Chapter 41

In the middle of the courtyard stood several unfamiliar people, their faces all dark and somber. Lan Yun’er searched her mind but couldn’t recall who these people were. She assumed the original owner of the body had likely never met them either, which explained why she had no memory of them.

On the roof, a bird noticed Lan Yun’er returning and quickly chirped to her, “These people came in and didn’t steal anything; they’re just standing here. I figured they weren’t bandits, so I didn’t go up the mountain to inform the deity.”

Lan Yun’er had instructed five birds to keep watch over the house, telling them to immediately report to her on the mountain if someone stole something. She also had some mice secretly guarding the place, instructing them to drive off any thieves they spotted.

The bird’s chirping was unintelligible to outsiders, who would only hear it as the chatter of a sparrow causing a ruckus on the roof. Lan Yun’er didn’t respond to the bird but instead walked toward the group of strangers. Just as she was about to speak, Huo Junda emerged from the main room, carrying two long benches.

Huo Junda wore a welcoming smile and enthusiastically addressed the strangers, “Uncle Zhong, please have a seat while you wait. Come on, have a seat.”

Uncle Zhong? Surname Zhong? Lan Yun’er’s eyes flickered as she glanced at the group, suddenly realizing who they might be. They were probably Second Sister-in-law Zhong Cuitao’s family.

Their visit was likely to pressure Zhong Cuitao into divorcing Huo Junli. Lan Yun’er’s gaze darkened slightly as she walked to a corner of the courtyard and set down her basket.

However, not a single person took a seat on the benches Huo Junda brought out, nor did they even spare him a glance. Feeling his hospitality was rebuffed, Huo Junda was silently fuming, but he suppressed his anger, maintaining his smile. “Uncle Zhong, why don’t you sit down? Standing like this must be tiring. Please, take a seat while you wait.”

As he spoke, he reached out to pull Zhong Youbai, Zhong Cuitao’s father, by the hand, but Zhong Youbai frowned deeply and shook him off forcefully.

Being dismissed so coldly made Huo Junda even angrier. He scowled slightly, his eyes flashing with restrained fury as he glared briefly at Zhong Youbai.

These Zhong family people are dirt poor and still have the audacity to put on airs in front of me. How ridiculous, he thought, sneering inwardly.

Clearing his throat, Huo Junda forced a smile and said, “Uncle Zhong, did you come here today to see Junli and Cuitao? What a pity—they went to the county hospital to treat Junli’s leg.”

Then, feigning concern, he added, “But, to be honest, Junli’s leg doesn’t seem promising. The doctors have said before that he’ll never be able to stand again. He’ll be bedridden for the rest of his life.”

His words were deliberate. He wanted to make the Zhong family feel that Huo Junli was hopeless and that his life as a cripple was irreversible. He wanted them to force Zhong Cuitao to divorce Huo Junli.

If Zhong Cuitao left Huo Junli, he would be alone for the rest of his life. No woman would want to marry a man who couldn’t walk.

Huo Junda’s words made the faces of the Zhong family members even darker, especially Zhong Cuitao’s parents, who furrowed their brows deeply, their expressions somber.

Listening to Huo Junda, Lan Yun’er’s gaze turned sharp. She shot him a glare and said coldly, “Big Brother, what nonsense are you spouting? When did the doctors say Second Brother’s leg couldn’t be healed? His leg can be treated! Why are you saying otherwise? What’s your agenda? Are you cursing Second Brother?”

Lan Yun’er could roughly guess what Huo Junda was thinking. He was truly despicable. Huo Junli was his own brother and had even saved his life once. How could he act like this?

At that moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to strike him. Her hands practically itched with the desire to hit him.

Huo Junda glared back at Lan Yun’er, furious. She might look soft, delicate, and beautiful on the outside, but in truth, she was nothing but trouble. If it weren’t for her, he and Yun Xia wouldn’t have ended up so miserable.

