Chapter 21.3

For a while, silence prevailed. Zhou Dahu stared at the door, lost in thought. Zhou Xiaohu continued to smoke, enveloped in a cloud of smoke.

Just then, Lin Yujiao arrived with a box, “Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, Uncle, how is Brother Xiaopeng doing now?”

Lin Yujiao flashed a smile, appearing particularly demure.

“I was so frightened yesterday. Early this morning, I went to buy some bone soup and specially brought it over.”

Mother Zhou felt Lin Yujiao was useless and glared at her, not saying a word.

Lin Yujiao lowered her head.

But inside, she was seething with hatred!

That old hag, she had been trying to please her, and still barely got a good face. Yesterday, just because she didn’t testify, she turned against her.

Once she married in, she’d make sure to deal with her first!

Zhou Xiaohu didn’t say anything, but Zhou Dahu had a good impression of Lin Yujiao.

His face softened considerably, “That’s very kind of you.”

Lin Yujiao almost wanted to scream with joy.

In her dreams, Zhou Dahu was the one who provided the start-up funds for Zhou Peng’s business. All the problems encountered were solved by Zhou Dahu. It could be said that without Zhou Dahu, there would be no Zhou Peng, the future tycoon.

Although Zhou Dahu was from the village, he had lived in the city for a long time.

Lin Yujiao hadn’t had many opportunities to meet him.

“I’m also worried about Brother Xiaopeng’s injury,” Lin Yujiao said, trying to make a good impression on Zhou Dahu, “By the way, how is Brother Xiaopeng?”

Zhou Xiaohu glared at Mother Zhou, signaling her not to go too far.

Mother Zhou said stiffly, “The doctor said he needs surgery, and it will take more than two hours.”

She didn’t understand much about the surgery, only that Zhou Peng was severely injured. Every time she thought of it, Mother Zhou wanted to rush back to the village and stab Ruan Mingfu and Xie Yanzhao, the adulterous pair.

Lin Yujiao’s eyes flickered, “Aunt, you’ve been waiting for so long, you must be hungry. I brought a lot of food, it should fill you up.”

It would have been better if she didn’t say anything. Mother Zhou covered her stomach.

She hadn’t eaten anything from yesterday until now. She took two bites of the steamed buns she bought and couldn’t eat anymore.

“I’m not eating,” Mother Zhou stared at the operating room door, “I’m not hungry!”

Rejected by Mother Zhou, Lin Yujiao felt a bit helpless.

Seeing this, Zhou Dahu said, “Elder brother, we haven’t eaten all day either. Since Yujiao brought it, let’s have a bite.”

Zhou Xiaohu nodded.

“Ah!” Lin Yujiao looked at Zhou Dahu gratefully and set out the food she had brought.

The rich aroma of the meal and the unique smell of the bone soup filled the air.

Mother Zhou almost drooled.

But thinking of what she had said, Mother Zhou stubbornly turned her head away, refusing to look.

Lin Yujiao had noticed this.

She even intentionally described the food… to make that old woman drool!

They didn’t feel hungry at first, but after eating, the two brothers felt hungry and ate quickly. The sound of eating was so loud that Mother Zhou’s stomach started to growl.

Lin Yujiao’s eyes darted.

She took the lid off the food container and placed some of the dishes in front of Mother Zhou.

“Aunt, I know you’re worried about Brother Xiaopeng, but you still need to eat,” Lin Yujiao said, seeing Mother Zhou’s eyes constantly fixated on the food, “If Brother Xiaopeng gets better but you collapse, what will we do?”

Mother Zhou: … It makes sense.

Mother Zhou reached out and began to eat slowly.

Lin Yujiao’s eyes held disappointment.

She had hoped the old woman would stay stubborn, even better if she starved to death.

“I know Aunt has no appetite, so I only served a little.”

Mother Zhou’s hand paused, then quickly continued eating.

After all, when someone feeds you, it’s hard not to soften. Mother Zhou couldn’t be rude to Lin Yujiao anymore, “Yujiao, my heart is heavy…”

Her good son went to the village and got beaten up like this. Mother Zhou hated Ruan Mingfu and Xie Yanzhao and wanted to vent her frustration.

She would haunt them even in death if necessary!

“Aunt, you don’t need to say anything. I understand.”

Lin Yujiao didn’t want to recall what happened yesterday. Whether it was Zhou Peng’s fierceness or Xie Yanzhao’s cruelty, it left her with psychological scars.

“Yujiao, is that little wretch still at the educated youth camp?”

Mother Zhou gritted her teeth.

Zhou Dahu had advised her to be cautious, but she was determined to take her anger out on Ruan Mingfu. She didn’t want to take advantage of her, just get revenge on her son’s behalf.

“Aunt,” Lin Yujiao’s eyes flickered slightly, “Educated Youth Ruan hasn’t come back since she went to the hospital yesterday.”

