WBSGVS Chapter 55 V2

Cheng Zhaoyang persuaded her again, his tone gentle as if filled with infinite affection. Qingli was swayed and ultimately nodded reluctantly, “Alright then.”

Cheng Zhaoyang let out a sigh of relief.

When Qingli returned with Cheng Zhaoyang, the Cheng family members treated her with indifference, barely acknowledging her.

Ban Chun glanced at her and shot her a fierce glare.

Pretending to be sad, Qingli returned to her room, coughing all the way.

Cheng Zhaoyang hurried in after her to comfort his wife.

Qingli pushed him away, saying, “You’re just saying that to deceive me. Your mother and sister don’t welcome me back at all! Even Ban Chun, because I sold her, is pretending not to see me.”

“It’s my fault; don’t be angry. You used so much money for your treatment, and you know my mother’s temperament. Tomorrow, just cook something nice to appease her,” Cheng Zhaoyang said.

Qingli hesitated, asking, “Really?”

“Really. She has always liked your cooking,” Cheng Zhaoyang nodded with a smile.

Now that his wife was better, he naturally wanted to keep her in the family. Although she looked a bit weaker, she was still capable of cooking and taking care of him. Besides, he still liked her face, and it even seemed like she looked more beautiful after being sick.

Even though she had lost her virginity and been touched by another man, there were still nearly two years until his brother’s imperial examination. If he had to find another bride after passing, he would have to remain a monk for a long time. He might as well settle for this one for now.

Qingli was unaware of his repulsive thoughts, but she could sense his gaze lingering on her face. If it weren’t for the need to ensure their plan went smoothly, she might have slapped him in anger.

She lowered her gaze and softly said, “But my health is like this right now. I can’t get up in the morning, and I feel weak at noon. I only have a bit more energy in the afternoon…”

Cheng Zhaoyang brushed it off, saying, “It just so happens that I’ll be working tomorrow, and my second brother will be back in the afternoon. We can all have dinner together.”

Seeing this, Qingli nodded, “Alright then.”

Cheng Zhaoyang smiled with satisfaction and was about to lie down when he saw his wife turn her head and cover her mouth as she erupted into a fit of coughing, “Cough cough—”

The sight was heart-wrenching, shocking everyone around them.

He was taken aback. “Have you been coughing like this the whole time?”

Qingli was coughing so hard that tears streamed down her face. Once she regained her composure, she nodded weakly and said, “Yes, the doctor said it’s a lung issue. I need to take care of it and avoid the wind; otherwise, I’ll start coughing again. I probably caught a draft when I came over, and I forgot to bring my medicine, so I’m afraid I won’t sleep well tonight.”

Cheng Zhaoyang suddenly couldn’t lie down anymore. He had to go to work the next day, and without sleep tonight, it would be a problem. After thinking for a moment, he said, “You’re not feeling well, and I need to get up early tomorrow. I won’t disturb you; I’ll just stay in the second brother’s room for the night. Tomorrow, I’ll go to your mother’s to get your medicine.”

Qingli looked at him sadly but nodded. “Okay.”

Cheng Zhaoyang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped outside.

At that moment, Cheng Yueer was about to return to her room. Seeing this, she sneaked over and asked, “How’s it going? She’s not one of your students, is she?”

Cheng Zhaoyang nodded, a hint of disdain in his voice. “Of course not. If she was, would she be able to come back with me? I suspect this is a ploy to get me to fetch her. After all, she’s a married woman; it’s rather inappropriate for her to be living at her parents’ house for so long.”

Cheng Yueer felt relieved and headed into the house, thinking that if her sister-in-law was like that, her status in the family would surely rise. After all, people nowadays respect those with knowledge. But thankfully, it turned out to be a deception.

The next day, after Qingli arrived at the Cheng family, Mrs. Xiong woke up to find that no one had risen yet. She began to scold everyone in the courtyard.

Qingli hadn’t slept that night. To feign illness and practice martial arts, she had stayed up late before finally getting some rest. Mrs. Xiong’s voice didn’t bother her since she had locked the door.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Qingli woke up and went to the kitchen.

She ran into Pan Chun, who had just returned with groceries. Pan Chun immediately broke into a sarcastic smile and said in a mocking tone, “Oh, look who’s back! What do you want to eat? Now that I’m the one who bought the groceries for the Cheng family, I’m too busy to help you, so you’ll have to do it yourself.”

Qingli smiled faintly, showing no concern. “I promised my husband I would make dinner today.”

“Well then, perfect! Since you’re here, I can take a break,” Pan Chun said, immediately dropping what she was holding.

Qingli raised her voice slightly. “You can help me.”

Remembering how she had been sold, Pan Chun was filled with hatred for Luo Qingli and said with a stern expression, “I’m very busy.”