“Who’s cursing Junli?” he retorted angrily. “I’m just stating the facts! Junli’s leg is truly beyond saving. The doctor personally told me and our parents. Taking him to the hospital again today is a waste of effort!”

Huo Junda was confident Huo Junli’s leg was beyond saving. If it could be healed, he’d break his own leg.

Before Lan Yun’er could respond, he turned to the Zhong family and said, “I truly feel sorry for Cuitao. She’s such a good woman, yet she’s been stuck with Junli, living such a hard life. She hasn’t had a single day of comfort in the past two years, always caring for Junli. Honestly—”

“Ha! Don’t act all pitiful about my sister. If her life with you is so hard, it’s because of the bullying from you and your wife. Don’t think we don’t know about it!” interrupted Zhong Cuitao’s eldest brother, Zhong Weiran, angrily. He glared at Huo Junda with open hostility.

The sight of Huo Junda made Zhong Weiran want to throw punches. Hearing his hypocritical words only made him angrier. Huo Junda and his wife were the reason his sister had suffered so much.

“Hey, what are you talking about? When have my wife and I ever bullied Cuitao? Don’t make baseless accusations,” Huo Junda countered, frowning.

Zhong Weiran snorted coldly. “Everyone in your village knows how you’ve treated Cuitao. Should I go and ask around?”

Huo Junda: “…”

Rendered speechless, Huo Junda could only stand there, fuming internally.

Lan Yun’er smirked faintly at how the Zhong family was putting Huo Junda in his place. Clearly, they were not so easily swayed by his manipulations.

After casting a mocking glance at Huo Junda, Lan Yun’er headed toward the kitchen to fetch water for the Zhong family. At that moment, however, Huo Jincheng and Yao Guizhi returned, carrying Huo Junli.

Huo Junli, unable to walk, was being carried on Huo Jincheng’s back. As they entered and saw the Zhong family, Huo Junli paused, a hint of desolation flashing in his eyes.

“Dad, Mom, why are you here?” Zhong Cuitao asked, surprised, as she stepped into the courtyard.

Zhong Father and Mother gave their daughter a look of sympathy before turning their attention to Huo Jianzhang and Yao Guizhi. They asked, “In-laws, you took Junli to the county hospital today, didn’t you? What did the doctor say? Is there any chance of recovery for Junli’s leg?”

Huo Jianzhang and Yao Guizhi exchanged a troubled glance, their expressions heavy with hesitation. What could they say? Telling the truth would only strengthen the Zhong family’s resolve to have Zhong Cuitao divorce Huo Junli.

They were well aware of the Zhong family’s intentions to separate their daughter from Huo Junli.

“Dad,” Huo Junli addressed Zhong Father respectfully, his voice tinged with sorrow. “The doctor said the chances of my leg recovering are slim. They said I might remain bedridden for life.”

Though he spoke with a smile, his heart bled. He had harbored a sliver of hope on the way to the hospital, praying for the chance to stand again. But the doctor’s words had crushed his hope entirely.

For Huo Junli, life had turned utterly dark, and he felt as though he had no future.

Huo Junda, overhearing this, smirked inwardly. I knew it. Junli’s leg could never be healed unless a miracle happened!

“I see,” Zhong Father muttered, his face darkening further.

“Dear in-laws,” Zhong Mother said, addressing Yao Guizhi with a hint of agitation in her tone, “we’re not here to cause trouble today. We just want to discuss Junli and Cuitao’s divorce. As you’ve mentioned, Junli’s leg is unlikely to recover, and he’ll likely spend his life bedridden. As parents, I’m sure you can understand our feelings. We just want our daughter to live a good life, a more comfortable life.”

Yao Guizhi frowned. She could understand Zhong Mother’s feelings, but how could she bear to watch her son get divorced?

Zhong Cuitao, however, cried, “Mom, I don’t want a divorce. I just want to stay with Junli and spend my life with him. Please, don’t force me to leave him.”

Suddenly sobbing, she looked at her mother with pleading eyes.