“Hasn’t come back?!”

Mother Zhou’s voice rose sharply, making one’s eardrums ache.

Lin Yujiao frowned.

She was right next to Mother Zhou and felt the impact the most. Struggling to resist the urge to rub her ears, Lin Yujiao continued, “I heard that Comrade Xie’s comrade-in-arm even came back specifically to get Educated Youth Ruan’s clothes.”

Mother Zhou ground her teeth in anger, “That treacherous woman!”

Zhou Dahu sneered, “Quite clever.”

At that moment, the door to the operating room opened. The doctor came out, and Mother Zhou rushed over immediately, forgetting about eating.

“Doctor, how is my son?”

Zhou Dahu and his brothers also looked at the doctor anxiously.

“Fortunately, he’s been saved,” the doctor, covered in sweat, murmured as he recalled the man’s horrific condition, “The beating was so severe… if it had been any more brutal, he wouldn’t have survived.”

The doctor worried that his words might be misinterpreted, so he quickly left.

Mother Zhou’s eyes reddened with hatred, “Damn those wretches!”

Zhou Dahu and his brothers also had grim expressions.

…

When Xie Yanzhao returned, Ruan Mingfu had just taken a short nap.

As he came in, she happened to open her eyes.

Ruan Mingfu, still dazed from waking up, looked at him blankly and said, “You’re back?”

It was as natural as a wife asking her late-returning husband.

Xie Yanzhao responded softly, “Did I disturb you?”

“No,” Ruan Mingfu shook her head.

People can be so petty.

Suddenly being stuck in the hospital, she actually felt a bit bored and found herself even missing her working days.

Ruan Mingfu sat up straight, her bright eyes curiously fixed on Xie Yanzhao.

“What did you do today?”

She hadn’t had a chance to ask about his mysterious activities.

Xie Yanzhao poured a cup of warm water and placed it beside her, then sat down by the bed, his gaze fixed on her. “I went to urge the marriage report.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She found it hard to deal with his shamelessness, even with her thick skin.

She lowered her head slightly, tactically drinking water.

Xie Yanzhao smiled lightly.

She had been quite bold when pursuing him, but now she was retreating like a turtle.

He stood up, his tall figure seemingly filling the entire hospital room, making Ruan Mingfu feel a bit breathless.

“By the way, after you left, three police officers came…”

Ruan Mingfu recounted what the three police officers had done, then added, “They must be Zhou Dahu’s people.”

“No…” Just as Xie Yanzhao was about to speak, there was a knock at the door.

They turned to see an older woman standing at the door with something in her hand, looking at them curiously.

Ruan Mingfu recognized her immediately.

She smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling, “Auntie, you’re here… please, come in.”

The woman entered.

She liked people like Ruan Mingfu, who were both beautiful and warm-hearted.

“Girl, this is the malted milk my son gave me,” the old lady said as she sat down, “I can’t drink so much, so I’m giving it to you.”

Ruan Mingfu’s eyes curved in a smile, “Auntie, you’re so kind. Your daughter must be very happy.”

The woman beamed with delight.

“Considering our bond, I won’t be polite.”

“This must be your partner, right? He looks very spirited.” The woman glanced at Xie Yanzhao and waved her hand generously, smiling even more happily, “Oh, don’t be polite. Once you’re better, come over to Auntie’s house for a visit, and I’ll cook a big pork knuckle for you!”

Ruan Mingfu looked at her with admiration, “Auntie, you’re truly wonderful.”

“It’s nothing,” the woman said, looking at her with affection, “You’ve been through so much. I am older than you… How about this, I will raise you and you can just call me Aunt.”

The old lady had no daughter of her own, and Ruan Mingfu’s sweetness and beauty were enough to win her over.

One must seize the opportunity!

The old lady was decisive and made things happen directly.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She hadn’t even had a chance to make her move!

“That’s settled then,” the woman said, finding Ruan Mingfu increasingly pleasant, “You wait here, Auntie will go prepare a gift for you!”

With that, she hurried out.

Ruan Mingfu watched her departing figure, her unfinished words still stuck in her throat.

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

Before he could speak, another older woman came in…

Next, Xie Yanzhao witnessed the emergence of Ruan Mingfu’s aunts, one after another.

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

What on earth happened while he was out?

These people are not simple as they can stay in single rooms.

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze fell on Ruan Mingfu, who blinked innocently and appeared to be oblivious.

…

Xie Yazhao stared at Ruan Mingfu, making her feel somewhat guilty. Just as she was about to break down, there was another knock at the door.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Could it be more people looking for her?

Xie Yanzhao gave Ruan Mingfu a deep look before opening the door.

Outside stood four or five people, wearing red armbands. The leader paused when he saw Xie Yanzhao.

“There’s a report that you’re involved in improper relationships. Please come with us!”

**

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