Chapter 400: Chapter 400
Liu Zhiyuan looked at his sister, only feeling that she had gone mad, otherwise how could she say such things? Yet, he couldn’t find a proper reason to refute her. After the news of Xiang Weilai’s discharge came out, his sister had been listless and dispirited. Now that she finally gathered some energy, he didn’t want to discourage her, so he remained silent. In Liu Rui’s eyes, his silence meant she was right, making her even more delighted.
Liu Rui, still unaware, coquettishly spoke to her brother, "Big brother, you don’t know. Today at the Li Family, I saw Ye Ling. You wouldn’t believe how such a cold person could cozy up to others. Just by looking at her, you could tell how fake she is. She even pretends to be magnanimous and sensible in front of Grandma Li. Without checking around the courtyard, you’d know she fights with her own mom as if they were enemies. What kind of person is that? I originally wanted to talk to her about Weilai, but she kept pretending to be sensible and said we could talk in front of everyone. I don’t believe it. If mom wasn’t signaling me to be quiet, would Grandma Li be happy if I mentioned her and Xiang Weilai?"
At this point, Liu Rui felt both proud and angry, "I don’t know what mom is thinking. I’m only stating facts, which doesn’t offend the Li Family. If they get upset, it should be at Ye Ling for doing such things. Why stop me? Even after getting home, she said I was wrong."
Liu Zhiyuan didn’t want to listen anymore and stood up, "Xiao Rui, go inside."
"Brother?" Liu Rui was stunned, bewildered as even her doting brother acted this way. Why?
"Xiao Rui." Liu Zhiyuan didn’t want to watch his sister stray further, "Since you and Weilai got engaged, you’ve changed, becoming sharp and mean. This isn’t you. Sometimes, I really don’t like you being with Weilai, because with him, I’ve lost the gentle and understanding sister. If you keep this up, I don’t know much, but I know Weilai won’t like it. Think it over."
Liu Zhiyuan was too tired, or perhaps it was the family issues wearing him out. Googlᴇ search NoveIꜰire.net
Growing up, he never had any pressure or worries. But as he matured, everything changed, especially when the Xiang Family had problems and their family, relying on its influence, pushed them down. Even if no one said anything to his face, Liu Zhiyuan couldn’t walk as proudly as before in the courtyard.
Take his close friend Dong Haoyu, for example. Though they grew up together, after the Xiang Family incident, something seemed to come between them, and they weren’t as close as before.
Liu Zhiyuan once blamed his parents for why they acted that way but knew he was born into such a family and had to accept the good and bad it brought.
After closing the door, the living room fell silent. Liu Rui sat on the sofa for a long time before regaining her senses. Thinking of her parents and brother being , she bit her lip, took her bag, and left the house but had nowhere to go. Afraid of the dark late at night, she could only walk around the courtyard before returning home. Seeing the house still cold and empty, she realized no one noticed her leaving. Feeling helpless, Liu Rui sat on the sofa and started to cry.
Ever since the sudden decision made by Xiang Weilai, the family atmosphere had been poor. She could see her parents were angry, and her own heart was angry too, yet she still had to persuade and speak well of Xiang Weilai. But as for the Xiang Family, Uncle Xiang and Auntie hadn’t explained anything to her. Xiang Weilai was even harder to find. Though she went every day for a week, she only occasionally bumped into him at home once or twice.
Liu Rui knew Xiang Weilai didn’t want to see her, but after all these years, how could they come to this step? She didn’t want to let go. Moreover, now that Ye Ling was about to get married, all she needed to do was hold on a little longer. Xiang Weilai would forget Ye Ling, and without anyone else in his heart, he would come back to her.
The next day, after getting their photos, Ye Ling and Shen Bin went to register their marriage, while the Xiang Family’s three members arrived at the courtyard to discuss marriage matters with the Liu Family. Liu Wujiang was still angry about the Xiang Weilai affair and simply refused to see anyone. After Liu Rui cried twice in the study, Liu Wujiang emerged with a gloomy face, sitting in the living room without speaking.
Wu Mengyi also didn’t look happy, but for her daughter’s sake, as this was about forming a kinship, not a feud, she had to force a smile and engage socially, "Now that the matter with Weilai is settled, have you decided which unit to go to? We can talk and ask your uncle to pull some strings, so work can be sorted out quicker. Otherwise, without a new house after marriage, you can’t stay with your parents, right? Even if you don’t mind, your parents will find it inconvenient."
Xiang Weilai remained silent, while Tian Hui warmly smiled, "We only have Weilai, and the plan my husband and I have is for them to stay together, so there’s no need to wait for his job. They can marry and move into our current house, which is just right with two bedrooms and one living room, giving them a room for their new life. This way, there’s also someone to take care of them daily. Liu Rui is used to being pampered by you all, and we wouldn’t want her cooking for Weilai. Even if you are willing, I wouldn’t be."
Tian Hui’s words were subtly phrased, yet the matters were clearly conveyed: the Xiang Family wouldn’t split up. They would live together post-marriage, sharing life together.
On the surface, it sounded considerate, as they were thinking about how Liu Family’s daughter wouldn’t have to cook or do housework, always taking Liu’s daughter into consideration.
Hearing this, Wu Mengyi felt suffocated. They had raised their daughter well; how could they let her live cautiously in front of in-laws? But the Xiang Family used this reason to block off any other options. Everyone in the courtyard knew Liu Rui couldn’t cook and, when her parents weren’t home, she either ate out or didn’t cook at home.
Liu Rui also didn’t like living with elderly people, looking at Xiang Weilai with grievance, hoping he would say something. But upon catching her gaze, Xiang Weilai did speak, just not what Liu Rui hoped for, "I don’t plan to get a job. I want to go to Shenzhen alone, as it’s a coastal city with more development opportunities. So after marriage, living with your parents would work well, and they can take care of you."
Not even considering living independently was bad enough, now they wanted to leave her alone; it felt too unfair.
Liu Zhiyuan stood up in a flash, glaring angrily at Xiang Weilai, "It seems you never wanted to marry Xiao Rui. If that’s the case, just say it! No need for these repeated incidents. I really misjudged you."
Throwing down his words, Liu Zhiyuan returned angrily to his room, slamming the door hard, leaving the atmosphere in the living room awkwardly tense. (To be continued. If you work, feel free to vote for it on qidian.com with your recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)