When Liu Laosi heard those words, his already dark face turned even more sullen, as if smeared with soot from a pot. If there hadn’t been people nearby watching the commotion, he would have already struck her.
Ruan Qiaoqiao wasn’t afraid at all.
“Back then, Liu Ercheng stole Fu Wenzhou’s money and insisted it was bride price. You said the daughter from your first marriage would be sent over, but you never said you were marrying off me, the second wife. Now that your fraudulent marriage scheme is confirmed, this is fraud—it’s enough to send you to prison for years. Or maybe even worse.”
“You—Ruan Qiaoqiao!” Liu Laosi finally couldn’t hold back and raised his hand to strike her.
But Ruan Qiaoqiao grabbed his wrist firmly.
“Liu Laosi, think carefully. If you dare touch me today, I won’t take the money anymore—but I will definitely convince Fu Wenzhou to report you. I’ll make sure you rot in prison for the rest of your life.”
Liu Laosi trembled with rage, grinding his teeth. He glared at Lin Meiyu with a vicious look before turning and going inside to get the money.
Lin Meiyu, frightened, forced herself to walk over and grabbed Ruan Qiaoqiao’s hand in pleading desperation.
“Qiaoqiao, please, I’m begging you as your mother. Stop while you’re ahead. Leave him some money, or he’ll really hit me…”
“You can divorce him. My sister and I can support you in the future. You won’t end up helpless.”
Lin Meiyu suddenly released her grip, staring at her in disbelief.
“So in your eyes, I’m not even allowed to live a normal life?”
“To you, staying here as a maid and punching bag for this family is a normal life? Fine. If you love it so much, then stay.”
Soon, Liu Laosi returned with the money and threw it at her.
“Don’t get cocky. Just wait!”
Ruan Qiaoqiao sneered.
Wait? She wasn’t going to wait.
Liu Ercheng had been beaten, but the matter of him inciting others to bully Fu Wenzhou was not over.
She was not only not going to wait—she was going to take revenge herself.
Without paying him any attention, she counted the money in front of everyone, put it into her pocket, and turned back toward Lin Meiyu.
But Lin Meiyu shrank back and avoided her gaze.
From the moment she realized her mother would not stand up for her, Ruan Qiaoqiao had already stopped relying on her.
She could only rely on herself.
She picked up her bag and left without looking back.
When she passed the crowd of onlookers, she took out two yuan and handed it to Aunt Qi, asking her to buy sunflower seeds so everyone could snack while watching the show.
By the time she returned to the outskirts of Houliuhang Village, she saw Fu Wenzhou waiting at the entrance from afar.
When he saw her, he strode over and took her luggage.
Ruan Qiaoqiao followed with a smile.
“Aren’t you supposed to be resting? Why are you out here? Aren’t you afraid someone will see you?”
“I already went into town to the ‘hospital’ yesterday. Even if someone sees me, it’s fine.”
“Then why are you standing here?”
“Waiting for you.”
Those simple words warmed something in her heart.
Fu Wenzhou casually asked, “You seemed unhappy just now. Were you wronged?”
Ruan Qiaoqiao paused and looked up at him.
She had never expected that her own mother would always pretend not to see her pain.
Yet this man—who had only known her for four days—could tell she was upset from a single glance.
His observation skills were surprisingly sharp.
Fu Wenzhou tapped his own shoulder, half-joking. “Want to borrow my shoulder?”
Ruan Qiaoqiao rolled her eyes. “So stingy. I don’t want your shoulder. Can I borrow your arms instead?”
By then they had already reached the hut. Fu Wenzhou dropped the luggage and pulled her straight into his arms.
“I can’t stand being called stingy. I’ll lend it to you for a few minutes then.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao wrapped her arms around his waist.
The warmth in her chest from her mother’s indifference slowly melted away.
Though theirs was a marriage without love, having someone to lean on when tired felt… surprisingly nice.
In Fu Wenzhou’s arms, her face was buried against his chest. Her warm breath seeped through his thin shirt.
In an instant, it felt like a fire had been lit inside him.
At first he tried to endure it, but soon realized—it wasn’t something he could endure.
He bent down, lifted her effortlessly, and carried her into the house.
Ruan Qiaoqiao startled. “What are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“It’s daytime!”
“I know.”
“What if the kids come back?”
“They’re gathering wild vegetables. They won’t be back until noon.”
“What if—”
“It’s fine.” Fu Wenzhou placed her on the bed, leaning close to her ear, his voice low and dangerously seductive:
“I won’t take your clothes off.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao: …
This man was shameless.
Yet the moment after, his hands lifted her clothes’ hem and his lips began to trail casually over her skin, igniting heat without restraint.
Her body trembled under the rising pleasure, her breath and voice breaking uncontrollably.
By the end, she was completely exhausted and collapsed onto the bed.
Fu Wenzhou leaned beside her ear, brushing her hair back, his voice hoarse yet satisfied.
“Tired? Then sleep. After you wake up, everything will be fine.”
Before falling asleep, she vaguely thought:
This man… sometimes gentle, sometimes dangerous.
Which one was the real him?
She was… really curious.
She slept deeply—until a voice woke her.
“Jiaojiao, wake up. An Ruyi is here to see you.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao slowly opened her eyes and saw An Ruyi standing at the door with a mischievous smile.
Fu Wenzhou had already left to the outer room.
An Ruyi leaned closer. “Sleeping in broad daylight? What did you do last night? Didn’t sleep at all?”
Ruan Qiaoqiao sat up lazily. “Can’t I just sleep a lot?”
“Fine, fine, whatever you say.” An Ruyi then pulled out a thick stack of money and handed it over.
“Here, 620 yuan. Su Mai asked me to bring it to you.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao’s eyes lit up instantly.
She was rich!
“That man still has some credibility.”
“I was surprised too. He actually compensated you. Not completely heartless. Oh right—he also asked me to tell you something. He wants to meet you.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao looked up sharply.
“Did you tell him my current situation and address?”