Zhang Zhiyuan spoke with evident pride, his gaze at Li Cuihua filled not only with admiration but also outright showing off.
Li Cuihua had never thought much of him in the past.
Back in their impulsive youth, she’d found him somewhat good-looking, which led to their brief involvement.
But once Li Cuihua found a better option, she naturally stopped associating with him.
After marrying He Jiang, she had virtually no contact with Zhang Zhiyuan.
Zhang Zhiyuan, being somewhat petty, couldn’t accept being cast aside by Li Cuihua.
He constantly yearned to prove himself, and Lin Zhou’s appearance gave him the perfect opportunity.
As he spoke, Zhang Zhiyuan set the items he was carrying on the ground.
They were all high-quality goods he’d bought from the supply and marketing cooperative.
Premium health products, exquisite silk scarves.
And all sorts of delicious and practical items—an dazzling array.
They were even better than what He Jiang had brought on his first visit.
The Li family’s eyes widened at the sight, especially those of the money-obsessed Father Li.
“Zhiyuan, you’ve really made it, bringing so many gifts,” he said, even reaching out to touch them, but Li Cuihua pulled her father back.
“Zhang Zhiyuan, why are you here today?”
Surely he hadn’t brought all these expensive items just to show off his newfound favor with a big boss.
Li Cuihua still had her doubts about Zhang Zhiyuan’s story.
She thought any boss looking for employees would want someone driven and highly capable—why would they choose Zhang Zhiyuan?
He must have been tricked.
Yet the items in his hands were real. There was no way Zhang Zhiyuan could have afforded them on his own.
Aside from someone else giving them to him, Li Cuihua couldn’t think of any other explanation.
“Didn’t I just say? Cuihua, I’m willing to take you away from this island with me. We’ll leave these people behind completely. I’ll take you to make big money, and when we’re successful, we’ll come back.”
“We’ll show everyone who looked down on us how well we’re doing out there.”
After saying this, Zhang Zhiyuan’s eyes swept over the Li family one by one, finally settling on Father Li. He stepped forward and offered him a cigarette.
“Uncle, I truly like Cuihua. I don’t even mind that she’s been married before. As long as she’s willing to go with me, I’ll treat her well for the rest of my life.”
“The He family hates your family so much now—there’s no way He Jiang will ever remarry Cuihua.”
Zhang Zhiyuan was persuasive and methodical.
At this point, even he couldn’t tell whether his feelings for Li Cuihua were genuine affection or just lingering resentment.
After hearing Zhang Zhiyuan’s words, Father Li stroked his chin, considering.
What Zhang Zhiyuan said did make sense.
If a big boss saw potential in him, it was only natural for him to go out and make money.
If Cuihua went with him and they succeeded, wouldn’t the money they sent back eventually come to him?
With this thought, Father Li turned his gaze to Li Cuihua.
“Cuihua, if you ask me, Zhiyuan here is quite sincere. Why don’t the two of you talk it over?”
In front of others, Father Li wouldn’t say more than that—just “talk it over.”
But anyone could see what he was thinking—he had all but accepted Zhang Zhiyuan.
Li Cuihua’s expression remained sour. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Zhiyuan stepped forward.
In his hand was a silk scarf from Shanghai—the very same type that Ji Shuyu had given to her second sister-in-law, Su Wenjuan, when she first arrived on the island.
It was because of that scarf that Li Cuihua had developed a deep-seated resentment toward Ji Shuyu, leading to all the subsequent conflicts.
Now, seeing this scarf, Li Cuihua’s eyes were filled with complex emotions.
“Cuihua, I know that on He Jia’s third son’s wife’s first day here, she gave a scarf like this to the second brother’s family but not to you. Today, I’m making it up to you. From now on, whatever you want, I’ll buy it for you.”
“You’ll never have to endure anyone’s condescension again. Cuihua, I truly like you. You’ve seen my sincerity. Why not come with me? I promise I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life.”
Listening to Zhang Zhiyuan’s words and looking at the exquisite scarf in his hand, Li Cuihua had to admit she was tempted.
If she went with Zhang Zhiyuan, she might become a wealthy lady in the future.
She’d have more luxury goods than she could ever use—no longer dependent on others for such things.
Zhang Zhiyuan clearly noticed the struggle in Li Cuihua’s eyes.
He pressed the scarf into her hands and said decisively, “I’m leaving tomorrow, Cuihua. Think it over. If you really don’t want to be with me, then… I guess that’s it for us in this lifetime.”
He retreated to advance, not pushing any further.
After Zhang Zhiyuan left, the Li family crowded around—only the eldest and second daughters-in-law held back.
If divorce weren’t such a disgrace in these times, the two would have left long ago.
Watching the Li family’s behavior, they exchanged looks of disdain.
What a bunch of opportunists.
“This is a hot commodity at the supply and marketing cooperative! I tried to get one recently but couldn’t,” the eldest brother exclaimed.
“Elder Brother, is that the point? One of these alone costs more than two months of our wages,” the second brother chimed in.
The Li brothers went back and forth, marveling.
“It seems Zhang Zhiyuan has really made it. Cuihua, what do you think? Why not go with him? You’re divorced now, after all,” the eldest daughter-in-law said offhandedly while washing vegetables.
She could tell that Zhang Zhiyuan was likely being deceived.
Who knew what they saw in him to take him along?
She’d heard stories about people being tricked into illegal labor abroad.
But whatever the reason, it certainly wasn’t because of Zhang Zhiyuan’s abilities.
If he were truly capable, he wouldn’t have achieved nothing in over thirty years on the island.
The eldest daughter-in-law’s remark was meant sarcastically, but to Li Cuihua, it took on a different meaning.
If she went with Zhang Zhiyuan, she could live a good life and no longer endure the scorn of everyone on the island.
And once she had money, she could do whatever she wanted.
Gradually, Li Cuihua convinced herself.
“Yes, Cuihua, your eldest sister-in-law has a point. You’re divorced now, and as women, we can’t go through life without marrying,” the second daughter-in-law added, her tone somewhat sincere, though she too doubted Zhang Zhiyuan’s reliability.
With both sisters-in-law saying as much, Mother Li pondered for a moment before taking Li Cuihua’s hand.
“Cuihua, stop thinking about He Jiang and He Qiang. If you marry Zhang Zhiyuan, you can have another child together. Besides, He Qiang is a boy—do you really think the He family would abandon him?”
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