"Well, if that isn't provocative," Zhang Yuxing had clearly thrown down the gauntlet.
Lu Yumei was no pushover either.
She stood up then and there, stepping in front of Liu Zhizhong, her almond-shaped eyes staring straight at Zhang Yuxing, not at all deterred by the fact that Zhang Yuxing was also looking back at her with a cold, composed gaze.
Even Zhao Han hurried over, tugging at the side of Lu Yumei's dress, but she still said to Zhang Yuxing with a stern tone, "Mayor Zhang, as the mayor..."
But at that point, she glanced at the Old Secretary lying in his ice-cold coffin, pursed her red lips tightly, and swallowed her anger.
She had been furious when Zhang Yuxing had beaten Liu Zhizhong so brutally, and now, to treat him this way again today, forcing him to resign and driving him away from the Zhang Family in front of so many people—how could Lu Yumei, a mother-in-law who already had a natural instinct to protect her own, possibly stand for it?
Yet, the Lu Yumei at the scene truly forced Liu Zhizhong to see her in a new light.
Lu Yumei genuinely suppressed her anger, took a deep breath, and her stunningly pretty face exuded a chilling pride.
She continued, "The dead should be respected, and I don't want to disturb the Old Secretary's peace. Let's leave it at that for now. Father-in-law, Sister Yuxing, we can talk about this another time. Liu Zhizhong, you should go back, take good care of the injury on your face!"
The emphasis she put on the word "injury" was meaningful and unmistakable.
Half frustrated, half comforted, Liu Zhizhong thought to himself, "Mother-in-law cares for me, but she doesn't know the whole story. Ah..."
And so, under the gaze of all present, Liu Zhizhong left.
At least, in Zhang Xueyao's eyes, there was a hint of tender compassion that followed him until he was out of sight. Zhang Qixiang only gave Liu Zhizhong an extra glance, not continuing to watch him go, but how could her heart not ache for her own man?
As for Zhang Yuxing, she barely glanced at Liu Zhizhong, but inwardly she was frustrated: annoyed yet also somewhat ambivalent about Lu Yumei's protective behavior. The mood of a woman, all stirred up over one man, really was complicated—and rather amusing.
Lu Yuqing's current secretary, Zhang Hong, had always been displeased with Liu Zhizhong because he used to tease her, and she couldn't outtalk him! She let out a few cold snorts, but didn't say anything more.
Zhang Hongyang, on the other hand, felt terrific inside, silently accompanying Liu Zhizhong as he walked. The Zhang Family's eldest grandchild, seeing off a guest—especially a relative by marriage—was simply proper etiquette.
To Zhang Hongyang, being able to kick Liu Zhizhong out of the Zhang Family Mansion in front of so many people was a source of sheer delight. He must be feeling awkward, disappointed, and helpless inside and couldn't say a word about it, could he?
When they reached the parking lot and arrived by Liu Zhizhong's car, Zhang Hongyang surprisingly acted magnanimously and opened the driver's door for him.
"Get in the car, Liu Zhizhong! If I didn't know the truth about you, I might have been moved by your false compassion in front of Grandpa's spirit. I won't forget this, and neither will the Zhang Family Members. No matter how capable you are, as long as you are in Yangzhou, you won't be able to stir up trouble. My aunt making you scram from her side is a happy beginning for everyone, hmph..."
Liu Zhizhong turned his head and looked at Zhang Hongyang, truly regarding him as if he were an ant, pitiable really, still unable to let go of his grudge!
Liu Zhizhong didn't speak for a long while and didn't get in the car either, just stood there looking.
Zhang Hongyang soon felt uneasy and stiffened his back, "What are you looking at? Haven't you seen me before? Don't you recognize me?"
Suddenly, Liu Zhizhong patted Zhang Hongyang on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Out of respect for your sister, and also your aunt, I can forgive your ignorance and your narrow-mindedness, and tolerate all your hatred towards me, to the fullest extent of my conscience. Go back, we must part ways after a long journey together. Take care of the funeral, and try to bear up!" Fınd the newest release on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝓷𝓮𝓽
Having said that, he quickly sat down in the driver's seat and slammed the car door shut, ready to leave...