Chapter 169: Child Raising Husband

“Cheng Huazi and his wife wanted Shuanzhu to replace Jianwa in the army.”

In a time when no one even had ID cards, it was easy to replace someone. Once outside of Chengjia Village, no one would know who Cheng Shuanzhu was. As long as Cheng Shuanzhu lived under Cheng Jingmo’s name, he could completely replace him.

Third Aunt was sewing a shoe sole. She rubbed the needle on her head and continued, “Don’t be fooled by Jianwa’s honest looks and silent demeanor, as if anyone could bully him. He is very determined and firmly refused. I heard Cheng Huazi and his wife got so angry they beat him up and locked him at home, not allowing him to leave.”

“One night, Jianwa snuck out and found your Third Uncle, begging him for help. Your Third Uncle gave Jianwa the only three yuan he had, telling him to report to the town’s recruitment office.”

“When Cheng Huazi and his wife discovered Jianwa had run away, they chased him to the town. It’s said that Jianwa promised to send his salary back home every month, and only then did they let him go.”

Yu Xiangnian was already clenching her fists in anger.

Had she known about Cheng Jingmo’s past hardships, even if she were beaten to death, she wouldn’t have come to visit his parents!

Third Aunt noticed Yu Xiangnian’s flushed, angry face and sighed, “The kindness of raising a child is greater than the sky! Isn’t that true? Without Cheng Huazi, Jianwa would have died in the mountains. And besides, a child taken in can never compare to one’s own.”

Suppressing her anger, Yu Xiangnian asked, “Third Aunt, I heard his parents want him to marry Cheng Shuanchun, is that true?!”

Third Aunt smiled reassuringly at Yu Xiangnian’s incredulous expression, “You’re a city child, you don’t understand our customs here.”

“Jianwa and Shuanchun aren’t real siblings. Here, it’s acceptable for them to marry. Besides, instead of finding a husband for Shuanchun elsewhere, Jianwa, who was raised by the Cheng family, is a ready-made son-in-law. At that time, Jianwa had established himself in the army, and the Cheng family wanted him to marry Shuanchun so she could enjoy a good life in the army.”

Yu Xiangnian thought disdainfully: This family is really something, after raising Cheng Jingmo, not only do they want his monthly salary, but they also want him as a child groom!

Third Aunt paused and added, “Cheng Huazi and his wife urged Jianwa to come back and marry Shuanchun for two years, but he refused. Eventually, Jianwa only sent money home each month, without any letters or telegrams. Shuanchun waited for two years and, as she couldn’t wait any longer, married into Xicun.”

Not letting Shuanzhu replace him and refusing to marry Shuanchun were things only Cheng Jingmo could do.

As Third Aunt said, Cheng Jingmo might look honest and silent, but he was very resolute inside.

Cheng Jingmo’s tolerance and generosity stemmed from his disdain for trivial matters.

But when it came to his bottom line, he would never compromise.

Only Zhao Ruozhu could see through his nature; beneath his tolerant and silent exterior was a deeply calculating heart.

“Old lady, what are you talking about so enthusiastically?” Third Uncle called out from a table not far away, “Jianwa and his family are leaving.”

Yu Xiangnian looked outside; it was already dark.

Cheng Jingmo stood up to bid farewell to Third Uncle and Third Aunt, and Yu Xiangnian also stood up to say her goodbyes.

As the three walked home, Yu Xiangnian’s mind was filled with Third Aunt’s words.

Pity, anger, and resentment… all these emotions intertwined and condensed into one: she only wanted to treat Cheng Jingmo well, to let him feel the beauty of the world!

The two of them walked very close together, their hands occasionally brushing against each other.

At night, Cheng Jingmo was very clingy and out of control, sticking to her and unable to be pushed away.

But outside, he always maintained a certain distance, staying just within reach but deliberately keeping a small gap between them.

Yu Xiangnian reached out and took Cheng Jingmo’s hand.

Cheng Jingmo was momentarily stunned, then he separated his fingers, allowing hers to slip between them, and they interlocked their fingers.

He then reached out with his other hand and held Xiao Jie’s hand.

Xiao Jie had overheard some of Cheng Jingmo’s childhood stories and felt very conflicted.

The three walked home in silence, feeling a mix of sweetness and sadness.

After washing up, they each went to their own rooms.

As soon as the door closed, Yu Xiangnian pushed Cheng Jingmo onto the bed and kissed him fiercely.

Cheng Jingmo, surprised but happy, responded enthusiastically.

His kiss was gentle yet passionate, with a faint taste of alcohol that was intoxicating.

Yu Xiangnian always liked to have Cheng Jingmo under her, kissing him freely and taking the lead.

When the kiss ended, Cheng Jingmo saw that Yu Xiangnian’s eyes were misty, as if she was about to cry.

Cheng Jingmo felt a bit panicked and gently brushed his thumb against the corner of her eye, softly asking, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Xiangnian’s eyes and lips were red, “I know about your childhood now.”

Cheng Jingmo had been prepared for Yu Xiangnian to learn about his past when he decided to bring her back, but now that she knew, he still felt a bit lost.

That deep sense of inferiority and his ridiculous pride surged back.

Someone who lived like livestock but dared to hope for a pearl admired by everyone.

Desiring yet feeling powerless, he repeatedly fell into self-contradiction, constantly convincing himself to make peace with his circumstances.

After a while, he managed a weak smile and exhaled a long breath as he spoke, “It’s all in the past.”

No matter what he was before, he was now striving to get what he wanted and would continue to work hard in the future.

Yu Xiangnian said, “But it hurts me to hear it.”

Cheng Jingmo raised his face and pecked her lips, “Nian Nian, I don’t want your sympathy or pity.”

“I want your love!” His tone was incredibly earnest. “Willingly spend the rest of your life with me!”

Yu Xiangnian bit his lower lip as a punishment until Cheng Jingmo hissed in pain before she let go.

“I don’t love you!” Yu Xiangnian said, “Why didn’t you tell me before? I wouldn’t have come here!”

“You never asked,” Cheng Jingmo replied weakly. “It’s just one visit, I need to come back to handle some things.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “Then hurry up and solve it, I don’t want to stay here anymore.”

Cheng Jingmo nodded, “Just think of it as a visit, don’t worry about anything. Be at home as you are here.”

If, before, Yu Xiangnian felt a bit embarrassed about not doing any work at Cheng Jingmo’s home, she no longer had any psychological burden now. Not doing work felt completely justified.

Yu Xiangnian then asked, “Why didn’t you want to marry Cheng Shuanchun? Is it because she’s ugly?”

Cheng Jingmo replied, “In my eyes, all other women look the same except for you.”

He would always remember the fluttering feeling in his heart the second time he saw Yu Xiangnian, as if everything around him disappeared, and she was all he could see.

Hearing this, Yu Xiangnian felt delighted inside but pretended to be dissatisfied, “Don’t think you can fool me with sweet words, answer honestly!”