Chapter 181: Lovely Daughter-in-law

The fish was already cooked, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, emitting a delicious aroma.

Cheng Jingmo, still savoring the moment, looked at Yu Xiangnian with a burning gaze. The scene earlier, he had read about it in books and fantasized about it. But having Yu Xiangnian serve him, he never dared to imagine it nor did he want to. Now that he had experienced it once, it felt so good that he wanted more.

Yu Xiangnian met his gaze and teased, “Didn’t you say you’d wait until we got back to the residential compound?”

Cheng Jingmo, feeling ashamed, quickly changed the subject, “The fish is done.”

He took the fish off the stick and tore off a piece of the meat, offering it to Yu Xiangnian. “Try it.”

Yu Xiangnian took a bite and nodded, “Fish grown in your bathwater tastes really good!”

Cheng Jingmo: “… Yu Xiangnian, be serious.”

Yu Xiangnian replied, “Serious people wouldn’t do what we just did. If you want seriousness, I can be serious!”

Cheng Jingmo: “…” Better not be serious.

Hand in hand, the two walked back home, their shadows stretched long by the moonlight. The surroundings were quiet, except for the occasional chirping of insects and the sound of their synchronized footsteps.

Cheng Jingmo asked, “Nian nian, tomorrow is market day in our village. Do you want to go see it?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll wake you up early. We need to get up early to catch the horse cart.”

“Okay, let’s go to bed as soon as we get home.”

“I’ll carry you back,” Cheng Jingmo said as he squatted down, “It’s still a long way. Don’t tire yourself out.”

Yu Xiangnian didn’t hesitate and climbed onto his back. Cheng Jingmo carried her, walking steadily forward, their shadows blending into one behind them.

When they reached the corner near Cheng Jingmo’s house, a figure suddenly darted out from the shadows.

Cheng Jingmo was the first to recognize her and said in surprise, “Dong Ju?”

“Why are you here so late?” he asked.

“Jianwa, sister-in-law,” Dong Ju’s voice sounded weak, “He’s been drinking again.”

It was obvious who “he” referred to. Dong Ju was clearly too afraid to go home.

Cheng Jingmo couldn’t go to Dong Ju’s house to reprimand Dong Xingwang for drinking, nor could he let Dong Ju stay at his place. He didn’t know what to say at that moment.

Yu Xiangnian was still on Cheng Jingmo’s back, not wanting to say anything. Her goodwill had been rejected before, and now Dong Ju had come here, seeking comfort or something else?

The atmosphere fell silent.

After a while, Dong Ju spoke, “Jianwa, sister-in-law, can you help me?”

Cheng Jingmo asked, “How do you want us to help you?”

Dong Ju said, “I’ve wanted to leave him for a long time, but every time I try to kick him out, he beats me and threatens to kill my entire family.”

Yu Xiangnian: “…” This kind of man should have been kicked out long ago. How has she endured it for so many years?

Dong Ju continued, “He beats me regularly. When my mom tries to help me, he even beats her. That’s how my mom’s leg got crippled.”

As she spoke, she started to choke up.

Cheng Jingmo’s hands, holding Yu Xiangnian on his back, clenched into fists.

He had heard of men beating their wives occasionally when he was a child, but it was usually a rare occurrence. After joining the army, he had seen the company commander occasionally hit his wife, but never so severely.

Dong Ju’s mother’s leg had been crippled. Just how heavy were his blows?

Dong Ju continued speaking, her tone filled with hatred, “Every day, I wish he would die! I’d rather not have this man! But I can’t beat him!”

Cheng Jingmo felt anger inside but kept his voice steady, “You can divorce him.”

Dong Ju, wiping her tears angrily, said, “I mentioned divorce! But he married into our family, and his original home didn’t give him a house or land. If we divorce, he has nowhere to go, so he refuses to leave!”

“He says there’s no way he’ll divorce. Either he dies, or I die!” Dong Ju cried harder, “Sometimes, I wish I could just die, but if I die, what will happen to my mother and my child?”

Cheng Jingmo: “…”

Dealing with such a scoundrel was truly difficult.

Yu Xiangnian: “…”

This woman is crying her heart out in front of you, and you don’t even have any reaction? At least offer some comfort!

Finally, Yu Xiangnian spoke, “Dong Ju, don’t cry. Cheng Jingmo will help you. Your issue can’t be resolved today, but he’ll think of a way.”

Dong Ju, still sobbing, said, “Jianwa, sister-in-law, I can only rely on you.”

Although the villagers knew about Dong Xingwang’s domestic violence, they only intervened to stop him temporarily and couldn’t provide long-term help. She placed all her hope in Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangnian. They were educated and came from a big city, surely they could think of a way to help her.

Cheng Jingmo said, “Dong Ju, don’t worry, I’ll help you. Go home for now; it’s not safe for you to be out so late.”

Yu Xiangnian shifted on Cheng Jingmo’s back, “Put me down and take Dong Ju home first. If Dong Xingwang is beating someone, you can help.”

Cheng Jingmo squatted down to let Yu Xiangnian down, neither of them noticing the envious look in Dong Ju’s eyes.

Jianwa treats his wife so well! Her husband, on the other hand, wouldn’t even carry her, and if she did a little less housework, she’d get scolded.

Cheng Jingmo said, “Dong Ju, wait here a moment. I’ll take my wife home first.”

From the intersection to their home was only fifty or sixty meters, but Jianwa wouldn’t even let his wife walk home alone. As for her, her husband wouldn’t care even if she died outside.

The more she compared, the more she felt her life was unbearable! That man at home, it would be better if he just died!

Cheng Jingmo took Yu Xiangnian home and then went back to accompany Dong Ju.

On the way, Dong Ju said enviously, “Jianwa, you treat your wife so well!”

Cheng Jingmo felt he wasn’t treating Yu Xiangnian well enough. Someone as wonderful as Yu Xiangnian deserved the best of everything.

Cheng Jingmo didn’t want to discuss his relationship with Yu Xiangnian, so he changed the subject, “Have you asked the township government about the divorce process?”

“No, I asked the village chief, and he said the procedures are very complicated.”

Cheng Jingmo said, “I have to go to the township tomorrow. I’ll ask about it and see what can be done.”

“Thank you, Jianwa.”

Cheng Jingmo escorted Dong Ju to her doorstep and asked her to check inside.

After a while, Dong Ju came out, “Jianwa, he’s drunk and asleep. You can go back now.”

“Alright.”

Cheng Jingmo returned home, washed up, and went inside. Yu Xiangnian had already fallen asleep but left a lamp on for him.

The dim light of the kerosene lamp cast a small shadow under her eyelash-like crow feathers.

She lay still, with only the blanket rising and falling evenly.

Cheng Jingmo looked at Yu Xiangnian’s small face and suddenly smiled.

How did he end up marrying such an adorable wife?!

He lay down, pulled Yu Xiangnian into his arms, and felt warmth fill his heart.