"Don't report it to the authorities for now. We don't have enough evidence." Xu Fanglian didn't want to tip off the enemy, so she overruled her husband's suggestion. She stood still for a moment, regaining her composure. "Let's go check on Meng Chengcai's family first!"
When Xu Fanglian married into the Meng family, she brought a substantial dowry. Technically, it was supposed to be a matrilocal marriage at first. However, seeing how much Meng Chengliang doted on Xu Fanglian, her parents from the Xu family finally relented and officially announced it as a regular marriage.
Later on, the couple lived a harmonious and prosperous life, with their business expanding steadily. Xu Fanglian had damaged her health during the birth of Meng Ruyi. Meng Chengliang, facing his still - living parents at that time, firmly refused to take a concubine, determined not to let his wife suffer anymore.
Xu Fanglian knew that her husband's elder brother's family was a mixed bunch. Her elder brother - in - law was incompetent and vain, and her nephew was cowardly. Only her sister - in - law was an honest person. But unexpectedly, her usually kind - hearted sister - in - law had tried to harm her young daughter for the family fortune.
How dare she!
Just thinking about how her daughter had almost died without a clear cause made Xu Fanglian's hands tremble and her heart race. Looking at Meng Chengcai, who was drunk again and lying like a dead dog, a hint of darkness flashed in her eyes.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at Meng Chengcai's house.
The small courtyard gate was smashed. The two wooden doors were leaning pitifully at an angle. Once they entered, the yard was in a complete mess, as if it had been ransacked by thieves.
They walked further into the house. There, they saw Meng Ruyi's aunt and her son lying on the ground. There were dark red spots everywhere, and a nauseating stench filled the air, making them wrinkle their noses.
Xu Fanglian initially thought about leaving Meng Chengcai there and letting the whole family fend for themselves. Maybe they would freeze to death unknowingly.
But then she remembered that the neighbors had seen her when she came. Worried that Meng Ruyi might be implicated, she said to the servant beside her, "Go and find a doctor. Any doctor will do."
She couldn't let them die so easily.
"Yes."
Before any onlookers arrived, Xu Fanglian ordered someone to smash the only intact bed in the house. Then she calmly looked at Meng Chengliang standing behind her.
Meng Chengliang understood her intention. He stared at the two unconscious people. Seeing that their chests were still rising and falling, he walked forward, squatted in front of his nephew, slapped him twice on the face, and then stood up, looking down at him with his arms crossed.
It's okay. His nephew had a chubby face, and he had looked rosy just now. A few slaps wouldn't hurt much.
"U, Uncle!" Meng Sili woke up with a start. Seeing his uncle staring at him intently, he forgot about the stinging pain on his face and the ache in his right leg. He crawled over and hugged his uncle's leg, crying, "Uncle! Uncle, you must save me!"
"I only owed a little money. Who would have thought those heartless people would break my mother's and my legs last night, ignoring your reputation!"
The couple exchanged a glance.
Was it the debt collectors? Meng Sili did gamble and occasionally borrowed small amounts of money. But relying on his uncle's reputation in the area, who would be so bothered by such a small debt?
Xu Fanglian thought of the young man's eyes as black as raven feathers and the uneasiness she felt when he looked up at her. Her heart skipped a beat for no reason.
"Get out of the way!"
Meng Chengliang was furious. He was both angry and anxious. His face exuded an intimidating aura. "Meng Sili, you brute! How did you treat Yu Yu! You deserve to die! Don't even mention that they broke your legs. Even if they killed you, I wouldn't care!"
What! The cook failed to kill Meng Ruyi last night! Uncle had even gone home first! He must have already known what they had done!
Meng Sili cursed silently. A look of helplessness flashed across his face. He was about to say something more, but unexpectedly, Meng Chengliang kicked him away.
Xu Fanglian gave her husband a look, and Meng Chengliang then woke Meng Chengcai up. He said coldly, "You know exactly what you've done, Meng Chengcai."
"Husband, you've done your best, but..." Seeing someone approaching, Xu Fanglian stepped forward and tugged at her husband's sleeve, looking as if she had a lot of grievances but couldn't express them.
The neighbors who had come over heard this and exchanged a look with each other. They gave up the idea of helping.
The Meng Chengcai family was really something! Instead of doing something good, they gambled! The second son of the Meng family was so kind - hearted. Last night, the elder brother's family had even tried to bully his daughter, but he still sent for a doctor for them now.
Xu Fanglian knew that the news that they would no longer help the Meng Chengcai family would soon reach the ears of the debt collectors. Those people always loved to kick a man when he was down.
But she wouldn't let them off so easily!
Meng Sili and Song Huaizhi had given her a new idea. Maybe it was better not to take revenge openly. Meng Sili had presented such a weakness to her. She would definitely not let it go.
There were sounds of three people chasing after them from behind. Meng Chengcai, drunk and unsteady, fell at the door after just a few steps. Meng Sili, dragging his broken leg, was tripped by his father and fell to the ground with a scream.
