Chapter 71 Make him vomit up everything he ate.
In early August, before the summer heat had completely subsided, Zhao Qingda heard the news at a dinner party.
The drinks were with some distant relatives. After a few drinks, we started talking more.
A cousin, picking his teeth, casually remarked, "Hey, Qingda, I heard your cousin Zhao Fei is getting married on the Mid-Autumn Festival. They've already sent out invitations. Didn't you receive one?"
Zhao Qingda paused, his hand holding the wine glass still: "With whom?"
"Who else could it be? Your ex-wife, Wen Xiaoxiao, of course!" another relative chimed in, his tone brimming with the excitement of watching a good show.
"You have to admit Zhao Fei is quite capable. He dared to marry his brother's wife and even threw a big banquet for her. Tsk tsk, our Zhao family is really famous this time."
The wine glass slammed onto the table with a loud crash, splashing wine all over it. Zhao Qingda's face instantly darkened to a grim degree.
"Say it again?"
Seeing his expression, his relative quickly tried to smooth things over: "Oh, I was just saying it casually, don't take it to heart. Let's drink..."
That night, Zhao Qingda got completely drunk.
He staggered along the road back to his new home, the words echoing repeatedly in his mind: "Zhao Fei is going to marry Wen Xiaoxiao... on the fifteenth of August..."
Okay, very good.
He was tricked over the house issue, and now he wants to marry his ex-woman in a grand and glamorous way?
No way!
Zhao Qingda gritted his teeth and punched a roadside utility pole, instantly drawing blood from the back of his hand.
He waited. He waited for the fifteenth of August.
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th of August.
At the entrance of the largest state-run restaurant in the neighboring city, large red lanterns were hung early in the morning, and the character "囍" (double happiness) was pasted in gold.
Zhao Fei booked the entire second-floor hall, with thirty round tables covered with red tablecloths, and each table was set with wedding candy, melon seeds, and cigarettes.
There were many people.
The pig farm's business partner, Zhao Fei's business friends, relatives from the provincial capital, and neighbors near the tailor shop.
The hall was bustling with noise—people smoking, eating sunflower seeds, chatting—it was incredibly lively.
But if you listen carefully, you'll notice that many people are whispering to each other with expressions of curiosity and anticipation.
"I heard the bride used to be Zhao Fei's brother's wife?"
"That's right, she's divorced and has three children."
"Zhao Fei dares to marry her? Isn't he afraid of what people will say?"
"He's a big boss now, what's there to be afraid of? Besides, Wen Xiaoxiao is really pretty and has great skills..."
The discussion was interrupted by a burst of cheerful music.
The wedding emcee took the stage and announced the start of the ceremony.
Today, Zhao Fei was wearing the suit that Wen Xiaoxiao had made for him when they were still living in the courtyard house. He wore a dark red tie, his hair was neatly combed, and he looked radiant.
Wen Xiaoxiao wore a red cheongsam that she had sewn herself. It wasn't the traditional bright red, but a darker wine red, which made her fair skin and slender figure stand out.
Her hair was styled in a bun at the back of her head, adorned with a velvet flower. She wore light makeup, her eyebrows and eyes were gentle, and a smile played on her lips.
Yizhen and Yibao, dressed in matching little cheongsams, looked like two delicate porcelain dolls, running around behind Zhao Yidi.
Wen Xiaogai is already two years old and can run all over the world. Today she wore a little suit and a bow tie, looking like a little adult.
Liu Shuhua and Zhou Lanying chased after him, panting heavily from exhaustion.
“This child is more mischievous than a monkey!” Zhou Lanying shook her head with a smile, but her eyes were full of affection.
The wedding proceeded according to plan.
They bowed to heaven and earth, and to their parents. Zhou Lanying sat in the main seat, her eyes red-rimmed, as the couple bowed to each other.
Zhao Fei did each task seriously and solemnly.
Wen Xiaoxiao's hands were trembling slightly.
Zhao Fei noticed this, and during the couple's bowing ceremony, he gently held her hand and whispered, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Wen Xiaoxiao raised her head and looked into his eyes, which were full of determination and love.
She nodded, and suddenly felt at ease.
After the ceremony, the toasting began.
Zhao Fei, holding a wine glass, went from table to table offering toasts, remaining calm and composed regardless of others' opinions.
Wen Xiaoxiao followed beside him, wearing a polite smile, but her heart was pounding like a rabbit's.
Halfway through the ceremony, a commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the hall.
Everyone turned to look.
Zhao Qingda has arrived.
He wasn't wearing a suit, just a worn-out jacket, with a stubble beard and bloodshot eyes. Standing at the door, he looked like a menacing figure.
His gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling on Zhao Fei and Wen Xiaoxiao, a mocking smile spreading across his lips.
"Wow, it's quite lively here." His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire hall. "Big brother, such a big event as getting married, why didn't you tell your younger brother? I could have come and have a drink at the wedding."
