Chapter 19 : The Promise of Two People

Su Xieqiu stood by the door, watching the commotion with amusement. After everyone left, she climbed onto the kang with a smile, thinking to herself, ‘I don’t believe there won’t be a rift between them in the future.’  

Hearing her laughter, Han Zhenyu couldn’t help but curl the corners of his lips into a slight smile.  

However, he still cautioned her, “Once I’m gone, try not to cause any trouble. You can’t handle them alone.”  

Su Xieqiu nodded obediently. “I know my limits.”  

After a brief moment of thought, she added, “Tomorrow, go to the captain and get approval for the foundation, but don’t spread the news yet.”  

Han Zhenyu asked curiously, “Why not?”  

Hearing the couple next door return, Su Xieqiu shifted to the middle of the kang and whispered, “We shouldn’t mention anything about splitting the family. It’s better if they’re the ones to drive us out, that way, we’ll avoid future troubles.”  

Han Zhenyu glanced at her and teased, “You’re pretty clever. So how did you end up getting bullied like that before?”  

Su Xieqiu paused, then said with a self-deprecating laugh, “I was foolish before. But after being beaten enough, I suddenly figured a lot of things out.”  

Han Zhenyu grew quiet at her words, reminded of his own childhood, when nothing he did was ever recognized or appreciated.  

After a while, his voice broke the silence in the dark, “Go to sleep. From now on, I’ll be here for you.”  

When he thought Su Xieqiu had fallen asleep, she softly whispered, “Okay, then let’s rely on each other. I’ll treat you well too.”  

Neither of them fully understood the weight of their words in each other’s hearts.  

For Su Xieqiu, though she had both parents, she had always faced life’s challenges alone. The thought that someone would say he’d stand by her touched a soft spot in her heart.  

She didn’t know how long this man’s promises would last, but at least for now, she believed he was sincere. So she made the same promise in return.  

Perhaps because she’d napped too much during the afternoon, Su Xieqiu found herself battling insomnia, tossing and turning for a long time before finally drifting off.  

It felt like she’d barely slept when she awoke to the sound of Han Zhenyu getting up and sitting on the kang, putting on his shoes.  

“Why are you up so early? It’s not even daybreak yet,” she asked groggily.  

Without a watch, Su Xieqiu couldn’t tell the time.  

“I’m heading to the city,” Han Zhenyu replied. He stepped closer and whispered, “It’s hard to get approval for the foundation right now.”  

Understanding instantly, Su Xieqiu realized he meant they needed to buy gifts. “Be careful on the road,” she said.  

“Alright, go back to sleep,” Han Zhenyu replied, gently closing the door. He picked up a bamboo basket and strode off toward the city.  

Meanwhile, Zhang Qianyun, next door, had also woken up. Hearing the door creak open, she quickly leaned over to peek through the crack.  

Seeing it was Han Zhenyu, she immediately assumed he was out causing trouble again. Smirking to herself, she began plotting how to deal with Su Xieqiu.  

Her thoughts turned venomous. ‘How dare that bitch pin the blame on me? She’s getting too bold.’  

She silently vowed to teach Su Xieqiu a lesson this time, thinking, ‘Otherwise, she’ll truly believe she can bully me however she wants.’  

If Su Xieqiu had known what Zhang Qianyun was thinking, she would’ve probably laughed and said, “Go ahead and take a good look in the mirror.”  

‘Who does she think she’s fooling?’  

After all, Su Xieqiu was only fighting back using Zhang Qianyun’s own tricks.  

By the next morning, thanks to Zhang Qianyun’s gossiping, the entire Han family knew that Han Zhenyu had left again in the middle of the night.  

However, the family’s discussions about it weren’t nearly as heated as the day before.  

Han Meili, in particular, felt deeply resentful seeing everyone in the family already up and working while Su Xieqiu still lay asleep, sprawled out comfortably.  

