CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 93: TO FIND THE ONE IN HER HEART

The belt snapped taut, making a piercing sound in the air, and it burned with pain when it struck Xiaotong.

Xiaotong’s tears instantly burst out.

She wanted to open the door and run out, but her hair was quickly grabbed by Fengmian, who dragged her back.

Now, in Xiaotong’s eyes, there was no possibility of Fengmian having a change of heart. His actions were ruthless, merciless, and devoid of any feelings in his eyes.

Xiaotong ran all over the room to escape the beating, but her body was still hit everywhere, and she screamed in pain, just as the sound of the door opening came from the entrance.

It was Mr. and Mrs. Xie returning home.

"Dad! Mom! Fengmian has gone crazy! I caught him trying to find another woman outside. It was his fault, and now he wants to beat me!"

Xiaotong, clutching desperately at a lifeline, ran up to Mr. and Mrs. Xie to plea for help, only to be met with two icy stares.

"Marrying a countrywoman like you is already a disgrace. Has our family ever deprived you of food or drink? You’ve gone out to make a scene, yet do you still not know how many people are aware of the scandal you’ve caused? I think my son really ought to teach you a good lesson. You’re from the countryside, so it’s no wonder people say you’re a shrew."

Mrs. Xie didn’t even hint at stopping Fengmian and instead seemed very supportive.

Mr. Xie was even more so; as a factory director, his reputation was everything to him.

Now, the scandal caused by his rural daughter-in-law was almost notorious, and he too was furious.

"Son, give your wife a good lesson; she never acts right."

Fengmian straightened the belt again with both hands, sneering coldly.

"Got it. Mom, Dad, you can go back to your room and rest."

"Hmm."

Mr. and Mrs. Xie had no intention of helping, and their words completely chilled Xiaotong’s heart.

She couldn’t understand why things had turned out this way, when she had done nothing wrong.

Seeing Fengmian swing the belt again, Xiaotong was terrified; she feared both the pain and being beaten to death. She couldn’t take it anymore, so she grabbed a small stool nearby and pointed it at her belly.

"Fengmian! If you hit me again, I’ll kill your son right now! I’ll make sure the Xie Family has no heir!"

She had already communicated with the Xie Family that she was likely pregnant with a son, and now Xiaotong had no leverage left, with this being her only bargaining chip to threaten the Xie Family.

Sure enough, Fengmian stopped, frowning with displeasure.

"I advise you to put the stool down. If you harm my son, you won’t have it easy either."

Fengmian’s words were a threat, but Mr. and Mrs. Xie adopted a different approach.

Mrs. Xie softened her tone, trying to persuade her.

"Don’t act impulsively; the child in your belly is innocent. At worst, let’s set this matter aside for now. I’ll make sure Fengmian never hits you again, okay?"

After she said this, she even made Fengmian swear.

Though reluctant, Fengmian swore never to hit her again and put away the belt.

Xiaotong thought her threat had indeed worked and put down the small stool.

She breathed a sigh of relief, clutching her painful wounds and gasping for air, while planning to raise her son to side with her, in order to hold some power over the family.

After pacifying Xiaotong, Mrs. Xie called Fengmian outside for a private talk.

"Son, once she gives birth, she’s of no more use. You can properly teach her a lesson then. For now, endure it for just a few more months, got it?"

"If you want to divorce her later or do whatever you please, it’s up to you. Anyway, I’m not fond of those rural people; later on, you can marry a young girl who hasn’t given birth. After all, my son is so capable, right?"

Mrs. Xie was always satisfied with Fengmian, believing that he could easily find a young girl after a divorce.

Fengmian thought so too.

With his conditions, there were plenty of young girls interested in him; why tie himself to a country bumpkin like Xiaotong?

Everyone kept their dirty and dark thoughts to themselves, and the days slowly went by.

Since the day Ye Manman parted with Cheng Yuan, she had been worried about her, visiting her every time with He Chen, chatting about life, love, and the future. Indeed, Fengmian didn’t dare to bother them again, worried that it would be unwise to stir up such trouble and end up in jail.

During this time, Ye Manman learned that Cheng Yuan, like her, planned to take the college entrance exam, but their motivations were different.

Cheng Yuan wanted to go find the person in her heart.

It was said they grew up together as childhood sweethearts, though the person was a few years older than her and moved to Jing City last year. So she wanted to study hard and take the college entrance exam to find him.

Ye Manman was deeply moved, offering her help with any academic questions. Their connection through these interactions grew stronger.

Time passed swiftly and peacefully for a month.

The business of Love Vine’s Sweet and Spicy Duck had stabilized, and since the New Year was approaching, many people were shopping for it. On Ye Manman’s advice, He Chen even customized several New Year gift boxes, which sold like hotcakes.

Ye Manman also used her spare time to fully translate a new foreign book, submitted the Chinese version to the publisher, making a significant profit, and received two more newly introduced books.

In spite of their frequent dining at the state-owned restaurant and shopping, they managed to save a few thousand dollars during this time.

They were quite content, deciding to close for two days to rest and celebrate the New Year back in the village.

Of course, the New Year shopping was first sent home by He Chen on his bike, with Ye Manman following him later.

Sitting back on the bike, traveling down the path to the village again, Ye Manman became a bit sentimental.

"He Chen, time flies so fast, doesn’t it? It’s almost New Year already."

She wore a new red cotton jacket with a white fur trim on the hood, her hair tied into two round buns with red strings. In the cold weather and dressed warmly, her cheeks were rosy, making her look just like a Lucky Baby.

He Chen also felt a bit emotional; he never dared to think he could one day live such a warm and happy life.

"Yes, the year has gone by so quickly."

Ye Manman leaned against his back, breathed into the cold air, and watched as a puff of white mist quickly dispersed with the wind.

She swung her legs, staring at her boots and watching the little stones on the ground change and disappear, becoming lost in thought.

"Wouldn’t you think it will be very quiet with just the two of us for New Year?"

Ye Manman didn’t really know how to celebrate New Year.

In the past, she’d either spend it alone, doing whatever she wanted, or have an awkward reunion dinner with her parents before they quickly left for the company, leaving her alone again.

But she had seen on TV how others celebrated with a large family gathering, eating together in a lively and joyful atmosphere, and she was curious about how that would feel.

Unfortunately, she and He Chen were essentially without family now; she had no feelings for Ye Guoqiang, and He Chen had long severed ties with Li Hongmei’s family.

Here, there was no one to genuinely celebrate with them.

Perhaps sensing her melancholy, He Chen released one hand from the bike handlebar and quietly reached down to hold hers.

Even though they could only hold hands through two layers of gloves, He Chen still felt indescribably full of warmth and happiness.

"Manman, don’t overthink it. I feel that every day with you is exceptionally happy, with my heart full of warmth, never feeling deserted."

He unexpectedly recalled the image of children surrounding him that he had envisioned in the past.

The cold wind blew on his face, but a warmth rose on He Chen’s cheeks.

"...And if we have children."

"The house will definitely be even more lively by then."