I Borrow From You

"Lord Song..."

"Song Chengan."

When Zhao Guiyu and Wang San'er saw the young man following behind Hu Lu, their expressions changed.

If it had only been the Strongmen on duty at the Demon Suppression Division, they wouldn't have dared to offend them, but with Miss Zhao by their side, they wouldn't have been too worried.

But seeing that the young man was Song Chengan, both of them panicked a little.

"This is the Song Chengan who killed a monster in the street and a demon at the docks!"

Wang San'er said.

Zhao Guiyu, however, quickly recovered from her initial shock.

"Lord Song, why are you here?"

She asked with a smile, standing up.

Song Chengan seemed surprised by this.

He hadn't expected Zhao Guiyu to recognize him.

"You recognize me?"

Song Chengan asked.

At the same time, he saw Zhao Yuan'er.

He felt a sense of unease.

Why was Zhao Yuan'er here?

Zhao Yuan'er knew he was well-acquainted with the monsters of Mount Luo. If this fact were to get out, it could cause trouble.

"Young Master Song first eliminated a demon person in the street, and then killed the innocent fish monster at the docks. Of course, we recognize you, Lord Song," Zhao Guiyu replied quickly.

Song Chengan nodded.

"Hu Lu invited me to dinner, and I had nothing else to do, so I came."

"Did I interrupt you?"

"Not at all, not at all."

Zhao Yuan'er had been surprised when she saw Song Chengan.

She finally came to her senses and stood up, giving a shallow curtsy.

"Young Master Song!"

"Miss Zhao, I hope you are well."

"Young Master Song, you know Miss Zhao?"

Seeing this, Zhao Guiyu's heart leaped with joy.

Hu Lu, on the other hand, changed his expression.

If Song Chengan knew Zhao Yuan'er, would he still help him?

Song Chengan and Zhao Yuan'er exchanged a glance. "We know each other, sort of," he said.

"And you two?"

"Sister Zhao Guiyu has treated me like family since I was young."

"He was worried that Brother Hu Lu would escalate this matter to the yamen, so he begged me to come and take a look," Zhao Yuan'er said.

As soon as she said this, Zhao Guiyu and Wang San'er's expressions changed.

They had thought that since Zhao Yuan'er knew Song Chengan, the matter was as good as settled.

They knew Hu Lu's background; he had no money and was a pig castrator. Even if he knew Song Chengan, how deep could their friendship be?

But with Zhao Yuan'er speaking like this, their advantage was immediately weakened. They keenly sensed that things were changing.

Zhao Yuan'er ignored them.

She continued, "Brother Hu Lu."

"At least for now, I still call you brother-in-law."

"This matter, in the end, was Guiyu sister's fault, and she wronged you."

"Our opinion is that we should all discuss and resolve this matter."

"We can offer compensation."

"What do you think?"

"I can make the decision regarding compensation."

"It depends on your opinion."

"Young Master Song, do you think this is a feasible way to handle this matter?"

Zhao Yuan'er finished speaking and looked at Song Chengan.

She was a smart woman and knew Song Chengan's opinion was important.

Song Chengan smiled, "I was just invited by Hu Lu for a meal. I'm here to see what Hu Lu wants."

Hu Lu tried his best to straighten his back.

Seeing this, he knew his worries were unnecessary. Song Chengan was on his side.

Hu Lu felt a pang of bitterness.

He felt like he had been a pathetic, low-life disgrace in the past, unable to retort when insulted, only daring to throw his weight around with Song Chengan, whom he felt was beneath him.

But not only did the other man not hold grudges before, he was now helping him.

If Song Chengan hadn't stepped in, how could he have dealt with the Zhao Family and Wang San'er alone?

If not for Song Chengan, why would Zhao Guiyu and Wang San'er be discussing things with him so amiably?

His heart was a mix of emotions. He kept this kindness in his heart, vowing to repay it one day.

"Hu Lu?"

