Zhou Fu was furious and ordered her maids and servants to take over.
But who would dare to lay a hand on Wu Zhenhai?
Instead, Wu Zhenhai asked Zhou Xu, "Who has hit you before?"
"Let me put it this way," Zhou Xu said, "Everyone here has fought."
This includes Wu Zhenhai and herself.
Wu Zhenhai, oblivious to her self-deprecating humor, stared at the crowd and said sinisterly, "Pay back whatever you owe me now, or else... hehe..."
So Zhou Fu's maids and servants all knelt down and slapped themselves repeatedly.
Zhou Fu: "..."
She had never suffered humiliation in her life, and today's humiliation was enough to overwhelm her.
Zhou Xu sat there, tilting her head and smiling at her, her eyes full of bright laughter.
Zhou Fu was so angry that she fled.
The maids and servants only dared to follow Wu Zhenhai out after he said "Get out."
"Feeling good now that you've vented your anger?" Wu Zhenhai asked, looking at Zhou Xu.
Zhou Xu: "Happy."
Wu Zhenhai said, "It's good that you're happy. She's far too arrogant. Why didn't you tell me sooner!"
Zhou Xu said coolly, "If I had told you earlier, would you have dared to treat her like this?"
Wu Zhenhai dares to act this way today entirely because Zhou Fu is already a discarded member of the Zhou Family.
If Zhou Fu were to complain to Madam Wang now, the latter could only tell her to swallow her anger and not cause any more trouble.
She was already a useless daughter, but Wu Zhenhai was different; he was Governor-General Zhou's right-hand man.
Losing a useless daughter is no one's concern, but cutting off an arm is painful.
Wu Zhenhai: "... Can't you give your man some face?"
"I'm very happy today," Zhou Xu said, "Because you helped me get revenge."
"That's more like it." Old Cabbage Stalk was pleased. "It's alright, if she dares to come again, just tell me."
"No need, I can handle it," Zhou Xu said. "You've been making a scene for so long and haven't even had a meal yet. Why don't you have a meal here?"
Wu Zhenhai hesitated for a moment.
"You're in the eye of the storm right now; it's not a good time for you to go out," Zhou Xu said. "Just have a peaceful meal before you leave."
"OK!"
Zhou Xu sent her maid to the kitchen to get food, then opened a chest and took out two taels of silver to have someone go out and buy wine. She instructed the maid to buy a roast chicken from the old brand that Wu Zhenhai liked best.
Wu Zhenhai laughed and said, "You're suddenly being so nice to me, Zidu feel like I'm not worthy of it."
Your good fortune is yet to come!
Getting promoted, making a fortune, and losing one's wife—that's a blessing.
"Are you thanking me for helping you deal with Zhou Fu?"
"Or should I thank you for joining them in ruining my reputation?"
Feeling guilty, Wu Zhenhai said, "Let's not talk about it anymore. You'll see how I treat you in the future."
"We won't talk about the future; let's live for today and enjoy the moment."
A drunken revelry, and then goodbye to another world.
I don't know if it was because they knew Wu Zhenhai was there, but the food sent from the kitchen was much better than usual.
The food and wine had been bought, and Zhou Xu poured wine for the two of them, raising her glass and saying, "Come on, Old Cabbage Stalk, let me toast you."
This toast is to the past, and also to the future.
"... From now on, I wish you good health, all the best, rapid advancement in your career, and everything going smoothly."
"Wait, wait a minute." Wu Zhenhai was feeling a bit flattered by the respectful greeting, yet also confused. "Why are you acting so strangely today?"
He usually speaks with a sharp, razor-sharp edge, cutting to the bone; but today, his sudden change in temperament has left him somewhat speechless.
"Nothing's wrong, just thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Thanks for helping me. Although the transaction is settled, you don't owe me anything, so we've had a pleasant working relationship," Zhou Xu said with a smile. "Anyway, thank you."
The person who pulled her out of despair, after casting aside illusions and emotions, still parted ways amicably.
--If I don't imagine him as a possible partner, I'll feel much more at peace.