Zhong Weiran stormed forward, glaring fiercely at Zhong Cuitao. “Are you stupid? Why are you staying in this house? Your husband is already crippled. He can’t give you a good life or protect you anymore. Why stay here, suffering like a servant? What’s the point?”

He paused, glancing at Huo Junda, then added, “Do you really want to keep serving those jerks and letting them bully you? Do you have no sense of self-worth?”

“Jerk!”

Huo Junda: “…”

Even Huo Jianzhang and Yao Guizhi glanced at Huo Junda with disdain, realizing that the Zhong family was well aware of the mistreatment Cuitao had suffered at the hands of Huo Junda and his wife. They wanted the divorce, and the blame partly lay with the eldest son and his wife.

Yao Guizhi and Huo Jianzhang shot Huo Junda angry looks, wishing they could beat him with a stick again.

Faced with their glares, Huo Junda instinctively took a step back.

Meanwhile, Zhong Cuitao cried in distress. She truly didn’t want a divorce. No matter how much worse Junli’s condition became, she couldn’t bear to leave him.

Seeing her

In the middle of the courtyard stood several unfamiliar individuals, all with stern expressions. Lan Yun’er searched her memory but couldn’t recall who these people were. It seemed the original owner of her body had never met them either, as there was no memory of them.

A bird perched on the roof noticed Lan Yun’er returning and quickly chirped to her, “These people came in but didn’t steal anything. They’ve just been standing here. I don’t think they’re robbers, so I didn’t go up the mountain to inform the Great Immortal.”

Lan Yun’er had instructed the birds to watch over the house and report any thieves immediately. She had also enlisted some mice to secretly guard the area, with instructions to drive away any intruders they spotted. To outsiders, the birds’ chatter sounded like nothing more than a noisy sparrow causing a ruckus.

Lan Yun’er didn’t respond to the bird. Instead, she walked toward the group of strangers. She was about to speak when Huo Junda emerged from the main room, carrying two long benches. With a smile on his face, he greeted the group enthusiastically, “Uncle Zhong, please take a seat and wait. Please, sit down.”

Uncle Zhong? A Zhong surname?

Lan Yun’er’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the group. Realization dawned on her—these were likely relatives of her second sister-in-law, Zhong Cui Tao.

If these were Zhong Cui Tao’s family, they were probably here to pressure her into divorcing her second brother. Lan Yun’er’s eyes darkened as she walked to a corner of the courtyard and set down the basket she carried on her back.

Despite Huo Junda’s repeated invitations to sit, the group ignored him entirely, not even sparing him a glance. Feeling slighted, Huo Junda forced a smile despite his growing anger. “Uncle Zhong, why don’t you sit down? Standing and waiting like this must be exhausting.”

As he spoke, he reached out to take Zhong Youbai’s hand, but Zhong Youbai frowned and yanked his hand away forcefully.

Huo Junda felt his anger boil over at the blatant rejection. His face darkened, and he shot Zhong Youbai an angry glare. The Zhong family might be dirt poor, but they dared to act high and mighty in front of him. How laughable.

Suppressing his frustration, Huo Junda cleared his throat and forced a smile. “Uncle Zhong, you’re here to see Junli and Xiao Tao, right? What a pity—Xiao Tao is out at the county hospital with Junli, getting treatment for his leg.” He paused and added with feigned regret, “But honestly, Junli’s leg… it’s not looking good. The doctors have said it’s unlikely he’ll ever stand again. This means Junli will be bedridden for the rest of his life.”

Huo Junda’s words were calculated. He wanted the Zhong family to see that Huo Junli was hopeless and persuade them to take Zhong Cui Tao away, forcing her to divorce Junli. Without Zhong Cui Tao, Huo Junli would be condemned to a lonely, miserable existence as a cripple. What woman would marry a man who couldn’t stand on his own?

Huo Junda’s remarks darkened the Zhong family’s expressions further, especially Zhong Cui Tao’s parents. Both Zhong Youbai and his wife furrowed their brows, their faces etched with worry.

