Zhou Chang’an returned to the educated youth’s place, only Xu Hongtu was there nursing his injury. His lower body had been in pain ever since Xu Qinghuan kicked him, but thankfully it was slowly subsiding.
Zhou Chang’an didn’t want to disturb him, so he went to the backyard to use the toilet. Just as he was about to go to work, Xu Manman returned.
Today it was her turn to cook, so she was able to co back early.
"Brother, shouldn’t you go to the hospital for a check-up? We could ask Xu Qinghuan for dical expenses."
At that mont, Zhou Chang’an felt conflicted about leaving, hesitating until he heard Xu Hongtu’s voice, full of gritted teeth, "I want her dead!"
Xu Manman was secretly pleased, but showed continued concern on her face, "Brother, don’t be like this. After all, the relationship between you and her should be deeper than mine. You’ve been under the sa roof, sharing als for over ten years. I really don’t want to see you turn against each other."
She choked up, "What happened between you that led to this ss?"
Xu Hongtu cursed, "It’s like all the good I did before was for nothing."
Xu Manman hesitated briefly, but couldn’t help asking, "Brother, what do you plan to do?"
Just then, Jiang Chengxu returned, Xu Manman stood up and looked at him in shock, "Chengxu, how are you back?"
She was afraid Jiang Chengxu would hear Xu Hongtu’s plans to deal with Xu Qinghuan.
Xu Hongtu saw Jiang Chengxu’s cold expression and sneered, "Do you think Xu Qinghuan has even a shred of affection left for you? Stop deceiving yourself; she’s just a flirtatious tramp."
Xu Hongtu felt utterly humiliated, his hatred for Xu Qinghuan was bone-deep.
He had been so good to Xu Qinghuan, yet she was utterly heartless, causing such havoc at ho with no remorse whatsoever.
He felt no guilt in seeking vengeance on her.
Jiang Chengxu said, "What do you plan to do with Xu Qinghuan? And where do you think this is? Who is she?"
Xu Manman didn’t quite grasp it, "Chengxu, what do you an?"
Xu Hongtu was just as puzzled.
"This is the Shangjiang Team. If anyone has the final say, it’s the Jiang family. Xu Qinghuan is Jiang Xingye’s fiancée. He’s soone who won’t tolerate her getting hurt. Do you think the riffraff will let you off lightly if anything happens to her?"
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Xu Hongtu asked.
"If you want to deal with Xu Qinghuan, start with Jiang Xingye." Jiang Chengxu’s eyes glinted with nace, daring anyone to make him wear the cuckold’s cap; he’d make sure they ended up in prison first.
The three of them conspired in the room; Zhou Chang’an didn’t dare listen any longer. He tiptoed across the hall, and despite his carefulness, he was still discovered.
Jiang Chengxu called out "Who’s there?" and quickly stepped out to see. Zhou Chang’an dashed away, but his silhouette was captured within Jiang Chengxu’s wary eyes.
"Who was it?" Xu Hongtu asked warily.
Jiang Chengxu entered the room, "It was Zhou Chang’an. We don’t know exactly how much he heard, but we still need to be cautious."
Xu Manman’s eyes twinkled, "If push cos to shove, we’ll have to do sothing to hold his weakness in our hands."
This was a good idea.
But how to find his weakness and hold it, they needed a solid plan. Jiang Chengxu’s gaze fell on Xu Manman.
Xu Manman felt a chill under his stare, puzzled, "Chengxu, why are you looking at ?"
"Zhou Chang’an is up to you, isn’t it?"
This wasn’t phrased as a question but a statent.
Xu Manman was stunned, "How should I handle it? What... what could I do?"
Jiang Chengxu looked at Xu Hongtu, "Third Brother, you have no objections, right? We’re weak now, and must endure humiliation. No matter what thods Manman uses, as long as she can get it done, I’ll rember her efforts and not disdain her."
It was only short of being an outright suggestion for Xu Manman to seduce Zhou Chang’an.
Xu Manman hadn’t reached such depths of disgrace. She responded tearfully, "Brother, no, I can’t, it’s too... I can’t do it!"
Jiang Chengxu frowned; he particularly disliked hearing Xu Manman say things like this, for reasons unknown.
Whether it was because she’d been his lover in a past life or caught by others in disarray last ti; how many eyes had seen that state?
Jiang Chengxu hadn’t thought about these reasons.
At this mont, he suddenly felt he could do such things with Xu Manman, but marrying her was impossible.
After all, in the past life, he hadn’t married her either.
Even later, after divorcing Xu Qinghuan, he’d never considered marrying her. So won can only be playthings.
Xu Hongtu’s pain was severe, fearing permanent damage, his hatred for Xu Qinghuan grew as never before.
"Just let you hold his weakness, not actually make you do anything." Xu Hongtu grimaced in pain, "Do you want us to live in humiliation forever? Think about Dad and Mom, if the family were fine, we’d have soone to take care of us even if we didn’t work.
But now, nobody is sending us money anymore, and we’ll have to rely on ourselves in the future."
Hatred for Xu Qinghuan finally outweighed Xu Manman’s sense of sha, forcing her to nod, but the indignity counted against Xu Qinghuan.
If not for her, she wouldn’t have to stoop so low.
Zhou Chang’an went down to the fields, burdened with thoughts, absent-mindedly cutting wheat, alongside Qu Qiongfang.
Qu Qiongfang had been observing him, noticing his distracted state, she made her own judgnt.
She didn’t believe that secret would be taken to Zhang Tieshan’s grave.
Zhou Chang’an turned his head and t Qu Qiongfang’s eyes. He glanced away, then saw Qu Qiongfang had already lowered her head and continued cutting.
Suddenly, Zhou Chang’an’s heart felt uneasy.
When such a thing happened in the past, why didn’t she tell him?
Allowing things to spiral to such an irreparable state.
Soon, he found an excuse for himself.
That little spark from years ago beca unbearable to recall.
In the evening, after dinner, the people at the educated youth point queued to fill water for baths. Zhou Chang’an sat alone by the vegetable garden, smoking.
Cigarettes were a luxury, which he’d saved for this mont.
Qu Qiongfang ca outside to empty water, hesitating, she walked over, "Zhou comrade, I need to talk to you."
Zhou Chang’an raised his head sharply, trembling.
Qu Qiongfang looked down at him, "What did he tell you?"
"Nothing, he said nothing."
No one else was around, and tears quickly filled Qu Qiongfang’s face, "Did he tell you he spied on , threatened , confessed everything he did?"
Zhou Chang’an wasn’t good at lying, so he stayed silent.
Qu Qiongfang stepped back two paces, "I knew it; do you look down on too? Do you think I’m dirty, despicable?"
Zhou Chang’an cried out in anguish, "Why didn’t you tell back then?"
"Tell you? How could I tell you? Tell the man I like my body has been seen?" Qu Qiongfang laughed while crying, "What would you do for ? Beat him up and make this known to everyone?"
Zhou Chang’an held his head with both hands, his tears streaming.
Seeing him like this, Qu Qiongfang said nothing more. She turned to leave, but t a face, startling her greatly.
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