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Wu Zhenhai laughed and scolded, "You're trying to settle things with me so clearly, wanting to split up the family before even entering the house?"
He didn't like this feeling of alienation.
Zhou Xu remained silent, her expression calm.
Wu Zhenhai suddenly felt a little flustered. "Ruanruan, I'll go to the Governor tomorrow and ask him to move our wedding date forward."
Why earlier?
"I want to marry you and have your kids. I'll teach the son—if he's naughty, I'll spank him! You can teach the daughter; she'll definitely be a good match for you in the future."
Having been hurt by his children in real life, Wu Zhenhai can only dream about the future.
Zhou Xu: "Perhaps you've monopolized the fortunes of three generations!"
"Can't you say anything nice?" Wu Zhenhai glared at her. "If it were any other man, he would have smashed your mouth to pieces by now."
"Then I wish Miss Lu Family would give you eight sons."
Wu Zhenhai: "... I want you to give birth! We can't let the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children be blurred!"
"I'll give birth? Who knows what will happen after that? Maybe you're a jinx to your wives, and I won't be lucky enough to live to have a child; you might even kill me."
Enraged, Wu Zhenhai grabbed his chopsticks and was about to hit her hand.
Zhou Xu: "Maybe I'm your nemesis."
Wu Zhenhai: "Shut up, don't say anything more about whether it's good or bad! Are you jealous?"
"Just take it as such." Zhou Xu picked up an eggplant fritter, took a bite, and then complained that it was too oily.
Seeing her frown, Wu Zhenhai knew what was wrong. He put the eggplant fritters into his own bowl and said, "My first wife died in childbirth. I promised her I wouldn't remarry. I kept my promise and waited until our two children grew up. I've done right by her."
"Why are you telling me all that?"
"I mean what I say," Wu Zhenhai said, looking at her. "From now on, I'll cut ties with the outside world, and we'll live a good life together. I know your past wasn't good; mine wasn't either, but it'll be better if we're together from now on."
Zhou Xu said, "What is the Lady Lu?"
"This is the only one. Lady Lu had no choice; the Governor-General gave it to me, and I also received three thousand taels of silver from her family. Just keep it; there won't be anyone else, and she won't dare disobey."
Zhou Xu remained silent.
Wu Zhenhai thought she was jealous, and he was secretly pleased, but he coaxed her, saying, "I'm just a peasant, and I've come this far with great difficulty. For the rest of my life, I'll work hard and earn you a phoenix coronet and wedding gown."
"How could I, a second wife, possibly survive that long? You should earn your money first, your first wife."
First the deceased mother, then the first wife, and finally the other woman.
Haha, Old Cabbage Stalk, you really know how to sweet-talk people.
"Wait, we can't do without you!" Wu Zhenhai waved his hand, indicating that it was no big deal.
Zhou Xu sneered, "After three cups of cat urine, the world is mine."
After finishing his meal, Wu Zhenhai, having drunk a bit too much, got up to leave.
Zhou Xu was lighting candles; four were already lit, but she lit four more.
Wu Zhenhai: "Why did you order so much?"
"Now that Zhou Fu is in trouble, no one will care if I light a few more candles."
"Be careful with fire," Wu Zhenhai said. "It's not that I'm stingy; you could light eighty candles and offer them up. It's just that I'm afraid you might accidentally start a fire."
"Then let's burn it all down."
"Bullshit!" Wu Zhenhai cursed, "Watch your mouth!"
"I know, I'm still waiting for you to earn me that phoenix coronet and wedding gown!"
Wu Zhenhai walked out, and when he reached the courtyard gate, he turned back and saw Zhou Xu standing under the corridor, leaning against the pillar and watching him leave.
"Go in, no need to see me out." He waved his hand, satisfied.
The red lanterns under the eaves cast a warm light, outlining Zhou Xu with a yellowish glow that softened her sharp features.
She was smiling at him, her smile gentle and sweet.
Wu Zhenhai thought to himself, "Wait for me to come and marry you!"