Chapter 56
56.
Everyone who heard Cheng Lingjun's words froze.
Luo Yun reacted extremely quickly. He gasped and said, "It's...it's that Guan from Dahuai Village..."
Although Luo Yun didn't go to the big locust village with his parents-in-law, he learned what had happened from his mother-in-law's angry tone and Wen Lin's later explanation after they returned. However, since he hadn't witnessed it firsthand and knew his younger brother's personality well, he thought it was too far-fetched to fall for a country bumpkin. Even though Cheng Xiu and the others were certain, he remained skeptical, wondering if it was just an excuse his younger brother made to avoid going home.
Unexpectedly, his younger brother returned today. He was wondering if he had come to his senses when Cheng Lingjun's words came out in a shocking way.
Cheng Lingjun nodded.
It really is Guan Yue!
As Luo Yun's answer flashed through his mind, Wen Lin beside him was already impatient.
"Ling Jun, what...what did you say?!"
Cheng Lingjun looked at his father seriously and said, "Father, I'm getting engaged to Guan Yue."
The words were made very clear, and for a moment, no one knew how to respond.
Wen Lin was both anxious and angry. "You can't let your mother hear what you're saying. You...sigh...how could you be so foolish?"
Cheng Guanjun and Luo Yun could only chime in from the sidelines: "Yes, little brother, how could you get engaged so casually? You should at least ask your parents first."
Cheng Lingjun waited quietly for them to finish speaking before saying, "Of course it's not casual, and isn't that exactly what I'm asking you right now?"
Wen Lin was taken aback, and Luo Yun was also quite surprised. It seemed like his younger brother had become a different person, no longer so submissive, and had even learned to argue.
Wen Lin said unhappily, "Ling Jun, are you asking us? What if Father and Mother disagree?"
Cheng Lingjun said calmly, "Then I will also get engaged to her."
"you!"
Wen Lin almost threw the blame away, but Cheng Guanjun pulled him out and advised, "Dad, don't be angry, don't be angry. Be careful not to hurt yourself. Ling Jun, how could you treat your father like this?"
Cheng Lingjun sighed and said, "I'm sorry, Dad, I didn't mean to upset you, but Guan Yue and I have already made a decision and set a date. We just hope that you can come on that day and be our witnesses."
"I'm not coming!"
Wen Lin spoke decisively. Just as he finished speaking, footsteps were heard at the door, and soon, a familiar voice came from inside.
"It's Mother and Ya Jun who have returned."
Cheng Guanjun quickly got up to open the door, and didn't forget to turn back and whisper to Cheng Lingjun, "Don't tell Mother about this directly, she will be very angry."
Cheng Lingjun remained silent.
Cheng Guanjun had no choice but to open the door. Sure enough, Cheng Xiu was there, followed by a tired-looking Cheng Yajun. Cheng Guanjun quickly smiled and said, "Mother, you're back. Um, Lingjun is back."
Cheng Xiu raised an eyebrow. "He actually came back?"
Cheng Yajun perked up and entered the room. Seeing her younger brother alone, she was a little surprised, but she didn't ask. She just nodded slightly and went into the house as if it were nothing.
Sure enough, after walking only a few steps, Mother slammed down the book box and said, "You still know how to come back!"
"Mother," Cheng Lingjun greeted, "I'd like to see you and Father, as well as my eldest and second sisters. How have you all been lately?"
Cheng Xiu snorted, "How are you doing? You're certainly not as comfortable as I am. I thought you'd forgotten this was still your home."
Cheng Guanjun looked at Cheng Lingjun nervously, afraid that he would be angered by his mother's words and the two would immediately clash.
But Cheng Lingjun remained calm and said, "Of course I won't forget."
Cheng Lingjun spoke these words very gently and obediently, as if he had returned to the past. Although Cheng Xiu was angry, he was calmed down by his attitude. She was still wondering if Cheng Lingjun had come home to apologize.
While Cheng Xiu was still pondering whether to say a few more words to teach him a lesson or not to take it too seriously and give her son some face, Cheng Guanjun beside her was already giving her a meaningful look.
Cheng Xiu was puzzled, thinking she had lost her mind, and asked, "What are you doing? Is the food ready?"
Usually by this time, the food would already be on the table, and she would just be waiting to wash her hands before eating. Why is the table empty today?
Cheng Guanjun quickly said, "Ah, almost done, Ayun! Ayun, are you done?"
As she asked the question, she had already run towards the kitchen, but even though she was there, her mind was still on the kitchen, and she kept giving her father, Wen Lin, a meaningful look.
"This eldest daughter is acting strangely," Cheng Xiu muttered to herself. Wen Lin, also feeling uneasy, worried that Cheng Lingjun might say something shocking, so she quickly interjected to keep Cheng Lingjun quiet and distract Cheng Xiu.
But Cheng Xiu's mind was focused on her son who had suddenly returned. She only listened to what Wen Lin said without taking it to heart, and casually agreed with him a couple of times before trying to reason with Cheng Lingjun.
Fortunately, Cheng Lingjun didn't seem to be in a hurry to talk about the engagement. He just lowered his head and listened to his mother's long lecture, as obedient and sensible as ever.
