landbeastnovel Chapter 70 Crushed
Chapter 70 Crushed
Tiger twisted Su Wan's arm and pulled her desperately into the yard, throwing a tantrum and yelling, "Mom, I want roast duck! I want roast duck! I want Uncle Yang's roast duck!"
Su Wan's face showed helplessness mixed with a hint of doting as she was half-heartedly pulled inside by the child.
As soon as the mother and son entered, they met the gazes of Lin Shuyao and Cheng Zheng in the courtyard.
"Brother Zheng? Comrade Shen?"
"What are you all doing here...?"
Su Wan was surprised and curious as she looked at the two of them.
Cheng Zheng nodded slightly and continued, "I came out with Comrade Shen to handle some matters."
When Tiger saw the roast duck on the table, he let go of Su Wan, plopped down on the edge of the table, and reached out to grab the roast duck. His little hands were dirty, and there was mud under his fingernails.
Seeing that her child was quite hungry, Lin Shuyao didn't stop him, but kindly reminded him, "You should wash your hands before eating, otherwise you'll bring bacteria into your stomach."
"Sun Hu! Don't you dare reach out! What did I teach you at home? That's the roast duck your Aunt Shen ordered! How dare you steal someone else's food!"
Seeing her son's actions, Su Wan immediately scolded him. Sun Hu, scolded by his own mother and not getting any roast duck, became unhappy and burst into tears, crying, "I want roast duck! I want roast duck!"
Su Wan quickly stepped forward and covered her son's mouth, coaxing him repeatedly, "Don't cry, don't cry, Mom will order you some roast duck."
People come here to eat in a relaxed and pleasant, quiet environment. The sudden crying startled the people in the private room, and someone lifted the curtain and peeked out.
Cheng Zheng looked up and saw Zhang Mei standing up from the table and tiptoeing to look out into the yard.
If his aunt sees him eating with Shen Qing, his mother will definitely find out very quickly, and then...
Cheng Zheng's temple twitched.
He turned his gaze to Su Wan: "Comrade Su, please sit down."
Su Wan sat down as instructed, which conveniently blocked Zhang Mei's view of Lin Shuyao.
Cheng Zheng breathed a slight sigh of relief, then turned to Lin Shuyao, "This meal is on me. I have something to do, you can go back first."
Lin Shuyao: ? ? ?
Why did Su Wan want to send her away as soon as she arrived?
What does he mean?
Lin Shuyao looked at Cheng Zheng with her big, watery almond-shaped eyes, her lips slightly pursed, looking aggrieved and confused.
Cheng Zheng caught a glimpse of Zhang Mei approaching out of the corner of his eye. "You go back first."
Hearing his urgent tone, Lin Shuyao felt as if he couldn't wait for her to leave so as not to disturb his meal with Su Wan.
Her nose suddenly stung with tears, but since everyone was telling her to leave, she couldn't stay any longer, no matter how thick-skinned she was.
"Take your time eating."
She nodded politely to Su Wan, didn't look at Cheng Zheng again, got up and walked straight to the courtyard gate, pushed open the door and went out.
"Ah Zheng, that woman looks familiar..." Zhang Mei had already walked over and stared at Lin Shuyao's departing figure for a few moments.
"Aunt Zhang, that's Shen from our factory..." Su Wan was about to say Shen Qing's name when Cheng Zheng interrupted, "Is there enough for the child? If not, have Uncle Yang bring out another roast duck."
Su Wan said apologetically, "Brother Zheng, that's enough, no need to order anymore. There are too many kids to finish it all. I'll just eat what he leaves behind."
The topic was diverted, and Zhang Mei's gaze swept between the two of them before returning to her own: "A-Zheng, come here, I want to say a few words to you."
Zhang Mei called Cheng Zheng to a corner of the yard and lowered her voice.
"Don't blame your aunt for meddling, but wasn't that woman who just went out the illegitimate daughter? You were having dinner with her? Are you out of your mind, Zheng? Your dad had an illegitimate daughter, and instead of trying to get rid of her, you're getting involved with her. Are you trying to drive your mother to her death?"
Cheng Zheng didn't expect Zhang Mei to recognize him. Perhaps women have a natural talent for recognizing people; after only two meetings, she recognized even his back. "Auntie, we were out on business and grabbed a bite to eat. Don't tell my mom anything when you get back."
Zhang Mei nodded and said earnestly, "Let me tell you, while your dad is away on a business trip in Beijing for the next two weeks, you should get rid of that illegitimate daughter as soon as possible. You can spend money or find some excuse to transfer her to another place, just don't let her hang around under your mother's nose. She's an eyesore."
"You and Su Wan can eat slowly. I'm going back now; my colleague is waiting."
Zhang Mei turned and went back to the private room.
Cheng Zheng greeted Uncle Yang in the kitchen, paid the bill, and returned to the table.
Su Wan was wrapping roast duck for Hu Zi when she saw him return. She asked cautiously, "Brother Zheng, are you alright? Your aunt's expression seems... quite serious."
