Chapter 342 Elder Shang's Whitewashing of Peace
Another commotion ensued at the scene. Chen Tangtang exchanged a look with her elder brother and then left the educated youth dormitory with her belongings.
"This place is too terrifying. Let's go to the village chief's house right now. We need to settle this today."
Chen Tonghua ran even faster than Chen Tangtang; he couldn't stand to stay there for another day.
Zhang Aiguo quietly observed Liu Dandan and the other two female educated youths. Liu Dandan was too hot-tempered and prone to arguments. Shang Wenqi was too silent, making spending time with her quite dreary. Only Zhao Zhenzhen was capable and genuine.
Zhang Aiguo made up his mind and didn't hesitate. He quietly walked up to Zhao Zhenzhen and whispered, "Zhao Zhenzhen, I need to talk to you. Can you come out for a bit?"
Zhao Zhenzhen was just about to withdraw from the fray and followed him out immediately.
They didn't stop until they reached the foot of the mountain. Zhang Aiguo spoke honestly.
"Comrade Zhao Zhenzhen, have you considered finding a partner? We're not young anymore, and there's no hope of returning to the city. I envy He Weimin and want to start a small family of my own and work hard to make it a good one.
I earn full work points every day. If we form a family, I will work hard to take care of the household and my partner. I have feelings for you, and I hope you can consider me. If you agree, we can rent a place and move out of the educated youth dormitory, and slowly save money to build a small courtyard and work together to make our home a good one."
Zhao Zhenzhen was initially taken aback, but she quickly regained her composure and even seriously considered Zhang Aiguo's words. As for shyness, there was none. Most people nowadays got married through arranged dates, and feelings were mostly cultivated after marriage. Besides, life was difficult; when living together, what was there to talk about regarding feelings?
Zhao Zhenzhen was genuinely analyzing the pros and cons of being with Zhang Aiguo and found more advantages. It was better than carrying everything alone.
After speaking, Zhang Aiguo waited patiently, without disturbing or forcing her.
After a long while, Zhao Zhenzhen finally spoke, her expression very serious.
"I have three conditions. If you agree, I will consent."
"Alright, tell me."
"First, you cannot lay hands on me during our marriage. I cannot tolerate a man who beats his wife."
"Agreed."
"Second, if you have the opportunity to return to the city, you cannot abandon me. You must take me with you."
"Agreed. If you marry me, you are my family. I will not abandon my family and leave alone."
A smile already appeared on Zhao Zhenzhen's face.
"Third, after marriage, I cannot do all the housework alone. You must also share the burden."
"Agreed, I absolutely agree. I also shared the chores at the educated youth dormitory."
Zhao Zhenzhen smiled and extended her hand, which Zhang Aiguo quickly grasped.
"Comrade Zhang Aiguo, I will work hard to be a good wife from now on. I hope we will have a better and better life."
"Comrade Zhao Zhenzhen, I will take on the responsibility of supporting the family and will take good care of you and our future children."
"Mmm, I believe you."
"Hahaha, let's go. We'll find the village chief to get a letter of introduction and ask about housing."
The two walked away briskly, their steps filled with anticipation for the future.
"That's great. Even though it's a family formed on impulse, as long as we put in effort later, it will probably be a good life."
Ye Shenge and Zi Yisheng, who had just finished their daily two-hour rendezvous on the mountain, happened to overhear the confession. They didn't want to interrupt, so they stayed and listened.
Zi Yisheng couldn't comment on others' relationships, but he himself wouldn't marry just anyone. He looked at the young girl beside him and felt lucky again.
"We will also have a good life because we love each other more."
Ye Shenge's face immediately turned bright red. It was the first time she had heard Zi Yisheng say the word "love."
Zi Yisheng rarely saw the young girl blush. She had always been very rational, rarely showing the shyness expected of a young girl. Zi Yisheng felt he should say more sweet words in the future.
"Don't we love each other? Our worlds can't accommodate anyone else. Whether it's temperament, personality, or preferences, we understand each other so well. Do you think we are the most in love?"
Ye Shenge covered her face and nodded. If she didn't respond, she would have to listen to more mushy words.
"We do, very much so. Let's go home quickly."
"Hahahaha, you're shy, how beautiful!"
Ye Shenge, embarrassed and angry, playfully tussled with him.
Shang Shaoyan happened to come out for a walk and smiled as he saw the two happily playing. It was good; happy people always made others envious and yearn for it. He wondered if he would ever meet someone with whom he could be so happily playful.
However, Shang Shaoyan didn't know that this fated person had already appeared and was in the same village, just not yet met.
Zi Yisheng saw Shang Shaoyan first. Their previous relationship was actually fine; there was no animosity, and they only greeted each other when they met. Now, they interacted more because of Ye Shenge. Although the other party had feelings for his little girl, he was still quite polite, so Zi Yisheng didn't reject Shang Shaoyan.
