Chapter 413 Zhang Yuan Suffers and Regrets
Wang Fengling felt a little dizzy. Just as she had gotten rid of the troublesome daughter-in-law Zhang Yuan, now there was Zhi Zhi. And it was all because of her second son's meddling. She never knew her family had such a romantic.
"I don't agree. An Xia is Zhi Zhi, and she will eventually return."
"Mother, An Xia said her family abandoned her. If she marries me, she will never leave."
Gong Wenliang quickly recounted exactly what An Xia had told him to his mother. He wasn't saying he instantly fell in love with An Xia; he just wanted to start a new life and see if he could achieve a different life through his efforts.
Wang Fengling fell silent. According to her son, An Xia was also pitiful. She hadn't heard any rumors about An Xia in the village before, so she should be an honest person.
What she feared now was encountering another troublesome person. She truly didn't want to see her second son get hurt again.
"Are you really sure?"
Gong Wenliang nodded firmly. He wanted to give himself another chance.
"Don't agree so quickly. You still have two sons. I'll say this upfront: no matter how much you like that An Xia, you absolutely cannot mistreat my two grandsons. You cannot be a stepfather, or I'll have your father banish you from Bai Rong Brigade."
Gong Wenliang disliked that his two sons were spoiled by Zhang Yuan, but they were still his sons. He wasn't so heartless as to abuse them.
"Mother, you know I'm not that kind of person."
Wang Fengling didn't believe a man's words. A stepmother always meant a difficult step. She hoped she could live a few more years to see her two grandsons grow up.
"Alright, if you've decided, then live your life well. You'll bear all the consequences, good or bad. Your father and I are old, and we can't handle much more."
Gong Wenliang felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He knew he had hurt his parents before.
"Mother, I will live my life well."
Wang Fengling waved her hand wearily. Her heart was tired.
"You go ahead and get busy. I'll go discuss with your father about arranging the engagement first."
"Thank you, Mother. I'll get busy now."
"Oh, I almost forgot. How much money do you have on hand? You can't expect me to pay for the engagement and wedding, can you?"
Gong Wenliang scratched his head awkwardly. He had worked hard and saved money in the past, but all of it was kept by Zhang Yuan. In the end, Zhang Yuan had given all the money to her family.
Gong Wenliang took out all the money he had from his pocket and handed it to his mother. He felt ashamed as he spoke.
"Mother, this is all I have now. Could Mother lend me some first? I can pay you back with my work points later. I'm in a hurry to get engaged because I'm afraid An Xia will be gossiped about, so..."
Wang Fengling knew her second son didn't have much money, otherwise, she wouldn't have subsidized him in private. However, she wanted her second son to know that what she was giving him now was what he owed.
"Hmph, what a useless fellow. You work like an ox in the fields every day, yet in the end, someone can just spend all your money."
Gong Wenliang knew he had trusted Zhang Yuan too much and hadn't stopped her sooner even though he knew what kind of person she was. It was all his fault.
Could Wang Fengling really stand by and watch her second son not get married? She took out ten Great Unity notes from her pocket and stuffed them into her son's hand.
"Take these for now. You can pay me back slowly when you have money later. You must tell her that you borrowed money to marry her. Don't let her think that marrying you means she'll have a good life. You're a penniless bum."
Wang Fengling's words were harsh, but they were the truth. She was genuinely afraid. She had seen too many Zhi Zhi marry villagers for a more comfortable life. She didn't want An Xia to have the same intention.
Let's say what needs to be said first. Bear the debt together. If she's still willing, then so be it.
Gong Wenliang nodded. He wasn't stupid, just not talkative.
"I understand. I'll go tell An Xia now. If she's still willing, I'll treat her well from now on. If not, then so be it."
Wang Fengling nodded with satisfaction. He wasn't completely hopeless.
Gong Hua was busy when his wife pulled him aside and spoke at length. His brow furrowed tighter and tighter.
"You've already agreed, so what are you saying? If he wants to marry, let him marry. How long can we manage their affairs?"
Wang Fengling playfully hit her husband.
"If you don't manage it, who will? Second son needs to get engaged, needs a house to get married. Which of these things doesn't require your attention?"
Gong Hua surrendered. He only cared about his youngest son finding a wife and having children now. He didn't want to deal with his other sons' affairs.
"We'll help him with each marriage. If he marries ten or eight times, wouldn't we be giving our lives away? Just give him that money, and let him handle the rest himself."
