Chapter 4: Niannian~ I Miss You So Much!
Editor: Min Zu

Already over twenty years old, this younger brother was still so unreliable when it came to marriage. Without their mother constantly protecting him, he’d have been disciplined long ago. Who in their right mind skips fetching the bride after an argument during the wedding?

Wasn’t that trampling on the bride’s family’s dignity? Fortunately, his sister-in-law and her family were relatively magnanimous people. If it were another family, this wedding might not have even happened today.

“I already checked. I followed and saw her running towards the North Mountain, but after searching around, I couldn’t find her, so I thought she had returned.”

The two walked towards the entrance. Once they left the courtyard, Jiang Jiali slapped his forehead: “Elder brother, don’t alert my father-in-law’s side yet. First, help me check the North Mountain. I’ll go back to the house to see if she’s already returned to the room.”

After saying this, Jiang Jiali turned and ran home. Jiang Yanqing wanted to stop him and tell him that his mother had already checked and that Chen Xueying definitely hadn’t returned. But the situation was urgent, and Jiang Jiali ran too fast—he was already entering the house. Jiang Yanqing didn’t insist on calling out to explain.

After all, if he saw she wasn’t there, he would surely come out.

Jiang Jiali hid behind the door, watching through the crack as Jiang Yanqing ran into the distance. He then quickly rushed into the yard to close the courtyard gate.

Jiang Yanqing’s room wasn’t locked; he had only pulled the door shut upon leaving. With one push, the door opened, revealing the person on the bed writhing in discomfort.

Jiang Jiali’s eyes widened as he swallowed hard and carefully closed the door. The person on the bed was too distressed to notice someone had entered.

Jiang Jiali sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to grasp her restless wrist. His eyes reddened as he looked at her. “Niannian~ I miss you so much!”

Only then did Lu Niannian open her eyes, and upon recognizing who was before her, she was instantly startled. “What’s going on, Jiali? Why is it you?” Why was he here? Where was Jiang Yanqing?

Seeing Lu Niannian retreat warily, Jiang Jiali’s heart ached as he pulled her into an embrace.

“Niannian, don’t be afraid. I know my mother drugged you; that’s why you’re like this–but I won’t look down on you.

I know you love me the most; I’ve thought it through. Chen Xueying has already married into our family. Even if she wanted to run, she can’t escape.

As long as we consummate the relationship… no one will be able to stop us.”

Lu Niannian wanted to shake her head. Previously, she had only coaxed Jiang Jiali because Chen Xueying often brought him food and obeyed his every command.

By buttering up Jiang Jiali, she could make her work assignments easier. Besides, at that time, Jiang Jiali was indeed her best option, so she had humored him.

She had only chosen Jiang Jiali because she had no better alternatives. But now that Jiang Yanqing had returned—tall, imposing, and with a face countless times more handsome than Jiang Jiali’s—things were different.

Moreover, he was a soldier with a monthly salary.

Only a fool would choose Jiang Jiali over someone with such excellent conditions as Jiang Yanqing.

She wanted to refuse and coax him into leaving. But it wasn’t the right time to break ties yet, especially since Jiang Yanqing would be leaving soon. To live comfortably at home, she still needed to rely on Jiang Jiali.

She knew how much her mother-in-law listened to Jiang Jiali, and that fool Chen Xueying would surely try to please him. When the time came, she could just lightly mention whatever she wanted to Jiang Jiali; he would surely take everything from Chen Xueying and give it to her.

“Niannian, I know you’re uncomfortable. Don’t worry, I’ll help you right now…”

“No…” Lu Niannian wanted to refuse, but the drug’s effects had left her body weak and limp, and Jiang Jiali eagerly covered her mouth.

She didn’t know how her initial resistance had turned into compliance!

Chen Xueying had already emerged from the wardrobe when she heard Liu Guilan leaving.

She knew that once Liu Guilan was gone, Jiang Jiali, who was so infatuated with Lu Niannian, would quickly make his move. Sure enough, she soon heard knocking through the door panel.

It came from the opposite room—the two rooms faced each other, so the sound was clear.
Hearing Jiang Jiali’s explanation, Chen Xueying couldn’t help but sneer. After Jiang Yanqing left and she confirmed Jiang Jiali had returned to Jiang Yanqing’s room without coming out again, she quickly searched the kang (heated brick bed) and the top of the wardrobe. She then checked Jiang Jiali’s backpack and his books, finding the money and food stamps he had hidden away.

Pfft, he’d always cried poverty to her before, frequently making her subsidize him.

He’d never returned any of the money or food stamps he took from her.

Chen Xueying counted it all: 135.8 yuan (Chinese currency) in total, several food stamps, and, most precious of all, a bicycle coupon and a watch coupon.

These would serve as compensation for all she’d given him over the years, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough!

She glanced at the red marks freshly made by hemp rope around her wrist and couldn’t help but reveal a sinister, terrifying smile.

Jiang Jiali, Lu Niannian, get ready to be locked together forever!

She carefully slipped out of the room. Upon reaching the main hall, she heard wanton sounds coming from the bedroom. Seizing the moment, she tiptoed out of the courtyard, stumbling toward the neighboring courtyard.

“Help! Help!” Chen Xueying pounded on the Zhang family’s courtyard gate.

At first, the Zhang family thought they were hearing things. The aunt, who hadn’t been napping, frowned and stepped outside. Through the low courtyard wall, she saw Chen Xueying swaying unsteadily at the gate.

She immediately screamed, “Xueying, what happened to you?” In a few quick steps, she reached the gate and opened it.

“Auntie, please save me! Call my parents! Jiang Jiali is inhuman. He tried to commit adultery with his sister-in-law, beat me, tie me up, and hide me in a wardrobe. Please hurry!” she said, her voice trembling.

Zeng Yun gaped, doubting her own hearing.

Chen Xueying turned to the child running over nearby: “Gouzi, quickly run and get my parents! Tell them I’ve been beaten at the Jiang family. Hurry, please!” Driven by a sense of righteousness, the little boy immediately ran toward the Chen family without uttering a sound. Zeng Yun couldn’t stop him even if she tried.
This child! How could he casually get involved in another family’s affairs?

“Xueying, could there be some misunderstanding?” She looked at Chen Xueying’s swollen, red face and the rope marks on her wrists, her voice sounding quite insincere.

The rest of the Zhang family, originally napping, came out upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Chen Xueying in this state, they were all shocked.

Didn’t she just get married? How could this happen?

“Heavens! How dare the Jiang family do such a thing? Come on, we’ll get justice for you right now.” Chen Xinni, living next door, couldn’t bear to see Chen Xueying in this state and immediately stepped forward.

Rolling up her sleeves, she headed straight for the Jiang residence. The commotion quickly drew more people, and upon seeing Chen Xueying’s pitiful state, they all began to scorn the Jiang family.

Soon, a large crowd of elders and children marched toward the Jiang residence. Chen Xueying, supported by others, lagged behind.

Just as they entered the courtyard, Chen Xinni’s voice rang out with a dramatic wail: “So intense! In broad daylight, you couldn’t even hear all that shouting? This is simply outrageous!”

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