Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 568 - 292: Entanglement (Part 2)

"I wouldn’t dare think so!" Shi Fengming said self-deprecatingly: "I would be grateful to even be able to bring Jingyi back home!"

As he spoke, he sighed and nodded: "Alright! Brother, you go back first. Please keep this a secret from our parents for the time being. I’ll inform them once I’ve settled things here."

Shi Fengju knew this matter was hardly reliable and even somewhat ridiculous, but seeing his pitiful condition, he reluctantly agreed, only saying: "I don’t know how long this can be kept secret, you must act quickly! Once things here are settled, even Second Aunt may not easily agree!"

"My mother is still my mother, don’t worry, brother!" Shi Fengming seemed completely unconcerned.

Shi Fengju took a glance at him and thought it made sense. After all, Shi Fengming could even do something as outrageous as eloping with a prostitute and leaving home; what else couldn’t he do? He guessed even Second Aunt had been scared into submission by now.

The brothers parted ways, and Shi Fengming took Shi Lu to stay in the county town. Fortunately, he was prescient enough to bring along anti-swelling and hematoma ointments, which were now put to good use!

Early next morning, Shi Fengming, with half of his face still swollen, went to the Zhou family again. This time he couldn’t even enter the Zhou Mansion’s gate. He waited at the entrance for a long while, and as noon approached and hunger pangs struck, he had to go back for lunch and spent the afternoon nursing his wounds in the inn.

On the third day, he went again. As expected, the door was shut in his face once more. But this time, he came prepared; when noon arrived, he simply took out two sesame seed cakes and ate them right at the gate, continuing to act as the gatekeeper for Zhou Mansion, drawing curious glances from passersby. Thankfully, he had the sense to maintain some decency for himself and the Zhou family; he wore a simple hemp fabric robe, and had his hair tied with a band instead of using a jade or golden hairpin. At first glance, he looked like a down-and-out relative trying to seek asylum but finding none. Otherwise, there would have been even more onlookers – and heaven forbid someone recognized his identity, then it would really create a buzz!

Despite having given Shi Fengming the cold shoulder these past two days, Master Zhou and his wife were fully aware of his actions outside. That day, they received a report: "Second Young Master Shi is standing at the gate, refusing to leave, and is subsisting on sesame seed cakes."

Master Zhou couldn’t help but snort with laughter, cursing humorously: "This damn fool seems to have some real sincerity after all!"

"Hmph! I don’t buy it!" Mrs. Zhou spoke irritably: "He just got divorced, and now he’s had such a big change of heart? The more I think about it, the more suspicious it seems! Master, why bother with him? Have someone chase him away – it’s not good for people coming and going to see this, and it’s simply annoying! The Shi family is really something else. For a young master from a prominent family to do such things—I spit on that!"

Master Zhou chuckled and teased his wife: "This just shows your daughter is exceptional, no? Attracting him back, isn’t that a good thing? Ah, my dear, if he truly reforms and treats Xiaoyi well from now on, won’t that be a good thing? Xiaoyi is unwilling to remarry, and deep down she might still have feelings for him. If you really insist on obstructing them, would you have your daughter lead a lonely life like an old maid at a temple?"

Mrs. Zhou thought about it and couldn’t help but shed tears, saying: "I couldn’t bear it! That child has been well-behaved since childhood, always clinging to me, cuddling and laughing all day long – our mother-daughter relationship is so close. I hold her so dear in my heart, just wishing her happiness! I thought marrying into the Shi family was a good match, but who knew it would ruin her life! Yet she’s so stubborn; look at her these past days, it’s made me furious and enraged, but I just can’t find a way to deal with her! How am I supposed to cope with this momentarily? But, having finally left that hellish place, if she were to go back and there was a next time, what then? Do they expect me to bash my head against the doorframe of the Shi family’s house in despair?"

Master Zhou couldn’t help but sigh; his son had been by his side learning the family business since childhood, but this daughter had always stayed close to his wife. As for the emotional bond, he obviously couldn’t compare. Seeing his daughter miserable and his wife heartbroken, he too could empathize, but still—

"Why don’t we test him once more? If he has really reformed, then let’s grant him his wish. What do you think, my dear?"

Mrs. Zhou snorted: "This isn’t something he can decide on his own; we need to ask our daughter’s opinion!"

Master Zhou then smiled, nodding his head: "Naturally, if our daughter doesn’t wish it, we definitely cannot agree!" thinking to himself that his daughter’s thoughts were all too clear on her face, so what need was there to ask!

Mrs. Zhou didn’t speak further.

On the third day, the doors of Zhou Mansion finally opened, and out came Young Master Zhou. He despised Shi Fengming from the bottom of his heart, seeing him as nothing but a spoiled rich fool daring to disdain his sister! And not only that, the man was an utter scoundrel. These past two days, Shi Fengming had been blocking their front door, and his father wouldn’t allow driving him away or beating him, so regrettably, the entire household, including him, had no choice but to come and go through the back door. He had been fuming inside, and now, with the order from his father to open the door, his anger was still blazing.

Seeing him, Shi Fengming’s eyes lit up, suddenly feeling a sense of triumph as if after a long wait, the clouds had parted to reveal the moon. He hurried over and greeted with a smile, "Big—cough, Young Master Zhou!"

"Hmph!" Young Master Zhou’s expression was even fouler than Mrs. Zhou’s as he glared hatefully at Shi Fengming and scolded: "What are you doing here? Can’t you read? This is Zhou Mansion, not the Shi family! Hurry up and roll back to Qingzhou, don’t disgrace yourself here!"

Shi Fengming had long given up hope for any kind words from him. Although he felt a bit embarrassed by what was said, he was not yet at the point of getting angry or storming off. He shamelessly kept a smiling face and said cheerfully: "Young Master Zhou, I’m here to seek an audience with Master Zhou and Mrs. Zhou, asking for their forgiveness and their blessing for Jingyi and me! Oh, and Young Master Zhou, please forgive me too!"

Young Master Zhou sneered: "Are you out of your mind? Or has someone else taken over your body? You yourself called my sister a wicked and poisonous woman. Weren’t you supposed to celebrate your separation from our family? Yet here you are knocking on our door!"