Well, that settled it. Wang Fengling felt relieved.
An Xia's whole body tensed up when she saw Gong Wenliang return. She didn't know if the village chief's family would agree. She knew that few families in the village liked Zhi Zhi.
But when she heard Gong Wenliang's account, An Xia's face bloomed like a flower bud, and she smiled happily.
"Brother Wenliang, I'll work in the fields with you. We'll definitely be able to repay the money quickly."
Gong Wenliang was completely reassured. This wife was truly good, definitely not as selfish as Zhang Yuan.
"By the way, Brother Wenliang, have you talked to the two children? After all, they need to agree. Although I haven't had children, I took care of my younger siblings at home. I promise I won't mistreat the two children."
Gong Wenliang was increasingly satisfied. Perhaps this was the male ego. When they liked a woman, they found everything about her perfect.
"I'll go talk to them now. After we get engaged, I'll bring them to meet you. Also, I'll bring you dinner tonight."
An Xia's heart felt sweet. Brother Wenliang really knew how to care for her. An Xia quickly gave all her remaining grain to Gong Wenliang and took out ten yuan from her pocket.
"I don't have much money on hand. Please take this first. After all, we'll be family from now on. I can't contribute nothing."
Gong Wenliang couldn't accept money from his fiancée. He was a man, not a gigolo.
"Keep the money. The hundred yuan my mother gave me is enough. It's just that the current situation in the village might make things difficult for you."
"It's okay. I don't care about superficial things. Life is our own. As long as we live well, that's all that matters."
Gong Wenliang held An Xia's slightly rough hand, reaffirming in his heart that he had found the right person.
"From now on, I'll bring you food for every meal. You focus on recovering from your injuries and don't worry about what others say. I'll announce our engagement later, and no one will dare bully you then."
An Xia thought about the gift she was about to give. A box that was often touched.
"Brother Wenliang, this is my most precious item. I'll give it to you."
Gong Wenliang carefully opened the box. Inside was a slightly worn watch. He had never worn anything so valuable. He quickly closed it and returned it.
"It's too valuable. If it's that important to you, keep it yourself. Besides, I do farm work every day, so it's not suitable for me to wear such things."
An Xia opened the box and gently stroked the watch.
"This was left to my mother by my maternal grandfather. After my mother passed away, she gave it to me."
Gong Wenliang hadn't expected An Xia to have lost her mother too. The young girl must have had a difficult life at home.
An Xia looked at Gong Wenliang's pained expression and gave a somewhat forced smile.
"I haven't lived a very bitter life either. After all, I still have two older brothers. It's just that they have their own lives, my father has a new wife, and there are some younger children. So, I'm not that important anymore. I've been in the countryside for almost a year, and none of them have sent me a single letter, let alone food or necessities. My expectations have been too high for too long, and I've been disappointed for too long, which is why I say I'm an abandoned person."
Gong Wenliang was not good with words and didn't know how to comfort the young girl.
"You have me. From now on, I'll take care of you."
"Mmm, from now on, I'll be good to you, and you'll be good to me."
"Okay, I'll be good to you."
"Oh, it's broad daylight, and you two are alone in the shack. Who knows what illicit activities you might be up to."
Gong Wenliang didn't need to turn around to know who it was, the voice that disgusted him. He patted An Xia's hand and stood up with a frosty expression.
"Is there a problem with me finding my fiancée? Only disgusting people like you would think of such disgusting things."
Zhang Yuan was like she had been struck by lightning. She pointed at An Xia, her voice changing pitch.
"What did you say? She's your fiancée?"
Gong Wenliang walked out of the shed, looking down at Zhang Yuan with disgust in his eyes.
"You heard correctly. An Xia is my fiancée now. My mother will be bringing a matchmaker to propose soon. We'll get married once the house is built. If I ever hear you say anything nasty about An Xia again, I'll beat you to death."
Zhang Yuan had truly gone mad. She thought that if she left Gong Wenliang, he would never marry again, and would always pine for her. She never expected that in just over a month, everything would change.
"You heartless wretch! I bore you two sons, and you're turning around to marry a vixen. Do you think you've treated me right?"
Gong Wenliang, afraid An Xia would misunderstand, turned to nod at her, trying to appease her.
An Xia was timid, but she absolutely wouldn't let anyone destroy the happiness she desired now.
"Brother Wenliang, say what you need to say clearly. I believe you!"
Gong Wenliang had no reservations anymore.