Wen Xiaoxiao was startled, and almost dropped the wine glass in her hand.
Zhao Fei immediately stepped forward and shielded her behind him.
"Zhao Qingda, today is my big day," Zhao Fei's voice was calm, but his eyes were as cold as ice. "If you're here for the wedding banquet, you're welcome. If you're here to cause trouble, leave now."
"Attend a wedding banquet?" Zhao Qingda laughed, his laughter full of malice. "How could I possibly drink that? Brother, don't you know who you're marrying? This is a used shoe I've worn out, and you're treating it like a treasure?"
"You!" Wen Xiaoxiao was so angry that her face turned pale.
Just as Zhao Fei was about to step forward, Wen Bin stopped him.
"Today is your big day, don't move." Wenbin pressed down on his shoulder and walked over himself.
He looked at Zhao Qingda, his eyes filled with years of suppressed anger: "Zhao Qingda, let's settle the score between my sister and you today."
"You're nobody!" Zhao Qingda spat. "Wenbin, your sister is a shameless slut, seducing her brother-in-law, and—"
Before he could finish speaking, Wenbin punched him in the face.
The punch was delivered with full force, causing Zhao Qingda to stagger backward and crash into the door.
He touched the corner of his mouth, saw the blood on his hand, and his eyes immediately turned red: "Fuck your mother!"
The two started fighting.
The table was overturned, and dishes were scattered all over the floor. The guests gasped and backed away, but no one stepped forward to break up the fight; everyone wanted to see the spectacle.
Wenbin has been holding back his anger for years.
His sister was domestically abused and falsely accused by Zhao Qingda, and she left home alone with her child. He was going to settle all those scores with her today.
He grabbed an empty wine bottle from the table next to him, smashed it on the edge of the table with a "bang," and then smashed it over Zhao Qingda's head by the neck of the bottle.
The bottle shattered, and Zhao Qingda's head was split open, blood streaming down his forehead and covering half his face.
Watching this scene, Wen Xiaoxiao suddenly recalled the grievances she had suffered over the years: Zhao Qingda's fists, the vile insults, the cold stares during her pregnancy, the slander during the divorce...
A surge of blood rushed to her head, and she didn't care about anything else. She rushed over, grabbed Zhao Qingda's hair, and slammed his head against the door.
"Zhao Qingda! What have I ever done to you?!" she cried as she rammed into him. "All those years I was married to you, I did your laundry and cooked for you, and you beat me, cursed me, and fooled around with Wang Juan! I left with the child, and you still want to use my whereabouts to exchange for a house! You're not human! You're a beast!"
She wasn't very strong, but her frenzied demeanor stunned everyone.
Zhao Fei quickly stepped forward and hugged her: "Xiaoxiao, that's enough, that's enough..."
All the grievances, pain, and resentment of these past years erupted at this moment.
Zhao Qingda was beaten until his face was covered in blood, and he lay paralyzed on the ground, unable to move.
Someone called 120, and the ambulance arrived with its siren blaring and took him away.
The hall was in a mess and completely silent.
Everyone stared at Zhao Fei and Wen Xiaoxiao, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
Zhao Fei gently patted Wen Xiaoxiao's back until she calmed down a bit, then helped her stand up straight.
Then he turned around, faced all the guests, and cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice was steady and resonated throughout the hall, "today is my wedding day, Zhao Fei and Wen Xiaoxiao. Please forgive what happened just now."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over each face: "I know many people have questions and opinions. They think it's dishonest and shameless of me, Zhao Fei, to marry my brother's wife."
Wen Xiaoxiao tried to pull him, but he gently held her down.
"I'm putting it this way today," Zhao Fei raised his voice, each word ringing with conviction, "The woman I'm marrying is my former brother's wife, so what?! I, Zhao Fei, am upright and honest. Who I like and who I marry is my freedom! Wen Xiaoxiao is a good woman."
He gripped Wen Xiaoxiao's hand tightly: "Let me make this clear today: From this day forward, Wen Xiaoxiao is my lawfully wedded wife, and Yizhen, Yibao, and Xiaogai are my children. If anyone has any objections, let's address them today. After today, anyone who speaks ill of my wife and children behind my back will be dealt with accordingly."
His eyes suddenly sharpened: "I, Zhao Fei, will be the first to disagree!"
The hall was completely silent.
A few seconds later, applause suddenly erupted from the corner.
It's Zheng Shangyu.
He stood up and clapped his hands vigorously, his eyes full of admiration: "Mr. Zhao, well said! That's what a real man is! Daring to act and take responsibility, daring to love and marry! I, Zheng Shangyu, admire you!"
With someone taking the lead, the scattered applause gradually rose, eventually becoming a continuous chorus.
Regardless of what they thought in their hearts, at least on the surface, no one dared to say anything more.
The wedding continued.
Although the atmosphere was a bit awkward, we continued to drink and eat as usual.
