Chapter 117: Chapter 116: The Heart of Revenge
Zhong Xianggui heard Ye Shuzhi say that those two guards were staying in this courtyard, and this shabby house had such low windows that a little force could break them or allow someone to look inside; even the wooden door could be dismantled easily.
His fiancée was here, and the first thought that would come to any man’s mind was the possibility of being cuckolded.
“What? They are staying here, in a house of young ladies, with strangers living here as well? How could this be acceptable?”
The agitated words of Zhong Xianggui made the two working guards stop their actions and stare at him.
“Zhong Xianggui, what are you thinking about? Why such filthy thoughts? They are here to guard the timber, not to idle about.”
By this point, if Ye Shuzhi did not understand her fiancé’s thoughts, she would indeed be a fool.
“What do you mean my thoughts are filthy? You and your sister are young ladies at home, and there are two strange men here. How can I be at ease?”
In the midst of Ye Shuzhi’s rebuttal, Zhong Xianggui’s expression turned even more infuriated, but he was accustomed to the politeness required in business, so even his stern words were not loud.
“Then you might as well stay here and guard in front of our house’s door all night,” said Ye Shuzhi, while thinking about the watchdog.
Zhong Xianggui shook his head, about to say something else, when Uncle Hongji watched him and spoke:
“Xianggui, you should be reassured. There are still parents in the courtyard, in this home, along with me and the children. These guards are house servants from the Tang Family; they are not going to act as you suggested. The Tang Family also has guards guarding the courtyard.”
Having heard Uncle’s words, Zhong Xianggui was silent for a moment, then nodded, but added:
“Ladies of a wealthy family, their guards can’t enter the inner courtyard to guard; they can only stay outside the house, outside the courtyard gates, and even if there are gatekeepers, they will be old women; a lady’s reputation cannot be tarnished.”
These guards, originally guarding in the freezing night and able to shield themselves a bit by the thatched hut to get more comfortable, were now disrupted by this man, unable to spoil their duty.
They couldn’t cause trouble for their small boss, so they had to compromise and said, “Don’t worry! We are guarding the timber; we can guard outside the main gate.”
“That’s what you said. If I find out you were guarding inside the courtyard at night, I won’t let you get away with it.”
Zhong Xianggui’s threatening tone made the guards feel a surge of anger, one couldn’t help but speak angrily:
“I don’t know how the Second Miss could fancy you? Such a petty man, foolishly jealous, is that really all right? Have you even considered how you look?”
At the guard’s words, Zhong Xianggui suddenly stood up; though he didn’t slam the table, standing made him feel a bit more authoritative while talking to the taller guards.
The difference in height was a sore point for Zhong Xianggui; his face turned iron-blue with anger, no longer having the smiley service attitude of a prosperous businessman, it was entirely a rival’s thinking, glaring at the two guards, he said:
“My character is excellent; Shuzhi saw my merits in choosing me; don’t think because you are taller, you look great. A man’s worth lies in his wealth, can’t you compare wealth instead of height?”
“Oh please, I know you; you came asking around by the driver while we were eating. You’re just a small grocery store boss, merely a small boss at that, is there any need to brag so much?”
The young guards had their dignity; was it right for them to keep on ?
“Hey, what’s with all the arguing? Ye Shuzhi, speak kindly with Xianggui; don’t argue with your future husband.”
Mrs. Lai had gone into the room to taste some of the snacks that Zhong Xianggui brought; she had just finished eating and couldn’t eat all that he brought.
Zhong Xianggui had brought dessert and candies as gifts.
Mrs. Lai’s mouth was still dirty from eating the food, a clear sign of snacking sneakily without wiping her mouth.
“Mother, where did I not speak properly? Humph, I don’t care anymore, I’m going back to my room to take a nap.” Ye Shuzhi ran back to her room.
Ye Shuzhen had been looking out the window the whole time, and when she saw her Second Sister run back in anger, she glanced again at Zhong Xianggui. This man really couldn’t compare to those guards; his looks weren’t up to par, nor was his height.
Could Second Sister be happy marrying such a husband?
There stood Zhong Xianggui, the shortest among all the men in the courtyard.
Ye Shuzhen then noticed her mother standing next to Zhong Xianggui, a man neither tall nor muscular. Next to him, her mother was only a bit shorter but significantly heavier.
She finally noticed the crumbs at the corner of her mother’s mouth, and remembered the things Zhong Xianggui had brought earlier.
“Mother, why do you have something to eat and not share? I want some too.”
Ye Shuzhen shouted loudly outside. Ye Shuzhi, who was lying in bed inside her room, had already rolled down the mosquito net and climbed into bed. Hearing her sister’s voice, she stuck her head out from the opening of the mosquito net.
She too wanted to eat, but remembering the quarrel she had just had with Zhong Xianggui, who had bought the food, she swallowed the words she was about to say in frustration.
Ye Shuzhen thought of the food, no longer caring about proper male-female boundaries at this point.
She hurried to her mother’s door, saw that the door to her parents’ room was locked, and stood in front of it to speak to Mrs. Lai:
“Mother, I want candy, snacks.”
Mrs. Lai, while listening to Ye Shuzhen clamoring for food, shifted her hefty body, not wanting to indulge her daughter but also embarrassed to say no in front of her future son-in-law.
“You’re really like a creditor; why did I give birth to such a gluttonous girl?”
Mrs. Lai, under Ye Shuzhen’s expectant gaze, walked to the door and unlocked it with a key.
As Ye Shuzhen saw her mother opening the door and was about to push the door open, her mother pushed her out with her rear and locked the door again.
“Mother, Mother, please open the door….”
As she spoke, she knocked on the door “bang bang bang.”
From inside, Mrs. Lai responded, “Why the fuss? Are you trying to be calm or what? You could easily wreck the door with such force. Do you think your older brother and father aren’t busy enough?”
Zhong Xianggui stood in the courtyard, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, not wanting to stay there any longer. The rumors about the Ye sisters being gluttonous and lazy proved to be true.
If it had been before the Ye family had collaborated with the Tang Family, seeing his future wife’s laziness, he might have called off the engagement.
At this moment, he felt uneasy, torn between wanting to call it off and reluctant to give up. Marrying her seemed somewhat distressing.
Under the influence of maintaining his male pride, Zhong Xianggui harbored another idea: once he married Ye Shuzhi, he’d turn the lazy girl into a diligent woman, slowly wasting her away.
“Father, Brother, there are other things at home, I will leave first.”
“Hmm, come by more often.” Hongji also noticed Zhong Xianggui’s displeasure, but father and son did not have time to deal with it.
Zhong Xianggui led the ox cart, pulled it out the gate, got on the cart, and left without looking back. At this moment, anger smoldered within him, an anger that found no release, always lingering with a vengeful mindset.