Chapter 531: The Shocking News (II)

"What are you thinking?" Han Xuehan noticed the changes in the expression of her sister and could not help but ask.

"It’s nothing." Han Ruochen shook her head. She could still remember the soft and delicate scent that came from Zhai Muchen. The way his fingers brushed against her hair and the sharp and brilliant side profile of him when he was busy driving.

He is the son of the army chief! Han Ruochen thought, her jaw tightening as she ran her fingers through her hair. He was the gem of the county as well as the provincial capital. And who was she? She was just a woman who carried the scent of salt, fish blood and the village mud on her boots. To even think about marrying someone like Zhai Muchen was just a foolish dream. It was similar to chasing a reflection in the water.

She forced the thought down, smothering the quiet ache in her chest before it could even take root. She had no time for romantic illusions. There were debts that she had to carry, and there were family members who were relying on her. Where would she get the time to date someone? And why would someone like Zhai Muchen think of marrying her?

"Let’s go." Shaking those thoughts out of her mind, she turned to look at Han Xuehan and said to her, "We should sleep early; after all, we still need to wake up early and bring Dad back home."

However, what Han Ruochen did not think was that the one who was taking care of Han Yichen was Meng Yunhan. The woman could not be trusted with anything, even if it was the smallest thing.

The next morning, when the sun was hanging high and light over the village, casting a golden and orangish glow across the village, Han Ruochen finished eating her simple breakfast with Han Xuehan and Han Yong. The three of them had woken up early because they wanted to bring their father home. However, as soon as they stepped out of the house, they ran into Meng Yunhan and Han Ziyan.

The two of them were supporting Han Yichen, who looked quite fragile with how the two of them were dragging him around.

Meng Yunhan was still filled with pent-up anger at the Zhao family’s attitude and words; she pulled a long face as soon as she saw Han Ruochen. In contrast, Han Ziyan kept silent on the way back. She did not want to return to the Han family; after all, they all knew that she was pregnant, and none of them was on her side.

Though she did not say it, she was also upset.

When Han Ruochen was in the hospital looking after their father, the attitude of the Zhao family was really good. From time to time, they would talk about Zhao Mingzhu’s return to the army.

However, when Han Ruochen was not around and it was her turn to take care of Han Yichen, the Zhao couple would never take the initiative to talk about their son. They simply did not chat with Han Ziyan and only conversed with Han Yichen. Even if Han Ziyan did not want to marry their son, their attitude still hurt because if they had taken an interest in her, then she could have married Zhao Mingzhu and lived a good life.

After all, it was still a better option than marrying Yang Jianming.

When there was no comparison, one’s feelings would not be hurt.

Meng Yunhan was burning with anger when she saw how her favourite daughter had been wronged and humiliated by the Zhao family. She could not vent her anger on them, but she could always deal with these three.

"You useless, ungrateful brats!" Meng Yunhan shrieked, pointing a thin finger at the three of them.

She first turned to Han Xuehan, who was huddled between Han Yong and Han Ruochen. "You are still here? I thought you were dragged away by your husband. Where were you when your sister and I were taking care of your father’s discharge?"

She then whipped around and glared at Han Beijiang, who was reading a book while sitting in a corner. "And this brainless idiot, he just knows how to pretend all day long. Can you even read a word in the book? You don’t even know what is written on it."

Finally, she turned to look at Han Ruochen and snapped at her, "And you! Are you so busy running to the county every day? Don’t think that I don’t know; you have been staying at home all these days, and yet you have not once visited your father. What have you been so busy with? Where is the money from your earnings these days? I swear I have not seen a penny coming home."

She then gazed at the courtyard that was not clean and furiously roared, "And what is up with you three? I already told you that you should have cleaned the home, but look at you. You did not do even the smallest thing that I asked you to do! The house is a mess. Where have you been loitering these days?"

Han Ziyan also smoothed down her shirt over her belly that was yet to show; she sneered at Han Ruochen arrogantly when she saw her being scolded by Meng Yunhan. "Sister Ruochen, I don’t know if I should say this or not, but you have no filial piety. While you were playing big shot in the county, we were taking care of Dad. The least you could have done was come earlier, knowing how hard it is for us to take care of Dad alone, and yet you took your sweet time. Are you trying to make us suffer deliberately?"

"What nonsense are you spouting—" Han Yong began speaking, but just then the outdoor gate was slammed open with a BANG!

Village Head Xiao came running into the courtyard; he looked out of breath, and his face was bright red. He was holding a thick, glossy copy of the newspaper and behind him was half of the village elders and curious neighbours who were crowding around the fence, peering over the walls with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"Old Han!"

**

Thank you for your support! I am a bit busy with my newborn so the story is getting a bit slow paced but I will start making it fast paced soon as soon as I can get some time to think more.