Auntie's other leg had also been broken by the debt collectors. She was in so much pain that she could hardly breathe and couldn't even stand up. She could only twitch like a dehydrated loach from time to time.
The father and son on the ground heard her painful groans and instinctively looked at each other. A glint of light flashed in their eyes.
...
As soon as Meng Ruyi stepped into the Meng Mansion, she said to the butler waiting there, "Uncle Butler, please prepare some food quickly."
"Sure, sure, sure!" The butler of the Meng family had just returned from going out with Meng Chengliang. As soon as he saw Meng Ruyi, who he had watched grow up, he quickly replied, "Miss, why are you being so polite to me! Go in and rest quickly. The food will be ready soon."
"Thank you, Uncle." Meng Ruyi smiled, showing the innocence unique to a child. "By the way, Uncle, prepare more. Brother Song will eat with me."
"Okay!" The butler of the Meng family had returned home earlier and didn't know that his young miss had gone through a great ordeal. He was startled when he suddenly saw a handsome young man.
Could this be the one the young miss had taken a fancy to? Then this meal must be sumptuous. He had to show this young man the wealth of the Meng family.
When the food was served, Meng Ruyi stared at the table full of dishes in disbelief.
[I'm hungry. I'm going to order takeout.]
[...What's going on? Is Song Huaizhi really living off a woman?]
[My goodness! They're such a perfect match! The wealthy and greedy young miss x the fallen aristocratic villain. It's so cute!]
[What's going on? I just got distracted for a moment, and suddenly it's a food - live broadcast? It smells so good. It's like poison late at night!]
Afraid that Song Huaizhi would feel constrained, Meng Ruyi said to him gently, "Brother Song, eat quickly! It won't taste good when it gets cold!"
Song Huaizhi nodded slightly and picked up his chopsticks.
He ate gracefully, but so fast that Meng Ruyi stared at him with her deer - like eyes wide open.
No. After watching for a few moments, she turned to the smiling butler and said, "Uncle Butler, prepare some more dishes."
She had a feeling that what was on the table was just enough for Song Huaizhi. If she didn't prepare more, they would have to wait a long time after her parents came back.
Sure enough, people who can fight have bigger appetites? But Song Huaizhi's appetite was just too outrageous!
Meng Ruyi watched as Song Huaizhi finished one bowl, two bowls, three bowls... of rice. When the rice was gone, she subconsciously handed her own bowl over.
Song Huaizhi didn't even look up at her. He just took the bowl and continued eating.
The butler was shocked. He nodded and walked out, his mood complicated.
Forget it. After giving the instructions, he couldn't help but sigh. The Meng family was wealthy enough to support this young man. As long as the young miss was happy.
After eating for a while, Song Huaizhi noticed that Meng Ruyi wasn't moving. He put down his chopsticks and looked at her, his tone unusually gentle. "Why aren't you eating?"
[I can't take it anymore. Song Huaizhi really has no self - awareness. He's almost eaten everything! Hahaha.]
[Why aren't you eating! Song, look at the bowl in your hand. Doesn't it look like the young girl's?]
[It's only been a few minutes... I'm really worried that he'll eat Ruyi out of house and home. He's just a heartless eating machine.]
[Song Huaizhi: Soft rice tastes good. I'll eat it!]
[Song Huaizhi: I'll finish this bowl of soft rice first!]
Meng Ruyi was dazzled by the barrage of laughing comments. She instinctively swallowed and said under Song Huaizhi's gaze, "I'm too tired. I can't eat. Brother Song, eat quickly."
Hearing this, Song Huaizhi nodded and continued to bury his head in eating.
Meng Ruyi:... Looking at the barrage, she couldn't help but think that Song Huaizhi really came to eat her out of house and home?
Meng Ruyi came back to her senses. She propped her chin up with her right hand, pretending to be in a daze, but actually staring at the barrage. These onlookers regarded her place as some kind of fictional world. Song Huaizhi was the big villain in this story. Then what about herself? Who was she? Meng Ruyi fell into deep thought.
When Meng Ruyi's parents came back, they saw their precious daughter propping her chin up and watching the young man eat. There was an undisguised look of shock on her face.
Meng Ruyi's eyes were starting to look more defined. Her long eyelashes fluttered, making her look like a curious little animal that was afraid to get too close.
Xu Fanglian was about to speak when she saw the butler blinking at her with a strange expression. Following his gaze, she saw the pile of empty plates on the table and the four clean empty bowls.
Xu Fanglian:?!
Meng Chengliang:???
Song Huaizhi, who looked up when he heard the sound, saw the two people standing still at the door. His expression remained unchanged as he stood up and bowed.
Meng Ruyi quickly took a sip of water, but accidentally caught a glimpse of a comment flashing on the barrage -
[I understand. To live off a woman, you have to be thick - skinned.]
"Pfft -"
Meng Ruyi spat out the water.
Song Huaizhi turned to look at her, his eyes calm. Meng Ruyi instantly got goosebumps all over her body.
Help! Did she make this god of death angry!