Chapter 21 Apology
Liu Xuejun wasn't easily intimidated; he exploded on the spot!
He rolled up his sleeves, pointed at Lu Huaiyuan's nose, and cursed, "You beast! Even if I toil in the fields my whole life, it's none of your business to bully my sister!"
Before he finished speaking, he lunged forward, grabbed Lu Huaiyuan by the collar, and slammed his fist into him!
"Bang! Bang!"
The two punches landed quickly and fiercely.
Just as he was about to throw his third punch, Shen Hongmei rushed out and stopped him, shouting, "Fourth brother, are you crazy!"
Lu Huaiyuan scrambled to his feet, his face burning with pain. Having been beaten in front of so many people, he was utterly humiliated and roared, wanting to retaliate.
But Liu Zhixia coldly blocked his way.
When Lu Huaiyuan saw her cold face, he became even angrier.
She didn't feel bad about being beaten, and she even dared to give him attitude?
Just as he was about to lash out, Gu Mansheng in the crowd frantically gave him meaningful glances.
Lu Huaiyuan's mind cleared up, and he almost forgot the important matter!
He rubbed his face, cleared his throat, and put on a magnanimous act: "Well... I know Xuejun is still angry. As his future brother-in-law, I won't hold a grudge against him. I'm willing to forgive you now, so your Liu family shouldn't be ungrateful."
Liu Zhixia scoffed, "Lu Huaiyuan, have you lost your mind? We've already broken off the engagement. I have nothing to do with you anymore."
She turned to the villagers around her and said loudly, "Everyone! Lu Huaiyuan just made some lewd remarks to me, and my brother couldn't stand it, so he hit me! If he ever dares to use his power as the brigade leader to make things difficult for us in the future, you all have to be witnesses!"
The crowd immediately began to discuss the matter.
"The brigade leader's family has been going too far lately."
"Didn't they themselves feel that the Liu family wasn't good enough for them? Why are they causing trouble now?"
"He must be jealous because Xia looks better with that battalion commander."
Liu Zhixia's eyes reddened, revealing a wronged expression: "I don't mind being wronged, but I'm afraid he'll retaliate against my brother and prevent him from taking the college entrance exam next year! I'll ask everyone to help me then!"
"Xia, don't worry, we're not blind!"
"Yes! If he dares to cause trouble, let's go find the Party Secretary together!"
Liu Zhixia immediately said, "Thank you everyone!"
Lu Huaiyuan's face turned green with anger: "Liu Zhixia, you're such a good actress! I'm the one who got beaten up!"
Liu Zhixia glanced at him indifferently: "You just threatened me, saying that if I didn't comply, my brother wouldn't be able to take the college entrance exam. Is that something a dog would say?"
Liu Xuejun rubbed his fists smugly: "That's right! He was trying to threaten my sister, so I couldn't help but punch him. My sister has always doted on me since I was little, she definitely wouldn't let him be bullied by such a beast!"
Seeing this, Lu Huaiyuan knew he was in trouble. If this got out of hand, his father would definitely beat him to death!
His eyes darted around, and he immediately changed his tune, shouting, "Zhixia, you've misunderstood! I'm here to apologize! I was wrong last time, and I've regretted it every day since we broke up. Please forgive me this time!"
He spoke humbly, but his eyes were filled with resentment.
Surely Liu Zhixia must be moved by such a humble attitude?
To his surprise, Liu Zhixia looked at him as if he were trash.
She curled her lip in a mocking smile: "Lu Huaiyuan, don't you understand what breaking off the engagement means? Let me tell you—"
"I don't like you anymore. You're not good enough for me. Do you understand?"
After saying that, she grabbed Liu Xuejun's hand and turned to leave.
Shen Hongmei tried to smooth things over: "Huaiyuan, don't take it to heart, my sister..."
Liu Zhixia paused, turned around, and asked coldly, "Sister-in-law, did you come out alone? Who's looking after Da Bao and Er Bao?"
Shen Hongmei's face stiffened, and she awkwardly shut her mouth, quickly following after them.
Today's little farce didn't cause much of a stir in the village.
However, the news still reached Zhang Xiuying's ears.
Before noon, she stormed back from the fields with a dark expression.
She found Liu Zhixia and immediately asked, "That Lu family brat, did he really come to you to get back together?"
Liu Zhixia was afraid that her mother would worry, so she agreed with Liu Xuejun not to tell the family about Lu Huaiyuan's vicious plan.
She said casually, "Well, I got beaten up by Xuejun though."
Zhang Xiuying immediately flew into a rage: "What does he mean? He's been flirting with that educated youth Gu, and he still dares to come back to you? You can't have a man like that!"
Seeing her mother's worried expression, Liu Zhixia took her hand and said, "Mom, don't worry. I've long since given up on him. If Captain Lu comes to you about this, just be firm and refuse him outright."
"Yes!" Zhang Xiuying finally breathed a sigh of relief. "They're so shameless! They still dare to come to our door even after all this!"
Just as the mother and daughter finished speaking, a discordant voice rang out.
Shen Hongmei, carrying the child, came out of the house and said in a sarcastic tone:
"Little sister, you just don't get it. Captain Lu's family is the best off in our brigade. His son, Huaiyuan, only has a high school diploma. If he goes to university, he'll be a university student! An intellectual!"
"Where can you find such a good family?"
"If he wants to turn back now, he probably hasn't thought things through. With his looks and qualifications, city girls would be scrambling to get him!"
She then turned her anger towards Zhang Xiuying: "Mother, why are you adding to the trouble? If this marriage goes through, my little sister will be destined for a life of luxury! The bride price alone will be substantial!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiuying's anger flared up instantly: "Shut up!"
She pointed at Shen Hongmei's nose and cursed, "My Liu family's daughter, even if she never marries, it's none of your business to arrange things for her! You're pushing my daughter into a fire pit for that little bit of dowry, what are you up to!"
Shen Hongmei rolled her eyes and muttered resentfully, "I'm only doing this for my little sister's own good. I'm not the one who's enjoying the good life."
Zhang Xiuying sneered, "So you're complaining that coming to our house doesn't allow you to enjoy yourself? Fine, go back to your old Shen family! See how much better off you are back at your parents' house without my Liu family's support!"
These words were too harsh, and Shen Hongmei's face instantly fell: "Mother, do you want me to divorce Xiangyang?"
Knowing that divorce was a big deal, Zhang Xiuying stopped bringing it up and softened her tone, saying, "Didn't you complain that you weren't enjoying life at my house? Go find someone who can give you happiness."
“We’ve never skimped on your food, clothing, or other necessities at home. I’ve always turned a blind eye when you bring things back to your parents’ home. My husband Xiangyang is a good man and has never hit his wife. I, as your mother-in-law, have never mistreated you.”
"And you've got some nerve, trying to take advantage of my daughter? If you're not happy about it, let's go out and find someone to judge this, and let the whole village hear how you, as the eldest sister-in-law, scheme against your own sister-in-law!"
Shen Hongmei's face turned completely white in an instant.
She usually has a good reputation in the brigade, but if this gets out, her image will be completely ruined.
That bit of arrogance from just now was extinguished completely in an instant.
Liu Zhixia naturally knew that her mother would never make a scene about this.
So they quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Forget it, it wasn't a big deal to begin with. Let's not let outsiders laugh at us. Sister-in-law, I know you care about me, but I will absolutely not marry Lu Huaiyuan."
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