Chapter 43 A Bond Forged in Life and Death: It turns out they had met before. ...
"Chen Ping'an? What are you looking at here?"
She was wearing a light blue, round-necked robe with embroidered water ripples. She moved closer to him, followed his gaze, and suddenly spoke up.
Chen Ping'an was startled by him, released his grip on the tree trunk, and said coldly, "I didn't see anything."
The man chuckled a few times, then said meaningfully, "Are you looking at that woman across the lake?"
Chen Ping'an's fair face flushed crimson instantly, and she glared at him fiercely, saying, "Chen Chengdong, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Don't be shy!" Chen Chengdong grinned, his gaze unabashedly scrutinizing the woman on the opposite bank. He commented, "Oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, eyes brimming with affection, delicate nose, rosy lips, skin like jade, slender waist, graceful and charming... truly a rare beauty."
Having said that, an interest gleamed in his eyes. He stroked his chin and suddenly said to him, "Such a rare and charming woman, I, the Little White Dragon of Anping County, must meet her!"
"Stop!" Chen Ping'an blocked his way, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at him and shouted, "Don't you dare lay a finger on her!"
"Oh, you can look, but I can't befriend her? She's not your wife!" Chen Chengdong chuckled. "So domineering... or are you also interested in this beautiful woman?"
Chen Ping'an's face turned red with anger. He glared at her and gritted his teeth, saying, "Anyway, you're not allowed to make a move on her!"
Just as Chen Chengdong was about to say something, he caught a glimpse of a man hurrying to the woman's side. The two were deeply in love, their affection overflowing, like a pair of celestial beings.
He squinted at her for a moment, then sneered, "If I don't set my sights on her, I'm afraid you won't be able to even dream of her."
He put his hands on his shoulders, turned him around, pointed to the two people gazing at each other affectionately, and laughed, "Now your sweetheart is going to become your sister-in-law!"
The body beneath his palm suddenly stiffened, and the darkest and most shameful secret thoughts hidden deep in his heart were unearthed and exposed to the sunlight.
Chen Ping'an felt a wave of dizziness.
It took him a while to regain consciousness.
He turned and glared at him, who suddenly seemed to realize something: "You didn't know all along that she was your betrothed sister-in-law, did you?"
"..."
Chen Chengdong was puzzled. This old man had never been able to tolerate the slightest anger since he was a child. If an ordinary person said something that angered him, he would bring down his fist without saying a word.
It wasn't until he studied the classics for several years and passed the imperial examination as a scholar that this sinister nature was suppressed, and he became a respectable person.
At this moment, he just gritted his teeth and remained silent. Chen Chengdong suddenly became even more excited and said with a smile, "Everyone has a love for beauty. I've lived for almost twenty years and I've never seen anyone as beautiful as this woman! Not to mention you, a half-grown boy who hasn't even grown his hair yet. I understand, I understand..."
Chen Ping'an remained silent in the face of Chen Chengdong's teasing. He turned and walked a short distance before warning him, "Stop talking nonsense. If I hear any rumors about you in the village, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Chen Chengdong raised his hands, feigning innocence, and said, "Ping An, what are you saying? I didn't say anything!"
"You can't be jealous that your sister-in-law stole your brother away, can you?"
"..."
Chen Ping'an read the other meaning in his words, his temples throbbing with anger, and he coldly retorted, "Chen Chengdong."
When he was called by his full name, Chen Chengdong felt a chill run down his spine, his hair stood on end, and his scalp tingled. He said sullenly, "Why did you call me?"
"Were you the one who sneaked into Blind Chen's widow's house on the night of March 18th?"
"!!..." Chen Chengdong was stunned, his pupils shrinking in shock. He had always been discreet, how could he have been seen by someone, especially this troublesome old man!
"You...you must be mistaken. That day I was drinking and carousing with Cheng Cai at a brothel..."
Seeing his guilty conscience, Chen Ping'an just smiled. "I hope I'm the one who admitted my mistake. I just hope Sister Xixiang doesn't hear anything that might cause a misunderstanding for Brother Chengdong."
