Feng Man listened to Feng Jianshe’s miserable screams—he had just been strutting his stuff and trying to hit her—and felt much better.
She glanced sideways. Cheng Lang’s intimidating face was full of ferocity, and the force in his hand was so great that Feng Jianshe could only cry out in pain.
The upright and kind man from the book had a rather fierce face when he was serious, and at this moment, he played the role he was supposed to, quite convincingly intimidating.
But only Feng Man knew that Cheng Lang was faking this look. The extreme contrast could not have been greater.
“Cheng, Cheng Lang? Why are you back? Quick, let go! It hurts!” Feng Jianshe struggled fiercely. His right wrist finally regained its freedom. He looked down and saw a shocking red mark on it, deeply imprinted and still throbbing with pain.
The young man was no longer a child and easily flung him away with force. Feng Jianshe staggered back a few steps and tried his best to maintain the dignity of a village elder as he scolded the fierce-looking man. “Cheng Lang, this is Feng Family business. You still want to interfere? I warn you, if you dare lay a hand again while I’m disciplining my own daughter, believe me when I say I’ll call the village head and party secretary to come take a look! Your parents aren’t around, so we elders still can’t keep you in line?”
Hearing Feng Jianshe’s threats delivered with such bluster, Cheng Lang sneered. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, as if gathering a storm, scaring Feng Jianshe into involuntarily stepping back. He nearly lost his balance, but his wife Zhang Cuijuan steadied him with a hand.
Zhang Cuijuan’s shrill voice rang out. “What’s this, Cheng Lang? Don’t think you can meddle in our family affairs! Go back where you came from—your home is over there!”
“My home? Your home?” Cheng Lang’s lips curved in a smile as he wrapped one arm around Feng Man’s waist at his side. “Manman and I are married. What’s yours or mine anymore? We’re all family.”
Feng Jianshe and Zhang Cuijuan were dumbfounded. They watched as Cheng Lang casually put his arm around their daughter and entered the house, standing frozen in place for several seconds without reacting.
A moment later, when the two had already disappeared from the courtyard, Feng Jianshe asked his wife, “I didn’t hear wrong, did I? What did Cheng Lang just say?”
Zhang Cuijuan struggled to process the shocking words. “No, no mistake. Cheng Lang said he married Zhaodi!”
……
In the Feng Family main room, Feng Jianshe paced back and forth, his mind about to explode. What on earth was going on? How had his daughter—who could have been the village beauty for miles around—ended up marrying Cheng Lang out of the blue?
He had been counting on getting over a thousand yuan in bride price!
Zhang Cuijuan vaguely felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it, so she observed quietly.
Cheng Lang and Feng Zhaodi returned as if they were truly coming home. He picked up the thermos and poured two cups of hot water, then took out some pastries from his bag. Seeing the delicate crust and smelling the rich aroma, Zhang Cuijuan swallowed hard. She watched as the wretched girl across from her leisurely ate and drank.
“Feng Zhaodi, I want some too. Smells so good—what is it!” Feng Tianbao was used to throwing his weight around at home and immediately spoke up, rushing over to grab some.
“You?” Feng Man glanced at the little bully and said disdainfully, “In your dreams. Baozhu, come try this mung bean cake.”
It was mung bean cake from the best pastry shop in Ink River City—refreshing, soft, glutinous, sweet, and naturally enticing.
Feng Baozhu had been stunned by the chaos at home. How had the neighbor’s big brother Cheng married her big sister? Were the things her parents had said to Zhao Gang actually true?
Called out while silently observing from the side, Baozhu trotted over to her big sister’s side. In the time it took to feed her a bite of mung bean cake, she blinked rapidly, signaling to her big sister with her eyes.
Even if Big Sis had married Big Brother Cheng, their parents definitely wouldn’t let it go easily. They still had to run away quick!
Feng Man smiled and stroked her little sister’s braids, then squeezed her hand twice to reassure her.
Completely ignored, Feng Tianbao saw his twin sister getting treats and flew into a rage. “Feng Zhaodi, you dog-spawn! Hand over the food! Did you go out and hook up with some wild man who thinks he can back you up? Just you wait—I’ll have Dad beat you to death!”
Seeing his son about to charge at them and Cheng Lang’s face darkening, Feng Jianshe quickly pulled Tianbao back.
After all, Cheng Lang was strong; he had to be wary.
“Zhaodi, you’re back, that’s good. As for other unrelated people, get lost—we don’t want outsiders meddling in our family matters.”
Feng Man looked at Feng Jianshe and said flatly, “We’re married. We came back this time to transfer the household registry. We’ll take it, get things done, and leave.”
“Transfer the household registry?” Feng Jianshe nearly exploded in rage. He rolled up his sleeves again and cursed, “Feng Zhaodi, you really think your old man is dead? Watch me beat…”
He was about to strike again when a glance from not far away made him freeze in place. His still-aching wrist reminded him that the man beside Feng Man was not to be trifled with.
