Chapter 196 My Uncle and Aunt Agreed to Marry Me?
When Mr. Zhao returned home that day, he sensed that the atmosphere at home was a bit strange.
The house was much quieter with fewer people around, but Madam Zhao's red and swollen eyes from crying gave him an ominous feeling.
Mr. Zhao asked tentatively, "What happened? Did that woman finally move out?"
"You moved away? You wish! Your son was beaten up and hospitalized, and that woman took the child and went to the hospital to take care of him."
That pampered young lady who never lifts a finger in the kitchen, how could she know anything about taking care of people? To put it bluntly, she's just trying to coax Amo into marrying her.
Old Zhao, what sins have we committed? How did we end up with such a scourge?
"My son was so obedient before, but ever since he got involved with this scourge, he's completely changed. It's such a tragedy!" Mrs. Zhao said.
Mr. Zhao was annoyed by her nagging. He rubbed his temples and said, "What's the point of saying all this now? Don't forget that you were the one who chose this person."
Aunt Wang brought over some hot tea and overheard Mr. Zhao's words. She whispered, "Sir, you can't blame Madam entirely for this. Didn't Madam arrange this marriage because the Shen family was well-off and Miss Shen was a well-known talented woman?"
Nobody would have guessed that Miss Shen is like this in private; she's even worse than Miss Lu from before.
After saying the last sentence, Aunt Wang belatedly realized what was going on and said, "I'm sorry, sir and madam, I misspoke."
A hint of surprise flashed across Mr. Zhao's face as he asked, "Who were you talking about just now?"
“Miss Lu… I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t think before I spoke. I shouldn’t have mentioned Miss Lu,” Aunt Wang said.
Mr. Zhao shook his head: "You're right, you're right, Madam. Isn't there still Lu Cai? Amo used to like Lu Cai. Maybe if we find Lu Cai, we can get rid of that woman from the Shen family."
"What? You still want Amo to marry that commoner?" Madam Zhao shrieked again, her face full of dissatisfaction.
Mr. Zhao said, "Madam, let's not worry about social status now. Do you really want our Amo to raise that bastard of unknown origin?"
Although the Lu family doesn't have much of a family background, they are at least respectable. If Amo marries her, he won't be ridiculed after leaving home.
"This..." Madam Zhao was still unwilling; she felt that Lu Cai was not good enough for her son.
Mr. Zhao said, "Madam, what's there to hesitate about at a time like this? Whoever it is, they're better than the one from the Shen family. Listen to me, go and meet with that Miss Lu, and talk to her properly. Tell her that you agree to let her into the Zhao family."
"Even if I agree, will Amo agree?" Madam Zhao asked.
She witnessed firsthand how Zhao Chengmo was completely captivated by Shen Ying.
Mr. Zhao said, "Never mind him for now. Go and talk to Miss Lu first, and ask her to meet him. When he broke up with Miss Lu, didn't they make a huge scene?"
Perhaps after seeing Miss Lu, he will be able to let go of Chen Ying.
Previously, President Zhao also disliked Lu Cai, feeling that she came from a humble background and was far inferior to the Zhao family.
That's why he didn't stop Madam Zhao from driving Lu Cai away.
But now Lu Cai seems to have become their family's lifeline. Apart from Lu Cai, he can't think of anyone else who can pull his son out of the quagmire of Shen Ying.
Mrs. Zhao was skeptical, but she said, "Alright, I'll call her now and tell her to go see Amo right away."
…
After Lu Cai finished treating Zhao Chengmo's wounds, she was about to leave the hospital when she received a call from Mrs. Zhao.
She didn't leave again, and put the phone on speakerphone right in front of Zhao Chengmo.
The voice coming from inside was Madam Zhao's imperious tone: "Are you still in the capital? Go find Amo right now. If you can get rid of that woman next to Amo, I'll agree to let him marry you."
Madam Zhao, with her haughty demeanor, seemed to emanate from the microphone that she was showing favoritism towards Lu Cai.
This was clearly the result Lu Cai wanted, but Lu Cai's expression was not good. She glanced at Zhao Chengmo and did not answer Madam Zhao's question immediately.
Mrs. Zhao sounded a little anxious: "Did you hear me? Don't you dream of coming into my house?"
"As long as you can get rid of that woman next to Amo, you'll be the young mistress of the Zhao family."
His condescending tone was practically a request for Lu Cai to kneel down and express her gratitude.
Shen Ying sat to one side. She didn't want to get involved at this time, but she couldn't help feeling a little displeased because of Madam Zhao's voice. She opened her mouth, just about to tell Lu Cai to refuse Madam Zhao first.
Lu Cai spoke up herself: "Madam Zhao, have you forgotten that I have already broken up with Zhao Chengmo? As for the woman you mentioned, wasn't she the marriage partner you personally chose for him back then?"
