She Lives without Regret in This Life

Chapter 220: Chapter 223: Key Clue Chapter 220: Chapter 223: Key Clue She didn’t want her son to misunderstand before he knew the truth.

“Son, don’t take this seriously, I went to the Sheng family and saw it for myself. Her stepmother is a good woman, always looking out for her. If Sheng Ning were truly as bad as the rumors say, would her stepmother be willing to sell her own daughter for her?”

“Mom, I’m not misunderstanding. Explain the situation clearly.” Xu Qigang maintained a stern face, unintentionally releasing an aura of severity cultivated over the years, causing the elderly couple to sit up straight and stiff.

“I heard that Sheng Ning’s mom was a youth sent to the countryside who ran off with someone after giving birth to Sheng Ning with her father. Afterwards, her father remarried a widow and brought another stepdaughter into the family. So, people in the village say all sorts of things, none of them good, which resulted in no one within ten miles and eight villages daring to marry her. In the end, her stepmother married the stepdaughter to the village chief’s foolish son, which secured Sheng Ning a position in the General Union.”

Zhao Lanzi’s words hit Xu Qigang like a thunderclap. He hadn’t expected such a bright, kind, and positive girl to carry such misfortune.

Xu Qigang’s lips pressed thin, his face turned steel blue, his body unconsciously radiating a bloodthirsty anger.

The elderly couple glanced at each other, realizing their situation was dire! It seemed their son was even angrier after the explanation.

“Son, don’t take this seriously. What Mr. Sheng’s wife ran away with someone? That’s all nonsense.” Xu Xianxiong wasn’t very clear on the details himself as he was messing around in another province back then! But he knew for sure that Mr. Sheng would never marry a sent-down youth.

He absolutely disliked the demeanor of those youths.

“Dad, no matter what, I’m only marrying Sheng Ning.” Xu Qigang had barely touched his breakfast, and after hearing all this, he lost his appetite completely, setting down his chopsticks.

“You guys continue eating, I need to go out for a walk.”

“Alright, go ahead. We’ll finish eating and then clean up your things.”

*****

Xu Qigang said he was going around the village, but in reality, he hadn’t been back in so many years that many people were strangers to him. The only familiar person was his cousin, Xu Yingshan.

Xu Yingshan had always enjoyed following him around as a child and had grown into an annoying character. Always idling around, both young ladies and little wives were scared of him.

He heard that last year he had opened a small store beside the village road.

Xu Qigang’s cigarette had just run out, a perfect excuse to visit the store. His tall and imposing figure, along with his military-like demeanor, made him stand out as he walked.

Just as he arrived at the storefront, Xu Yingshan burst out from behind the counter.

“Brother, is it really you? I heard this morning you were back and thought it was a joke.” Xu Yingshan was also tall and sturdy, looking even more like Xu Xianxiong than Xu Qigang did.

The three of them walking together would definitely be mistaken for father and son.

“You haven’t been here for several years; I’ve missed you so much.” Xu Yingshan gripped his hand tightly, excitedly saying, “Bro, you don’t know, ever since you left, those bastards started ganging up to pick on me.”

He still believed that his cousin’s departure was everyone else’s conspiracy.

He never dared to say this to his cousin, fearing a beating.

Xu Qigang pulled his hand away from Xu Yingshan’s with distaste.

Xu Yingshan awkwardly let go, “Bro, have you eaten?”

“I have!” Xu Qigang surveyed the store, noticing it was well-stocked with everyday necessities. “How’s business?”

“Really good, better than before! Isn’t this the response to the economic reforms? Everyone is scared of doing business thinking it’s speculative wrongdoing, but I’m not, so I just do it.” Fearlessness was a trait in the Xu family.

“That’s great! There will be more and more individuals in business.” The circles Xu Qigang interacted with provided him knowledge far beyond the average person, giving him a different perspective.

“That’s great!” Xu Yingshan chuckled, his cheeks jiggling with each laugh. “Bro, I heard aunt and uncle arranged a marriage for you?”