Chapter 35 I Called Her

“When did you show up, you little slut?!” Cen’s mother suddenly sprang to her feet, rolling up her sleeves, ready to go after Kang Ying. Kang Ying, still leaning on her crutch, looked at Cen’s mother in fear and took several steps back. “Auntie, please listen to me—”

“Listen to what? Get out of here, now!” Cen’s mother charged forward like an arrow released from a bow, shouting as she went, “Wenwen, quickly, throw her out! You little bitch, how dare you come here on such an occasion? I’ll beat you to death!”

Cen Bowen was a bit stunned and stood still. “Ying… Kang Ying, today is the day I’m engaged to Yiyi. You… shouldn’t be here.”

Since the Kang family was hospitalized last time, Cen Bowen hadn’t seen Kang Ying. Actually, he was angry then, but the next day he forgave her. She had a hard life too. The next day, Cen Bowen went to the military hospital to check on Kang Ying’s condition. After learning she was fine, he glanced at the hospital room and then went downstairs to pay her medical fees—he didn’t even go inside the room. In his heart, he forgave Kang Ying and planned to remain friends if they met again. But she shouldn’t have come today.

Cen Bowen was dazed for a moment when Cen’s mother rushed up to Kang Ying and slapped her. Kang Ying didn’t dodge; her face burned painfully.

Waiters in the restaurant heard the commotion and came peeking into the lobby. Surrounded by onlookers, Kang Ying held back tears and explained with a wronged expression, “Bowen, it was Yiyi who asked me to come. I didn’t know today was your engagement. If I had known, I would never have come. She said that if I came today, she would forgive me. I don’t want you all to have grudges because of me. I truly want to apologize, so I came secretly behind the doctor’s back.”

Cen Bowen finally reacted and stood up, walking over just in time to block Cen’s mother’s second slap with his body. The slap landed on Cen Bowen’s body. Cen’s mother felt both heartache and anger, and she hurled insults at Kang Ying, “You witch! What are you pretending for? Trying to sully my daughter-in-law’s name? I tell you, as long as I’m here, you don’t stand a chance! Bowen, move aside!”

Cen’s mother knew very well that Kang’s family was small and insignificant, with only an uncle—Captain Wang—who was somewhat connected. Her son was already a deputy battalion commander. How could he look up to a captain who was older in age?

Song Yiyi was different. Her brother was Gu Chengze, a young deputy regiment commander with unlimited potential. Most importantly, his surname was Gu. The alliance between the Gu and Cen families was a strong one. If this marriage went through, even the old master would be on their side!

Her own son had said that although not blood-related, Gu Chengze cared deeply for Song Yiyi. Gu Chengze was also a close partner of Cen Yue. If her son married Song Yiyi, the families would be closely connected.

Cen’s mother had already planned that once Song Yiyi married into their family, she would match her own niece with Gu Chengze. This way, her son’s future was secure. Her son also said Song Yiyi was obedient and easy to handle. This win-win situation was something Cen’s mother would never allow anyone to ruin.

Kang Ying was so scared she shrank back behind Cen Bowen and anxiously shouted to Song Yiyi, “Yiyi, please tell Auntie I really was invited by you. I never intended to ruin anything between you.”

She was nearly in tears.

For a moment, everyone’s attention turned to Song Yiyi, who was calmly swirling the water in her glass. Song Yiyi put down her glass and looked at Kang Ying with mild interest, but said nothing.

Kang Ying grew desperate. “Yiyi, please explain to everyone!”

Kang’s mother was a well-known figure. When the Cen family still lived in the military compound, she was known as a fierce woman. When Cen Bowen was a child and got hurt playing with others, Cen’s mother would find those children and their parents and demand an apology to Cen Bowen. Even if two children wanted the same rock, if Cen Bowen didn’t take it, Cen’s mother would fiercely berate the other child. Many military families in the compound had suffered under her temper, but had no way to speak up because of Cen Bowen’s grandfather’s status and his favoritism toward the second son of the Cen family, which extended to Cen Bowen as well.

The reason Song Yiyi was reborn and had to marry Cen Bowen was not only because she liked him, but also because she knew things others didn’t: The Cen family’s status now and in the future was something ordinary people couldn’t achieve in two lifetimes. In the future, Cen Bowen would rise high on the back of the Cen family’s influence.

Song Yiyi looked Kang Ying over before slowly saying, “Yes, I invited her.”

Song Minghui immediately became serious. “Yiyi, what are you causing trouble for now?”

Song Yiyi shrugged. “I’m not causing trouble. Isn’t it you who want me to marry Cen Bowen? Since we’re becoming family, we might as well clear up any grudges before the wedding, so we don’t argue over it every day after.”

After she finished speaking, she looked at Cen Bowen. “Isn’t that right?”

Without hesitation, Cen Bowen replied, “Yes, yes, yes, Yiyi is right.”

Kang Ying bit her lip.

Cen’s mother looked at Song Minghui, seeking his opinion with her eyes.

Song Minghui said sternly, “Fine, then sit down.”

Cen’s mother quickly returned to her seat.

Song Yiyi sat between Cai Mengjun on her left and Gu Chengze on her right.

Cen Bowen wanted to sit next to Song Yiyi, but Gu Chengze showed no intention of giving up his seat, so Cen Bowen had to sit beside Gu Chengze.

When Cen Yue came in, he said little and sat down after pulling out the middle stool.

Kang Ying, leaning on her crutch, had no one to support her. She limped to the table on her own. Only two seats remained: one between Cen Yue and Cen’s mother, and the other between Cen Yue and Cen Bowen.

Kang Ying didn’t want to sit next to Cen’s mother at all. She adjusted her crutch and moved toward Cen Bowen.

“Sit here!” Cen’s mother shouted loudly, scaring Kang Ying so much that her hand slipped and almost dropped her crutch. She cautiously glanced at Cen Bowen.

Cen Bowen turned his head away, effectively agreeing with Cen’s mother’s decision.

Kang Ying had no choice but to sit down, trembling under Cen’s mother’s sharp gaze.

Cen’s mother glared at her and loudly ordered the waiter, “Serve the dishes!”

The curious waiters immediately scattered.

There was tea on the table. Cen Bowen stood up and politely poured tea around. When it came to Kang Ying, Cen’s mother snatched the teapot and gave Cen Bowen a look. “Go sit down.”

In the end, Cen Bowen obeyed his mother.

Kang Ying’s cup remained empty, not even a sip of water.

Kang Ying knew what Cen’s mother meant.

In the past life, Cen’s mother had been very satisfied with Song Yiyi as her daughter-in-law.

Song Yiyi often gossiped behind Cen’s mother’s back, and gradually Cen’s mother grew displeased with her.