Seeing that Hu Lu hadn't spoken, Song Chengan prompted him.

Song Chengan's call finally brought Hu Lu back to his senses.

He looked at Zhao Guiyu and asked, "Are you really going to leave me and start a life with this Wang San'er?"

After he finished speaking, he stared intently at Zhao Guiyu.

After all, they had been married for many years. Zhao Guiyu dared not meet Hu Lu's gaze.

She shifted her eyes and said, "If it weren't for that Hu Gou'er incident, we could have managed."

Hu Gou'er was their eldest son, the one Hu Lu had discovered wasn't his biological child through a blood test not long ago.

"But now that you know about it, and it's a thorn in your heart, even if I stay, our future life won't be easy."

"You'll be stifled, and I can no longer pretend to be ignorant as I did before."

"It's better to divorce and be free individually."

"I don't care,"

Hu Lu said.

He looked at Zhao Guiyu, his eyes pleading slightly.

But Zhao Guiyu showed no hesitation.

"My parents looked down on Wang San'er back then and insisted I marry you."

"I held a grudge, so I got entangled with Wang San'er, wanting to get revenge on them."

She took a deep breath, "They are long gone now, and I understand my actions were too childish. But one thing is one thing, it's impossible for you and me to be husband and wife as we were before."

Hu Lu's eyes reddened slightly as he asked, "If you leave me, will Wang San'er treat you well?"

Zhao Guiyu answered without hesitation, "I've liked him since I was young, and I still do."

"Perhaps I don't like him that much, but it's a fixation of mine."

With things said to this point, Hu Lu knew there was no turning back.

He said, "If you want to go and be with Wang San'er, that's fine."

"But I have only one request: give me the child you are carrying."

"If you give me the child, I won't bother with either of you anymore."

"No."

Zhao Guiyu shook her head almost without hesitation.

Hu Lu looked at Wang San'er, "I only want the child. I can give you money, but I want this child."

"This is my child."

"If you don't agree and want to take my child away too, then I'll risk my life and take you to the county office."

"Lord Song will help me get justice."

"You won't bully me!" he said decisively.

Upon hearing this, Wang San'er glanced at the smiling Song Chengan and quickly pulled Zhao Guiyu aside.

He just wanted to resolve this troublesome matter quickly.

If it were before, he wouldn't have been afraid.

Hu Lu was incompetent and had no money to grease palms. Even if he went to the county office, who would pay him any mind?

But now that Song Chengan was backing him, it was a different story.

If things escalated, he feared he would be the one to suffer.

"No way!"

Song Chengan picked up his chopsticks and ate the cold dishes on the table.

No one had the appetite to eat, letting the food go to waste.

A short while later.

Zhao Guiyu and Wang San'er returned.

Wang San'er had a smile on his face.

Zhao Guiyu was somewhat reluctant.

"The child will be born to you," Wang San'er said.

Hu Lu didn't show much happiness on his face.

He was silent for a moment.

After a long pause, he asked, "How much silver do you want?"

Wang San'er didn't answer, but instead tugged on Zhao Guiyu's sleeve: "Ten taels, perhaps."

Wang San'er's face showed astonishment. This was not the price they had agreed upon.

Hu Lu began to take out silver from his person.

He was afraid of being robbed by thieves, so he divided the silver into several places.

In his sleeves.

In his embrace.

Sewn into his jacket.

He placed the silver on the table and began to count it.

No one spoke; everyone watched quietly.

Hu Lu's hand, counting the silver, slowed down, and his face began to turn somewhat red.

He had borrowed money from many friends in advance, scraping it together, but he was still one tael short.

"Forget it..."

Zhao Guiyu said.

But Hu Lu shouted, "No, I said ten taels, so it's ten taels."

Song Chengan took out some broken silver from his embrace.

"This one tael, I'll lend it to you!"

Hu Lu rubbed his eyes, clasped his fists in thanks to Song Chengan, and took the one tael of broken silver.