A rare smile appeared on Cheng Xiu's face. Just then, the meal was ready, and Luo Yun called the children to eat together. The meal was filled with unease, as everyone feared that Cheng Lingjun might suddenly turn around and overturn the table.
Fortunately, that didn't happen, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
After clearing away the dishes, Wen Lin had just brewed some tea when she heard Cheng Lingjun whisper, "Mother, I have something to tell you."
Everyone's hearts jumped.
Without hesitation, Wen Lin rushed forward and served them tea and water: "Come, come, have some tea first."
Cheng Xiu frowned slightly. She thought she had just heard someone gasp, and it seemed like there was more than one person. Could she have misheard?
Wen Lin handed Cheng Xiu a cup of tea, interrupting Cheng Xiu's thoughts. Cheng Xiu picked up the tea and started drinking it. Wen Lin took the opportunity to quickly look at his son, signaling him with his eyes to stop talking.
After finishing her tea, Cheng Xiu asked, "What is it?"
"Ah, hehehehe... nothing's wrong. Ling Jun just... just realized he was wrong last time and shouldn't have argued with his parents. He... he's here to apologize."
Wen Lin was sweating profusely and made up something unintentionally. He was standing next to Cheng Lingjun, his hand tightly gripping Cheng Lingjun's arm, trying to stop him from telling that earth-shattering story.
Cheng Lingjun frowned. He sensed his father's desperate attempt to stop him from speaking, and he dared not utter the words he was about to say.
Enough, enough. If my parents are so unwilling, what good will it do even if they go? Why make both sides unhappy? Fine, I won't say anything then.
Cheng Lingjun lowered her eyelashes, picked up her tea, and silently drank it.
Wen Lin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he didn't seem to want to refute him.
"Oh?" Cheng Xiu raised an eyebrow. "You want to admit your mistake? You want to go home?"
“Yes, yes,” Wen Lin chimed in again, “Ling Jun is young and sometimes speaks rashly. I think you shouldn’t be angry with him. We’re all family. Even if we’re broken, we’re still connected by blood. If Ling Jun apologizes, I think it will be over.”
Cheng Xiu's lips curled slightly. Wen Lin was pleased to see that she had actually taken it to heart. He leaned closer to Cheng Lingjun and said, "Lingjun, apologize quickly. Your mother was just saying things in anger. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She's not really angry with you. Tell me."
Cheng Lingjun remained silent.
Seeing this, Wen Lin felt both anxious and worried. Why was this child so stubborn? Wouldn't it have been better to say a few kind words and soften his stance, and he would have come back? Why go against his own family for the sake of an outsider?
He wanted to persuade her further, but Cheng Xiu slammed her teacup down beside her.
"Clang!"
At the same time, Cheng Xiu's sharp shout rang out: "Trying to fool me! Do you really think I'm a fool? Does he look like he wants to admit his mistake and go home? What are you hiding from me?!"
Startled by the sudden, angry shout, Wen Lin shrank back, stammering, "I...we're fine..."
He instinctively wanted to argue, but his eyes clearly showed guilt. Cheng Xiu was even more furious. She slammed her hand on the table and said to Cheng Lingjun, "Cheng Lingjun! You say it!"
Before Cheng Lingjun could speak, Wen Lin rushed over to stop him, saying, "Lingjun, you're really alright, so don't ask."
This clearly means something's wrong.
Cheng Lingjun sighed inwardly, pushed Wen Lin away, and said, "Father, Mother has already seen through it, so why do you still need to hide it?"
Wen Lin's eyes welled up with tears, "Ling Jun..."
Cheng Lingjun said in a low voice, "Father, I understand what you mean. You're afraid that if Mother blames me, I really won't be able to come back. But is there really still a place for me in this family?"
If she truly cared about him as her son, she shouldn't have stopped him. Just to avoid upsetting his mother, should he obey his parents for the rest of his life, even if it caused him pain and saddened the people he loved?
Cheng Lingjun no longer wanted to be such a blindly filial son, nor was he the docile and weak Li Fu. He wanted to speak his mind; what he truly wanted to return to was the home in Dahuai Village where Li Guang and Guan Yue lived.
Wen Lin was stunned. Cheng Lingjun looked at Cheng Xiu, his eyes were very bright and sharp. Cheng Xiu's mind, which was full of anger, calmed down a bit at this moment: Is her son really this stubborn? When did he become like this?
Cheng Lingjun said, "Mother, I know you won't be happy or agree with what I'm about to say, but I still have to say it: I'm getting engaged to Guan Yue, and we hope you can come."
"Engaged?!" Cheng Xiu couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Cheng Yajun, who was standing behind her, was also surprised, but her surprise was different from the others'. The others were shocked, but she was just... surprised. She didn't expect Guan Yue to be getting engaged so early. Hmm... judging from her parents' appearance, it was impossible for her to go. But she should be able to go secretly. Anyway, she often ran away from home, and her parents couldn't control her.
Sure enough, Cheng Xiu angrily rebuked Cheng Lingjun, "You made this decision yourself?! Or did that woman tell you? Such a big decision, you didn't even need to discuss it with your parents? You..."
Cheng Yajun picked at her ear. Her mother was at it again. This little brother was pitiful, always being tied down by his parents. But looking at his expression now, he was no longer saddened by his parents' words. It would have been better if he had been like this for a long time, like her, a carefree and unrestrained person.
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