The Missing Husband Returns (25)

The man's body was burning hot, like a hot iron.

Suggestive words whispered in my ear.

Xue Ci couldn't stop shivering, and her skin quickly turned a thin pink, a pale pink, as if it could release moisture with the slightest touch.

"You, you... don't be so fierce."

Xue Ci is very good at feigning weakness.

He could vaguely tell that Zhao Ying was very receptive to this. As long as he spoke in a softer voice, the other party would listen to him.

But now the situation seems to be getting out of control.

Zhao Ying did not let go of him; instead, the large hand around his waist tightened its grip even more.

"Does Xiao Ci only talk to me like this, or does she talk to other men like this?"

I think Zhou Qize likes you too.

"Xiao Ci, do you know how much it hurts my heart when I see those men surrounding you?"

The man's tone was very different from usual; it was gloomy and obscure, and even someone as oblivious as Xue Ci could sense the jealousy in his words.

In short, the other party was in a bad mood.

Xue Ci dared not speak.

Soon, her earlobe was licked by the rough, slippery tongue of the country bumpkin.

His back trembled uncontrollably, and he let out pitiful whimpers like a kitten.

Such a sound is most likely to arouse a man's wicked desires.

Zhao Ying's calluses seemed to have thickened again, his bony, hard knuckles gripping Xue Ci's thigh, the soft flesh almost overflowing from between his fingers, exuding a faint fragrance.

My ankles were lifted onto my shoulders, and my calves quickly felt weak and sore.

Xue Ci whimpered twice, instinctively trying to close her legs, but found them prickly.

Struggling to lift my eyes--

The husband covered his face there.

don't want.

So sour...

Xue Ci out, her fingers pricked by the man's short hair, and she trembled as she withdrew her hand.

I vaguely told him to stop, it made me feel very sour and uncomfortable.

Zhao Ying acted forcefully, as if he couldn't hear her.

The aroma gradually intensified, mixed with another scent.

Xue Ci's fair feet were stretched taut, as if they couldn't bear anything. After arcing through the air, they trembled several times before falling limply onto the bed sheet.

Her eyes, misty with moisture, were unfocused and dazed.

My mouth was probably sore and numb from being kissed so much that I lost all feeling in it.

Her bright red tongue, like a kitten's, forgot to retract.

She only realized what was happening after the man rubbed her lips together, and pitifully turned her face away.

After taking a shower in the bathroom, Xue Ci was carried to a chair with soft cushions, where he lazily leaned against the back of the chair.

[Progress bar -1.]

Xue Ci sniffled, looking aggrieved.

Her cheeks were bruised and wet from the impact, like a broken doll.

Zhao Ying squatted to the side, looking up at him.

At this moment, he acted like a loyal large dog, calling out "wife" and "baby," and even asking Xue Ci if she felt comfortable down there.

Xue Ci pursed her lips tightly, her eyelashes still wet, sticky and clumped together, looking fragile and pitiful.

Zhao Ying couldn't help but touch it lightly with his finger.

Xue Ci back, her small face tense with nervousness.

She only relaxed when she realized her husband had only touched her briefly and wasn't repeating what they had done.

But we dare not let our guard down completely.

His voice was hoarse from being bullied, with a heavy nasal tone. "I'm going to sleep."

"Okay, I'll make the bed right away." Zhao Ying didn't get a reply, but judging from Xue Ci's reaction just now, he must have served her well this time.

He raised the corners of his mouth, kissed Xue Ci's fair cheek, and turned to tidy up the sheets.

Xue Ci felt weak and bored, so she lay there watching him change the sheets.

Then they saw the man lean in and sniff the wet spot on the sheet intensely, his nose almost sinking into it!

Hot breath escaped her face, Xue Ci, suppressing her embarrassment, snapped at him, "Stop smelling me!"

Caught red-handed, Zhao Ying chuckled awkwardly twice, then pleaded, "Wife, can I not sleep on the floor tonight? It's getting chilly lately."

Xue Ci wasn't an unreasonable person; with her eyelashes lowered, she reluctantly hummed in agreement.

11 has been released from the dark room and is fanning its host's burning cheeks with its wings.

