Chapter 36: A Box of Unity

Kang Ying knew very well that every time Cen’s mother saw her in the military compound, she would stare at her with eyes that were neither eyes nor noses, and every word she spoke was full of barbs. Openly or covertly, she accused Kang Ying of trying to cling to Cen Bowen and even insulted her secretly, calling her shameless. Kang Ying endured a lot of humiliation. If it weren’t for Cen Bowen comforting her every time he found out and giving her other forms of compensation, she didn’t think she could have held on until Song Yiyi’s death.

Later, after the incident with the report, Cen’s mother angrily stormed into the compound to confront Song Yiyi. It was actually Kang Ying who went to the military district to tip off Cen Bowen. When Cen Bowen heard that Cen’s mother was causing trouble for Song Yiyi, even though he suspected Song Yiyi was likely behind the report, he didn’t hesitate to rush home. Kang Ying took all the responsibility afterward, and Song Yiyi also got into trouble. At that moment, Cen’s mother immediately changed her attitude.

Kang Ying thought to herself that she had also enjoyed Cen’s mother’s kindness before. Song Yiyi shouldn’t be too proud—sooner or later, she would fall from her high place.

While Kang Ying was lost in thought, Cen’s mother pulled a box out from under the table, lifted it, and placed it on the table. “In-laws, our wedding papers were signed in a hurry that day,” Cen’s mother said with a smile, “Normally, the head of our family should have come to present the betrothal gifts, but since things were urgent, I spoke with him on the phone the day before, and he told me to represent our family and show our sincerity. Take a look! Don’t worry, once we set a date for the wedding banquet, my husband will come back immediately to prepare.”

Cen’s mother flung the box open and faced the Song family. “In-laws, today we’re here to finalize the two kids’ marriage. If you have any requests, just say them—we’ll fulfill them all!”

After saying this, she gave a meaningful look toward Gu Chengze, who was sitting silently next to Song Yiyi, as if implying that Song Yiyi’s real father was Gu Chengze, not Song Minghui.

When the box opened, everyone gasped. Cen’s mother had brought a whole box full of large stacks of cash. Few people present had ever seen so much cash in person.

Song Minghui’s pupils shrank. He forced down the displeasure in his heart and asked, “In-laws, what’s this?”

Cen’s mother proudly replied, “This is the Cen family’s sincerity—this money is the betrothal gift for Yiyi. Besides this, we’ve also prepared three machines, one vehicle, and thirty-six legs. If Yiyi wants anything, Bowen will take her to buy it until she’s happy.”

Cen Bowen looked proud as well. With conditions like this, Song’s family wouldn’t find anything better, no matter how hard they tried.

Gu Chengze frowned and said, “Yiyi doesn’t lack these things—we can all prepare them for her.”

He paused, then continued, “Before that, let’s first resolve Yiyi’s concerns. If she’s not willing, the marriage can’t go through.”

Though reluctant, Gu Chengze still respected Song Yiyi’s choice. Whatever she liked or wanted, he was willing to support.

Song Minghui agreed with Gu Chengze, nodding, “In-laws, my son is right—let’s solve the worries first, then everything else is easy.”

Seeing so much money, Song Minghui had other questions in his mind, but he decided not to bring them up for now. Since Song Yiyi was willing to marry, and she had only one condition—to resolve her worries—then they would meet her request first.

At the table, surrounded by family, there was one gloomy outsider—Kang Ying.

Cen’s mother was annoyed by her presence. She rubbed her hands together, closed the box casually, tossed it by her feet, and glared harshly at Kang Ying, her tone becoming sharp and cruel:

“Say it—never pester our Bowen again! Or I’ll scratch up your face! I’ll go to your place and throw manure, so everyone will know you’re a fox spirit! You’ll never turn your life around!”

Cen’s mother’s words really scared Kang Ying.

If she were reborn, but ended up living worse than in her previous life, she would be truly wronged.

She hurriedly said, “Auntie, no, Bowen’s getting married—I’m happy for him.”

Biting her lip and with red-rimmed eyes, she continued, “I naturally wish them well.”

Cen Bowen was somewhat moved and clenched his hand under the table.

After all these years, Kang Ying had done this much for him, and he felt a bit sorry for her—it was human nature.

Considering the Song family was present, Cen Bowen controlled himself and smiled at Kang Ying, “Thank you.”

Kang Ying looked at Song Yiyi, waiting for her forgiveness.

Song Yiyi took a sip of tea and spoke slowly, “I don’t need your blessing.”

Just those few simple words made Kang Ying lose face immediately.

Song Yiyi had called her here, and now in front of so many people, was she showing off that she was marrying Cen Bowen?

Kang Ying endured it before, but now, in front of so many, Song Yiyi wanted to humiliate her?

Why should she continue to endure?

“What do you want me to do then?” Kang Ying’s voice trembled.

Cen Bowen almost couldn’t bear it and wanted to stand up, but Cen Yue gave him a cold glance, and he instantly calmed down.

Song Yiyi looked at Kang Ying’s flushed face and smiled faintly, “I want to say, the problem isn’t solved.”

Everyone at the table was confused.

Cen’s mother, with keen insight, asked, “Daughter-in-law, how do you want to solve it? Tell me, and Mom will help you!”

She began rolling up her sleeves again.

Kang Ying, sitting beside Cen’s mother, looked miserable.

Song Yiyi smiled brightly, “Everyone knows the Kang family always quarrels, sometimes even with knives and guns. If I marry Deputy Battalion Commander Cen, and something happens in their family, will you still go help?”

That question hit Cen Bowen’s main artery. He choked on his words.

Would he help? Honestly, he still would.

But in the current situation, even if he was a fool, Cen Bowen knew better than to say that out loud.

He chuckled awkwardly, “Yiyi, don’t worry. That kind of situation won’t happen anymore.”

Cen Bowen thought the Kang family’s problem was that Kang Ying wasn’t married and still living at home, which caused friction with her sister-in-law. At worst, they could live apart.

He already planned that when he went home today, he would find his bankbook and let Kang Ying start a small business. As long as she could support herself, the family conflicts would naturally ease. This was his real promise to Song Yiyi.

Song Yiyi looked at Kang Ying.

Kang Ying heard Cen’s mother snort coldly. Her face turned red, then green, then red again as she muttered, “It won’t happen—I’ll bear with it in the future, it’s okay…”

Before Kang Ying’s tea ceremony could even begin, Cen’s mother splashed a face full of tea on her.

Not satisfied, Cen’s mother pointed at her and shouted, “You little slut, what does your family’s business have to do with our Bowen? You can bear it or not, I don’t care. Whether you drag the family down or fight to the death, you keep it to yourself! If I find out you come after my Bowen and ruin their relationship, you won’t get away with it!”

The tea was scalding; Kang Ying almost drowned and felt like her face was burning.

“Ah…” Kang Ying jumped on the spot, frantically wiping her face, looking very embarrassed.