Chapter 15

When Bai Aiyun thought of Lin Yuanyuan’s seductively foxy face, she felt deeply uneasy. That woman was nothing like the innocent Lin Qian. So she followed the man’s lead and said, “You should pick someone else. I don’t think that woman suits you.”

Lu Zhanting didn’t hesitate. “Alright, I’ll change.”

As he spoke, he handed over the formula and fruit in his hand. “Aiyun, don’t be mad. I specially went out to get this for Xiaoqiang. Can you take it to him for me? I need to go check on my grandfather.”

Bai Aiyun reached out to take the things, but then she noticed Lu Zhanting’s other hand still holding the canned fruit that Lin Yuanyuan had given him. Furious, she snatched the items and threw them to the ground.

“From now on—”

Just as Bai Aiyun began to speak, she saw a pair of military boots stop in front of the smashed fruit can.

Looking up, she was met with Lu Jianguo’s thunderous face—he looked like he was about to explode.

Terrified that Lu Jianguo would start a scene right then and there, she grabbed the things and ran off.

Lu Zhanting turned around and was shocked to see Lu Jianguo suddenly standing behind them. A mix of fear and panic hit him.

He had no idea how much Lu Jianguo had overheard about Xiaoqiang possibly being his child.

Hopefully not much.

Otherwise, he’d already be dead by now.

But just as he was feeling relieved, Lu Jianguo’s fist suddenly swung at him.

This time, Lu Zhanting managed to catch his father’s wrist. “Dad, let me explain first!”

Luckily, this was his own father. If it had been anyone else, he really wouldn’t have known how to handle the situation.

Lu Jianguo’s face was pitch black with rage. He roared, “What is there to explain? You told me you were watching over your grandfather in the hospital, and now here you are out messing around with women. You little bastard! You’re just like your mother—shameless!”

Lu Zhanting suddenly realized: his dad was even angrier because of something involving his mom.

“Dad, what happened between you and Mom today?”

He knew both his parents had ended up at the police station earlier, but when he asked why, neither of them would say a word.

“Did Mom get into a fight with someone and that’s why she was taken to the station?”

He remembered seeing his mom with messy hair and a face swollen like a steamed bun. He guessed she had gotten into a brawl with another woman.

Lu Jianguo let out a heavy sigh. He couldn’t possibly admit he had laid hands on his own wife. And as for what Wang Xiulian had done… he really couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“I told you not to ask anymore. Our family’s cursed this year. What’s going on with your sister?”

Lu Zhanting sighed as well. “Xiaoqin’s abortion went smoothly. She seems fine now. Most importantly, she’s stopped trying to protect that bastard from outside. But when I asked a friend to find the guy this afternoon, he was already gone. The neighbors said he skipped town this morning.”

The two men both knew—Lu Xiaoqin had clearly tipped off that bold scumbag in advance.

Their family really was cursed this year. All the disgraceful things had chosen today to surface.

Both of the Lu family’s women had been taken advantage of by men from outside.

Just thinking about how Wang Xiulian had made a fool of him filled Lu Jianguo with fury.

Lu Zhanting, still assuming his father was just worried about Xiaoqin’s health, tried to comfort him. “Don’t worry, Dad. Xiaoqin’s young. She’ll recover. And I’ll keep a close eye on her from now on—I won’t let her do anything stupid again.”

Lu Jianguo looked at his troublesome son and said sarcastically, “And you think you haven’t done anything stupid yourself?”

Lu Zhanting was momentarily speechless, then said, “Dad, there’s really nothing going on between me and Aiyun. People will talk, but I can’t control their mouths. And I’m already cooperating—I’ve agreed to marry someone else.”

That finally reminded Lu Jianguo of everything that had happened today. When he thought it all through, one name came to mind: Lin Qian.

Everything seemed to trace back to her. No matter what, their family’s dirty laundry must not be aired in public.

“You’ll marry Lin Qian as soon as possible.”

Lu Zhanting was momentarily stunned. Bai Aiyun’s words were already out of his mind.

“Dad, Lin Qian just came with her cousin to request a partner switch, and I agreed.”

“She asked to switch herself?”

Lu Zhanting nodded. “She came with her cousin and said it herself.”

Lu Jianguo felt relieved. “Good. Then go marry her cousin as soon as possible.”

Lu Zhanting felt conflicted. He knew his family was desperate for him to marry someone else, mainly to stop the gossip about him and Bai Aiyun.

Lin Yuanyuan was actually a decent and sensible girl.

If he went out looking again, he’d probably end up with someone like Lin Qian—petty, jealous, and always stirring up trouble.

He figured he’d have to try persuading Bai Aiyun to accept Lin Yuanyuan.

He said, “Dad, once Mom’s face heals a bit, you and Mom should go to the Lin family to propose. We should also ask for the return of the bride price we gave Lin Qian.”

Lu Jianguo waved him off. “No need to wait. Your marriage can’t be delayed. Let your mom stay home and recover while taking care of your grandfather. I’ll go with you to the Lin family tomorrow.”

Seeing his father’s determined face, Lu Zhanting knew there was no backing out.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuanyuan was walking down the street, lost in thought. She was worried about how to come up with the bride price that Lu’s family had given Lin Qian.

Then, to her surprise, she saw Lin Qian dining at a state-run restaurant.

Lin Qian was even having a drink.

Wine and meat? Where did she get the money?

Fuming, Lin Yuanyuan stormed up to the restaurant’s entrance but suddenly stopped.

No—she hadn’t secured the marriage with Lu Zhanting yet. What if she made Lin Qian angry and Lin Qian changed her mind about switching partners?

She absolutely couldn’t give Lin Qian a chance to back out.

Left with no choice, Lin Yuanyuan swallowed her resentment and turned around.

Just then, Hua Fang, who had come to have a drink with Lin Qian, happened to pass by and noticed Lin Yuanyuan looking troubled.

Since Hua Fang was close to Lin Qian, her relationship with Lin Yuanyuan wasn’t exactly friendly.

Hua Fang entered the restaurant and sat down across from Lin Qian. “Wow, hit the jackpot today? Ordering this much food and even some liquor.”

Lin Qian smiled, raised her glass, and said, “I broke off the engagement with the Lu family. Cheers to being single again.”

Hua Fang clinked glasses with her. “Well, I for one am definitely happy for you.” She had never liked the Lu family.

After a drink, Hua Fang said, “I saw your cousin on my way in. I think she noticed you were here.”

Lin Qian only thought for a moment before she understood. Lin Yuanyuan and Lu Zhanting’s marriage wasn’t settled yet. There was no way she’d dare provoke her right now.