"Chen Ping'an, you!"
Seeing that the desired effect had been achieved, Chen Ping'an sneered and quickly left.
Chen Chengdong spat fiercely as he watched Chen Ping'an leave, then glanced at the two lovers on the opposite bank, and a plan suddenly came to mind.
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. His heart skipped a beat, his face flushed, and with a cold laugh, he left the lakeside and strode away.
*
"Safety?"
Chen Changsheng walked in and saw Chen Ping'an sitting at the table, holding a book. He looked serious, his eyebrows furrowed, as if he was thinking about a difficult problem, but he didn't turn the page.
Chen Changsheng, puzzled by his younger brother's condition, called out softly.
"Hmm?" Chen Ping'an snapped out of his reverie and put the book down. "What's wrong?"
Chen Changsheng laughed and said, "I'd like to ask you what's wrong with you, you seem so absent-minded."
"fine."
"Could it really be as Cheng Dong said?" Chen Changsheng couldn't help but wonder when he saw Chen Ping'an's refusal to answer.
Upon hearing this name, Chen Ping'an felt as if he had been stung, narrowing his eyes and coldly asking, "What did Chen Chengdong say?"
"He said you seem to have someone you like." Chen Changsheng was also very curious. He knew his younger brother very well. The family had introduced him to several good girls, but he rejected them without even glancing at them. He said he wanted to focus on his studies and prepare for the imperial examinations, but to put it bluntly, he was too picky.
That's why he didn't believe Chen Chengdong when he first heard him say it, but seeing that Chen Chengdong looked like he was thinking of Xiao Su, he asked him jokingly.
But I didn't expect him to react so strongly; Chen Chengdong was right!?
Chen Changsheng was very curious about who this woman was who had managed to win over Chen Ping'an.
He grinned mischievously: "Which family's daughter is she? Tell your brother, and we'll have Father and Mother find a matchmaker to ask her about it tomorrow."
Chen Ping'an suddenly stood up, his face cold and his voice firm: "Brother, don't listen to his nonsense, it's not true."
Chen Changsheng was surprised. Seeing how angry he was, he guessed that what Chen Chengdong said was probably true.
"What did Chen Chengdong say?"
He just said you had someone you liked, and that was all.
Chen Changsheng pulled at the man, but couldn't budge him. He frowned and said, "Speak properly, Ping An. He's your cousin."
Chen Ping'an gritted his teeth and let out a cold snort.
"Who would want to be brothers with such a shameless person?"
After saying that, he brushed Chen Changsheng's hand away and stormed out. Chen Changsheng was afraid that he would get into another fight, so he chased after him, shouting, "Chen Ping'an, what are you doing?"
"Why is my brother chasing me?" Chen Ping'an turned a corner and came to the outhouse, a half-smile on his face. "Do you have to come with me even when you're in the outhouse?"
"..." Chen Changsheng was speechless, realizing he had been too excited. He gave an awkward smile and tried to explain, "It's not that I don't believe you, it's that I believe you've changed—"
"I know," Chen Ping'an interrupted him. "Brother, hurry back. You can't just stand here watching me use the toilet, can you?"
"..." Chen Changsheng smiled, then suddenly remembered something and said to him, "By the way, when your sister Xiaosu comes over tomorrow, don't give her a hard time, remember that."
"……knew."
Chen Ping'an impatiently closed the door, leaving behind only a cold, curt remark.
"Hmph hmph hmph~ Uh!"
Chen Chengdong was humming a tune as he walked home when someone suddenly covered his head and slapped him, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness for a moment.
When I woke up again, there was a person sitting next to me, holding a small knife, examining it closely in the firelight, which illuminated his expressionless face.
Chen Chengdong felt a chill run down his spine for no apparent reason, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead. His heart trembled for a moment, but he forced himself to remain calm and asked, "Ping, Ping An, what are you going to do?"
Chen Ping'an glanced at him indifferently, but did not say anything.
Chen Chengdong was sweating profusely, but tried to relax by smiling at him: "Is there something you need from Ping An?"