However, after the beatings she endured in the past two days, coupled with Han Zhenyu’s stern warning yesterday, she was too afraid to directly confront her. Instead, she stood in the yard, venting her frustration with loud complaints.  

“Everyone in the family is awake and working, but there she is, still sleeping with her butt in the air! Does she think she’s some big deal? Let’s see if she can still get out of bed after being taught a lesson!”  

It was barely dawn, and Su Xieqiu, still fast asleep, didn’t take Han Meili’s shouting seriously. She merely turned over and continued sleeping.  

She couldn’t be bothered to deal with someone like Han Meili, who seemed to forget past beatings whenever food was mentioned. ‘I’ll deal with her when I’m in the mood for entertainment,’ she thought lazily.  

—

By the time Han Zhenyu returned from the city, it was still dark. He carried the items he’d bought straight to the captain’s house.  

When the captain’s wife, Liu Guilan, opened the door and saw him holding a basket, her face lit up with a warm smile.  

“Zhenyu, you’re here! Come in and have a seat,” she welcomed him warmly.  

The team captain, Hongbing, had just woken up and greeted him enthusiastically as well.  

Han Zhenyu handed the basket to Liu Guilan and smiled. “Sister-in-law, I brought a big pork elbow for my nephew and two cans of meat. That boy looked too thin yesterday, please cook this to help nourish him. He’s growing and shouldn’t suffer.”  

Hearing that it was pork elbow and canned meat, Liu Guilan’s eyes sparkled with delight, but she still responded modestly, “Oh, Zhenyu, why do you keep bringing things? This is so embarrassing! You should save it for your wife.”  

Han Zhenyu placed the basket firmly on the table. “Sister-in-law, we have plenty at home. This is for my nephew, so please don’t stand on ceremony.”  

Liu Guilan glanced at her husband, who gave a small nod. Smiling brightly, she accepted the gift.  

“Thank you, Zhenyu! You two can chat for a while. I’ll go cook. Stay and eat with us later.”  

Han Zhenyu declined politely, “No need, Sister-in-law. We’ve already prepared a meal at home. I just need to talk to the captain briefly before heading to the mountains to chop trees.”  

Han Hongbing motioned for his wife to get busy, then led Han Zhenyu to the main hall.  

“Zhenyu,” he said, “you don’t need to bring gifts every time you visit. You’re married now and will have plenty of expenses. We’re not outsiders, so there’s no need for such formalities.”  

Han Zhenyu replied sincerely, “Captain, it’s just a small token. I wanted to bring a snack for my nephew. You’ve helped me a lot over the years, and I’ve always kept that in mind.”  

The captain nodded, clearly pleased by his words. “So, what brings you here so early today?”  

Han Zhenyu sighed heavily and explained, “Captain, I came to ask for your help. You know what things are like at home. Last night, we had another fight. My wife and I can’t stay there any longer.  

“My wife’s emotions have been unstable, sometimes she’s fine, and sometimes not. I’m genuinely worried she might do something drastic one day.  

“In the past, when I couldn’t take it anymore, I would leave and stay away for a few days to avoid causing trouble. But now that I’m married, I can’t let my wife wander with me or sleep outdoors. That’s no life for her.”  

The captain listened sympathetically, shaking his head. He was well aware of Yang Lanhua’s difficult personality but refrained from gossiping.  

“So, what do you plan to do? Are you asking to split from the family?”  

Han Zhenyu nodded firmly. “Yes, Captain. I want to move out with my wife. Can you allocate us a piece of land in the village? Even if it’s a bit remote, that’s fine.”  

Hongbing sat quietly for a moment before replying, “There are three pieces of land available right now. One is to the north of Sun Dahan’s property. Another is a small plot to the west of your old house, which can be marked off.  

“The third one is next to the Youth Farm. Blind Han had his eye on it and came to me about it a few days ago, but I haven’t approved it yet. If you want it, I’ll give it to you.”