Chapter 70 Xia Ziying is defeated

Liu Cuifang thought, “This Xia Ziying is much better than that Lin Yuexi. She works at the supply and marketing cooperative in town, she’s educated, and she’s also pretty. She hasn’t gotten married in five years because of Lu Cheng. She’s truly devoted. I don’t believe Lu Cheng can remain unmoved by Xia Ziying’s devotion.”

What Liu Cuifang didn’t know was that Xia Ziying, after being rejected by Lu Cheng five years ago, had already dated ten or eight guys! She always found something wrong with them, whether it was their looks or their family background. In the end, she still felt that Lu Cheng was better. And she had heard that Lu Cheng had become a battalion commander! Now he had won an award, and he would surely continue to rise in the ranks. She had originally planned to use some tricks to make Lu Cheng divorce Lin Yuexi and marry her as soon as he returned, becoming a military officer’s wife. But then she heard that Lu Cheng had been seriously injured and was in a coma, paralyzed! No way, she was going to marry into a military officer’s family, who would want to take care of a cripple? So she abandoned that idea.

Who knew that Lu Cheng would miraculously wake up and stand up again, even attracting the attention of the county’s Zhao Shuji. If she could use some tricks to persuade Lu Cheng to divorce that Lin Yuexi, whom he didn’t like in the first place, and then sell those two kids, she would be a solid general’s wife! Everyone would envy her! Thinking of this, Xia Ziying got excited.

Of course, she couldn’t directly go to Lu Cheng. To capture a city, you need to attack from the sides. It was clear that Lu Cheng’s mother, Liu Cuifang, was the first person she needed to conquer. So the next day, she bought a can of malted milk, which she wouldn’t even buy for herself, and brought it to Qinghe Village. When she saw Li Xiuyin and Liu Cuifang, both smiling at her, she felt that she was halfway to success.

Liu Cuifang was also waiting for such an opportunity. Thus, their minds met, and they were in agreement. Liu Cuifang led Xia Ziying towards Lu Cheng’s new house. Along the way, she kept talking about Lin Yuexi’s shortcomings. Xia Ziying only responded occasionally, her mind already drifting to Lu Cheng, whom she was about to see.

When they arrived at the new house, Liu Cuifang knocked on the door. Lu Cheng opened it. Seeing Liu Cuifang and Xia Ziying, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He simply said calmly, “Mother, what are you doing here again?”

Liu Cuifang put on a smile, “Cheng’er, Mother knows she was wrong before! I wanted to come see you. And this time, Ziying heard you were injured, so she came to see you. This child, she’s so thoughtful.”

Lu Cheng frowned slightly, glanced at Xia Ziying, and said, “Thank you. Come in and sit down.”

Xia Ziying walked into the house, her eyes involuntarily falling on Lu Cheng. She asked with concern, “Lu Cheng, how are your injuries?”

Lu Cheng answered coldly, “They’re much better. Nothing serious.”

Liu Cuifang interjected, “Cheng’er, you see how much Ziying cares about you. It’s been five years, and she still remembers you. Unlike some people, who only care about your benefits and don’t know how to cherish you.”

Lu Cheng’s face turned a little ugly. He said coldly, “Mother, you don’t need to worry about Yuexi and me.”

Just then, Lin Yuexi came out of the inner room. Seeing the scene in the room, she understood what was going on. This must be the green tea Xia Ziying that Zhao Zhiqing mentioned on the oxcart. She’s really thick-skinned! She even came to their house! Does she think everyone is a fool? Lu Cheng has been back for so long, paralyzed, sitting in a wheelchair. She didn’t come to see him sooner or later, but she came right after he stood up again. Isn’t this clearly a sign that she’s coming to take advantage of him now that he’s recovered?

But Lin Yuexi still smiled and walked to Lu Cheng’s side, naturally taking his arm. She said, “Lu Cheng, is this your friend?”

Lu Cheng gently patted Lin Yuexi’s hand and said, “Yuexi, Ziying and I aren’t friends. She’s just my high school classmate…”

Lin Yuexi smiled at Xia Ziying and said, “So you’re a high school classmate. Comrade Xia, you’ve come a long way. I’m sorry I didn’t welcome you properly. But I wonder why Comrade Xia has come today?” Her eyes held a hint of alertness and intelligence. Her seemingly polite words were actually laced with sarcasm.

Xia Ziying was a little unhappy with Lin Yuexi’s question, but she still maintained a smile. “I heard that Lu Cheng was injured, so I came to see my old classmate out of concern. Comrade Lin, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Why would I mind? It’s a pleasure to have an old classmate care about Lu Cheng. It’s just that concern should be genuine. If there are other motives, then it wouldn’t be good.” Lin Yuexi said slowly, her eyes fixed on Xia Ziying.

Lu Cheng sensed that the atmosphere was a bit off and knew that Lin Yuexi was jealous. He said, “Alright, classmate Ziying, you’ve seen me now. I’m fine. You can go back.”

Xia Ziying’s face turned red and white. She had imagined countless scenarios of meeting Lu Cheng, but she had never thought that he would so bluntly tell her to leave.

Liu Cuifang watched anxiously from the side. She couldn’t help but say, “Lu Cheng, how can you talk like that? It’s been so long. Don’t you understand? This child, Ziying, has been devoted to you. You can’t treat her like this.”

Lu Cheng frowned, his voice becoming serious. “Mother, I’ve said it before. I’m married. My wife is Yuexi. My feelings for her won’t change. Don’t say things like that anymore. Otherwise, you’ll never be allowed to step foot in my house again…”

Hearing Lu Cheng’s heartless words, Xia Ziying was both angry and annoyed, but she still didn’t want to give up. She gritted her teeth and said, “Lu Cheng, I really just came to care for you as a classmate. Why are you misunderstanding me like this? Since you’re saying this, then I’ll leave.” With that, she glared fiercely at Lin Yuexi and turned to leave quickly.

Lin Yuexi, however, smiled and clapped her hands. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out…”

Seeing this, Liu Cuifang wanted to chase after Xia Ziying, but Lu Cheng’s cold gaze stopped her in her tracks. She stomped her foot and complained, “Lu Cheng, you unfilial son, how can you be so ungrateful? How is Ziying any worse than this Lin Yuexi?”

Lu Cheng took a deep breath, trying to suppress his anger. “Mother, Yuexi and I have been through so much. She stayed by my side when I was at my most difficult, taking care of me and the children. What about you? How did you treat us? Now you want to bring someone else to break up my family. Do you think that’s appropriate?”

Liu Cuifang’s face flushed red and white. She mumbled but didn’t know how to retort.

Lin Yuexi gently patted Lu Cheng’s hand and said softly, “Lu Cheng, don’t let this irrelevant person upset you…”