"Hey, how about I treat you to drinks another day? The wine at Wan Hua Lou is the most fragrant and delicious. I'll treat you to a good drink until you're completely drunk, and I'll even get you the most beautiful girls..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Ping'an pressed the dagger against his neck. The cold, hard touch made him tremble violently.
"What did I say to you that day?" Chen Ping'an's eyes were devoid of warmth, the knife tip close to his face, his fierce expression making Chen Chengdong regret his words. He hurriedly said, "Ping'an, Ping'an, forgive me, I really didn't mean it! I won a little money gambling yesterday and drank too much. I happened to run into your older brother on my way back to the village, and I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I only mentioned that you have someone you like, I didn't say that you like your sister-in-law! Good brother, I really didn't mean it! I swear I absolutely didn't say anything!"
After saying that, he held up three fingers and swore, "If I tell the truth, may I die a horrible death and lose every time I gamble!"
Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes, knowing that this person hadn't told the whole story, otherwise his older brother wouldn't have acted that way.
But he wasn't going to let him off so easily. He bent his elbow, clenched his fist, and slammed the butt of the dagger into the man's mouth.
Before Chen Chengdong could react, his teeth and scalp began to feel numb and excruciatingly painful.
He spat and a front tooth, mixed with blood, fell to the ground.
“This is a lesson for you.” Chen Ping’an calmly wiped his hands and looked down at him. “If you say another word, I will cut out your tongue and you will never be able to speak again for the rest of your life.”
Chen Chengdong could only nod repeatedly while crying.
Chen Ping'an walked away quickly, not seeing the sinister and hateful look in the eyes of the person behind him. Chen Chengdong clenched his fallen teeth and sneered, "Chen Ping'an, just be smug. You won't be laughing for long."
The next day.
Shang Su arrived at Chenjia Village early with Aunt Liu. Chen's parents had been waiting at the door for a long time. As soon as they got out of the car, they were warmly invited into their home.
Aunt Liu spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Chen in the manner of an elder, while Shang Su was taken for a walk in the village by Chen Changsheng.
The two had just stepped out when they ran into Chen Ping'an, who was walking back.
All three were taken aback. Chen Ping'an glanced at the two men, who were pretending to hide their clasped hands with their wide sleeves, and called out "Big Brother" expressionlessly.
Shang Su exclaimed excitedly, "So you're Ping An! You two are brothers!"
When Chen Changsheng heard her say that, he asked in confusion, "Yes, what's wrong?"
"Do you remember the young man I met at the Yu Chen County government office?"
Chen Changsheng's gaze shifted between the two of them, and he said blankly, "I remember, you said that when you were in Yu Chen County, you met a young man being bullied, and you stepped forward to help him. Later, when you were being retaliated against, he helped you again..."
Chen Changsheng was speechless for a moment. He hadn't expected to be so destined. According to what she said, it should have been the year Ping An passed the imperial examination. It turned out that they had met long ago.
The "life-and-death friend" she often mentioned turned out to be his younger brother, her future uncle!
Chen Ping'an thought that so much time had passed and he had been in such a sorry state that she wouldn't remember him. But to his surprise, she recognized him the moment she saw him. Chen Ping'an's heart pounded so hard that his eyes were deafening. He suppressed the excitement in his eyes and, fearing that they would hear his heart pounding, he took a few steps back without making a sound.
"What a coincidence!" Shang Su exclaimed excitedly, completely oblivious to the strange behavior of the two brothers.
It wasn't until the three of them sat down to eat together that Shang Su belatedly realized the unusually heavy atmosphere between them. No one spoke, except for her, who kept chattering away.
Although she was puzzled, she was not very familiar with this family, so she ate her meal quietly.
Just as she finished using it, Chen's mother pulled her aside to talk. Chen Changsheng glanced at her silently, and finally fixed her gaze on her younger brother, who had grown tall and mature. With a complicated look in her eyes, she said to him, "Come out safely. I have something to tell you."
"..." Chen Ping'an was silent for a moment, as if he had guessed something. He felt a mix of excitement and pleasure at wanting to confront him, and nodded, "Okay."
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