He withdrew his hand and raged, “No way! Don’t think marriage lets you do whatever! The ID card and household registry are here. At most, you had a banquet— I don’t recognize it, so the marriage doesn’t count! Feng Zhaodi, hurry back home. Dad will arrange another marriage for you!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Feng Jianshe realized he was at a disadvantage. A fine unmarried girl like her had already had a banquet with this wild man—who knew if it could be hidden later? A second marriage wouldn’t fetch much. He immediately demanded exorbitantly, “But Cheng Lang has to give 1500 in bride price first. If not, I’ll go to the village head, the police—I’ll accuse you of trafficking women!”
His eldest daughter was too beautiful to just marry some Cheng Lang who had emptied his family to pay debts.
As for Cheng Lang, no matter how tough he acted, he couldn’t overstep Feng Jianshe. Worst case, he’d call the village head, party secretary, and respected elders. He and Cuijuan could wail and make a scene for a day, and it would be settled!
If it came to it, as Zhaodi’s biological father, even at the police station, he’d have right on his side!
Zhang Cuijuan chimed in from the side, fully aligned with Feng Jianshe. They definitely had to nullify this marriage. A poor wretch like Cheng Lang dreaming of marrying a beauty? In his dreams!
She was good at crying, making scenes, and threatening suicide. If things escalated, the villagers would side with the Feng Family.
With various countermeasures in mind, Feng Jianshe smirked smugly, ready to chase off Cheng Lang and keep Zhaodi, when the tall young man suddenly stood up and approached menacingly.
“You… what are you doing?” Feng Jianshe was half a head shorter than Cheng Lang and had to look up at him. In the dim main room, shadows fell across his face, flickering and making him look imposing without even trying.
Cheng Lang walked to Feng Jianshe’s side, leaned in close, and whispered so only they could hear, “Want the 1500 bride price? Follow me.”
Seeing Cheng Lang’s secretive manner, a trace of doubt rose in Feng Jianshe’s heart, but then he thought, this was his turf—did the kid really dare hit him?
For 1500 bride price, he’d go!
Following Cheng Lang’s steps to the kitchen, Feng Jianshe kept yapping. Previously, Cheng Lang was just a neighbor who couldn’t boss him around, but now he wanted his daughter—that put him at a disadvantage.
“Cheng Lang, let me tell you, hand over 1500 and we’re square. I won’t pursue it. But Zhaodi? You think you can have her? I’m definitely arranging a rich…”
Feng Jianshe stood at the kitchen door, cursing and telling Cheng Lang to know his place—no begging or threats would work! But then a gust of yin wind seemed to brush past, grazing his ear. Feng Jianshe froze, carefully turning his head, and instantly widened his eyes in terror.
A small knife was embedded diagonally in the wooden kitchen door, its sharp blade gleaming coldly. It had mercilessly sliced into the wood, lodged firmly—just a little closer, and it would have hit him!
His legs trembled uncontrollably. Cheng Lang’s low voice sounded in Feng Jianshe’s ear.
“Zhao Gang was my doing. Chongling Town’s local tyrant got hacked too—probably won’t survive. Between you and Zhao Gang, who has more guts? If it were you, how many strikes could you take? Dealing with Zhao Gang didn’t take much effort. As for you, isn’t it like squashing an ant?”
The man’s voice was low and ghostly, scaring cold sweat out of Feng Jianshe. His heart nearly jumped out of his throat.
All his prepared curses, tantrums, wailing, even dragging the whole village into it—none of it worked now.
He nearly lost control of his bladder. Seeing Cheng Lang’s calm, indifferent expression—as if the flying knife and threats hadn’t come from him—a bead of sweat rolled down Feng Jianshe’s forehead, across his dark face, and splattered on the concrete floor.
“Dad!” Thirteen-year-old Feng Tianbao came running to eavesdrop and shouted at the man—the drag-along Feng Zhaodi’s husband—”What are you doing! I’ll kick you to death…”
A kid’s flailing meant nothing. Cheng Lang grabbed Feng Tianbao’s hands with one hand and legs with the other, hoisting him into the air. The boy flopped like a dying fish but couldn’t break free.
“Tianbao!” Feng Jianshe’s already half-dead heart nearly stopped. “Cheng Lang, put my son down quick! He’s just a kid!”
From the look, Feng Jianshe even thought Cheng Lang might throw Tianbao out.
Cheng Lang’s expression was cold and hard. “This is how your son bullies my wife every day at home? Only thirteen and already yelling to kill—clearly no one’s taught him.”
“No, no, nothing like that.” Feng Jianshe doted on his only son like the apple of his eye and had always spoiled him, fostering Feng Tianbao’s bullying ways.
