Chapter 3: Yan Ziyue Said Those Words on Purpose

Miao Lanlan was known in the village as a notorious gossip; if she found out about something, within an hour the entire Daqing Village would know. The ambiguous relationship between her and Xu Lecheng was the talk that Miao Lanlan spread everywhere.

Quickly, she stuffed two eggs into her pocket, her face full of sympathy. "I told you before, Xu Zhiqing and Zhang Qingqing definitely have something going on. You just wouldn’t believe me."

"It’s good you’ve woken up now. Just focus on living well with your husband, and don’t let those two deceive you anymore."

Yan Ziyue wiped away tears from the corner of her eye and forced a bitter smile. "Lanlan, you know how he is. My husband always wears a cold face; he’s downright frightening."

"My sister keeps talking nonsense again. Xu Lecheng acts well, but I... only blame myself for being too naive and not seeing the truth. Luckily, I’ve woken up now."

Thinking of her own husband, Miao Lanlan shuddered involuntarily.

Yan Ziyue’s husband alone could frighten a crowd just by standing there, so it was no wonder she thought that way.

"You can’t judge by appearances."

Miao Lanlan curled her lips in disdain. "Look at Xu Lecheng. He never works. He’s either fooling around with Zhang Qingqing or chasing other girls in the village. He’s no good."

Seeing Miao Lanlan’s darting eyes, Yan Ziyue knew she was about to go spread the gossip and decided to add fuel to the fire.

“Sister Miao, I don’t know if it’s just me, but I always feel that Xu Lecheng and Zhang Qingqing’s relationship is... how should I put it... not like a normal couple.”

She seemed to recall something and lightly tapped her left palm with her right fist. “Oh, right! A few days ago, I heard Zhang Qingqing say that she and Xu Lecheng went to the village committee to get some kind of certificate, then they went to the commune.”

“At that time, she looked so shy and bashful.”

Miao Lanlan’s imagination instantly ran wild. What kind of certificate did they get at the village committee? What did they do at the commune? And Zhang Qingqing was blushing.

Could it be that Xu Lecheng and Zhang Qingqing secretly got married?

“Is it true, the wife of the Xiao family?” she asked, her face full of gossip.

Yan Ziyue nodded, frowning slightly, puzzled. “That day, Xu Lecheng was really happy, too.”

“Seems like they even went to Zhang Qingqing’s house to drink.”

“Sister Miao, what do you think is going on between them? It’s really strange.”

Miao Lanlan was so excited she was practically jumping. She opened her mouth to say something but then waved her hand in the air.

“Hey, I won’t tell you now.”

“I’ve got something to do. I’ll come find you another day to chat.”

Before she finished speaking, she was already rushing off.

Yan Ziyue knew she was going to dig up more information. She narrowed her eyes and turned to the door of Xiao Heshou’s room.

“Xiao Heshou, what do you want for lunch? I’ll cook,” she said gently, patting the door.

Xiao Heshou sat coldly by the window reading a newspaper, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

“Are you trying to get money from me again?”

He acted as if he hadn’t heard the commotion outside. “How much this time?”

“This is the last time. This afternoon, we’re getting a divorce. After that, I won’t bother you anymore.”

He was exhausted.

Hearing this, Yan Ziyue panicked and pounded on the door with all her might.

“Xiao Heshou, I would rather die than divorce!”

After finally getting a second chance at life, she wouldn’t betray him again!

The door rattled under her pounding.

Xiao Heshou barely read a few words on the paper.

Yan Ziyue was trying to coax him again, hoping to get more money for Xu Lecheng from him.

“Xiao Heshou, will you please open the door?” Yan Ziyue called out plaintively. “I don’t feel well, I’m in so much pain.”

She exaggerated her cries and listened carefully for any response inside.

In her past life, every time she said this, Xiao Heshou would come to her immediately.

This time…

This time was no different.

As soon as he heard her cries of pain, he couldn’t stay seated and quickly opened the door.

“What’s wrong with you—”

Before he could finish, Yan Ziyue threw herself into his arms, freezing him in place.

She was hugging him?!

“My neck hurts, my throat hurts, and you don’t even care about me,” Yan Ziyue pouted, clinging to him and whining.

But Xiao Heshou pushed her away roughly.

Yan Ziyue staggered back a few steps, nearly falling.

Fortunately, she steadied herself.

“You pushed me?”

She puffed out her cheeks, looking even more pitiful.

Xiao Heshou clenched his hands behind his back and turned his head away to avoid softening.

His expression was icy, and his eyes held no warmth as he said, “If you have something to say, say it. Don’t do these useless things anymore.”

Yan Ziyue suppressed her sorrow and looked straight at him with sincere eyes.

“I’m telling you seriously again, this life I just want to live well with you, I…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Heshou raised his hand to cut her off.

He sneered, “You always say that, but how do you act?”

“Today, you even threatened me by hanging yourself.”

He was truly tired, unwilling to continue living like this, and afraid that next time she might kill him.

“I know you won’t believe me when I say this now.”

She spoke slowly and clearly, “I will prove it to you, then you’ll know I’m not lying.”

Looking into her earnest eyes, Xiao Heshou’s heart stirred, almost ready to agree.

“You don’t need to say sweet things. Just say what you want directly.”

“I want a child, a child with you,” Yan Ziyue suddenly said.

Her words startled Xiao Heshou. “You…”

Yan Ziyue caught the hurt and faint joy in his eyes, realizing he longed for a child but was afraid to trust her.

“I just want you.”

She added, “I know you don’t believe me, but I will prove it to you.”

“It’s almost noon. Shall we cook first?”

Before she finished, she heard her despicable father’s furious voice.

“Yan Ziyue, you wicked girl, get out here! How dare you bully your sister!”

Before Yan Ziyue could react, she saw Xiao Heshou walking toward the courtyard gate with a cold face. A warm yet complicated feeling swelled in her heart. How could she have been so blind in her past life?

Without hesitating, she ran to the kitchen, grabbed a gleaming kitchen knife, and stormed toward the courtyard gate fiercely.

She was about to collect the interest her despicable father and stepmother owed her, making this couple understand she was no longer an easy target.

Yan’s father arrived with Zhang Juhua and Zhang Qingqing.

When they saw the cold aura radiating from Xiao Heshou, they instantly turned into frightened quails and hastily retreated outside the courtyard.

“It’s Heshou,” Yan’s father said, rubbing his aching forehead. “Is Ziyue around?”

“Look at Ziyue, such a child. Qingqing kindly came to see her, but she hit Qingqing without reason. It’s really wrong.”

He was genuinely afraid of Xiao Heshou.

Back then, when he tried to get more bride price money from him and caused trouble, he was hung up and severely beaten, never daring to speak harshly to him again.