"Oh, why are you out? You still can't walk too much, can you?"
Ye Shenge also saw Shang Shaoyan. She had made a lot of money from Shang Shaoyan before, so her attitude towards a major client was naturally better.
"It's a bit chaotic at home, so I just came out to get some air."
Ye Shenge didn't understand, but Zi Yisheng knew very well. It was probably the children of the Shang family's concubine who had arrived, and another drama was about to unfold.
"We're building a house at home. How about you come over and sit for a while?"
This obvious refusal amused Shang Shaoyan. He hadn't intended to go to their place at all. This person was truly petty.
"Well, I'll visit another day when you've tidied things up."
Zi Yisheng looked at Shang Shaoyan and smiled faintly, still leaning on his crutch.
Ye Shenge glanced at Zi Yisheng and quietly tugged his hem.
"Then Mr. Shang, you should stay out for a bit longer. We'll be heading back."
Shang Shaoyan watched the two slowly move away and then turned to look into the depths of the mountains.
Ming Hui, standing beside him, sighed in his heart. If only his Young Master Shang had met Miss Ye first. But missed opportunities were missed opportunities; after all, Young Master Zi was also an outstanding person.
As Ye Shenge saw that they had moved away from Shang Shaoyan, she asked, "Do you two have any private conflicts?"
Zi Yisheng rubbed his nose. What conflicts could there be? Could he say that the other party was interested in her, and he was jealous?
"No conflicts, I just feel that the Shang family is a bit troublesome and I don't want to interact with him much."
"Yes, that's true. However, after Shang Shaoyan recovers, he will leave. Who knows when we'll meet again."
Ye Shenge didn't think much of it. Shang Shaoyan couldn't even be considered a friend.
Shang Laoliu had traveled alone to Bai Rong Brigade. The fatigue of several days and nights made him weep uncontrollably upon seeing his old father. He, who should have had no worries, found everything had changed overnight.
He refused to believe that his mother would harm the child of his father's ex-wife, nor that she would harm Shang Shaoyan. In his mind, he had always stayed out of the Shang family's affairs precisely to avoid worsening their relationships.
But now, Shang Laoliu realized his wishful thinking. His mother had never given up on fighting for him.
"Dad, please save my mother. She's old and can't withstand life in prison."
Elder Shang had changed completely in the past few days. The aura of the powerful figure of the Shang family was gone, leaving only a man on his last legs.
"Liu'er, I can't do anything this time. Shaoyan is dying. How, how can I open my mouth!"
Shang Laoliu was stunned. Shaoyan was dying!
"How could this happen? Mother, you've made a terrible mistake."
Shang Laoliu sat down on the ground and roared with tears, his grief appearing genuine.
Elder Shang also sat on the ground and hugged his youngest son. He loved all his children and had cared for them earnestly, but in places he couldn't see, he had hurt their hearts.
To claim he had never known for thirty years that the person lying beside him had ever acted against his children would be impossible. He had merely felt it was a form of protection for his own child. Since no major incidents had occurred, he had turned a blind eye. This was likely unconscious favoritism.
Shang Shaoyan returned to the courtyard and saw the two embracing and weeping. He felt a sense of irony and helplessness. After all, these two had never directly harmed him, yet all the troubles stemmed from them.
"What kind of drama is this? I don't seem to be dead yet. It would be more fitting to cry after I'm dead."
Elder Shang had heard all the sarcastic remarks he would in his lifetime recently. Whether from his children or grandchildren, the harshest words constantly struck him.
"Shaoyan, don't speak to your grandfather like that. It hurts my heart."
Shang Shaoyan sat on the chair Ming Hui had brought, directly opposite the two on the ground.
"What should I say? Should I say you are a selfish man who deliberately maintains the family as you wish, deliberately turns a blind eye to what you should see, and whitewashes the peace in your heart? As long as no one dies, nothing has happened.
Are you satisfied this time? Your little wife is about to play me to death. But it doesn't matter. You have four sons and many grandchildren. If I die, you can raise another.
Or perhaps, all of us are stepping stones for your youngest son, just to wait for his child to be born, since your youngest son is a useless burden."
The two on the ground looked at Shang Shaoyan with disbelief. They had never seen such a sharp-tongued Shaoyan before.
"Shaoyan, you know Grandpa isn't like that. My concern and upbringing for you have always been genuine."
Did Shang Shaoyan feel sad? Not really. This was just a play. Being harmed before only proved his incompetence; he could be taken down by an old woman.
"Shaoyan, you know my uncle. I deliberately stayed out of family matters to avoid increasing our conflicts. I truly didn't know what your grandmother did. If I had known, I would have stopped her. I don't want the Shang family's business. I am greedy; I just want to maintain the status quo. But even this small wish..."