with other girls.”
“Is it okay to say that?” Zhang Erniu scratched her head sheepishly, “Isn’t that a bit unreasonable? After all, he has to talk to other girls, like for medical visits or asking for directions.”
Luo Xiaoqiong said unamusedly, “Or when getting food in the canteen.”
Zhang Erniu nodded repeatedly, “Right, right.”
“Right my ass!” Luo Xiaoqiong swore angrily, “Can you have some confidence? What makes you inferior to Zhong Hongying? She got expelled from the army; you didn’t. She’s always thinking about climbing the social ladder; do you do that?”
“Xiaoqiong, don’t be mad.” Zhang Erniu looked at Luo Xiaoqiong with guilt, “It’s all my fault for not being confident, making you so angry and worrying so much…”
“Alright, alright…” Luo Xiaoqiong interrupted her with a face full of resignation, “Changing one’s personality isn’t an overnight thing. I won’t pressure you anymore. Besides, in matters like this, let nature take its course. Although he’s my brother, I must responsibly tell you, if it’s that easy for Zhong Hongying to sway him, then let him go.”
“Xiaoqiong, I really want to be your sister-in-law. I know if I marry into your family, I definitely won’t be bullied. Neither you nor Uncle and Aunt will bully me. It’s just a matter of destiny…” Zhang Erniu sighed and laughed shyly, “Since I was a kid, I never learned how to fight for things. If my grandma hadn’t pushed me forward, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
My grandma said you could tell from my palm lines that I’m destined for good fortune and always have noble people to help. At first, I thought she was just comforting me, but now thinking about it, it’s really true. Whether at home or here, I’ve always had noble people supporting me.”
“Your personality…” Luo Xiaoqiong was at a loss for words. She had never met someone so kind and passive before.
To be selfish, if it weren’t for this personality, she probably wouldn’t be so supportive of her becoming her sister-in-law.
With a sister-in-law like this, her parents would never be wronged for a lifetime. After getting married, she wouldn’t feel like an outsider when returning home.
…
When the car stopped, Chuxia noticed a shadow at the gate of the Zhou Family Ancestral Home and leaned forward, “Who’s waiting for us?”
“Yu Mingtao.”
“Who?” Not hearing clearly, Chuxia repeated.
“Zhou Jiping’s husband, Yu Mingtao.”
“He’s here now?” Chuxia curled her lips, “After so long, he finally comes. He really can hold his patience. Knowing Second Sister needs support now, if it were me, I’d have kicked him to the curb a long time ago.”
“Chuxia, how can you talk like that?” Zhao Yulan tugged her daughter’s arm, “You’re already a wife, yet you still speak without a filter.
Every family has its struggles. You haven’t stayed at your second sister’s house, so how can you judge based only on appearances?
Jiping is smart. If she has tolerated for this long, there must be a reason. Why would you add fuel to the fire?”
“Mom, I won’t be influenced by Chuxia, don’t worry.” While speaking, Zhou Mikang already parked the car, and Yu Mingtao approached.
“Have you figured it out?” After getting out of the car, Zhou Mikang looked at him and asked.
Yu Mingtao looked earnestly at Zhou Mikang, “Is Jiping alright?”
“What do you think?”
Yu Mingtao lowered his head: “She married into this family and has suffered too much. It’s all my fault for not protecting her. Laosan, tell me the truth, do you want me to stay with her, or do you think I should leave?”
“What do you mean?” Zhou Mikang punched him angrily in the chest. Yu Mingtao staggered back two steps, leaning against the wall to steady himself. “I love her, so I don’t want her to suffer anymore.”
“Are you even a man?” Zhou Mikang stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar. “Do you know how my sister feels about you? And now you come asking me whether you should be with her or not, where were you earlier? Huh?
When she is injured all over and needs your care and protection, you want to leave? Have you thought about how she’d feel knowing this? Do you want her happy or want her dead?”
“I…” Yu Mingtao mumbled, unable to speak. Yes, at this time, when her body hasn’t recovered, his leaving would be a devastating blow to her.
However, if he stays, what can he bring her other than hurt and pain?
This year, he wanted to come to the Zhou family, but his grandmother and mother threatened their lives. If his leaving led to any deaths, he and Zhou Jiping would live in guilt for the rest of their lives.
If he doesn’t go to the Zhou family, what about Zhou Jiping?
Because he couldn’t find a perfect solution, he thought about leaving, giving her freedom, and letting her have a chance at another happiness…
When he made this decision, his heart ached as if cut by a knife. He was also aware that if he gave up, he’d never meet another woman like Zhou Jiping, who understood him so well.
Then happiness and joy would drift away from him…
When he came here tonight, he just wanted to be a little closer to her, not expecting to meet Zhou Mikang, and impulsively shared his heart’s troubles.
With Zhou Mikang questioning him like this, what he thought was the best decision suddenly turned into a knife stabbing into his heart…
Having known Yu Mingtao for many years, Zhou Mikang understood his weaknesses. Seeing his painful expression, Zhou Mikang couldn’t help but sigh: “Go inside and see my sister, she should still be awake.”
Since coming home from the hospital, Zhou Jiping has locked herself in her room. She smiles at anyone who talks to her, but there’s no hint of joy in her eyes. Only Yu Mingtao might be able to open her heart.
Hearing Zhou Mikang say this, Yu Mingtao felt even more guilty. His wife always had a regular routine, and now after surgery, she still wasn’t asleep. He knew exactly why.
Sure enough, when Chuxia pushed the door open and went in, Zhou Jiping was staring blankly ahead, sighing softly. Chuxia went forward and held her hand: “Second sister, what are you thinking?”
“Nothing.” Zhou Jiping turned to her, with a trace of a forced smile, “Chuxia’s back, have you seen Xiaoqiong’s parents? Are they well?”
“Fat Auntie and Uncle Gangshun are doing well. Second sister, second brother-in-law is here, do you want him to come in?” Chuxia straightforwardly stated her purpose for coming in.
Feeling slightly startled, Zhou Jiping nodded: “Alright, if he’s here, let him in. I should talk to him, it must be hard for him being caught in the middle.”
Even now, she talks like this… Chuxia really didn’t know what to say. Perhaps, maybe, this was true love?
Alright, three uncertain words indicated her uncertainty about this matter.
Returning to their room, neither Chuxia nor Zhou Mikang could sleep. They chatted leaning against the headboard. As the clock pointed to eleven at night, Chuxia couldn’t sit still, nudging Zhou Mikang: “Go check on second sister.”
Zhou Mikang was also concerned, promptly getting out of bed, opened the door and went out. A quarter of an hour later, he returned with a smile on his face.
Seeing his expression, Chuxia knew second sister’s crisis was averted and sighed with relief: “Tell me the result.”
“Second brother-in-law is spending the New Year with us, staying with second sister.”
Chuxia was perplexed: “Isn’t second brother-in-law worried about his grandmother and mother committing suicide?”
“He said he has a way to keep them from causing trouble. Now he just wants to spend time with second sister, hoping that after this ordeal, they can live peacefully.” Zhou Mikang touched her forehead. “Stop worrying, go to sleep.”
“My dad and mom probably can’t sleep over this either. I’ll go over and let them know.” Saying this, Chuxia got out of bed and slipped on her shoes.
“Since you’re going over, take this to father-in-law and mother-in-law.” Zhou Mikang took an envelope from the bedside drawer, “This is my year-end allowance, let them use it for New Year gifts.”
———–*
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