Xu Keke never imagined that she would become a charlatan in this life.
Although Feng Shaozhe was influenced by Western culture, he still respected, if not reverently, one of the profound aspects of traditional Chinese learning: the theory of ghosts and gods.
Even Wang Shujin spoke softly, discussing with her whether they should remove the Jesus statues from the house. She even asked Xu Keke very seriously whether, given her current status, she could still go to church.
Chen Le, whose own interests were involved, had been sitting on the carpet with his head down, playing with toys with Yuegui's daughter, when he heard this, he also raised his head.
Xu Keke sighed deeply, "No need, God has never required a unified faith. You can continue to go to church."
Looking at Chen Le again, the little guy had already lowered his head in relief.
"So you really want to break off your engagement with your Uncle Feng's son?"
Although the Zhou family values democracy, Wang Shujin had never been so cautious in asking Xu Keke for her opinion on the marriage. This sudden change in attitude was something Xu Keke found hard to accept.
“You don’t need to talk to me like that. I just sometimes see things, but I’m not that amazing.”
Zhou Zi'an took Feng Shaozhe home before returning. Zhou Xiangnan, usually a strong, independent woman, became so ill after hearing Xu Keke's words that she couldn't get out of bed. Even so, she insisted that Zhou Zi'an take Feng Shaozhe home no matter what. Otherwise, she couldn't rest in peace.
Zhou Zian walked into the living room and, upon hearing Xu Keke's words, asked, "Did you see what happened to me in the end?"
Xu Keke felt as if her heart was being squeezed tightly in someone's hand, a sharp, agonizing pain shooting through her. Seeing her change in expression, Zhou Zi'an understood everything. He glanced at Wang Shujin beside him, wanting to ask, if he were gone, and his aunt was gone too, what would happen to their mother? What would become of her and her mother?
Xu Keke forced a smile at him, unaware of how unsightly it looked. It made Zhou Zi'an feel a pang of sadness. Even seeing his family's misfortune in a dream would be unbearable.
"My mother and I went abroad."
Both Zhou Zian and Wang Shujin, who was sitting next to him, understood the few words.
Zhou Zian smiled and said, "That's good. As long as you two are doing well, that's all that matters."
No, not at all. Xu Keke really wanted to say that Zhou Shaoqiu wasn't doing well. Being unfamiliar with the place abroad, coupled with family troubles, Wang Shujin quickly fell ill.
To help raise the ransom for Feng Shaozhe, even though Zhou Xiangnan was gone, Zhou Zi'an still discussed with Wang Shujin and gave most of the money to the Feng family. So later, Zhou Shaoqiu didn't have much money left.
Because she had to take care of her sick mother, she couldn't find a good job. Even with the help of Zhou Xiangnan's friends, they still lived a very frugal life.
Life may be tough, but what she finds unbearable is the pain of losing loved ones that she can never forget.
Zhou Shaoqiu never married. When news of her reached China, everyone said the same thing: she didn't marry because she deeply loved Ji Mingkai. Upon learning this, Ji Mingkai made many inquiries about her address and wrote her a letter. He expressed his gratitude for her deep affection, saying that he could never reciprocate in this life or the next, because he deeply loved Tang Wan.
After reading the letter, Zhou Shaoqiu threw it directly into the trash can. Not receiving a reply, Ji Mingkai, true to form, published the letter in a Hong Kong newspaper, hoping to get a response from Zhou Shaoqiu.
When Zhou Xiangnan's friend read it, he was so angry that he sent her the newspaper.
Just then, Wang Shujin passed away. Upon seeing that newspaper, Zhou Shaoqiu spat out a mouthful of blood. Not long after, he too passed away.
A warm little hand gently stroked her face, and Xu Keke realized that she had unknowingly shed tears. She was a person who rarely empathized. Her heart had changed; it had softened.
She didn't know if this was good or bad. Chen Le nestled into her arms, looking at her with clear eyes. He really did seem like an angel.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful from now on." Zhou Zi'an stood not far away, very close to Wang Shujin. His eyes, however, were on Xu Keke. "If there's anything you need me to do, just tell me."
"I want to marry Shao Zhe." Zhou Xiangnan appeared at the living room doorway without anyone noticing. Her bright red nightgown made her face appear even paler.
"I'll do it in the next few days. I've thought it through. Even if I die, I want to be buried with the title of Mrs. Feng." Her eyes hardened after those words, as if the weak woman who couldn't even stand up just moments before wasn't her at all.
Zhou Xiangnan recovered as quickly as possible. The entire Zhou family had changed. Xu Keke thought that this family must have gone through the same thing the year Zhou Shiyuan passed away.
Even before Zhou Xiangnan decided to get married, it was the birthday of Liu Yun, the eldest wife of the Zhou family.
Liu Yun was the third wife of the eldest patriarch of the clan. Her husband died young, and she did not get along well with her younger siblings in her own family. It was only through a matchmaker that she married the eldest patriarch, who was almost fifty years old but could still be described as dashing and debonair, and who had nothing to do at home all day.
Liu Yun was from the North, tall and with a plump figure. It was said that the eldest master of the family married her for her dowry. Xu Keke believed this wholeheartedly; just looking at the two concubines of the eldest master sitting in the corner, so petite and delicate, she knew how credible the rumor was.
"Grandma has finally come to her senses. She should have gotten married a long time ago. Once you're married, if your sister-in-law wants to come back and live here, we'll have several rooms available after our children get married. It'll be good to have more people to take care of each other."
It's no wonder the main branch of the family coveted their meager fortune. Zhou Xiangnan and Zhou Zi'an were incredibly capable; they had multiplied their original wealth many times over the years. Their branch lived in a mansion, drove cars, and associated with socialites. Meanwhile, the main family lived together in close proximity, their homes nestled together. The first wife had stopped wearing a full set of jewelry a few years ago.
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