Font Size:
Of course Su Xinyun looked down on Cheng Jiafu.
The Cheng family’s background was ordinary, all peasants without a single member earning a proper wage. Cheng Jiafu himself was lazy and gluttonous, never lifted a finger at home—he wouldn’t even fetch his own food or water, always making his sister serve him.
With such character, unless his family owned a gold or silver mine, no parent would ever dare marry off their daughter to him.
Lu Chen turned his gaze on Cheng Yuanyue, who stood aside like an outsider.
“You seem to know them well.”
“Not really. We’re just in the same brigade, so sometimes we cross paths when working. A few days ago, Cheng Jiafu got into a fight, injured someone, and ended up detained. He only got out because his sister is so obedient—if the family says marry, she marries. If not for her being tradable, he’d still be locked up now.”
They couldn’t even scrape together five hundred yuan in cash—had to rely on marrying off a daughter to cover debts. That showed just how poor the family was.
Who would want to tie themselves to such a household?
“In this day and age, people are still marrying off daughters for money?” Lu Chen’s voice carried an inexplicable anger.
“That’s just how their family is.” Su Xinyun, watching Shen Xiuying help Cheng Jiafu up, recalled Lu Chen’s powerful kick and felt uneasy. “Comrade Lu, you kicked him just now. I don’t know if they’ll try to extort you. Be careful, don’t let them take advantage.”
At the same time, Cheng Yuanyue thought back: last time she mentioned being forced to marry quickly, it was because her family wanted to trade her for cash.
He was so strong—couldn’t he have resisted?
She regretted Lu Chen hadn’t used more force. If he had, Jiafu might have been laid up in a hospital for two or three months.
“What’s wrong with you, comrade? How could you attack my son like that? With such strength too! Shouldn’t you give us an explanation?” Shen Xiuying raged.
Su Xinyun intervened: “This is a misunderstanding. This comrade is Lu Chen, the son of my elder brother’s friend, here to fetch Peipei. Jiafu was pulling at Peipei just now—he must have misunderstood. And Jiafu, Peipei already said no, why are you still pestering her? Do you think a single fight gives you the right to force her into your family? That fight was your own mess, nothing to do with us.”
“Yes!” Zhang Xiaohong chimed in. “Your family’s fights are your problem, not ours. Our Peipei is headed for the big city to study and work. As for marrying into your family—maybe in the next life!”
The couple conveniently avoided mentioning how, since her father hadn’t sent money for six months, they’d been planning to pull Peipei from school and send her to work at a county restaurant.
“Bah!” Shen Xiuying spat. “Your elder brother hasn’t sent a cent in half a year. You were planning to marry her off to a rich family early, and now you act like saints?”
“That’s a lie—we never thought that!”
“Enough talk. This man injured my son. Either pay compensation, or marry Peipei into our family. Choose.”
“This comrade,” Shen Xiuying turned to Lu Chen, “my son is the eldest grandson of our family. You hurt him—what do you propose?”
Lu Chen glanced at Cheng Jiafu. He was perfectly fine. Cracking his knuckles, Lu Chen’s tone went icy.
“He looks fine to me. You want compensation? That’s easy. Let me hit him again first. After another punch, then we can talk about paying.”
Shen Xiuying instantly pulled her son behind her. “What, you want to beat him again?”
“He just laid hands on Uncle Su’s daughter. Giving him a beating is lenient. If you want compensation, then fine—but I’ll beat him until he qualifies for hospitalization. A month in the hospital sounds about right, doesn’t it?”
“You—!” Shen Xiuying shrank back, shielding Cheng Jiafu. “What are you trying to do?”
“If you don’t want me to hit him again, then get out. Now.”
Wen Suying quickly dragged her away. “Since you have guests, we’ll go first.”
“Yes, we’ll leave now.”
The man was clearly dangerous—he’d sent Jiafu flying with one kick. Why provoke him further?
“I’m fine, Peipei’s family has guests, let’s go home,” Cheng Jiafu muttered, dragging Shen Xiuying.
For all his bulk, he was cowardly in fights. That time with Wu Tianyou, it had only been blamed on him because Wu Tianyou tripped himself.
Noticing her daughter still lingering, Shen Xiuying cursed: “Useless girl! Can’t you see your brother was beaten? You just stand there watching instead of helping?”
“So you mean I should beat him back for my brother?” Cheng Yuanyue rolled up her sleeves, ready to brawl.
“You’re making trouble!” Wen Suying pulled her away. “Can’t you see their guest? Go home! Worthless girl.”
Cheng Yuanyue obediently dropped her sleeves with a soft “Oh.”
Lu Chen’s lips curved slightly. This woman really could act.
“Brother Lu…” Su Peipei stepped forward shyly. “I never thought we’d meet again. Thank you for yesterday.”
“What exactly happened yesterday?” Lu Chen’s gaze swept to Su Xinyun. “Why were you in that kind of place? Or did someone deliberately send you there, planning to trade you for money?”
“What are you talking about, comrade? We don’t understand.”
“Uncle Su used to send money home every month. Just because he’s been away on assignment for six months, you’re trying to sell his daughter?” Lu Chen’s eyes turned sharp. “Is this how you take care of his child?”
“We’re innocent!” Zhang Dahong slapped her thigh. “We don’t know what happened. The girl went to register in the city herself, she must have been tricked. It has nothing to do with us!”
“Brother Lu, is there news from my father? Where is he now?” Su Peipei asked urgently.
“Uncle Su is indeed on an emergency mission and can’t return. But he asked me to bring you money.” Lu Chen pulled an envelope from his bag and handed it to her.