Chapter 157: They Never Expected the Opportunity Would Come So Soon

""Yuanyuan, are you out of your mind? How could you get involved with a married man? Do you realize what would happen if this got out?"" Liu Ruzhi said, heartbroken and angry. ""As for that Wen Zhuqing, I won't let him off.""

""Dad, Mom, you've misunderstood,"" Liu Yuan hurried to explain.

""Big Brother Wen saved my life, and he was forced to marry that woman..."" Afraid her parents would get the wrong idea about Wen Zhuqing, Liu Yuan quickly explained everything from the beginning.

Liu Ruzhi didn't refute her immediately. Instead, he asked, ""So what do you want us to do?""

""You want them to get divorced and for us to agree to you being with Wen Zhuqing?""

Liu Yuan fell silent, lowering her head. That was indeed what she wanted.

After a while, she clenched her fists and mustered her courage. ""Dad, Mom, please let me be with Big Brother Wen.""

""Please help him. He's a good man. He doesn't deserve to be treated like this.""

""I... I'll kneel to you.""

As she spoke, Liu Yuan started to kneel.

But before she could, Du Juan quickly held her up.

""Yuanyuan, doing this is like stabbing your parents in the heart.""

""Do you know, this 'good man' you're talking about, Wen Zhuqing, actually approached you on purpose? He's just using you.""

Liu Yuan was stunned.

Then Liu Ruzhi took out a letter and handed it to her. ""See for yourself. I received this today.""

Liu Yuan took it, half in doubt. But after reading it, she was completely dumbfounded.

""No, that's impossible. Big Brother Wen isn't like that..."" Liu Yuan felt the contents of the letter were utterly absurd.

The letter said that the so-called life-saving incident was actually orchestrated by Wen Zhuqing himself.

And as for being ""forced""—the truth was, Wen Zhuqing had been caught in bed with the other woman.

He had set his sights on Liu Yuan from the start, all because of her parents, Liu Ruzhi and Du Juan, believing they could help him get rid of Bao Shanyan.

""Yuanyuan, whatever else, the life-saving story is definitely fake. I've already investigated it. Wen Zhuqing colluded with others to set you up.""

""Yuanyuan, do you still not believe your father?""

""If you don't, I can take you to meet those people and have them tell you in person.""

""Your mom and I aren't against you dating, but we don't want to see you being used.""

Du Juan stepped forward and took her daughter's hand. ""That's right, Yuanyuan, you're our only daughter. You know how much we care about you.""

""All we want in this life is for you to be happy.""

Looking at the tears on her mother's face, Liu Yuan already knew, deep down, what her decision would be.

Liu Yuan was still clear-headed. Though she liked Wen Zhuqing, she trusted her parents, who had always protected her, even more.

So, she believed her parents wouldn't lie to her.

Could it be true that Wen Zhuqing had deceived her all along, just to use her?

If that was the case...

Thinking back to what happened yesterday, Liu Yuan broke out in a cold sweat.

If it hadn't been for that noise, if things had gone further and she'd given herself to Wen Zhuqing, what would have happened then?

She really would have been coerced by Wen Zhuqing, really would have become the mistress of a married man.

Her parents, trying to protect her, would have had to cover it up, maybe even help her get what she wanted.

Her poor parents, who had lived honest lives, would have to pay for her mistakes...

Even if she did end up marrying Wen Zhuqing, what kind of life would that be?

He was a scheming man, and she knew she wasn't clever.

Maybe, by then, she'd be helping him count the money after he sold her out.

Or maybe something even worse would happen.

At that thought, Liu Yuan shuddered, her mind suddenly clear.

""Dad, Mom, I... I was wrong.""

""What should I do now?""

Seeing their daughter finally come to her senses and realize how serious things were, Liu Ruzhi and Du Juan were both relieved.

Du Juan quickly pulled her daughter into a room to ask if she and Wen Zhuqing had gone any further.

Liu Yuan immediately understood what her mother meant.

At this point, she couldn't care about embarrassment and told her mother what had happened yesterday.

Du Juan listened, her heart pounding. It was so close, just a little more...

Thank goodness, nothing happened.

When they came out, Du Juan nodded to Liu Ruzhi, who, understanding his wife's meaning, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

""Yuanyuan, from today on, just pretend you don't know Wen Zhuqing.""

""Leave his matters to us.""

Liu Yuan pressed her lips together and nodded.

Du Juan comforted Liu Yuan for a while longer before she finally went back to her room.

Du Juan and Liu Ruzhi also returned to their own room. The couple exchanged glances, a cold glint in their eyes.

That Wen Zhuqing dared to scheme against their family and their daughter—they would not let him off.

""I've got people keeping an eye on Wen Zhuqing. As soon as we get the chance, I'll make sure he gets what he deserves,"" Liu Ruzhi said coldly.

""Alright, I'll leave it to you. If you need my help, just say so.""

All they needed was an opportunity, and they would make sure to teach that audacious Wen Zhuqing a lesson he wouldn't forget.

What they didn't expect was that the opportunity would come very soon.

—

At that moment, in Huaihua Village.

It seemed like just another ordinary day—those who needed to work went to work, those who needed to do chores did chores.

Suddenly, someone came running and shouting.

""Something's wrong! People from the Committee are here!""

""Oh my god, why would they come to our village?""

""Look, aren't they heading to the village chief's house?""

""Quick, let's go see!""

The villagers immediately dropped what they were doing and swarmed toward the Gu family home.

At the Bao family, Bao Shanyan heard the commotion and went over too.

Wen Zhuqing, who was feeding chickens, heard the noise outside and the corners of his mouth curled up in a faint smile.

Finally, they're here.

Since they're here, I might as well kill two birds with one stone.

Wen Zhuqing turned and went back inside, opened a bundle, and took out some medicinal powder.

After tucking it on his person, he left the Bao house.

Walking out, he looked up at the sky. On such a fine day, if no blood was shed, it would be a waste.

With that thought, he headed toward the crowd—toward the Gu family home.

By now, the Gu house was surrounded by people, several rows deep. The Committee officials were at the door.

""Gu Chunsheng, we've received a report that your family is hiding banned books. We're here to search your house.""

Gu Chunsheng was the name of Old Gu.

Old Gu stood with Gu Yunnan, Gu Yunzhou, and others, confronting them. ""Impossible! I, Gu Chunsheng, would never do such a thing. Who reported us? Let them come out and face me!""

""We received an anonymous letter. Whether it's true or not, we'll know once we search.""

""If you keep stalling, we'll have to arrest you.""

""I'm not afraid! My brother-in-law is a regiment commander in the military district. I dare you to try!"" Gu Yunzhou stepped forward, refusing to back down."