Chapter 559 - 482: Big Brother Takes Charge
Chapter 559: Chapter 482: Big Brother Takes Charge
Yang Liu’er took Brother Lu’s handkerchief and wiped her tears dry. After composing herself, she explained the entire emotional entanglement between her and Bai Junfan from beginning to end.
"Back then, when Bai Junfan took my brother’s place and came to live with my family, he was already about ten years old. The whole village knew about it. For his safety, my parents had us engaged. That way, he would officially be part of the Yang family, and the neighbors wouldn’t exclude him or gossip. Later, when he grew up, he joined the army, and my parents held a wedding banquet for us... Now that we’re back in the city, the Bai family looks down on me and refuses to acknowledge our marriage. I don’t care what they think, as long as Bai Junfan and I are of one heart. But he’s a Bai, after all, and his heart is with the Bai Family. When his elders told him to break off with me and wait to marry some other lady from a prominent family, he did as he was told... I’ve come to terms with it these past few days. I can even understand his position. I tried to break up with him amicably, but he flatly refused. He even said I was his woman and forbid me from ’betraying’ him! Isn’t he just a bully? He won’t marry me, yet he refuses to let me go, forcing me to watch him marry someone else and be a doting couple while I’m left to suffer alone and miserable..."
The more Yang Liu’er spoke, the more heartbroken she became. Recalling the misery of her past life, she covered her face and began to sob quietly, her tears streaming down without end.
Lu Jian Country’s lips tightened. In the lamplight, the contours of his face seemed even colder and more rigid. He asked, "Have you told Bai Junfan, in no uncertain terms, that you want to break up?"
Yang Liu’er choked back a sob. "I’ve told him several times, very clearly: either we hold an engagement ceremony so our friends and family can witness our relationship, or we break up for good and have nothing to do with each other ever again... But he won’t agree to break up, and he won’t agree to an engagement. He says he truly loves me, and that for the rest of our lives, he can give me anything I want... except marriage."
"Bullshit!" Lu Jian Country cursed, infuriated. He slammed his palm down on the armrest of his chair. Luckily, it was a rattan chair, so it didn’t make too much noise.
Yang Liu’er jumped in fright and stared blankly at Lu Jian Country. "B-Brother Lu, are you okay?"
Lu Jian Country waved his hand dismissively, his eyes fixed on hers. "Liu’er, no matter what, you used to call Bai Junfan ’brother,’ and it seems you were quite fond of him, so I won’t pass judgment on him. But Liu’er, there’s something I have to say: with that man, it’s a blessing you couldn’t climb his social ladder, a blessing you couldn’t marry him. It’s your good fortune. Your parents are watching over you, keeping you from falling into that deep ’golden nest’ of the Bai Family! You must stay far away from him and not let him meddle in your life. Only then will you be able to live a happier, better life! Understand?"
Fresh tears streamed down Yang Liu’er’s face as she nodded frantically. "I understand now, Brother Lu. I was wrong before. I’ve let my parents down! In this life, I absolutely refuse to live that kind of nameless, shameful life in the shadows! I won’t accept this. I refuse to believe I can’t get married. I’ll start looking for someone tomorrow, find a dependable man, marry him, have a son, and take him back to pay respects to my parents... SOB SOB SOB!"
Lu Jian Country: "..."
’He had a stomach full of advice and encouragement ready, but now he suddenly felt it would be wiser to hold his tongue for the time being.’
Once Yang Liu’er had cried herself out, Lu Jian Country cleared his throat twice. Before he could speak, Yang Liu’er spoke up first. "Brother Lu, there’s something I want to talk to you about."
"Okay, go ahead," Lu Jian Country said quickly.
"Thanks to Jianling and Uncle Lu taking me in, I’ve been able to live these peaceful days. And with your help, lending me money to start my business... I’m an orphan. You’ve all been kind enough to treat me like family. I’m like your real sister, Brother Lu, and a real aunt to Weiwei. Since we’re family, I have to think about everyone’s well-being. The Bai Family is rich and powerful. Bai Junfan and I have had a falling out, and he didn’t take it well. He’s made some harsh threats. So I feel I shouldn’t live with the Lu Family anymore. That way, if he comes looking for trouble with me, he won’t drag the family into it. So I’m planning to rent a place a little farther away. I’ll come back to visit every week or every month. Once I’ve saved up enough money, I’ll buy a house of my own. I don’t want to set foot in that old courtyard again. If someone wants to buy it, I’ll sell it. If not, I’ll just hold onto it. In a few years, the price will only go up, not down, anyway."
After hearing Yang Liu’er’s words, Lu Jian Country fell silent for a moment before asking, "Is the only reason you want to move out to prevent the Bai Family from causing trouble for us?"
Yang Liu’er nodded. "It’s better if I move out, just in case. I can’t let you all get hurt because of me, especially Weiwei..."
She sniffled, and a flash of tormented frenzy crossed her tear-filled eyes. "I would rather suffer any hardship than let him face even the slightest bit of danger!"
Lu Jian Country looked at Yang Liu’er, his expression as dark as a frozen pond. His hands clenched into fists, then slowly relaxed. After a long moment, he let out a deep breath and said as calmly as he could, "Don’t worry, Liu’er. There won’t be any danger. The Lu Family may be common folk and not as powerful as the Bai Family, but if they want to make a move against us, it won’t be that easy! This is your home. You don’t have to go anywhere. Just stay here and live peacefully. Leave the rest to me. I promise you, your breakup with Bai Junfan is final. If he dares to pester you again, I can handle him!"
"No, Brother Lu! Bai Junfan... The Bai family practices Ancient Martial Arts. They’re very powerful. You absolutely can’t provoke him!"
Yang Liu’er looked frantic, but Lu Jian Country just smiled. "Ancient Martial Arts? They are indeed powerful. But who says you have to use Combat Power to solve problems? I’ve been out in the world for over a decade. I’ve seen a thing or two. Don’t worry."
"But I... I’ve already found a house. It’s not too far from my school, so it’s quite convenient."
"The bus from the intersection by our house goes straight to your school’s main gate without any transfers. Isn’t that more convenient? Liu’er, I told you, you don’t need to worry about the Bai Family. They aren’t as scary as you think. A family should live together. Why should you be out there all alone? It would make Weiwei very sad, and we adults wouldn’t be happy about it either."
Yang Liu’er bit her lip and closed her eyes. ’Living outside, she wasn’t afraid of being lonely or desolate. The one she couldn’t bear to leave was Weiwei. That child wouldn’t even listen to Jianling these days; when he threw a tantrum, he could drive Jianling crazy.’
’Uncle Lu was getting old, and Brother Lu wasn’t home year-round. What should she do?’
Brother Lu’s gentle voice sounded in her ear. "We only managed to get you registered as an off-campus student through Xiao Man’s connections so it would be convenient for you and Jianling to run the company. Now you want to run off and live somewhere else. If something urgent comes up at the company, Jianling would have to frantically search for you. That’s a big problem, isn’t it? Be good. Don’t overthink it. I’ve made the decision for you. You’re staying with us. And I give you my word, I won’t let the Bai Family harm anyone in our family!"
"Brother Lu, I still..."
"There’s plenty of time tomorrow. We can talk more then, alright? It’s late. Go get some rest. Jianling is probably already asleep."