NOVPUB
Chapter 125: Chapter 119 Apologizing with a Thorny Stick
"Wuuu..." It’s been a week, and Shen Yunxiu laid on her own bed weeping, humming softly when alone and crying louder when others came to console her.
It could be said that the week was torture for Uncle Shen’s family.
"Xiu, be a good girl, I’m your own mother, and your father is your own father. How could we not wish for your well-being? That man surnamed Fang, he’s truly no good. Just listen to us this once; stay at your aunt’s place for a few months. Once this storm has passed, Mom will bring you back home, okay?" Auntie Shen was indeed out of options. She had both scolded and beaten her, but the child was fixated on this one path.
"Mom, I’m begging you too, you’re my own mother, why can’t you listen to what I’m saying? What’s not good about Fang Chengjian? He’s a high school graduate, his family is from the Capital, he looks decent too, why you and dad just can’t approve of him?" Shen Yunxiu sat up from the bed as she saw her mother come in, confronting her with swollen eyes.
"Haven’t your father told you? It’s because everything seems too good with that Mr. Fang that there’s a problem. Have you ever thought about it? With your conditions, why would someone so well-off be so eager to court you? He has some unspeakable secrets. Just think, if he returns to the city later..." Auntie Shen began her lengthy persuasion again.
"Mom," Shen Yunxiu couldn’t bear it any longer and shouted, "What’s wrong with ’me’ exactly? How am I less? What’s my flaw? Everyone else sees their own children in a positive light; you and dad, on the other hand, start by looking down on your own child. So it seems in your eyes, I really am worthless."
These past days, she could recite all the words of persuasion they had given her, mostly about how Fang Chengjian had ulterior motives for being with her, and that if she followed him, she would definitely end up being dumped.
At first, she felt nothing. But the more she heard it, the more uncomfortable she felt. What was wrong with her? Was she really as bad as they said? Couldn’t Fang Chengjian truly like her?
"What are you talking about? It’s not about whether you’re good enough or not, it’s about that Fang boy’s intentions. He’s up to no good, do you know he’s just one recommendation letter away from returning to the city? Think about it, is he wooing you just to get a letter of introduction from your father?" Auntie Shen urged earnestly.
"Mom, stop it. I’m actually hoping that he can return to the city. Once we’re married, I can go with him. Mom, his family is from the Capital. Once I settle there, I’ll bring you and dad over to enjoy a better life. Don’t you want to live in the city?" Shen Yunxiu tempted her mother, pulling at her arm.
The city is of course a good place, thought Auntie Shen—it’s no wonder after all these years she’d been arranging to find a city son-in-law, hoping to bask in the reflected glory in her old age.
"There are no ’buts.’ Once I’m married to Fang Chengjian, I’ll be a city person. I know what you’re worried about, but I have confidence. You don’t understand how good Fang Chengjian is to me, really good." Thinking of something, a sweet smile appeared on Shen Yunxiu’s face.
"Besides, if you keep blocking this, what if I were to get... you know?" Shen Yunxiu gently stroked her belly with a tender look.
This gesture frightened Auntie Shen into a stupor—what, what, what did this mean?
Auntie Shen hadn’t recovered from the shock when Fang Chengjian came to the Shen Family, seeking forgiveness.
Seeing the visitor was Fang Chengjian, Uncle Shen refused to let him in at first. But as the number of villagers gathered at the doorway to watch the spectacle grew, Auntie Shen had no choice but to let him into the house.
In earnest, this young man named Fang Chengjian was not bad. It was just that at the moment, maybe because he had just been released from the commune, his clothes were wrinkled, his face scruffy—his usual refinement had turned into dishevelment.
The young man, a resolute character, didn’t care whether there were outsiders in the room. He knelt down before Uncle Shen on the bed.
"Uncle, it’s all my fault. I’ve come now, so take out all your anger on me. Whether you want to hit or scold me, I’ll take it," Chengjian said, his eyes rimming with red.
"Nonsense, what am I to you? Do I need to find you to give you a beating or a talking-to? Get out of here at once, don’t dirty the grounds of the Shen Family," Uncle Shen growled from his bed, his face dark as thunder.
Yunxiu heard the noise from the other room and hurriedly knelt down beside Chengjian, tears streaming down her face, "It’s not your fault. Please, just go back now. After I’ve appeased my parents, I’ll come and find you."
Seeing Yunxiu cry was more than Chengjian could bear, but in the presence of the Shen Family, he made sure to behave respectfully and said comfortingly, "Yunxiu, I was wrong. If I liked you, I should have come to talk to your aunt and uncle first. I didn’t consider it thoroughly. I realize my mistake now, and I’m here to ask for your aunt and uncle’s forgiveness."
Uncle Shen watched from above, grinding his teeth so loudly they squeaked. Aunt Shen, however, felt her opinion of the young man improving significantly after hearing his words.
Chengjian’s words infuriated Uncle Shen but deeply touched Yunxiu.
"I knew you were sincere about me. I don’t care. I like you, and I want to be with you. No one can stop me," Yunxiu said, and the look she gave Uncle Shen on the bed contained a trace of resentment.
"Fine, fine, so this is the daughter I raised. You can get out now. Both of you, get out! I’ll pretend you never existed; just get out!" Uncle Shen yelled and then started coughing uncontrollably, clearly livid to the extreme.
"Oh, old man, why are you doing this? Have some water and calm down," Aunt Shen hurried over to pat his back and massage his chest.
"Let them get out! I don’t want to see them again."
"Okay, okay, we’ll do as you say. Don’t get worked up," no𝚟𝚙u𝚋.c𝚘m
Thus Yunxiu and Chengjian were driven out of the Shen Family.
After they had left the Shen residence, Chengjian, with Yunxiu clinging to him, couldn’t help feeling discontent. This woman was impulsive and not thinking straight. But for his own sake, and his need to get back to the Capital, he had to put up with it. "Yunxiu, how could you speak like that? Don’t you realize you’re breaking your parents’ hearts? I came today hoping to smooth things over, but instead, it’s turned into this mess." It was like having a pig for a teammate.
Yunxiu, slightly irritated, shook off his hand, "Who am I doing this for, huh?"
Even though Chengjian was upset inside, he still had to soothe her, "I know, you’re doing it all for me. But it pains me to see you go through this for my sake, to have such a falling out with your family. Besides, I can’t bear the thought of you returning to the youth farm with me to live such a hard life." At that time, the young people had to rely on public points to get grains, but most ’educated youths’ from the city couldn’t do the manual labor required to earn enough points, resulting in a grain deficit. Without occasional support from their families, they would be worse off than the rural people. Chengjian was in such a predicament and wanted nothing more than to return to the Capital as soon as possible.
"Hmph, don’t worry. I’m my mother’s only daughter and her dearest. She’d never truly kick me out," Yunxiu said coquettishly.
Chengjian prayed that what she said was true.