"It's nothing," Cheng Zheng said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion. "You guys take your time eating. I've already paid the bill."
"Brother Zheng, aren't you going to eat something? I don't think you've eaten much."
"No need. I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
Cheng Zheng finished speaking and strode out of the courtyard.
The afternoon sun slanted into the alley, casting a long, taut shadow behind him.
He quickly turned out of the alley, arrived at the bicycle storage area, unlocked the bike, straddled it, and with a powerful push, the bike immediately sped off, its wheels making a rapid clicking sound as they rolled over the cobblestones.
He raised his head, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd on the street ahead, searching for a certain figure.
Lin Shuyao left Yang's Private Kitchen and wandered aimlessly down the street. She kept her head down, occasionally kicking at small stones rolling on the side of the road, her red lips pursed in a wronged manner.
The thought of that urgent tone in which she was told to leave made her feel a slight prickling in her heart, like being gently pricked by a tiny needle.
That jerk! Not only is she hard to seduce, but he also thinks she's in his way and tries to get rid of her...
The afternoon sun was a bit too bright, so Lin Shuyao shielded her forehead with her hand. Every few steps, she would furrow her brows in a spoiled manner, it was too sunny.
Moreover, it takes half an hour to walk back to Factory 306 from here. You can take a bus, but the bus only runs every half hour, so you have to wait.
"Candied hawthorn berries, sweet and sour candied hawthorn berries!"
An old man carrying a bundle on the street called out loudly as he sold his bright red hawthorns, which glistened in the sunlight.
Just thinking about that sweet and sour taste made Lin Shuyao's mouth water.
Feeling down? Grab a skewer!
She walked toward the old man selling candied hawthorns.
"Class monitor!"
As she approached, a cheerful male voice came from behind her, accompanied by the jingling of a bicycle bell.
Lin Shuyao turned around at the sound, a hint of surprise flashing across her face before she broke into a smile: "Wang Qiang? Li Wei? It's you!"
Both of them were from the technical department. They were tired of eating in the cafeteria at noon today, so they rode their bikes out to eat at a restaurant.
Wang Qiang, feet firmly on the ground and hands gripping the handlebars, smiled and said, "Squad leader, what are you doing here all alone? Have you eaten yet?"
Lin Shu-yao: "I came out to take care of some things, and I've already eaten."
Wang Qiang saw her staring at the candied hawthorns, so he jumped off the bus, bought a skewer, and handed it to her, saying, "Hey squad leader, here you go! Thank you for standing up for me last time."
Wang Qiang had his bones fractured when Zhao Tiemei kicked him last time, and it was Lin Shuyao who helped him get revenge. He had kept that in mind ever since and had always wanted to thank Lin Shuyao, but he hadn't found the opportunity.
Today is perfect.
Lin Shuyao looked at the candied hawthorn handed to her, hesitated for a moment, but still took it and said with a smile, "Thank you."
"Don't be so polite!" Li Wei chimed in. "Squad leader, are you heading back to the factory? It's on your way, why don't you hitch a ride? Walking is tiring!"
"Yes, get in! We'll take you!" Wang Qiang patted the back seat enthusiastically.
"Okay, thank you for your help!" Lin Shuyao smiled and nimbly jumped onto the back of Li Wei's bicycle.
She sat sideways, carefully holding a candied hawthorn in one hand and holding onto the car seat with the other.
"Squad leader, hold on tight!" Li Wei pushed off with his foot, and the bike glided smoothly forward.
Wang Qiang rode alongside her with a grin, turning to talk to Lin Shuyao as he rode, "Class monitor, are the candied hawthorns delicious?"
"Delicious!" Lin Shuyao tilted her head and bit into a bright red hawthorn. The sweet and sour taste melted in her mouth. She squinted her eyes, and her feet, clad in lambskin shoes, unconsciously began to swing gently.
The warm sunlight enveloped her, giving her face a soft, peach-petal-like pink hue, and her rosy lips, glistening with the glistening sugar coating, appeared exceptionally full and moist.
She tilted her head slightly, letting the wind blow the soft strands of hair around her cheeks, the ends of her hair brushing against her jade-like skin. Her appearance was clean and translucent, yet she possessed an unconscious charm. In the afternoon light, she was incredibly pure and dazzlingly beautiful.
Wang Qiang was so engrossed in watching that the handlebars of his car veered off course, nearly crashing into a utility pole. Luckily, Li Wei reacted quickly and shouted, "Hey! Watch where you're going!"
Wang Qiang snapped back to reality, hurriedly straightened the handlebars, his face and neck flushed red, and he stammered, not daring to look at Lin Shuyao again.
Lin Shuyao burst out laughing at his silly antics, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons: "Comrade Wang Qiang, you need to concentrate when you're riding your bike."
"I heard you, squad leader," Wang Qiang said in a voice so soft it was like a mosquito buzzing.
