Li Kai thought about how he had trusted this man who was his wife's paternal cousin, Lu Yong. He met him in town and after talking, they quickly got to know each other.
Thinking about how he had invited a wolf into his house, he felt deep guilt. Guilt towards his daughter who would not be able to hold her head high.
She is just fifteen, he thought as he sat down on the ground, regretting everything.
What would his daughter have felt when this beast of a man whom she called uncle forced himself on her?
He didn't even have the confidence to look into his daughter's eyes. What if he saw disgust towards himself? While thinking all this, silent tears burst through his eyes. He didn't dare to cry loudly, fearing he would attract attention.
Seeing her husband crying without even telling her what happened, Lu Mei's heart was hanging in her chest.
When her gaze fell on the man standing in front of her who was avoiding her gaze, everything seemed to click. But she didn't want to think about that.
She remembered her daughter was home. Before she could go in, she saw her daughter walking out with swollen eyes, clearly gasping for breath. But when she saw her, she stopped suddenly.
As if thinking something, her eyes filled with water and silent tears started falling on the ground. Before she could ask, she saw her daughter fainting and falling on the ground.
Chen Meixiang, who was quick, saw her falling and immediately went to pick her up.
She scooped the little girl into her arms. Although the girl was fifteen, she was really light, like a feather.
She took her inside and placed her on the kang. Madam Chen, seeing her fainting, immediately went to get water. Lu Mei started rubbing her hands and feet.
Madam Chen immediately scooped some water and handed it to Chen Meixiang, who then fed the girl spoon by spoon.
Sensing the distress of Lu Mei, Madam Chen grabbed her arm and took her into the side room.
Lu Mei initially wanted to sit, but upon seeing the serious expression on Madam Chen's face, she quietly went inside the side room with Madam Chen.
Upon entering, Madam Chen closed the gate before explaining everything to Lu Mei.
After hearing what had happened, Lu Mei couldn't quite believe her ears.
No, how can this happen?
She grabbed Madam Chen's shoulder as she asked with difficulty, "Aunty, please tell me it is also a lie. How can this happen to my Min Min? She is just fifteen. What about her future? How will I face her and her father?" Lu Mei said as she broke down crying.
In this day and age, a woman's reputation is extremely bad. Even if she is not at fault, everyone will condemn the woman because she is weak. Madam Chen also understood this. How could she not? She was also the mother of a daughter. But she couldn't let Lu Mei wallow in self-pity.
"Stop crying, will you? If you break down like this, who will take care of your daughter?"
Lu Mei, upon hearing this, immediately wiped her tears with her hands as she stood. Her voice was heavy and she was slightly short of breath due to crying, but she quickly wiped her face. She couldn't break down like this. Her daughter needed her.
Outside, Lu Yong was also regretting it now. Why did I drink today? If this gets out of hand, my father will kill me. What will happen to my wife and children? If they knew , I had tried to take advantage of my niece? Who will let their daughters marry i to their home?
No, I can't let this happen. What happened is already done. I can apologize and compensate and let this matter rest.
That was why he didn't leave. He feared that if Li Kai, in his anger, came to his house and told everyone about this.
Outside, Old Chen also took Li Kai to the side and told him everything was fine as nothing had happened yet. Nothing would happen to his daughter. She would be fine.
Li Kai also took a deep breath to calm down his raging emotions. If not, he might as well kill that man who dared to lay a hand on his daughter.
After making sure he was in his right mind, Old Chen went outside with Li Kai into the yard. Lu Yong was still standing there, fully sobered.
Upon seeing them coming, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed while asking for forgiveness.
He promised to compensate and asked them not to involve his family as it wouldn't be good for either of their families.
Father Li, upon hearing such words, wanted nothing more than to kill that bastard, but Old Chen stopped him.
"How much do you want to compensate?" Old Chen asked.
Although he didn't want to involve himself, knowing that this family contained a widow and his son, and remembering his friendship with Old Li, he couldn't just remain a spectator.
Seeing that they were finally willing to talk, Lu Yong didn't hesitate. What if they changed their mind? He immediately said, "100 yuan." This was the most he had. Their family had not separated yet, and all the money was with the old man and old lady. This was the savings he had saved over the years. Today he took them all out to buy a sewing machine for his daughter's marriage.
Upon hearing this, Old Chen thought for a moment before saying, "We will accept the compensation, but you have to make sure you do not come in front of Li Min so as not to make her life more painful. If it is not important, avoid entering the village. Otherwise, I can't always control Li Kai. And most importantly, if you dare mention anything about this to anyone, then it will be a matter of life and death for both families."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yong gulped. He would never dare to. He didn't have the face to mention it. What would he say? That he tried to take advantage of his niece who was younger than his own daughter? No, no. He couldn't even look into his own daughter's eyes anymore.
Lu Yong handed over everything and went out.
After making sure no one was near, Lu Yong immediately hid beside the bushes and began crying. As he heard footsteps, he immediately covered his mouth, muffling his sobs.
Then he remembered the hundred yuan. What would he say if his wife asked about the sewing machine? His daughter's marriage was next month, and they had decided to add a sewing machine. Upon inquiring, they found that someone in Hongqi Village was selling a sewing machine. It was as good as new and required no tickets.
Therefore, he immediately left after his wife told him. At first, he didn't feel anything, but as he neared the village, he started feeling dizzy. That was when he remembered he had drunk two cups of Old Lu's liquor, which was very strong. Not wanting to embarrass himself, he went to Li Kai's house thinking of drinking some water to sober up. But when he reached there, only Li Min was at home.
He didn't know which demon was heavy on his head that he tried to take advantage of the little girl.
He really deserved to die.
After crying, he scanned his surroundings before punching his face one more time. He even smashed his head and tore up his shirt before going home.
After reaching home, his wife, who was feeding the chickens, immediately came out when she heard noise. But upon seeing her husband in this state, she ran toward him and also called her in-laws.
After inquiring, they found out that he was drunk and was robbed and beaten by some bandits on the road. He was feeling dizzy and hadn't seen their faces.