Normally, the boy kicked and hit his big sister all the time, and Feng Jianshe didn’t care.
Feng Tianbao had been defiant at first, but now dangling in the air, as if he might be dropped any second, he was scared silly. Snot and tears streamed down together. “Put me down, put me down.”
“Tianbao, quick, apologize to your brother-in-law. Say you won’t dare again.” Feng Jianshe finally saw clearly—Cheng Lang was too terrifying! Not someone he could provoke!
Used to lording it over the house, Feng Tianbao lowered his head for the first time. His childish voice was muffled with tears. “Brother-in-law, I was wrong. I won’t dare again.”
Cheng Lang tossed Feng Tianbao into Feng Jianshe’s arms, coldly sweeping him a glance. Just one look forced him to bow his head, unable to meet his eyes. “No next time.”
With a light scoff, Cheng Lang turned and walked back to the main room.
No arguing, fighting, reasoning, or pleading worked as well as this simple, brutal method. For a outwardly strong but inwardly weak bluffer like Feng Jianshe, Cheng Lang had no time to waste.
In the main room, Zhang Cuijuan eyed Feng Zhaodi warily. This daughter from Feng Jianshe’s ex-wife—women’s intuition was often spot on.
Feng Zhaodi had changed.
The girl who used to keep her head down timidly now wore clothes of obviously fine fabric, dressed more stylishly and prettily than town girls. Strangely, she just sat there drinking hot water, eating pastries, occasionally chatting with Baozhu, relaxed as if at her own home.
“Zhaodi, ugly talk up front—if you insist on running off with some wild man, bring back the 1500. You won’t get a penny. When your dad arranges another marriage, you better obey, don’t…” Zhang Cuijuan’s threats echoed in the empty room but elicited no reaction from Feng Man.
She kept eating her pastries, completely ignoring her, which infuriated Zhang Cuijuan half to death.
What right did this wretched girl have to not even glance her way or say a word? Looking down on whom?
Furious and about to unleash a tirade, Zhang Cuijuan was interrupted by movement at the door.
Feng Jianshe, who had stormed off in rage, now seemed like a different person. He bowed and smiled obsequiously as he welcomed Cheng Lang back in.
“Cheng—no, son-in-law, sit, sit. You and Zhaodi rarely come back—treat this as your own home, make yourselves comfortable.” Feng Jianshe forced a smile, greeting in a pinched voice. An outsider would think he was a kindly father-in-law.
Zhang Cuijuan froze in place, shocked as she looked at her husband. She stepped forward and yanked his sleeve, whispering, “Head of the house, what are you saying? Why call him son-in-law!”
“What do you know!” Feng Jianshe shoved his wife away and smiled ingratiatingly at Cheng Lang, all amiable. “Have your auntie whip up something good to eat. No need to stand on ceremony!”
Seeing Feng Jianshe’s attitude shift, Feng Man probed doubtfully, “Where’s the mother-in-law? My real mom is gone.”
“Yes, yes.” Feng Jianshe immediately corrected himself. “Have your auntie Zhang prepare some food.”
Even the little bully Feng Tianbao obediently hid behind his dad, tugging his mom’s clothes. “Mom, go make food for brother-in-law.”
Zhang Cuijuan choked on her words. How did her son, who had been not afraid of heaven or earth that day, obediently call someone brother-in-law? He showed an unprecedented well-behaved and sensible demeanor, looking exceedingly proper.
In the room, the equally clueless Feng Man and Feng Baozhu watched Feng Jianshe and his son change faces, each more shocked than the last.
Zhang Cuijuan was dragged forcefully into the kitchen by Feng Jianshe. Her face suppressed terror as she whispered apprehensively, “Quickly whip up some good dishes. Don’t provoke that King of Hell outside!”
Zhang Cuijuan could hardly believe her own ears. They had clearly been about to settle the accounts properly just moments ago, yet now they had to serve good food and drink!
In the main hall, Feng Man grew curious too. She had originally geared up for a major showdown, prepared to verbally clash with the Feng family members. She had even planned to invoke the village cadres as witnesses, which would require some effort in persuasion and a display of her acting skills.
Tearing into toxic relatives—she got it. She had seen plenty in TV dramas and novels and had been fretting over the lack of a chance to try it herself.
But she had not even gotten started, and Feng Jianshe had chickened out!
“What did you just say to him?” Feng Man leaned close to the man and asked in a hushed voice.
As Feng Man drew near, Cheng Lang caught a faint, alluring fragrance. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his deep voice carried a hint of amusement. “Nothing much. I just reasoned with him a bit.”
Feng Man: “…? Just that?”
She had prepared all sorts of strategies to tear into the toxic relatives, yet Cheng Lang had been so mild-mannered. Feng Man could not help but sigh. This partner from the book was truly too kind. He actually tried reasoning with them, hoping to reform the Feng family?!