Thinking about Zhao Ying's suggestion to move to the city, Xue Ci asked him to confirm whether there was a rule in the original story that one had to live at the Lu Family's house.

11 Shaking his head: [Host, the background here is rather brief. It just says that at the Lu Family's insistence, you took the money, signed the divorce agreement, and then returned to your hometown.]

There are no specific requirements regarding where one should stay.

Xue Ci fell into deep thought.

So far, the elders in the Lu Family have not shown any dissatisfaction with him. They even gave him a gift for his birthday last time. Their words and actions are completely different from the arrogant rich people he imagined who throw checks in other people's faces. On the contrary, they are very well-mannered.

However, their attitude might change once they get to know each other better.

As for whether or not to stay at the Lu Family... Xue Ci didn't really want to live with her elders, so she decided to rent a house as Zhao Ying suggested.

Just go to the Lu Family every now and then and do some annoying things.

After Xue Ci finished making her plans, she asked Zhao Ying, who was making the bed, "When are we moving to the city?"

Zhao Ying was stunned.

He said he originally wanted to get Xue Ci's opinion. Even though he had already rented a house on his own, it was just to make thorough preparations. If Xue Ci didn't want to leave Zhou Family Village, he would use it as a place to stay when he took on jobs.

Unexpectedly, Xue Ci and agreed to go to the city.

That's true. Which young person wouldn't want to go to the city? Especially a delicate and beautiful kitten like Xue Ci, she should go to the city and be raised in better conditions.

Coming to his senses, he replied, "How about we pack tomorrow and move in the day after?"

Seeing that the plot was about to get back on track, Xue Ci suppressed her excitement and pretended to be hesitant. "So soon?"

After saying that, fearing the other person might change their mind, he immediately added, "Alright then, I'll go wherever you go."

Sweet words can overwhelm a man and render him incapable of thinking.

Zhao Ying's brows and eyes relaxed.

"Xiao Ci..."

He was about to say something when he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

The door wasn't closed properly. Lu Xiunan knocked on it too hard, and with a creak, the wooden door made an old, metallic scraping sound.

A towel immediately appeared on Xue Ci's fair legs, covering everything.

"Sister-in-law, you're still up so late?" Lu Xiunan leaned against the door, holding two comic books in his hand. "We bought these together at the bookstore today; you forgot to take them."

Zhao Ying's brow furrowed deeply at those few words.

"Oh..."

Xue Ci was wearing shorts and was about to get off the chair when Zhao Ying took the lead and carried him to the bed.

After tucking his wife in, he turned and walked to Lu Xiunan's side. "Let me get it, but I won't be reading so late."

Lu Xiunan scoffed inwardly.

They even know it's so late.

After tossing the book to Zhao Ying, he showed no intention of leaving, his gaze immediately falling on Xue Ci.

Her eyelashes were damp, and her lips looked like they had been ravaged.

Even though her face clearly showed she had just been bullied, she pretended nothing had happened.

That's incredibly stupid.

Lu Xiunan always felt that Xue Ci was very unwilling.

"We're going to sleep." The covetous gazes made Zhao Ying dismiss them.

Lu Xiunan didn't say anything more, but his expression seemed to indicate that he had made a decision.

He had barely left the room when Zhao Ying bolted the door shut.

The man was consumed by jealousy, but Xue Ci would obviously be unhappy if he brought it up again tonight. He wisely got into bed and warmed Xue Ci's now cool hands and feet by placing them on the back of his legs.

Xue Ci felt warm all over from the heat, and her eyes quickly closed up.

Unable to sleep, Zhao Ying stared at Xue Ci's silhouette for a long time in the dim light of the room.

He wasn't an ambitious person; he originally thought he would spend his life as a carpenter in the village, just getting by day by day.

But after meeting Xue Ci, his gloomy life suddenly gained motivation.

His biggest goal is to take good care of his wife.

However, once Xue Ci Xue Ci this place and enters a new environment, he doesn't know how many people will attract his attention, people who are richer than him and will offer him better conditions.

How can he compete?

Zhao Ying held the person in his arms tightly, feeling uneasy.

*

The next day, Zhao Ying spent the entire day packing his luggage.

Xue Ci knew she would be back in less than a month, so she only planned to take a few clothes with her.

