“Yuanyuan, you’re being foolish! How could you get involved with a married man? Do you have any idea what would happen if this were exposed?” Liu Ruzhi was heartbroken. “That Wen Zhuqing—I won’t let him off the hook.”
“Mom, Dad, you’ve misunderstood,” Liu Yuan hurriedly explained.
“Brother Wen saved my life, and besides, he was forced to marry that woman…” Fearing her parents would misjudge Wen Zhuqing, Liu Yuan quickly clarified the whole story from beginning to end.
Liu Ruzhi didn’t refute her immediately. Instead, he asked, “Then what do you want us to do?”
“Have them divorce and agree to let you be with Wen Zhuqing?”
Liu Yuan fell silent, her head lowered. That was indeed what she had in mind.
After a long pause, she clenched her fists and mustered her courage. “Mom, Dad, please let me be with Brother Wen.”
“Help him, please. He’s a good person—he doesn’t deserve this treatment.”
“I… I’ll kneel to you.”
With that, Liu Yuan started to kneel.
But before she could, Du Juan forcefully held her up.
“Yuanyuan, doing this is like tearing out your parents’ hearts.”
“Do you even know that the ‘good man’ you speak of, Brother Wen, deliberately approached you? He’s just using you.”
Liu Yuan was stunned.
Liu Ruzhi then took out a letter and handed it to her. “Read it yourself. I received this today.”
Liu Yuan took it hesitantly. After finishing it, she was utterly dumbfounded.
“No… it can’t be. Brother Wen isn’t that kind of person…” Liu Yuan found the contents of the letter utterly absurd.
The letter claimed that the so-called “life-saving favor” was actually orchestrated by Brother Wen.
Moreover, the idea that he was “forced” was false—Wen Zhuqing had been caught in bed with someone else back then.
He had long since set his sights on Liu Yuan, all because of her parents—Liu Ruzhi and Du Juan’s status—as they could help him break free from Bao Shanyan.
“Yuanyuan, let’s set aside the rest for now, but the life-saving favor was indeed fabricated. I’ve already investigated it—Wen Zhuqing conspired with those people to deceive you.”
“Yuanyuan, don’t you trust your own father?”
“If you don’t believe me, I can take you to meet those people and have them repeat it to you in person.”
“Yuanyuan, your mom and I aren’t against you dating, but we don’t want to see you being used.”
Du Juan also stepped forward and took her daughter’s hand. “Yes, Yuanyuan, you’re our only daughter. You know how much we care about you.”
“In this lifetime, all we want is your happiness.”
Seeing the tears on her mother’s face, Liu Yuan already had an answer and a decision in her heart.
Liu Yuan was still clear-headed. Though she liked Wen Zhuqing, she trusted her parents—who had always protected and raised her—far more.
So, she believed her parents wouldn’t lie to her.
But had Wen Zhuqing really deceived her? Was everything just a ploy to use her?
If that were truly the case…
Thinking back to what happened yesterday, Liu Yuan broke out in a cold sweat.
If not for that sudden noise, if things had continued… if she had given herself to Wen Zhuqing, what would have happened afterward?
She would have truly been at his mercy, branded as a homewrecker who slept with a married man.
Her parents, to protect her, would have had to cover it up—maybe even grant her wish.
Her parents, who had lived with integrity their entire lives, would have been tarnished because of their unfilial daughter.
Even if she and Wen Zhuqing had eventually married as she wished, what kind of life would that have been?
He was a scheming, calculating man, and Liu Yuan knew she wasn’t particularly clever.
She might have ended up being sold off by him while still counting his money for him.
Or worse—an even more terrifying outcome.
The thought sent a chill down her spine, and her mind cleared instantly.
“Mom, Dad… I was wrong.”
“What should I do now?”
Seeing their daughter finally come to her senses and realize the gravity of the situation, Liu Ruzhi and Du Juan were relieved.
Du Juan quickly pulled her daughter into the room to ask if things had gone further between her and Wen Zhuqing.
Liu Yuan immediately understood what her mother meant.
Too ashamed but knowing it was necessary, she confessed what had happened the day before.
Du Juan listened in horror—just a little more, just a little more, and it would have been too late.
Thankfully, thankfully, it hadn’t gone that far.
When they came out, Du Juan gave a small nod to Liu Ruzhi, who had been waiting anxiously. Realizing his wife’s meaning, he let out a sigh of relief.
“Yuanyuan, from today onward, act as if you’ve never known that Wen Zhuqing.”
“Leave his matter to us.”
Liu Yuan pursed her lips and nodded.
Du Juan comforted Liu Yuan for a while longer before she finally returned to her room.
Du Juan and Liu Ruzhi also went back to their own room. The couple exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with cold ruthlessness.
That Wen Zhuqing-how dare he scheme against their family and their daughter?
They would not let him off.
“I’ve already sent people to continue tracking Wen Zhuqing’s movements. As soon as we find an opportunity, I’ll make sure he learns his lesson,” Liu Ruzhi said coldly.
“Good. I’ll leave it to you. If you need my help, just say the word.”
All they needed was the right opportunity to strike back hard against that audacious Wen Zhuqing.
Little did they know, that opportunity would come sooner than expected.
Meanwhile, in Huaihua Village.
The day seemed as ordinary as any-people went to work, tended to chores, and carried on with their routines.
Then, suddenly, someone came running, shouting in alarm.
“Something’s wrong! The [certain committee] is here!”
“Oh no, why would they come to our village?”
“Look! Are they heading toward the village chief’s house?”
“Quick, let’s go see!”
Without hesitation, the villagers abandoned their work and swarmed toward the Gu family’s home.
At the Bao household, Bao Shanyan heard the commotion and followed the crowd.
Wen Zhuqing, who had been feeding the chickens, paused at the noise outside, a faint smirk curling his lips.
Finally, they’re here.
Since they’d come, he might as well kill two birds with one stone.
He turned and went back inside, opening a small package and retrieving a pouch of powder.
Tucking it into his pocket, he strode out of the Bao residence.
Gazing up at the sky, he mused, On such a fine day, it’d be a shame not to spill some blood.
With that thought, he headed toward the crowd-toward the Gu family’s home.
By now, the Gu residence was surrounded by layers of onlookers, with the committee members standing at the entrance.
“Gu Chunsheng, we’ve received a report that your family is harboring forbidden books. We’re here to conduct a search.”
Gu Chunsheng was Old Man Gu’s full name.
Standing with Gu Yunnan, Gu Yunzhou, and the others, Old Man Gu faced them defiantly. “Impossible! How could I, Gu Chunsheng, ever do such a thing? Who reported this? Let them come out and confront me directly!”
“The report was anonymous. Whether it’s true or not, we’ll find out after searching.”
“We’ll search whether you like it or not. If you keep arguing, we’ll have no choice but to arrest you.”
“Don’t you dare! My brother-in-law is a regiment-level officer in the military district! You wouldn’t dare!” Gu Yunzhou stepped forward, refusing to back down.
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