CHAPTER 157: CHAPTER 157 CONSPIRACY

Chen Jun’s mother looked at the ten yuan in her hand.

This Yang Lin’s family is quite wealthy, giving ten yuan at a time.

Chen Jun’s mother wondered why Yang Lin gave money to Li Dongxiang.

Was she trying to make Li Dongxiang step down? But it didn’t seem like it.

Chen Jun’s mother pondered for a long time but couldn’t figure out the reason.

But no matter the reason, she was determined to have Yang Lin as her daughter-in-law.

After dinner, Chen Jun’s mother asked Chen Jun to accompany her for a walk.

"Mom, it’s already dark outside, and it’s quite cold. Why go for a walk?"

Li Dongxiang, hearing they were going out, quickly chimed in.

Recently, Chen Jun didn’t spend much time at home during the day, only coming back at night when they could see him more.

Now his mom was taking him out, making Li Dongxiang a bit unhappy.

"I want Jun to accompany me for a walk. Do you have a problem with that?"

Chen Jun’s mother, used to bossing around in front of Li Dongxiang, immediately sent a sharp glance when she heard her objection.

"I was just worried about you catching a cold outside, Mom. I..."

Li Dongxiang quickly explained.

"I’ll go out with Mom for a while. You stay at home."

Chen Jun interrupted before Li Dongxiang could finish her sentence.

"Mom, let’s go out."

Chen Jun said to his mom and opened the door to leave.

His mom hurriedly followed after seeing him go.

"Can’t I even say a word now? Ever since that old hag came, what kind of life am I living?"

Li Dongxiang watched the door close and cursed in anger.

The two who went out didn’t pay her any mind.

"Jun, can I talk to you about something?"

They had walked a bit after going out.

Chen Jun’s mom stealthily pulled Chen Jun aside when she saw no one around.

"Mom, what is it?"

"Yang Lin came to our house again today and gave Li Dongxiang ten yuan."

Chen Jun’s mom described what she saw to Chen Jun.

"Yang Lin must be asking her for a favor."

Chen Jun didn’t want to discuss it further with his mom, fearing she’d blow it out of proportion, making it harder to handle.

"Yang Lin’s family must be well off, right?"

His mom inquired again.

"Yeah, quite good. Her father is a military leader, so she and her brother could easily transfer away."

Chen Jun felt this was common knowledge and didn’t hide it from his mom.

"Yang Lin’s brother also got transferred; her father’s position must be high, or they couldn’t transfer so easily."

Chen Jun’s mom recalled hearing from him that the military was strict in such matters.

Generally, transfers weren’t handled lightly.

"It’s not a big deal to transfer a person or two."

Chen Jun replied honestly.

"Son, I heard that, because you have no connections in the military, your rank hasn’t improved. Is that so?"

Chen Jun’s mom knew what was most important in her son’s heart.

"Yes, and it’s all because we have no connections."

Chen Jun said dejectedly.

He’s already not young anymore, and if he doesn’t get promoted soon, this will be his life.

"Son, have you thought about finding someone strong to back you up?"

"You mean Yang Lin’s dad? We have nothing; why would he support an outsider?"

Chen Jun shook his head after thinking for a moment.

"But what if you became his son-in-law? That wouldn’t be an outsider, right?"

Chen Jun’s mom grinned at him after saying that.

"Mom, are you saying..."

Chen Jun checked around to see if anyone was nearby.

"Yes, Yang Lin. Since her dad can transfer her and her brother, he can help you get promoted too."

"But I’m already married, and a military marriage is hard to end."

Chen Jun felt tempted, but thinking about having Li Dongxiang at home dampened his spirits.

"No matter how hard it is, it can still be done. If it’s not your fault, even if Li Dongxiang causes a scene in the military, you won’t bear any responsibility."

"Mom, do you have a good plan?"

Chen Jun smiled obsequiously, listening to his mom.

"I’ll handle Li Dongxiang; you just need to win over Yang Lin."

His mom smiled confidently.

"But Yang Lin doesn’t like me; she likes Ye Hao, and everyone in the military knows it."

Given a plan to deal with Li Dongxiang, Yang Lin remained a big hurdle.

"When a fervent girl persists, you’ll win her over. You’re no less attractive than Ye Hao. As soon as she comes close, just show yourself at your best. If needed, make it an accomplished fact!"

Chen Jun’s mom playfully rolled her eyes at him.

"Mom, you’re the best. I didn’t even think of that."

Chen Jun laughed, stepping up to give her a shoulder massage.

"I’ve watched Yang Lin for a while. She’s had a privileged life since childhood, and she has her own quirks. You need to indulge her but don’t just blindly agree with everything. Otherwise, she’ll disregard you. Catering to her interests is key."

Chen Jun’s mom thoroughly analyzed Yang Lin’s character.

The two chatted as they walked, changing topics as they approached the dormitory.

Once home, Li Dongxiang was in the living room waiting for them.

Seeing them return, she hurried up to greet them.

Chen Jun sized Li Dongxiang up and down.

He couldn’t fathom how he had spent so many years living with her daily.

Now, he pitied his past self.

His mom went ahead into her room without acknowledging her.

Chen Jun followed, wanting no interaction with her either.

Now he just had to wait for his mom to get rid of Li Dongxiang.

He sidestepped past her toward the bathroom.

"Chen Jun, what do you mean by ignoring me as soon as you come back? You treat me like I’m dead. Isn’t it too much?"

Despite being scared, Li Dongxiang wasn’t someone who would let herself be bullied.

Seeing their attitude, she finally snapped and blocked his way.

"Get out of my way."

Knowing he was going to divorce Li Dongxiang, he didn’t bother with politeness and calmly said.

But seeing him act this way angered Li Dongxiang even more.

She stepped forward to grab his shirt.

Chen Jun instinctively dodged, but there was a chair behind him. He slipped, and Li Dongxiang couldn’t retract in time, lurching forward.

Her hand unintentionally scratched him.

All Chen Jun uttered was a pained hiss.

Li Dongxiang quickly stood up, realizing she’d scratched his face badly.

"Old Chen, I didn’t mean to actually hurt you. It was an accident. Are you okay?"

Feeling regret and her earlier courage fading, Li Dongxiang apologized quickly.

Chen Jun touched his face.

Looking at his hand, he saw blood.

His mom, hearing the commotion, came out to check.

She immediately slapped Li Dongxiang.

"You little wench, clawing at a man’s face! You’ve gone too far!"

Swearing, she slapped her again.

Though Chen Jun’s mom was old, years of farm work made her strong.

The force of her hand was surprisingly weighty.

Lee Dongxiang’s ears buzzed from the hit.

She knew she was in the wrong this time, so she kept apologizing while holding her face.

His mom, still angry, wanted to hit her again.

Chen Jun quickly stopped her by holding her back.

"Mom, we had the upper hand, but if you keep hitting her, we’ll become the ones in the wrong."

Understanding immediately, his mom backed off from attacking Li Dongxiang further.