Chapter 19: I Just Wanted to Watch Quietly

Chen Lie: ""...""

For a moment, he couldn't tell whether the old man was praising his own family or scolding him.

Standing behind the old man, Zhao Liangyan glanced between the group, feeling that the whole scene was a bit bizarre...

But as long as he kept quiet, maybe he could minimize his presence as much as possible?

Zhang Dongsheng: ""People call you an old child, and you really take it to heart, huh? Did you ever think, when you call me a good-for-nothing, what does that make you?""

After being kicked down, Zhang Dongsheng didn't even try to run. The point was, he couldn't run even if he wanted to. The old man's men were all skilled fighters, but they usually went easy on him, so he could sometimes get away. But today, wasn't Chen Lie here too, that troublesome guy?

""Stop arguing with me!"" The old man jabbed a finger at Chen Lie. ""Apologize, and promise you'll act like a decent human being from now on!""

Zhang Dongsheng shot a glare at Chen Lie, who stood ramrod straight, and sneered without saying a word.

Running to the elders to complain at the first sign of trouble—someone like that wants him to apologize? Not a chance!

""Why should I apologize to him? He stole what was mine!""

Zhang Dongsheng protested angrily, ""I met her first, I liked her first, and who the hell is Chen Lie anyway? He cut in and then turned it around on me!""

At this point, the old man finally started to get the gist. ""So you're saying you liked that girl, genuinely wanted to marry her, but Chen Lie swooped in and stole her away?""

A concise summary, and not wrong in the big picture, but the details and cause-and-effect were off. The question stumped Zhang Dongsheng for a few seconds.

Sure, he was attracted to her looks, but he never intended to marry her. If he was honest, he just wanted a mutual, no-strings-attached fling. Marriage? That never crossed his mind...

The old man narrowed his eyes, sensing something was off. ""Zhang Dongsheng, did you do something you shouldn't have?""

He knew his son well—whenever his eyes started darting around, it meant he was guilty of something.

That question jolted Zhang Dongsheng back to his senses, and suddenly he realized he might have been tricked!

""Dad? Chen Lie... didn't complain to you?"" Zhang Dongsheng was incredulous. ""You and him catching me here today wasn't planned in advance?""

""Complain? He didn't need to—you're spilling everything yourself!"" The old man snorted coldly, his gaze sharp. ""Enough, let's leave it at that for now. Just tell me this: when you went after Chen Lie's wife, did you know she was married to him or not?""

Before and after—there's a world of difference in how serious it is...

The old man sighed, his back no longer so straight.

""I didn't know she was married to Chen Lie."" Zhang Dongsheng looked at his military-trained father, lips pressed into a line. ""I couldn't find her before, then when I did, she told me she was married.""

Zhao Liangyan silently commented: ...And you still wouldn't give up after knowing she was married!

""She told you she was married, and you didn't bother her after that?""

""...I just made a joke."" Zhang Dongsheng thought of Su Qinghu going to the hospital for stomach pumping, and his confidence faltered. He glanced at Chen Lie. ""How was I supposed to know she couldn't take a joke?""

Chen Lie smiled. ""She just graduated from college this year. She doesn't have much experience in the real world.""

Just graduated this year?

The old man's heart skipped a beat. ""Zhang Dongsheng, don't tell me you went after a college girl?""

Regardless of gender, it takes a lot of resources for the country to train a college student. If his son wasn't serious about marriage and just wanted to play around with a college girl, that would not only ruin her, but also waste the country's efforts!

Zhang Dongsheng: ""It was just that one, Su Qinghu.""

The old man struggled to contain his anger. ""Tell me the truth!""

""I'm telling the truth, it was just her. Where would I find more?"" Zhang Dongsheng was deflated. ""I may not like your nagging, but I've never lied to you.""

He'd let his guard down today!

Seeing Chen Lie show up with the old man, he'd thought Chen Lie was being petty. Who knew Chen Lie would be even pettier!

He hadn't complained, but thinking back, something still felt off.

""Dad, how did you know Chen Lie... just got married?"" Zhang Dongsheng couldn't bring himself to say ""second marriage""—it just felt wrong to use those words about Su Qinghu's stunning face.

He glanced at Chen Lie, still feeling like there was a fly stuck in his throat, forgetting that he and Chen Lie weren't that different.

""Zhao Liangyan told me."" The old man replied, then suddenly realized he'd overlooked something and turned to Zhao Liangyan.

Being called out, Zhao Liangyan felt the world was terribly unfair to him. He was grimacing, but when the old man turned around, he forced his face into a neutral expression.

""You keep in touch with him a lot. Tell me honestly, has he done anything illegal or out of line?""

How was Zhao Liangyan supposed to answer that?

He felt the weight of two stares on him and almost thought his days were numbered.

""...Shengzi didn't even have time to do anything illegal—Chen Lie cut him off at the source.""

That answer left everyone in the courtyard silent for a moment.

The old man: ""Chen Lie, you tell me.""

As the person involved, he had the most right to speak.

Chen Lie: ""The day I got the marriage certificate, I was busy and didn't have time to tell everyone. I came here today because I heard you weren't home, guessed you might come see Liangzi, so I came over.""

""I was planning to tell all three of you at once, then leave after announcing my marriage. I didn't mean to get involved. But then you called him down, so I just lent a hand.""

""Yeah, right! Don't make it sound so noble. You just wanted to pick a fight with me."" Zhang Dongsheng scoffed.

This guy just wanted to stand up for his pretty wife—who didn't know what he was up to?

""It wasn't about fighting. I just wanted you to accept the fact that I'm married,"" Chen Lie replied coolly. ""And to make sure you show her some respect.""

Zhao Liangyan quietly translated, knowing Chen Lie had always been the ""model child"" in everyone's eyes.

""'It wasn't about fighting' basically means 'I could beat you up single-handedly.'""

""'Wanted you to accept the fact that I'm married' is more like 'I'll beat some sense into you.'""

""And 'show her some respect' is pretty clear: 'If you keep acting out, I won't hesitate to beat you until you lose all dignity.'""

Zhang Dongsheng looked at him. ""I saw her first.""

""You're an adult, Zhang Dongsheng,"" Chen Lie reminded him, his tone flat.

Not aggressive, but deeply insulting.

Zhang Dongsheng bristled, about to retort, when his father walked over and stepped on his shoe.

""Chen Lie, your parents don't know about your marriage yet, do they?"" The old man patted his shoulder. ""If possible, let them know soon, hold a proper wedding banquet. Don't let that girl feel wronged."""