Seeing that Zhao Ying was about to bring the entire wooden crate, he stopped him, saying, "There's no need to bring the crate; it's too heavy. Just take the contents out."

Zhao Ying obediently opened the wooden box, took out the marriage certificate and money, and locked the rest of the items back up untouched.

Lu Xiunan knew the two were moving to the city, and while folding Xue Ci's clothes, he asked, "Are you really going to rent a place with my brother? How small and run-down are those places? If you don't want to live with your family, I have a spare place with plenty of space."

Besides the compound, the Lu Family also owns several apartments in the city, each a new three-bedroom, one-living-room home.

Xue Ci head, politely declining his offer.

Lu Xiunan didn't force him.

It took Zhao Ying half a day to pack his luggage, and the remaining half a day he went to Old Zhao's grave to offer incense.

On the way back, I stopped by Aunt Liu's place to tell her about moving to the city.

Song Liu knew that the village couldn't keep young people, and since Zhao Ying had already reunited with his biological parents, it was only a matter of time before he went to the city.

I just didn't expect it to be so rushed.

Thinking about how difficult it would be to see each other again, Song Liu couldn't help but wipe away her tears. "Alright, you treat Xue Ci well, and the two of you should come back to visit when you have time."

She wanted to give the two of them some rice, oil, and crops, but thinking about how hard it was to move, she took out two red envelopes and put some change inside.

Zhao Ying tried to refuse twice but couldn't, so he had no choice but to accept it.

After returning home, he gave both red envelopes to Xue Ci.

Thinking about the future plot, Xue Ci was afraid that Sun Xingmei wouldn't be able to find him, so he asked Zhao Ying to leave Lu Xiunan's number for Village Chief Zhou.

The news of their move to the city reached Lu Family's parents that very day. When they arrived at Zhou Family Village, they even had a small truck brought to help the couple move.

"Why are you paying for a place yourself?" Lu's mother distributed the snacks she brought from the city to Zhao Ying and Xue Ci. "Isn't it much better to live at home? We have a spare house, and all the furniture is ready. Why don't you return it?"

Faced with the Lu Family's kindness, Zhao Ying was somewhat reserved. He wasn't the type to actively ask for things and was also afraid of troubling them, so he didn't bring it up.

However, seeing that Lu's mother looked a little disappointed, he said, "We've already rented for three months. If we move out, the deposit won't be refunded. We'll move back to your place when the lease expires."

Upon hearing this, Lu's mother was immediately pleased and didn't try to dissuade her any further. "Alright, do you like a place with a yard? Xiao Ci likes planting flowers, right?"

Xue Ci and mumbled an "Mmm".

He still had a pastry in his mouth, and some powder from the outside of the pastry accidentally got on his cheek.

"Mom, I have an empty house with a yard. I'll arrange it." Lu Xiunan glanced at Xue Ci's face, a quick smirk playing on his lips, and then pulled a piece of paper from the table and handed it to her.

"You've eaten so much you look like a little kitten."

The tone was one of barely perceptible doting affection.

Zhao Ying, who had just finished moving his luggage into the house, saw this scene.

His brows were furrowed, and his dark eyes were unfathomable.

Lu's mother was surprised; her second son had changed so much. He had never done such thoughtful things before. It seemed that living in the village for a while had indeed improved his personality a lot.

She glanced back and forth between her two sons several times. "Seeing that you two get along well makes me feel relieved."

Zhao Ying did not respond.

Lu Xiunan said calmly, "Our relationship is indeed good."

But his gaze fell on Xue Ci.

And Xue Ci--

Xue Ci oblivious to the subtle rivalry between the two; he was preoccupied with his own little garden.

He carefully tended those flowers, weeding and watering them every few days.

He went to A Hui's house last night to ask for help taking care of the flowers, but Ahui wasn't home. Since the elders were waiting for him to leave, Xue Ci felt embarrassed to bring it up, so he reluctantly said goodbye to the little flowers in secret.

The door was locked with a sturdy yellow lock, which was covered with mottled rust.

The tall butcher, carrying a bamboo basket piled high with fruit and cured meat, stood waiting at Xue Ci's door.

I don't know how much time passed, until my limbs were stiff, then thunder began to rumble in the sky, and a downpour was imminent.