Hearing Huo Junda’s words, Lan Yun’er felt a surge of anger. She glared at him and scolded, “Big Brother, what nonsense are you spouting? Since when is Second Brother’s leg beyond saving? It can clearly be treated. Why are you saying otherwise? Are you cursing him? What exactly are you plotting?”

Lan Yun’er could guess Huo Junda’s motives. His schemes were despicable. Huo Junli was his biological brother and had even saved his life once. How could he be so heartless? Lan Yun’er’s hands itched to slap him.

Huo Junda glared back at Lan Yun’er. This woman might look delicate and beautiful, but she’s nothing but trouble. If it weren’t for her, he and Yunxia wouldn’t have suffered so much. He sneered at Lan Yun’er and snapped, “Who’s cursing Junli? I’m just stating the facts! The doctors have already told us his leg can’t be cured. Dad and Mom took him to the hospital today, but it’s a waste of time!”

As if to emphasize his point, Huo Junda added, “If Junli’s leg could be healed, I’d break my own leg!”

Before Lan Yun’er could retort, Zhong Cui Tao’s elder brother, Zhong Weiran, stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “Don’t act all innocent. Everyone in your village knows how you and your wife have been bullying my sister. If you want me to, I’ll go ask them myself!”

Huo Junda was rendered speechless.

Seeing the Zhong family confront Huo Junda so directly, Lan Yun’er smirked inwardly. The Zhong family wasn’t easily fooled. Huo Junda’s attempts to sow discord were bound to fail. She shot him a mocking glance and turned to fetch some water for the guests. Just then, Huo Jincheng and Yao Guizhi returned, carrying Huo Junli on Huo Jincheng’s back.

Entering the courtyard, Huo Junli’s expression dimmed when he saw the Zhong family. “Dad, Mom, why are you here?” he asked, his tone laced with melancholy.

Zhong Cui Tao froze momentarily upon seeing her parents before hurrying into the courtyard. Zhong Youbai and his wife looked at their daughter with pity before turning to Huo Jianzhang and Yao Guizhi. Zhong Youbai asked, “In-laws, did you take Junli to the county hospital today? What did the doctor say? Is there any hope for his leg to recover?”

Huo Jianzhang and Yao Guizhi exchanged awkward glances. How could they answer this? If they told the truth, the Zhong family would undoubtedly push for a divorce.

Finally, Huo Junli spoke up with a respectful glance at Zhong Youbai. “Dad, the doctor said the chances of my leg recovering are slim. He said I might spend the rest of my life bedridden.”

Though he smiled as he said this, his heart bled. On the way to the hospital, he’d held onto a sliver of hope. But the doctor’s words had crushed that hope, leaving his future shrouded in darkness.

Huo Junda couldn’t hide his glee. I knew it—there’s no way Junli’s leg could be cured.

“Is that so?” Zhong Youbai’s expression grew darker. He sighed and said, “In-laws, we’re here today to discuss Junli and Xiao Tao’s divorce. You’ve admitted that Junli’s leg won’t recover and that he’ll be bedridden for life. As parents, you must understand our concern. We want what’s best for our daughter. We want her to live a comfortable life.”

Zhong Cui Tao’s mother, though emotional, spoke calmly.

Yao Guizhi frowned. She understood Zhong Cui Tao’s parents’ feelings, but how could she stand by and watch her son get divorced?

Before she could respond, Zhong Cui Tao burst into tears. “Mom, I don’t want a divorce. I just want to stay with Junli. Please, don’t force me to leave him.”

Zhong Cui Tao’s brother, Zhong Weiran, scolded her harshly, “Are you stupid? Why are you staying in this house? Your husband can’t give you a stable life or protect you anymore. You’re treated like a servant here. What’s the point of staying?”

Lan Yun’er stepped forward and declared, “Second Brother’s leg can be healed. He still has a chance to stand.”

The courtyard fell silent as everyone turned to stare at her in disbelief. Huo Junda sneered, “And you think you’re a doctor now? Who are you trying to fool?”