Luo Zhiyong also understood Fang Pingying’s concerns and immediately promised Luo Dashan, "Yes, Dad, you should send it over as soon as possible, otherwise my father’s illness will be delayed another day."
Fang Ping’an immediately agreed, "Okay, I understand, I’ll send it as soon as I get back, and I won’t delay your father’s treatment."
After talking for a while and noticing it was getting late, Fang Pingying then asked Luo Zhiyong to take them directly to the train station, believing they should be able to buy a ticket for the same day since it wasn’t too crowded.
As soon as Luo Zhiyong and the others left, Li Yuchun placed the child in the living room for Sister-in-law Zhou to watch and pulled Fang Pingying into the bedroom.
Fang Pingying saw her acting so mysteriously and said, "Mom, what’s the matter? Can’t you talk here in the living room?"
Li Yuchun gave Fang Pingying an annoyed glance and complained, "Pingying, one thousand yuan is not a small amount. How can you give it away so easily? Aren’t you afraid that Zhou Yunmei is tricking you?"
Fang Pingying frowned slightly, feeling that there might be that possibility, but still reassuringly said to Li Yuchun, "That shouldn’t be the case. What would she need so much money for all at once? And why would she curse my father-in-law with an illness for that money?"
"You’re usually so astute, but you trust people too easily," Li Yuchun truly didn’t believe Zhou Yunmei and continued to reason with her, "Think about it. When you were on the phone earlier, your mother-in-law still had the mindset to argue with you. I think if your father-in-law really is sick, it definitely can’t be anything serious; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the mind to argue with you."
After hearing this, Fang Pingying felt there was some truth to Li Yuchun’s words. Indeed, Zhou Yunmei almost started a quarrel with her on the phone; it didn’t seem like she was that desperate. It was only later when she spoke with Luo Zhiyong that she appeared truly desperate.
But even so, as a son and daughter-in-law, what could they do in response?
They weren’t lacking money now, and if the family urgently called to say the elderly were sick and needed money, they couldn’t possibly harbor doubts left and right.
Besides, even if she really suspected Zhou Yunmei was lying, it wouldn’t be appropriate to directly confront her with those doubts.
Just in case Luo Dashan really was sick, her immediate suspicion would not reflect well on how Luo Zhiyong and Luo Dashan might view her.
Therefore, for Fang Pingying, since she wasn’t currently short on money, if money could solve the issue, she would rather deal with the potential loss of money first, and if something wasn’t right, she would address it later. The only loss would be some money.
If she immediately started quibbling over money, that would definitely damage her and Luo Zhiyong’s marital relationship.
Fang Pingying felt it wasn’t worth it to bicker over money with her husband.
Moreover, Fang Pingying found the timing to actually be fortuitous for this situation, because both Fang Ping’an and Fang Xiu had gone back, so whether Luo Dashan was really sick or Zhou Yunmei wanted the money for something else, they would be able to find out; Zhou Yunmei couldn’t hide it.
If something wasn’t right, Fang Ping’an would surely call.
If Zhou Yunmei really was after the money this time, it would be a dead end for her.
It would be her fault first for overstepping, and as a daughter-in-law, Fang Pingying should not be blamed for cracking down afterwards.
Fang Ping’an and Fang Xiu arrived home just as it was getting dark that afternoon. As soon as they arrived, a friendly neighbor, who was on good terms with Fang Ping’an, came to visit. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Fang Ping’an, she looked around and whispered to him, "Brother Fang, you probably haven’t heard yet, but your son-in-law Zhiming is together with Xu He now, and they are planning to get married."
Fang Ping’an and his family had already heard from Fang Pingying about the affair between Luo Zhiming and Xu He. Although surprised by the haste of Luo Zhiming and Xu He, Fang Xiu had already given up on Luo Zhiming and felt no need to concern herself with whether he was involved with someone else.
Fang Ping’an tugged at the corner of his mouth, saying with indifference, "Let them marry if they want. Fang Xiu and Zhiming are over. She’s back this time planning to divorce him."
"Is that so? So, they haven’t divorced yet?" Aunt Liu from next door was taken aback for a moment. After understanding what Fang Ping’an meant, she said indignantly, "That Luo Family is really too much. They’re making such a big deal out of it before the divorce as if they can’t wait for everyone to know that Zhiming wants to marry Xu He, completely disregarding Fang Xiu. Many people in the village are speculating."
Now completely disillusioned with Luo Zhiming, Fang Xiu didn’t care about these matters anymore, and she even tried to reassure Aunt Liu with a smile, "It’s fine, Auntie. Tomorrow I will go to the township government and divorce Zhiming. Let the villagers say what they want."
"Well, I won’t say any more if that’s the case." After saying this, Aunt Liu headed back to her home.
Watching Aunt Liu’s receding figure, Fang Ping’an sighed and said to Fang Xiu, "Xiu’er, this Luo Zhiming isn’t a good man. He hasn’t left you with a shred of dignity. Remember your elder sister’s words: You’re coming back this time to completely break it off with Luo Zhiming, and no matter what he says, you can’t waver."
Fang Xiu nodded, "Dad, I understand. I won’t waver."
After tidying up some things at home, Fang Ping’an and Fang Xiu went to the Luo Family, intending to clarify the situation between Fang Xiu and Luo Zhiming, and also to take the opportunity to give the money for Dashan’s medical treatment, to avoid delaying his condition.
As Fang Ping’an and his daughter were approaching the door, they happened to run into Zhou Yunmei, who had just finished sweeping and was coming out with a broom and dustpan. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ nοvelfire.net
Upon seeing Fang Xiu and her father, Zhou Yunmei’s expression was none too pleasant. Her face darkened as she said, "What are you doing here? We’ve got nothing to say to you."
Fang Xiu glanced at her without much affection, "You think I want to talk to you? I’ve come here today for a serious matter."
Zhou Yunmei frowned, "What serious matter?"
Fang Xiu curled her lips and said, "Haven’t you heard that your family’s Luo Zhiming is getting married to Xu He? Well, it’s time to clear things up between Zhiming and me."
For some reason, upon hearing Fang Xiu’s words, Zhou Yunmei’s expression turned to one of panic, and she quickly looked around.
Probably upon seeing no one else around, she breathed a sigh of relief, then whispered to Fang Xiu, "Our family will naturally come to talk to you about this. There’s no need for you to come to our house."
After pausing, she suddenly glared at Fang Xiu’s belly and cursed, "A woman who got into such a messy state outside, coming to our house is just soiling our doorstep."
Fang Xiu was now thoroughly furious. Pointing at Zhou Yunmei, she challenged, "Zhou Yunmei, say that one more time."
"I’ll say it." Zhou Yunmei immediately retorted, "Shameless woman, has her own man yet dares to have a child with another man; if it were me, I’d die of shame and wouldn’t dare show my face in public."
"You think your Luo Zhiming is any better?" Fang Xiu couldn’t hold back and started shouting at Zhou Yunmei, "Before, he was entangled with a divorced woman and must have lost money to her to this day. Now, before he’s even divorced me, he’s announced in the village that he’s going to marry Xu He; does he have any shame left?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote and give monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)