Chapter 5: Xie Qingxiao Asks His Parents to Propose Marriage

Lin Xiangyi held a grudge against Lin Shan. Ever since Chen Fengmei and her daughter came to live with them, Lin Shan had become a different person. He was always protecting Chen Fengmei and Lin Huihui, believing everything they said.

He was constantly picking on Lin Xiangyi.

Her heart had long since turned cold.

Just three days ago, she had dreamt of the plot in the book. In the later part of the story, news of her being engaged and having a child spread, leading to everyone mocking and insulting her. Even her grandparents, uncles, and aunts were shocked and urged her father to kick her out.

Her father was disappointed in her but still firmly kept her at home.

She was touched that he still cared for her as his daughter, but why did he trust and favor Chen Fengmei and Lin Huihui so much?

Even in front of them, she, his own daughter, had to yield?

If they were good people, it would be fine, but they were both terrible.

He must be blind!

Seeing Lin Xiangyi remain silent, Lin Shan stormed into the kitchen and grabbed a cleaver. “Who lives there? Dare to bully my daughter, I’ll…”

“Enough!” Lin Xiangyi shouted. “Xie Qingxiao did nothing wrong. He saved me! Dad, are you pretending to be stupid? I’m talking about Lin Huihui drugging me! Do you think it couldn’t be Lin Huihui, right?”

Lin Shan instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, his brows furrowed as he looked at Lin Xiangyi.

Of course, he didn’t believe it.

He had watched Huihui grow up and knew her character. She was gentle and kind, how could she be so vicious and drug Xiangyi?

“Xiangyi, are you mistaken? Or do you have any evidence?” Lin Shan’s deep, cloudy eyes swept over Lin Huihui. He said sternly, “If it really was her, whether you say it or not, Dad will never let her get away with it!”

“Dad! It’s not me! How could I hurt my sister?” Lin Huihui cried in panic. “Sister, how can you frame me like this?”

“Yes, there must be some misunderstanding. Huihui wouldn’t do such a thing,” Chen Fengmei quickly chimed in, her face filled with sorrow as she looked at Lin Xiangyi. “Xiangyi, I know you’ve always disliked me and Huihui. We can ignore the small squabbles before, but this is against the law. Even if you dislike us, you can’t slander Huihui like this!”

Lin Shan was slightly moved.

Fengmei was right. Xiangyi had always disliked her and Huihui. She had done many things to slander her and Huihui in the past. Could this be another instance?

Seeing Lin Shan’s reaction, Lin Xiangyi knew Chen Fengmei had successfully stirred the pot. She lifted her chin and sneered, “Yes, I have no evidence.”

If she hadn’t dreamt of her past life, she wouldn’t have known it was Lin Huihui who drugged her. The novel didn’t mention how Lin Huihui did it, only mentioning it in passing. How could she have evidence?

Chen Fengmei and Lin Huihui secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Especially Lin Huihui.

She thought she had done it so discreetly, how could Lin Xiangyi catch her? But how did Lin Xiangyi know it was her?

“But!” Lin Xiangyi looked down at Lin Huihui, grabbing her hair and pulling again, making Lin Huihui scream in pain.

“You believe it or not, she’s the one who drugged me!” Lin Xiangyi turned to Lin Shan, her voice cold and harsh. “I’m going to be enemies with them for the rest of my life. They better not give me any reason, otherwise, I won’t let them off easily!”

“And you, just decide whether you choose me or them!”

After saying that, Lin Xiangyi threw Lin Huihui to the ground in disgust and went to the water tank to wash her hands.

“My hair! Wuwuwu,” Lin Huihui touched her scalp, only to find it covered in blood.

“Huihui!” Chen Fengmei cried out.

Lin Shan watched Lin Xiangyi’s resolute figure, his hands clenching and unclenching, his reason torn.

For a moment, he didn’t know who to believe.

After washing her hands, Lin Xiangyi shook off the water and continued, “I’m going to marry Xie Qingxiao, no matter what. They’re coming tomorrow to propose marriage. You handle it.”

Lin Shan watched Lin Xiangyi go into the house before turning to the mother and daughter who were sitting on the ground, hugging each other and crying miserably. Finally, his gaze fell on Lin Huihui, a hint of scrutiny and ferocity flashing in his eyes. “Huihui, is what Xiangyi said true? Did you really drug Xiangyi?”

“I didn’t! Dad, why are you even suspecting me, wuwuwu,” Lin Huihui cried, her eyes red and swollen.

“Old Lin, do you think what you’re saying makes sense?” Chen Fengmei suddenly turned to Lin Shan, her voice filled with disbelief. “Huihui has grown up under your eyes. You should know her character best. Now you even suspect her! This is unfair!”

She grew more and more choked up. “Xiangyi has no evidence, she just made up a bunch of lies, and you believe her! Do you want Huihui to bang her head against the wall to prove her innocence? Wuwuwu!”

As soon as Chen Fengmei finished speaking, Lin Huihui, who was in her arms, pretended to bump her head against the wall.

Lin Shan was swayed by their words, he could only growl, “Alright, can’t I even ask a question? Huihui, if it wasn’t you, it’s fine. But if it was you…”

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Lin Shan’s eyes as he turned and left.

“Mom, wuwuwu…” Lin Huihui nestled in Chen Fengmei’s arms, crying pitifully. “It really wasn’t me!”

“Okay, okay, it wasn’t you, Mom believes you,” Chen Fengmei repeatedly comforted her.

•  

“Dad, Mom!”

In Longjing Village, Xie Qingxiao returned home and called out to his parents.

In a vegetable patch behind the courtyard, a middle-aged man working with a hoe wiped the sweat off his face with the towel on his shoulder and said to his wife who was picking vegetables, “Is that Ah Xiao calling us?”

“Ah Xiao?” The woman listened carefully and indeed heard Xie Qingxiao calling her. She quickly responded, put down the vegetables, patted the dust off her hands, and ran towards the courtyard. “We’re here, are you hungry? Mom will cook right away!”

“Mom, I’m not hungry, I need to tell you something.” Xie Qingxiao walked over.

“What is it?” Xie’s mother wiped the sweat off her forehead. “Are you short of money? Wait, I’ll get you some!”

She was about to go into the house to get money.

“It’s not about that,” Xie Qingxiao went straight to the point. “I’m getting married. You and Dad go to the girl’s house tomorrow to propose marriage.”

Xie’s mother stumbled, almost tripping over herself. She asked in disbelief, “What did you say?”

Xie Qingxiao: “I said I’m getting married.”

Xie’s mother’s eyes widened.

Xie Qingxiao wasn’t that old, but he wasn’t young either. Many of his peers had already gotten engaged and married, and some even had children.

Moreover, Xie Qingxiao’s personality had always been unstable. So after Xie Qingxiao stopped studying, Xie’s mother had been thinking that maybe if Xie Qingxiao got married and had a wife and children, his personality might become more stable.

Xie Qingxiao was good-looking, and many girls liked him since he was young. But Xie’s mother had observed for a long time and hadn’t seen any girls who were particularly close to him. She had also hinted a few times, but Xie Qingxiao always said he didn’t want to date.

She wanted to find a matchmaker to arrange a meeting for him, but he wouldn’t go. If she pressed him, he would say he wouldn’t get married for the rest of his life.

It made Xie’s mother very angry. But Xie Qingxiao had been raised by his grandmother since he was young, and he wasn’t like his older brothers and sisters who listened to her. He had a bad temper, and she couldn’t scold him or beat him.

Why did he suddenly say he wanted to get married?