Zhao Fei held Wen Xiaoxiao's hand and toasted each table, his smile never changing.
He knew that from this day forward, he and Wen Xiaoxiao were truly standing together.
Through thick and thin, he stood by her side.
On their wedding night, the bridal chamber was set up in a tailor shop.
Zhao Fei renovated the place, replacing the bed and curtains, pasting a large red "囍" character on the wall, and placing a pair of red candles on the table.
With no one daring to cause trouble during the wedding night, who would dare to do so after today's event?
The candlelight flickered, illuminating Wen Xiaoxiao's flushed face.
She washed off her makeup, let her hair down, sat on the edge of the bed, head down, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers.
Zhao Fei walked over, sat down beside her, and gently put his arm around her shoulder: "You must have been frightened today."
Wen Xiaoxiao shook her head and leaned on his shoulder: "Don't be afraid. I'm here for you."
"This will never happen again." Zhao Fei kissed the top of her head. "I will protect you and the children."
Wen Xiaoxiao looked up at him.
The candlelight danced in his eyes, gentle yet resolute.
She leaned in and kissed his lips.
The kiss was light, yet it carried boundless tenderness and trust.
Zhao Fei responded by tightening his arms and pulling her into his embrace.
Clothes off, skin to skin.
This time, there was no eagerness or probing, only a gentle and tacit understanding that came naturally.
They tossed and turned, lingering in each other's arms.
His hand stroked her back, sending shivers down her spine.
"Xiaoxiao..." he whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse.
"Hmm?" Wen Xiaoxiao wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering herself completely to him.
"I love you," Zhao Fei said. He had held these three words in for too long, and today he could finally say them openly and honestly.
Tears welled up in Wen Xiaoxiao's eyes. She hugged him tightly, yielding to his embrace, her voice soft and delicate: "...I love you too..."
That night, in the bridal chamber, their love was deep and tender.
Two hearts that had endured many hardships finally came together, never to be separated again.
(Great! The author stands up and leads the applause!)
The next day, Zhao Qingda was discharged from the hospital.
With seven stitches in his head and wrapped in thick gauze, he looked both comical and pathetic.
He didn't go home; he went straight to the police station to report the case.
"Officer, I want to sue Wenbin for intentional assault!" He pointed to his head. "Look, I need seven stitches! And Wen Xiaoxiao, she hit me too!"
The police took a statement and took Wenbin away.
Wen Xiaoxiao was so anxious that she started crying. Zhao Fei comforted her, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
He met Zhao Qingda at the police station.
Zhao Qingda sat in the mediation room, legs crossed, a smug smile on his face: "Big brother, you came pretty fast."
Zhao Fei ignored him and went to see Wen Bin first.
Wenbin's face turned ashen with rage: "I should have beaten that bastard to death!"
"Don't rush." Zhao Fei patted his shoulder and turned to find Zhao Qingda.
In the mediation room, Zhao Qingda got straight to the point: "Ten thousand. Not a penny less. Either you give me the money, or Wenbin goes to jail. You choose."
Zhao Fei looked at him and suddenly laughed: "Zhao Qingda, did you grow up eating scraps?"
"Enough with the nonsense!" Zhao Qingda slammed his hand on the table. "Ten thousand, I want it now!"
Zhao Fei sat down unhurriedly: "How about this, I'll give you 20,000 yuan, and you let me beat you up again, okay?"
Zhao Qingda's expression changed: "Don't give me that! Either pay up or get out!"
Zhao Fei stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly pulled out a wad of cash from his briefcase and slammed it on the table.
The brand-new 100-yuan bills, bound with a bank seal, totaled exactly 10,000.
"Here's the money," Zhao Fei said coldly. "Release him."
Zhao Qingda picked up the money, felt its thickness, and grinned: "Why didn't you do this earlier? Why pretend to be so important?" He counted the money, made sure it was correct, and then signed the mediation agreement.
Wenbin has been released.
As soon as he got in the car, he started cursing: "Zhao Fei, you shouldn't have given it to me! Let him sue me, I don't care if I go to jail for a few days! Ten thousand yuan, that's enough to earn for a long time!"
Zhao Fei started the car, glanced at the police station gate in the rearview mirror, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "This money won't be given away for nothing."
"What's the meaning?"
"Zhao Qingda thinks he's won?" Zhao Fei turned the steering wheel and drove the car onto the street. "He forgot that I, Zhao Fei, am no saint either. I'll make him eat that 10,000 yuan and then spit it out."
Looking at his cold profile, Wenbin suddenly understood.
This brother-in-law, who usually appears calm and gentle, has managed to make a name for himself in the business world, and it's not just his honesty and integrity that have helped him.
"Do you have a solution?"
"Just wait and see." Zhao Fei didn't say much, but the ruthlessness in his eyes told Wenbin that Zhao Qingda was in trouble.
There's still a long way to go.
Debts must be settled one by one.
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