Chapter 27 Let Wan Ning stay at home to watch over me

Hearing Wu Lifang’s words, Xu Zhenhua’s expression darkened. “Then what do you want me to do? Beat her up to vent for you?”

Wu Lifang snorted coldly. “Xu Zhenhua, have you forgotten? You still have that matter with your old home. If I go and tell the instructor, do you know what will happen to you?”

Both of them had always known about this matter. Previously, Wu Lifang had never intended to use it to threaten Xu Zhenhua, because he had been gentle and attentive toward her, even if not completely obedient. But this time, Xu Zhenhua had gone too far—he actually allowed his mother to hit her, and she was carrying his child. Now he tried to smooth things over, but once she officially married him, what kind of outcome would that have for her? This time, Wu Lifang was determined to teach Xu Zhenhua a lesson and show him who really rules the household.

Sure enough, after hearing her words, Xu Zhenhua’s face instantly changed. He now truly regretted his actions—regretted not controlling himself and getting involved with Wu Lifang, and later giving her leverage over him through his sleep talk. But now it was too late. They had already obtained the marriage certificate, and everyone had been informed that the wedding was tomorrow. Taking a deep breath, Xu Zhenhua said, “Lifang, I was wrong earlier. Don’t worry. When we go back, I’ll make sure my parents return to the countryside and never bother us again. Does that work for you?”

“I knew you’d always be the best to me,” Wu Lifang said, smiling triumphantly. “Alright, you go back first and make sure those two… your parents leave. I can go to the clinic myself.”

“Alright, be careful on your way.”

Watching Wu Lifang walk away, Xu Zhenhua’s expression grew even darker.

Small courtyard

Xu Zhenhua exhaled heavily, then slowly pushed open the courtyard door and stepped inside. “Parents, I’m back.”

Hearing her son’s voice, Bai Xiuying excitedly came out of the kitchen. She had been too caught up in the scuffle with Wu Lifang to even look properly at her son. Seeing only Xu Zhenhua return, she thought he must have sent Wu Lifang away to speak with her privately.

“Zhenhua’s back! I’m just making lunch—you can stay and eat with us.”

“Alright,” Xu Zhenhua replied perfunctorily.

“No trouble at all. Cooking a meal for my son is nothing.”

“Mom, you keep busy. I’ll talk with Dad.”

Bai Xiuying’s face softened. “Go ahead, go ahead.”

Main room

Xu Dingbang saw his son enter and smiled widely. “Zhenhua, you’re back! Talk to your father—what has happened over the past year? Your mother couldn’t explain anything after getting off the phone.”

Xu Zhenhua only wanted to figure out how to get his parents sent back, not recount events. But seeing his father’s concerned gaze, he suppressed his irritation.

“Sit down, Dad.”

“All right.” Seeing Xu Dingbang sit, Xu Zhenhua also sat. “Dad, the mission is classified. I can’t tell you about it.”

“Then don’t. As long as you came back safely, that’s enough.”

Xu Dingbang paused, then asked, “What about you and Xiao Wu?”

Xu Zhenhua looked embarrassed. “After completing the mission, I was seriously injured. Lifang took care of me, and then… we…”

“You child, how could you be so reckless?” Xu Dingbang sighed. “Did you think about what this would do to Wanning?”

Thinking of Tang Wanning, Xu Zhenhua pictured her fair, delicate face and her perfect figure. Unfortunately, he had been recalled urgently before consummating anything. Now he was about to marry Wu Lifang, so nothing could happen with Tang Wanning—or else Wu Lifang would never forgive him. Still, even if he couldn’t be with Tang Wanning, no one else could have her either. Tang Wanning would only ever be his wife.

“Let Wanning stay in the hometown to look after things. She’s already my wife and will remain mine for life,” Xu Zhenhua said smugly. “Besides, the news of my supposed ‘death’ has already spread. As long as you and Mom don’t say anything, no one will know. And Wanning likes me, so she wouldn’t betray me.”

“Originally, your mother and I didn’t plan to let Wanning marry anyone else either. After all, she entered the household already tied to you. She will stay home and care for us in our old age.”

They really weren’t from the same moral world—not even under the same roof, both shameless! Xu Zhenhua was surprised by his father’s long-term thinking. Truly, the old are cunning. But this was good—Tang Wanning could fulfill filial duties and feel indebted to the Xu family, preventing her from thinking about remarrying. Xu Zhenhua gave a thumbs-up. “Dad, you really thought this through.”

“It’s nothing,” Xu Dingbang said solemnly. “Tell me honestly—does Xiao Wu know about Wanning?”

“Yes. Once, I called Wanning’s name in my sleep, and she heard it.”

“How could you be so careless?” Xu Dingbang scolded. “So now Xiao Wu has leverage over you?”

Xu Zhenhua frowned, frustrated. “I didn’t expect I had the habit of sleep-talking, and she happened to hear.”

“From now on, treat Lifang well and don’t act impulsively,” Xu Dingbang advised. He wasn’t worried Wu Lifang would report him—now that they were married, what could she gain? At most, she could use this once in a while to achieve minor goals.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I know what I’m doing,” Xu Zhenhua said, a cold glint in his eyes. “Once the child is born, if she dares to threaten me again with this, she won’t get away with it.”

Seeing his son determined, Xu Dingbang was no longer concerned. The immediate priority was the question of what to do with his and his wife’s stay.

“Zhenhua, you’re our only son. And now the house has been ransacked, you see…”

Looking at his aging father and remembering Wu Lifang’s recent threat, Xu Zhenhua felt his head about to explode. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have called his parents at Wu Lifang’s urging. This visit didn’t bring any help—it only caused him more trouble.

After a pause, Xu Zhenhua decided to tell the truth. Even if his parents were upset, it would only be Wu Lifang’s fault.

“Dad, you saw how Lifang acted just now, and Mom even hit her. Now she’s determined to send you back to the countryside,” Xu Zhenhua admitted, full of guilt. “It’s my fault. I couldn’t take good care of you and even made you worry for me.”