Chapter 191: Rebellion

Cheng Jingmo immediately understood Yu Xiangnian’s meaning.

His realization was: what his comrades used to say, women are truly fickle.

Just a while ago, Dong Ju was crying and begging them to help her get a divorce. Even yesterday, she was still timid and submissive. Today, she seemed like a completely different person.

Although she was still crying, Cheng Jingmo had seen the corners of Dong Ju’s mouth lift when she was wiping away her tears.

It was an involuntary smile!

A woman who appears devastated on the surface but is actually overjoyed inside.

Yu Xiangnian said, “You can rest assured about Dong Ju’s family now. A woman’s awakening happens in an instant!”

That instant was when Dong Ju wanted to call for help but didn’t.

In just one night, she had become strong and no longer the submissive Dong Ju who could be easily bullied.

The clinic, feeling pity for Dong Ju having to take care of an immobile husband, arranged a vehicle to take them home.

Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangnian also took the ride.

During the forty-minute journey, Dong Ju did not forget to play the role of a deeply affectionate wife.

Yu Xiangnian got off at the intersection outside Cheng Jingmo’s house on the way.

She was afraid that if she continued watching, she would not be able to hold back her laughter.

Cheng Jingmo thought that since Dong Xingwang couldn’t move, Dong Ju and her mother would certainly not be able to move him, so he went to Dong Ju’s house to help move Dong Xingwang back home.

Cheng Jingmo and Dong Ju managed to get Dong Xingwang onto the bed.

Before Cheng Jingmo left, Dong Ju called out to him.

“Brother Jianwa, thank you for what you did this time.”

Dong Ju wasn’t foolish; she had some vague suspicions. But these were just suspicions without any concrete evidence.

She had seen Cheng Jingmo drink twice before, once at his wedding and once at the celebration of the birth of her great-uncle’s grandson.

In the past two instances, the more Cheng Jingmo drank, the more affectionate he seemed toward Yu Xiangnian.

But this time, he almost had an argument with Yu Xiangnian, causing her to leave in anger.

Then Yu Xiangnian had stomach pains and needed to use the restroom, and at that moment, Dong Xingwang was attacked.

Everything seemed like a coincidence, as if those people had brought their misfortune upon themselves!

But Dong Ju felt that these coincidences were too suspicious!

Cheng Jingmo pretended not to understand what Dong Ju meant. He showed a guilty expression and said, “What are you thanking me for? I didn’t help at all. If I hadn’t come to dinner, Dong Xingwang wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

Dong Ju then thought she must be overthinking.

Cheng Jingmo was such a righteous person; he wouldn’t do something like this!

She said with relief, “You can’t blame you all for Dong Xingwang’s situation! Regardless of whether you helped or not, we should thank you and sister-in-law.”

Cheng Jingmo replied, “No need for thanks. Take care of your aunt and the others. I’m heading back.”

As soon as Cheng Jingmo left, Dong Ju went back to the room and slapped Dong Xingwang hard on the face.

Dong Xingwang was stunned by the slap.

Dong Ju’s smile was chilling, “From now on, you just lie here. I’ll take care of you until I bury you! Don’t worry, I’ll treat you the way you used to treat me and my mother.”

Dong Xingwang, unable to move except for his mouth, lay in bed cursing, “You vile woman, daring to hit me! When I recover…”

Before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his legs, making him feel as if he were worse than dead, and he screamed like a slaughtered pig.

“Ah… murder! Dong Ju is plotting to kill her husband!”

Dong Ju stepped on his broken leg and slapped him again, “Do you think your injuries will heal? You’ll lie here for the rest of your life!”

Dong Xingwang now understood Dong Ju’s intentions and, still stubbornly cursing, shouted, “You poisonous woman! I’ll kill you for sure!”

Dong Ju grabbed a rag and stuffed it into Dong Xingwang’s mouth, saying coldly, “If you make any more noise, I’ll keep it stuffed. Don’t even think about eating.”

Dong Xingwang’s mouth was blocked, his eyes filled with fear, and he could only make muffled sounds.

Dong Ju smiled in satisfaction and left, shutting the door tightly behind her.

On the way home, Cheng Jingmo was deep in thought.

Dong Ju suspected him; would this matter be exposed?

In the end, he came to a conclusion.

Even if Dong Ju voiced her suspicions, it wouldn’t matter.

From start to finish, the plot had been concocted and carried out by those four people. He had merely been fortunate enough to avoid disaster.

It was true that when a woman became clever, she could be quite formidable.

Just like the one at home—sometimes when she was smart, Cheng Jingmo found it hard to keep up.

Cheng Jingmo returned home with a light step, as it was still getting dark.

As soon as he walked into the yard, he heard a commotion coming from his and Yu Xiangnian’s room.

Cheng Huazi said coldly, “We’re all family. Is it necessary to make such a fuss over this little matter?”

Mu Huanzhen echoed, “Exactly! It’s just a few pieces of paper. Making such a racket is just embarrassing us in front of the neighbors!”

Cheng Jingmo rushed into the room, where everyone was gathered.

The already narrow room was so cramped that it was impossible to squeeze in further.

He was tall, so he quickly saw the situation in the room.

Cheng Huazi and Mu Huanzhen were in the middle, dividing the adults into two groups, while the children gathered around to watch.

On one side were Cheng Shuan, Li Cuihua, Yu Xiangnian, and Xiao Jie.

Li Cuihua was grabbing Yu Xiangnian’s arm, and Cheng Shuan was holding onto Xiao Jie.

Yu Xiangnian’s hair was disheveled, her face had several red scratch marks, her chest heaving violently as she glared angrily at the opposite side.

Xiao Jie had a similar expression.

On the other side were Cheng Shuan and Zhang Hongli, with Zhang Hongli’s hair also disheveled and one side of her face swollen.

She held her head high, like a rooster ready to fight.

“Brother Jianwa, you’re back,” Cheng Shuan was the first to notice him.

Cheng Jingmo pushed through the crowd and went to Yu Xiangnian.

“Where are you hurt?” he asked softly.

Yu Xiangnian bit her lip and said nothing.

Cheng Jingmo saw tears welling up in Yu Xiangnian’s eyes, and she lifted her chin, forcing the tears back.

At that moment, Cheng Jingmo’s heart felt pierced with pain.

Yu Xiangnian was a princess cherished by her family, never having suffered a bit of hardship, yet she came here with him, was bullied, and felt wronged.

Even crying was something she couldn’t do; she held back tears, not wanting to appear weak in front of them.

Cheng Huazi said, “Third Brother, control your wife and stop causing trouble.”

Then he added, “Brother Jianwa, talk to your wife. It’s just a few pieces of paper; don’t make a big deal out of it.”

Cheng Jingmo noticed the torn paper on the floor, with some of it written on.

It was the manuscript Yu Xiangnian had translated.

Cheng Jingmo felt both heartache and anger.

He bent down and picked up all the torn pieces, holding them in his hand, and looked at Zhang Hongli with a fierce gaze.

“Apologize!” he demanded with absolute determination.

Zhang Hongli snorted and turned her head away.

Cheng Jingmo, tall and strong, grabbed Zhang Hongli by the shoulder and dragged her in front of Yu Xiangnian.

“Apologize to her!” he said again.

This scared everyone in the Cheng family; they never expected that Cheng Jingmo would go this far to protect his wife.

He was actually daring to lay hands on family members!

Cheng Huazi shouted, “Brother Jianwa, are you trying to rebel?”