Li Wei laughed heartily, "Hey bro, did you hear that? The squad leader told you to watch out!"
When Cheng Zheng arrived from behind, this was the scene he saw.
Lin Shuyao sat in the back seat of Li Wei's car, chatting and laughing with the two men while eating candied hawthorns, looking quite content.
His eyes darkened, and a sharp, uncomfortable feeling pounded against his chest.
When Wang Qiang turned around to talk to Lin Shuyao, his face was still flushed. He happened to see Cheng Zheng riding behind him and called out, "Representative!"
This sound made Lin Shuyao and Li Wei turn around to look.
Lin Shuyao's gaze met Cheng Zheng's briefly in mid-air.
The smile on her face faded for a moment, then she quickly turned around, raised her hand and gently patted Li Wei's back. Her voice was soft, but clear enough to carry over: "Li Wei, ride faster, it's getting a bit hot. Let's get back to the factory soon."
Her tone was sweet and coquettish, with a touch of natural urging.
Upon hearing this, Li Wei became incredibly energetic, hunching over and kicking his legs wildly: "Squad leader, hold on tight! I'm going to accelerate!"
The bicycle shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Seeing this, Wang Qiang quickly followed.
Lin Shuyao gripped the car seat tightly, holding a candied hawthorn in one hand. Her delicate chin was slightly raised, and the wind blew her hair, making her profile appear aloof and proud.
She never looked back from beginning to end.
Cheng Zheng's jaw was clenched tightly, his thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line. He just stared at her as she disappeared around the corner, his fingers gripping the handlebars so hard they turned white, almost crushing the handlebars.
……
After getting off work, Zhang Mei still went to Chengjia's house.
Gao Jie had just gotten off work. Ever since she discovered that her son was getting involved with Shen Qing, she had been feeling uneasy and hadn't slept well at night, making her look visibly haggard.
She sat on the sofa, holding a water glass, lost in thought.
"Sister-in-law," Zhang Mei said anxiously as she entered the room, glancing around to make sure Cheng Zheng and Gao Tingting weren't home. She sat down beside her. "Didn't you say last time that the woman who went to the movies with A-Zheng was Shen Qing, the illegitimate daughter?"
"Yes, what's wrong?" Upon hearing this name, Gao Jie's face darkened, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the water glass.
Zhang Mei sighed: "This noon, I took my colleagues to Yang's Private Kitchen for lunch, and guess what? I saw Ah Zheng and that Shen Qing, just the two of them, eating in the courtyard!"
Gao Jie suddenly raised her head, her breathing becoming rapid.
"I saw it clearly!" Zhang Mei continued, "When A-Zheng saw me go over, he obviously panicked and quickly sent that woman away! After she left, he deliberately made Su Wan sit down to block my view... Sister-in-law, if he didn't have something to hide, why would he do that? He's clearly protecting her because he's afraid I'll make things difficult for that girl!"
Gao Jie's face instantly drained of all color, turning deathly pale. Her chest heaved violently, as if she were about to run out of breath. The enamel cup in her hand slipped from her grasp and rolled away, spilling tea all over the floor.
"That unfilial son!"
"It's bad enough that his father had an illegitimate daughter, but he actually got involved with her! This is a huge scandal! If word gets out, all the families in the compound will laugh their heads off! He's stabbing me in the heart!"
Realizing what was happening, Gao Jie's eyes turned bloodshot, her facial muscles contorted, and she raised her hand, clenched her fist, and uncontrollably pounded her chest.
"Sister-in-law, don't get agitated, take care of yourself," Zhang Mei quickly grabbed her arm. "If you ask me, you should have made a big scene when you found out about the illegitimate daughter a while ago. Go to your brother's workplace and make a scene, let everyone know what kind of despicable things your brother has been doing outside! That way, even if your brother wanted to protect that illegitimate daughter, he wouldn't have a chance."
"You're so good at this. You care about your brother's reputation and the children's, preferring to suffer in silence rather than air your dirty laundry in public. And what's the result? Now Zheng is infatuated with that illegitimate daughter, and Tingting might also have a good relationship with her at work. Three out of the four of you have been won over by that illegitimate daughter. Next, she'll probably move into your home."
"The first time I saw that girl at the department store, I knew she was no ordinary person. She looked like a vixen. I even told you to be careful. But you seem to like her quite a bit. See? I was right about her."
Zhang Mei kept talking, each sentence like a steel needle, precisely piercing Gao Jie's Achilles' heel.
After venting her anger, Gao Jie seemed to have all her strength drained away. Her hands, which had been pounding her chest, fell limply to the floor. Like a puppet with its strings cut, she slumped softly onto the sofa, her eyes vacant, staring blankly at the ceiling: "Xiao Mei, what should I do...?"
Zhang Mei frowned and pondered for a moment, then suddenly her eyes lit up with a glint of light: "Sister-in-law, why don't you quickly introduce Ah Zheng to someone? Once he's married, that illegitimate daughter won't be able to do anything to him, no matter how capable she is!"