They have such a good relationship now, you should be happy, why interfere?
Listening to Lu Cai's words, Shen Ying realized that although she seemed gentle and mild, she actually had a stubborn streak deep down.
"Never mind all that. Anyway, if you want to enter the Zhao family, just get that woman away from Amo. Lu Cai, for poor people like you, this is a windfall. You'd better seize it," said Madam Zhao.
"Really? But I'm tired of this pancake and don't want it anymore. Since Madam Zhao looks down on a poor man like me, please don't call me again." Lu Cai said, and hung up the phone.
A flicker of nervousness crossed Zhao Chengmo's face. He asked, "Ah Cai, what you just said, is it true? You really don't want to..."
Lu Cai's expression stiffened, and she couldn't respond to Zhao Chengmo immediately.
Mrs. Zhao's attitude on the phone was ultimately a thorn in her heart. Even when she was asking for a favor, the other party still maintained that superior attitude, as if she had already seen clearly what her life would be like after marrying into the Zhao family.
Even if she were to enter that door and be able to be with Zhao Chengmo openly, it might not necessarily bring her happiness.
Lu Cai's silence only exacerbated Zhao Chengmo's panic. He asked, "Cai, my mom has already given her consent. Don't you really want to be with me anymore?"
Shen Ying said, "Zhao Chengmo, instead of asking Lu Cai for answers here, you should first think about whether your mother's attitude is right or wrong."
This matter doesn't end just because you can marry Lu Cai. The most important thing is whether you can give her the dignity she deserves after she marries you.
Zhao Chengmo seemed a little lost, so Shen Ying called Lu Cai out of the ward.
In the hospital corridor, on a public bench, Shen Ying fed little Crystal with a bottle while asking Lu Cai, "What do you think? Do you still like him?"
Lu Cai nodded almost without hesitation: "He has always been very good to me. Even though our social statuses are so different, he has never acted like a spoiled young master in front of me. He always takes care of me. I really want to marry him, but his family..."
Shen Ying said, "Don't be afraid. If you've made up your mind, when Madam Zhao comes to you again, just refuse her twice. When she has no other choice, she'll eventually beg you."
As for Zhao Chengmo… take my advice: be firmer with him in the future. He cares about you, but he's a little hesitant with Madam Zhao. If you're firm, as long as you get him on your side, Madam Zhao won't be able to do anything about it.”
This is the conclusion Shen Ying came to while staying at the Zhao family. The Zhao family only has one son, Zhao Chengmo. No matter how many demands Madam Zhao makes of him, she can only compromise when he is truly assertive, such as the matter of letting her live in the Zhao family.
The tragedy of Zhao Chengmo and Lu Cai being forced to separate only shows that Zhao Chengmo was too weak at the beginning.
Instead of confronting Lu Cai and his mother, he did more of an escape.
"Sister Shen Ying, thank you for considering these things for me." Lu Cai's eyes hardened slightly, and her words were filled with gratitude as she spoke to Shen Ying.
Between her and Shen Ying, they weren't even casual acquaintances. Even if Shen Ying and Zhao Chengmo had some kind of deal, now that Madam Zhao had given her consent, Shen Ying's goal had already been achieved.
She could have easily coaxed herself into marrying him quickly, then gotten everything she wanted and left, but Shen Ying didn't do that.
Shen Ying said, "No need to be so polite. Think carefully about what to do next. Whatever decision you make, it will be the best one for you after careful consideration."
Lu Cai looked at Shen Ying, her eyes welling up with tears: "Sister Shen Ying, you are really good to me. I'm sorry you had to suffer because of our situation at the Zhao family these past few days."
"No, I have my own purposes too, you don't need to take it too seriously," Shen Ying said.
She needs to dissolve this engagement cleanly without affecting the Shen family, so that Shen Hanzhi will have nothing to say.
Lu Cai spoke with Shen Ying for a while longer before leaving. Shen Ying returned to the ward, greeted Zhao Chengmo, and went straight back to the Zhao family home.
Mr. Zhao and his wife were pacing anxiously in the living room. Mrs. Zhao complained, "That poor wretch has really grown up. She even dared to hang up on me! I already agreed to let Amo marry her. She should be grateful, but she still dares to put on airs with me!"
Shen Ying came in just as she heard Madam Zhao say those words.
She asked, "Auntie, what did you just say? Who do you want Amo to marry?"
Mrs. Zhao's face stiffened abruptly. Mr. Zhao immediately changed the subject, his voice clearly showing impatience: "Weren't you at the hospital taking care of Amo? Why are you back?"
Shen Ying said, "The child is still young, and it's not good for him to stay in the hospital for too long. Besides, Amo's injury wasn't that serious, so he told me to come back and rest."
"Uncle and Aunt, what were you discussing just now? Did you agree to Amer marrying me?"
Her question was so direct that it made Mr. Zhao's lips twitch.
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