Qingli replied firmly, “I’m not divorced from Cheng Zhaoyang yet, so I’m still a member of the Cheng family. What’s wrong? Can’t I ask you for help?”

Pan Chun’s expression changed slightly as she glared at Qingli.

Without turning back, Qingli picked up a cabbage, examined it, and directly commanded, “Wash all the vegetables thoroughly and prepare this fish.” Pan Chun wasn’t the main antagonist in this story. With the Cheng family gone, she knew she wouldn’t have a good outcome and thought it best to stay guarded without overthinking things.

“Yes, miss!” Pan Chun replied through gritted teeth.

Although she was reluctant, she didn’t dare challenge Qingli. After so many years, she was used to obeying her, so she complied.

For dinner, Qingli prepared a full table of dishes with the vegetables Pan Chun had bought, according to the original owner’s level of cooking.

As night fell, Cheng Zhaohua returned home.

Seeing her, Qingli’s smile broadened for a moment. She had spent a hefty sum on the medicinal ingredients, and now it was time to make good use of them.

When Cheng Zhaohua saw Luo Qingli, he was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected that his older brother had brought his sister-in-law back, but he was always gentle and polite to outsiders. Even after saying that he would find another wife once he became successful, he still cupped his hands in greeting. “Sister-in-law.”

“Zhaohua is back; take a break. Your older brother will take some time,” Qingli said with a smile.

This waiting lasted for a quarter of an hour.

Cheng Zhaoyang had gone to Luo’s house and was supposed to return home with Cheng Zhaohua, but he ended up being a bit delayed.

As soon as he got home, his stomach growled loudly from hunger, and he casually praised the food before calling his siblings and mother to sit down and eat.

Qingli obediently sat down beside him and began to eat as well.

The dishes included fish and meat and were quite delicious. Initially, the Cheng family members didn’t speak as they ate, but as they filled their stomachs, they began to have the energy to talk. Mrs. Xiong, feeling displeased, remarked, “Some people are nowhere to be seen during the day and only show up at mealtimes. I don’t know which daughter-in-law is so lazy. If it were anyone else’s family, they would have been sent away by now!”

Qingli looked at Cheng Zhaoyang with a sense of grievance, putting down her bowl and chopsticks, as if she couldn’t eat anymore.

Cheng Zhaoyang pretended not to notice and took a large piece of meat.

Mrs. Xiong felt satisfied and exchanged glances with Cheng Yueer, both of them smiling.

“Cough, cough…” Qingli coughed a couple of times.

Cheng Zhaoyang paused and said, “Qingli, eat quickly.”

Qingli forced herself to take another bite but couldn’t help but turn her head, covering her mouth as she coughed again, her eyes glistening with tears. “Husband, where’s my medicine?”

Cheng Zhaoyang’s smile froze, and his hand slowed as he reached for the food. The piece of meat he had his eye on was snatched away by Cheng Yueer, leaving him with only another piece. He mumbled, “Your parents said the medicine is finished, and the pharmacy is closed. I’ll bring it back for you tomorrow.”

Qingli cried out, “You’re lying! The pharmacy is still open at this hour.”

Mrs. Xiong’s face darkened. “What’s wrong? If it’s not closed, go buy it yourself. Why should my son go get it for you?”

Qingli retorted, “Then give me some silver! I’ve already used all my family’s money to support you! I don’t have any silver left! My dowry has all been spent by you!”

Mrs. Xiong slammed the table. “My family doesn’t have any silver! Go ask your father!”

Qingli stopped arguing with her, seeming unable to win the discussion and turned to Cheng Zhaoyang. “Cheng Zhaoyang, are you going to buy me medicine or not?”

Cheng Zhaoyang forced a smile. “You know I don’t have any money; it’s not yet time for the monthly payment.”

“What about last month?” Qingli pressed, refusing to let it go, and coughed twice to maintain her facade.

Cheng Zhaoyang replied, “The household expenses are high, and it’s all been spent.”

Qingli was furious, slapping Cheng Zhaoyang on the face and saying angrily, “You just don’t want to!”

The sharp sound stunned everyone present. Mrs. Xiong’s face turned dark, and she stood up, ready to hit Qingli.

But Qingli had already covered her mouth and run away, leaving everyone no time to react.

Cheng Zhaoyang cursed under his breath and quickly followed her, trying to bring her back. But he heard Qingli crying and shouting as she ran, “Wah wah wah—Cheng Zhaoyang, you’re inhuman! I’ve given you all my family’s silver, and you know I’m sick and coughing up blood but still won’t buy me medicine! I’m going back to my parents’ house! I won’t stay in your Cheng family and wait to die!”

As soon as Cheng Zhaoyang stepped outside, he faced the middle-aged men and women who had just finished dinner and were walking around, pointing at him. He felt a rush of anger as if his whole body was on fire!