Chapter 194: The Golden Bracelet

Zhao Ruozhu spoke cautiously, “Laoyu, it seems your daughter is having a hard time at her in-laws.”

Although Yu Xiangnian had not mentioned anything, Zhao Ruozhu, being perceptive, could easily tell!

Yu Jiashun responded, “Got it.”

Zhao Ruozhu advised, “Don’t act impulsively. First, find out from Cheng Jingmo what’s going on. What if Xiangnian was at fault?”

“Hell with that!” Yu Jiashun said. “Letting Xiangnian be wronged is Cheng Jingmo’s fault! Xiangnian went home with good intentions, and now she’s being mistreated?!”

“What are you going to do?” Zhao Ruozhu asked.

“Let Xiangnian vent her anger!” Yu Jiashun said. “I’m going to make a call! That’s it, I’m hanging up.”

After finishing her call, Yu Xiangnian went to the state-run cafeteria in the countryside.

The last time she had the cold noodles here, they were really good.

She ordered a serving of cold noodles, a bun, and a bowl of lamb offal soup.

She took a sip of the lamb offal soup, pursed her lips, and held her breath to force it down.

The gamey taste was too strong for her.

As she ate the cold noodles, she wondered how to pass the time.

The carriage back to the village wouldn’t be until 2 p.m., and it was only 11 a.m. now.

There was nothing to do here. How was she supposed to spend these three hours?

While eating the cold noodles, she noticed a shadow in front of her. Looking up, she saw two men—one big and one small—standing at her table, their anxious expressions turned to one of grievance as they looked at her with pouting lips.

Yu Xiangnian expressionlessly nodded toward the chairs, “You arrived just in time. I can’t finish this bowl of lamb offal soup, so don’t let it go to waste.”

Cheng Jingmo finally relaxed, “Why didn’t you call me when you went out?”

Yu Xiangnian replied confidently, “I didn’t see you when I left!”

Cheng Jingmo: “…” So just because she didn’t see him, she couldn’t wait for him?

And he wasn’t even complaining; he was just worried about her.

Still, he didn’t dare to argue.

Cheng Jingmo sat down with Xiao Jie and asked, “What would you like to eat?”

Xiao Jie: “Anything.”

Yu Xiangnian was full after eating a bowl of cold noodles. Cheng Jingmo finished the remaining lamb offal soup and bun.

After eating, Cheng Jingmo said, “Come back home with me first. I promise, we’ll leave in two or three days.”

Yu Xiangnian was planning to return with Cheng Jingmo, but hearing him say this, she decided to act deliberately.

Turning her face away, she said, “There’s a guesthouse in the county town. I’ll wait for you there. You can find me after you finish your business.”

The two men took her seriously.

Cheng Jingmo lowered his eyes and said, “I’m worried about you being alone. I’d feel more at ease if you stayed with me.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “I don’t want to go back with you!”

Xiao Jie asked, “Aunt, can I come with you?”

Yu Xiangnian replied, “Sure, didn’t I say before? If you want to come with me, I’ll take you to Beijing too.”

Cheng Jingmo: “…” When did these two decide to go to Beijing together?!

And what about him? Was he just being abandoned?!

Xiao Jie said to Cheng Jingmo, “Uncle, I’ll go with Aunt. I’ll protect her, don’t worry.”

Cheng Jingmo: “…” Thanks a lot! What a waste!

Cheng Jingmo, using a negotiating tone, said, “Xiangnian, I have an important matter to handle this time. Give me two days to sort it out, and we’ll leave afterward.”

Yu Xiangnian asked, “What matter?”

“To retrieve the belongings left to me by my biological mother.”

Yu Xiangnian: “…”

It seemed she would have to go back with him to help Cheng Jingmo retrieve the items.

The family would be calculating, and if she wasn’t tough, they might not get anything back!

Cheng Jingmo added, “Also, without an introduction letter, you won’t be able to stay at the guesthouse.”

With that, Yu Xiangnian seized the opportunity to make her move.

“Hmph!” She snorted, stood up, and said, “Aren’t we leaving yet?”

Cheng Jingmo and Xiao Jie were stunned for a moment before realizing that Yu Xiangnian was talking about going home.

The two of them eagerly followed behind Yu Xiangnian.

The three of them boarded the carriage heading back home.

Yu Xiangnian took out a pair of scissors from her bag, holding them up and staring intently at them.

Cheng Jingmo and Xiao Jie exchanged a glance, feeling a chill down their spines.

Xiao Jie bravely asked, “Aunt, what are you going to do?”

He knew she wasn’t planning to make clothes; his aunt didn’t even know how to sew.

Yu Xiangnian said, “She destroyed something important to me, so I’m going to destroy something of hers!”

Using scissors to scare people! His aunt was so childish!

Of course, Xiao Jie tried to persuade her, “Didn’t you say that one should be magnanimous? Like my uncle, who has a forgiving heart?”

Yu Xiangnian pouted and said, “Well, now I’m telling you that you shouldn’t be too magnanimous! Like me, you should have the confidence not to tolerate everything!”

Xiao Jie couldn’t help but mutter, “The words of a pretty woman can’t be trusted.”

Naturally, the scissors ended up not being used.

When they got home, Cheng Jingmo took the scissors and hid them while Yu Xiangnian wasn’t paying attention.

He wasn’t worried about Yu Xiangnian causing trouble.

He was mainly concerned that she might hurt herself.

She was so delicate and had never used scissors before. If she injured herself, he’d be heartbroken.

Yu Xiangnian noticed the scissors were missing but pretended not to.

She had bought them impulsively when she passed by the supply and marketing cooperative.

She was so angry then, thinking of cutting up Zhang Hongli’s clothes with them!

After calming down, she couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

Hurting herself wouldn’t be worth it!

If she hurt Zhang Hongli, the latter would probably take the opportunity to extort money from her, achieving her goal!

Moreover, if she did such a thing, she would be lowering her standards, becoming just like Zhang Hongli!

Cheng Jingmo didn’t delay any longer.

That night, the Cheng family gathered in the main room.

Cheng Huazi was smoking a pipe, Mu Huanzhen was playing with a few children, Li Cuihua was sewing shoe soles, Zhang Hongli was mending clothes, and Cheng Shanzhu and Cheng Shansuo were chatting.

Cheng Jingmo entered the main room to address the main purpose of his visit.

He didn’t want Yu Xiangnian involved in the family’s messy affairs, so he asked her to stay in the bedroom.

He also reminded her not to come out, assuring her he could handle it.

Tonight’s negotiation would inevitably bring up old issues, and Cheng Jingmo was worried that Yu Xiangnian might lose her temper and hit someone.

He had already prepared for the worst.

Yu Xiangnian, her ears pricked up, listened intently.

Cheng Jingmo said, “Dad, Mom, we’re planning to leave in a few days.”

Mu Huanzhen said nothing, and Cheng Huazi responded with an “Hmm,” indicating they knew and were fine with it.

Cheng Jingmo continued, “I came back this time mainly to see you all, and also to ask for the things my biological mother left for me.”

His words were polite but firm.

After a moment of silence, Mu Huanzhen’s sharp, anxious voice broke the air, “What things? Didn’t you take everything the day before you joined the army?”

Cheng Jingmo said, “There’s also a gold bracelet.”

Mu Huanzhen glanced at Cheng Huazi, who was smoking with his eyes downcast.

It was clear he wanted her to play the villain and argue with Cheng Jingmo.

Mu Huanzhen had no choice but to say, “I’ve never seen any gold bracelet. When we picked you up, you only had a jade pendant around your neck! What gold bracelet?!”