Move Back to Her Parents' Home!

Cao Feng's words struck Kou'er's heart like a heavy hammer. Her face turned pale instantly, and disbelief and deep pain flashed in her eyes. She trembled as she released Cao Feng's hand and took a few steps back, as if pushed away by an invisible force.

"Husband, how... how could you say that?" Kou'er's voice choked, tears welling in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. She couldn't believe that the man who had once sworn eternal love with her and vowed to weather any storm with her could now be so cold and heartless.

Upon seeing this, Cao Feng felt a complex mix of emotions—anger, regret, and a barely perceptible fear. He realized his words had been too hurtful, but the anger fueled by his pride and the pain of his illness prevented him from easily backing down.

"I... I just..." Cao Feng hesitated, and finally could only lower his head helplessly, his hands clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, but it was not as painful as the pain in his heart.

Kou'er took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She knew that arguing now would only make things worse. She turned and walked towards the kitchen, her back looking particularly lonely and resolute. "I... I'm going back to my parents' house for a few days. Think it over carefully." After saying that, she picked up her bag and left this home that had once been filled with laughter without looking back.

The door slammed shut, completely isolating the two of them. Cao Feng stood there, gazing in the direction where Kou'er had left, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He realized that he might have really made a mistake, but his pride and stubbornness made it difficult for him to take the first step to apologize.

Ye Jing watched this scene quietly.

He knew.

Although Cao Feng always seemed very sensible, filial, and hardworking.

But no one wants to suffer forever, and no one can suppress the pressure in their heart forever.

Cao Feng will erupt sooner or later.

It's just a matter of time!

As the days went by, Cao Feng's mood did not improve because of Kou'er's departure; on the contrary, it became even heavier.

The torment of illness kept him awake at night, and the emptiness of the day and the loneliness of the night made him feel extremely tormented.

He began going out frequently, wandering aimlessly through the streets, trying to find some solace.

Just then, a dark corner caught his attention—it was a gambling den.

The gambling den was bustling with activity and brightly lit, a stark contrast to the desolation outside.

Cao Feng hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stepped into that alluring world.

At first, he gambled a little for fun, hoping to relieve his inner distress.

And try it out to see if you can win money, if you're lucky.

Maybe I can earn enough to pay for medical treatment!

But soon, he became addicted to gambling and couldn't extricate himself.

The thrill of winning money allowed him to temporarily forget his illness and family troubles.

The regret and anger he felt when he lost money only drove him to throw himself into it even more recklessly.

His gambling funds gradually dwindled from his meager savings into household items, and he even started borrowing money from loan sharks.

Whenever the night was quiet, he would think of Kou'er's gentle face and her worried eyes, but the thrill and excitement at the gambling table made it impossible for him to turn back.

Meanwhile, Cao Feng's parents learned of their son's downfall and their daughter-in-law's departure, and they fell ill with anger.

They simply couldn't understand how their once filial, sensible, hardworking, and ambitious son could have turned out like this.

They tried many times to persuade Cao Feng to turn back from his wrong path, but he coldly refused each time.

This is gambling; once you're hooked, it's hard to get rid of!

Finally, one day, loan sharks came to Cao Feng's door, demanding that he repay his debts immediately. Faced with this sudden pressure...

Cao Feng completely broke down. He knelt before his parents, weeping bitterly and regretting his actions.

"Father, Mother, I was wrong! I was really wrong! I shouldn't have gotten into gambling, I shouldn't have made Kou'er leave heartbroken, and I shouldn't have caused you so much worry and trouble!" Cao Feng's cries echoed in the room, filled with self-blame and despair.

Seeing their son like this, the parents felt a mix of emotions.

They knew that blaming him was pointless now; all they could do was try their best to help their son out of his predicament.

They used their meager savings, mortgaged their house, and borrowed money from relatives and friends, finally paying off their high-interest loan debts.

"My son, from today onwards, you must live a good life. No matter what, let bygones be bygones."

"Yes, let's find a day to go see Kou'er. This family can't live without her."

The parents gave their earnest advice, while their son, kneeling on the ground, wore a face full of sorrow.

Under his parents' earnest expectations, Cao Feng managed to behave himself for a few days. During those days, he felt as if he were imprisoned in a cage of self-reflection, struggling day and night with the demons within his heart.

When the night is still and quiet, the phantom of gambling haunts him like a ghost. The momentary pleasure and the subsequent abyss intertwine to form an invisible net that makes it hard for him to breathe.

However, just as parched soil yearns for rain after a long drought, Cao Feng's suppressed gambling addiction quietly resurfaced on an inconspicuous afternoon.

It was a bright and sunny day, but the sunlight couldn't penetrate his gloomy heart.

He wandered the familiar yet unfamiliar streets, his eyes vacant, as if everything around him was irrelevant. Until, that familiar yet alluring scent, the scent of the gambling den, silently enveloped him once again.

"Just this once, I'm just going to take a look, I'll never gamble again." Cao Feng secretly vowed in his heart, but his feet involuntarily moved towards the door.

Behind the door was another world, bustling with noise, the air thick with excitement and madness.

He took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale it all into his lungs and transform it into strength to resist external pressure.

At first, he simply stood aside, quietly watching the gamblers' expressions of joy or sorrow, enjoying the thrill of being a bystander.

But soon, that long-lost impulse surged up like a tide, overwhelming his reason.

He slowly walked to the gambling table, his fingers lightly touching the cold chips. At that moment, all his vows vanished like bubbles.

"This time, I will definitely win," Cao Feng silently vowed to himself, as if this were a battle between him and fate.

However, nothing is absolute in the world of gambling, and his good luck did not last long.

With each defeat, his mentality gradually became unbalanced, and anger and resentment grew wildly like weeds.

He began to increase his bets in an attempt to recoup his losses, unaware that he was gradually sinking deeper into a quagmire.

As night fell, the gambling den remained brightly lit, but Cao Feng was already penniless and heavily in debt.

He staggered out of the gambling den. The night breeze brought a touch of coolness, but it couldn't dispel the burning desire and despair in his heart.

He didn't dare go home to face the disappointed looks in his parents' eyes; he had originally planned to go see his wife, Kou'er, that day.

But... he's now drowning in debt!

Cao Feng wandered aimlessly like a lost wolf.