“My child, hurry and pack your things and come home with me. The life you’re living is not fit for a human. You’ve gotten so thin, like a monkey. My heart feels like it’s being cut by a knife.”
Xue Ruonan also cried heartbrokenly, mother and daughter confiding in each other. They spoke of the hardships and experiences of the past year.
Xue's father, however, remained clear-headed. He could tell this man before him was not to be trifled with. Would he let him take his daughter away?
He took a deep breath and took out a stack of money from his bag, placing it on the table.
“Zhao Zhen, let’s speak plainly. I must take my daughter with me today. Here is 50,000 yuan, consider it compensation for you.”
“What are you saying, Father-in-law? It is said that it is better to tear down ten temples than to ruin one marriage. Ruonan and I are destined to be husband and wife, a karmic connection from our past lives. I believe she wouldn't want to leave me.”
Xue's mother impulsively retorted, “You’re talking nonsense! You bought my daughter. This is bullsh*t karma, this is a crime. If you know what’s good for you, let my daughter leave with us, or I’ll see you in prison for life.”
Xue's father couldn’t even stop her. Zhao Zhen shook his head and chuckled, saying nonchalantly, “That’s only if Father-in-law and Mother-in-law can get out of this village first.”
The hope in Xue Ruonan’s eyes could not be hidden. Although Zhao Zhenzhu was “handsome” and treated her well, she truly couldn’t endure another moment in the Zhao family.
Every time she was beaten, she couldn’t see a doctor. She could only find some herbs to apply, and she couldn’t rest much. The next day, she had to work, or she would face another beating. She truly wished her parents could persuade Zhao Zhen to take her away from this suffering.
Seeing his daughter’s expression, Xue’s father’s eyes welled up with pain again. His daughter, once lively and generous, was now timid and subservient from the abuse.
He took a deep breath and said, “Zhao, I’m old enough and have lived long enough. For my daughter’s freedom, I don’t mind fighting you to the death. But you are still young, take this money and you can remarry. You don’t need my daughter exclusively, think about it carefully.”
Zhao Zhen, at this moment, wanted both the money and the woman. He said with the indifference of a pig that fears no boiling water, “Fight to the death? You think I’d be afraid? One for three is a very profitable deal for me.”
Xue's mother was shocked by his shamelessness, thinking how fortunate she was to be clever. She had started recording as soon as she entered the house. Thus, she said fearlessly,
“I have already recorded this. If you let our family leave, we promise not to pursue the matter further and will even return the money. If you dare to make a move, this recording could be posted online at any time. When the police arrive, you won’t be able to escape.”
Before Zhao Zhen could reply, Xue Ruonan quickly said, “No, Mom, you can’t do this. If you do, won’t my reputation be ruined? Even if I get out, I’ll be ridiculed by everyone. I don’t want this.”
“Hahaha, you can’t possibly ignore what your daughter is saying, can you?”
Xue's father was infuriated by his daughter’s hindering actions. He slammed the table several times.
“What exactly do you want to let my daughter leave?”
“Ruonan and I are truly in love, and I will never let her go in this life. I believe Ruonan feels the same way.”
All three pairs of eyes turned to Xue Ruonan. She was extremely anxious at this moment. She wanted to leave, but she didn’t want to directly offend Zhao Zhen. The shadow this man cast over her was too great.
She stammered for a long time without getting to the point. Xue's father felt a mix of exasperation and deep concern.
He then forcefully stepped forward, willing to agree to any condition Zhao Zhen proposed. Zhao Zhen was already tempted. At this moment, Jun Jiuli used her spiritual power to control Xue Ruonan’s brain.
“Dad, you should go. How can money measure the love between Ah Zhen and me? He and I are truly in love, and I can never leave him in this life. Please, don’t look at him with prejudice.”
Everyone present was stunned. Zhao Zhen excitedly pulled her sleeve, “What nonsense are you spouting, woman?”
“Mom, please persuade Dad. For my happiness, please leave Zhao Family Village quickly. Just pretend you never gave birth to me. It’s my filial impiety that has wronged you both. In the next life, I’ll repay you both by being your ox or horse, alright?”
Her words were sincere, and her eyes were teary, making Xue's father and mother seem like cruel parents tearing apart a loving couple.
“Nannan, what are you talking about? This man abuses you like this, and you claim to love him. What can he give you? He can’t even provide basic living security. You’re trying to make your mother die of anger!”
After speaking, Xue's mother gasped for air beside her. Xue's father quickly helped her calm down.
The reason the elderly couple found their way here was due to a dream Xue's father had. In his dream, his daughter died of anger over a man, and he himself died of melancholy.
He could never believe that his carefully raised daughter would become like that. However, they had not found any news of their daughter, and his wife had fallen ill several times due to worry.
He tricked his wife into believing he had found a lead and followed the address from his dream, only to find their daughter.
Looking at his thin and timid daughter, he felt nothing but heartache. How could his daughter, who lived such a miserable life, fall in love with such a worthless man? Apart from his face, Zhao Zhen had nothing to commend him.
He was grateful to heaven for letting him dream of this in advance. However, his daughter’s words were like a basin of cold water poured over him. His daughter would indeed make his wife die of anger, just like in the dream.
Xue's father’s heart felt a sudden jumble of panic, and he no longer knew how to proceed.
At this moment, Zhao Zhen said, “I don’t want this woman anymore. Give me 300,000 yuan.”
Xue's mother thought about it and decided to grit her teeth and agree. Xue Ruonan spoke again.
“Mom, I don’t want to leave. Why are you forcing me? I want to be with Zhao Zhen. He is not what you think. My injuries are all from my own falls, and it has nothing to do with him. I will not leave.”
“Scram, scram, scram, go home with your parents. Don’t delay me from earning 300,000 yuan.”
Xue Ruonan knelt down with a thud and hugged Zhao Zhen’s leg. “Brother Zhen, we love each other so much, and I want to have your babies. Please don’t drive me away. Don’t you want 300,000 yuan? I’ll ask my dad to give it to you.”
“Dad, for my happiness, please give Brother Zhen 300,000 yuan. Your daughter is begging you.” As she spoke, she kowtowed repeatedly.
Seeing her behavior, Xue's father saw her overlap with the person in his dream. This was no longer his daughter; she was someone else’s wife. Her heart no longer belonged to him and his wife.
Without another word, he pulled Xue's mother and walked out.
“From now on, you are Zhao Zhen’s wife, not the daughter of my Xue Zhenhua. In the future, no matter how much suffering you endure, do not come back to me. You must walk the path you have chosen, even if you have to cry.”
“Thank you, Father, for fulfilling my wish. I will be happy.”
Xue's mother was also heartbroken by her daughter’s actions and couldn’t speak a word. However, she only had this one daughter, and she still felt pity for her.
After walking only a few steps, she turned back and said, “Nannan, if you can’t go on in the future, come home. You will always be my daughter.”
Zhao Zhen wanted to stop the elderly couple, but he couldn’t bring himself to step out of the doorway. It was truly baffling. Angered, he could only vent all his frustration on Xue Ruonan.