"Zhang Yuan, get it straight. We are already divorced. And you've already found another man. What right do you have to lecture me? Did you sleep with another man and still think of me? But too bad, I'm not interested in you anymore. If you can't bear to part with your sons, you can take them and raise them now."
Gong Wenliang's gaze swept past Zhang Yuan, and he gave a sarcastic smile at the person behind her. The grievances he had felt before were finally being avenged.
"Look at yourself. My fiancée is from the city, educated, cultured, and beautiful and gentle. She's not like you, a second-hand tigress."
"You, you, Gong Wenliang, you're not human, you..."
"Slap, slap, slap."
Before Zhang Yuan could finish, her head was forcefully slapped several times, making her dizzy and fall to the ground.
Gong Wenliang quickly stepped back. He was truly disgusted by Zhang Yuan's proximity.
"You slut! You followed me, and now you're looking for your ex-husband? Do you think I'm dead?"
Ji Dashu had clearly heard everything from within the crowd and had to endure the mockery and pointing fingers of everyone. He was a scoundrel and was often gossiped about, but he absolutely could not tolerate this humiliation.
"Slap, slap, slap."
Ji Dashu's slaps and punches were all directed at Zhang Yuan's body. Zhang Yuan wailed and cried out.
Gong Wenliang was usually not a man of many words, but today, it was as if a switch had been flipped. He finally spoke all the words he had kept in his heart.
"Ji Dashu, I have a fiancée now. You need to control your wife from now on and don't stare at me for no reason, or my fiancée will get angry, and she'll be difficult to appease."
"Wenliang, are you really dating An Zhi Zhi?"
"See, I told you there was something between them."
Gong Wenliang immediately became anxious. He didn't want An Xia's reputation to be ruined. Just as he was about to explain, a voice cut in ahead of him.
"Oh, don't ruin my son's and An Zhi Zhi's reputation. Today, my son saved An Zhi Zhi, and she wants to repay his life-saving kindness by marrying my son. This is a proper repayment of kindness, and they hadn't spoken a word to each other before. As soon as An Zhi Zhi made her intentions clear, I immediately found someone to arrange the engagement. They haven't done anything indecent. Everyone, please be discreet with your words."
Wang Fengling was a well-known formidable figure in Bai Rong Brigade, and she was also the village chief's wife. Her youngest son was also capable, so essentially, no one dared to provoke her. Now that she had spoken, who would dare say a word against them?
"I didn't expect Wenliang to be so lucky, to find a Zhi Zhi right away."
"Exactly. An Zhi Zhi is very honest. I've never seen her cause trouble."
"It's a pity for Wenliang."
Wang Fengling couldn't stop the villagers' chatter. As long as they weren't saying bad things, it was fine. Wang Fengling looked at Zhang Yuan, who was being beaten on the ground, and felt no sympathy at all. She had lived too well in their family; she should experience some hardship.
"Dashu, control your wife. Some people need to be taught a lesson. They're all spoiled habits that need to be properly cured."
Ji Dashu really didn't dare to offend Wang Fengling. Her son Gong Wentao was a menace; he would beat people without hesitation and always went for the kill.
"Auntie, don't worry. I'll definitely manage this woman properly."
Zhang Yuan regretted following Ji Dashu for the first time. In the past, she had only been slapped by Gong Wentao. But now, Ji Dashu was beating her with all his might. She knew she would be beaten again when she returned home. She truly regretted it.
"Mother, save me! I'm willing to live a good life with Wenliang. It was all my fault before."
"Don't you dare call me Mother. My daughter-in-law is inside watching and listening. Besides, I find it truly dirty to bring a second-hand item like you back into our Gong family. If I didn't want the unmarried girls from the city, then I'd truly be crazy."
Ji Dashu felt that all his dignity had been completely ruined by this woman Zhang Yuan today. He couldn't suppress the anger within him. He grabbed Zhang Yuan by the hair and dragged her towards his own shack.
But who would want to get involved in this matter? Zhang Yuan was the one who had acted shamelessly, and her husband beating her was only fitting.
An Xia felt both warmth and nervousness hearing her future mother-in-law stand up for her. But at this moment, she couldn't stand up and could only wait uneasily.
Wang Fengling turned and entered the shack, seeing this little Zhi Zhi up close for the first time. She had to admit, she was quite pretty. It was a pity for her son, and she wondered why she had made such a hasty decision.
"An Zhi Zhi, have you really thought it through?"