Someone nearby told him, "Are you looking for Xue Ci? He went to the city with Xiao Zhao! Don't wait for him, he probably won't be back!"

The butcher's cloth shirt was soaked by the rain, and water streamed down his face, running down his sharp jawline to his chin.

He stood blankly in the rain, as if he had lost his most precious treasure.

*

In the blink of an eye, Xue Ci has been living in the city for a week.

The living environment was much better than he had imagined. It had two bedrooms and a living room, with the master bedroom facing the sun, and all the damaged parts had been repaired and perfected by Zhao Ying.

After Zhao Ying took on Fu Yun's big order, he laid the foundation and found a storefront.

Everyone who attended the twins' birthday party knew that Zhao Ying was the long-lost biological son of the Lu Family. Those who wanted to curry favor with him would go and patronize Zhao Ying's business, spending lavishly on him.

The deposits alone are enough to cover the living expenses of the two of them for two or three years.

Zhao Ying buys meat and fish for Xue Ci, and there's always a supply of fresh fruit at home, while he himself doesn't spend much money.

He saved the rest of the money and gave the passbook to Xue Ci.

One of the customers who came to him to order tables and chairs was a high school teacher from the provincial capital. Zhao Ying didn't charge him and instead asked him if he could transfer into the class.

After inquiring, I learned that transfer students need to first attend a tutoring class at the school and pay a tutoring fee.

In those days, it was a problem for ordinary people to have enough to eat and wear, let alone go to school.

That evening, Zhao Ying went back and discussed the matter with Xue Ci. Xue Ci originally thought that she would be getting a divorce and returning to her hometown in less than a month, so there was no need to spend the money. However, seeing that Zhao Ying was looking forward to his being able to go to school, she didn't want to spoil the mood and nodded in agreement.

Zhao Ying had never hesitated to spend money on Xue Ci, and he went to the teacher's house to find him.

I asked around and found that there are very few spots available in tutoring classes now, and you need to take an exam to be admitted.

Thus began Xue Ci's long journey of reading.

After thoroughly enjoying the story-driven textbooks, he kept the complex science books that required calculations.

The math was much more difficult than what he learned in the real world; Xue Ci felt dizzy just looking at it.

He was slumped over the table, his head hanging down.

Why is it that every world seems destined to be burdened by the fate of learning?

11 pointed to the textbook and comforted him: [It's okay, host! If you can master this kind of book, you'll succeed at anything!]

"..."

Xue Ci to motivate herself, but the effect was not ideal.

Zhao Ying noticed something and asked him if he wanted to hire a tutor.

When Lu Xiunan, who came to visit as usual, overheard this, he asked, "Little sister-in-law, are you going to continue your studies? Go to university?"

"Um..."

Xue Ci's little face looked miserable, almost scrunched up.

Why hire a tutor? Aren't there ready-made ones?

Lu Xiunan never mentioned his educational background to Xue Ci. Although he looked like a playboy, he was a highly educated student who had studied abroad.

After being taught two questions, Xue Ci's eyes widened.

"That's amazing..."

He praised her quietly.

Lu Xiunan felt so flattered by the praise that he felt incredibly hot despite the cool October weather.

With this opportunity, he had even more reason to stay here, and sometimes he wouldn't even go home at night, instead sleeping on the floor in his study.

Sometimes when Zhao Ying came back and saw them sitting at the same table, his chest would ache.

Especially when she heard Xue Ci praise the other person's abilities.

Zhao Ying stood outside the door, his body stiff.

That feeling of inferiority weighed heavily on my heart, and I couldn't shake it off.

Lu Xiunan graduated from a prestigious university and had even traveled abroad, while he couldn't even read all the characters.

In the future, the gap between him and Xue Ci will only widen.

Xue Ci will go to university, meet more amazing people, and spread her wings like a free bird soaring into the sky.

He was confined to that small space, accompanied by the sound of planing wood and the ever-present debris.

The room was warm and bright.

Outside, Zhao Ying's face was shrouded in darkness, making his expression impossible to discern.

*

The progress bar is steadily increasing.

Xue Ci could also sense the progress of Zhao Ying's business, which she could tell from his daily early mornings and late nights.

Although he goes home every day, he never sees the other person's face.

In this respect, it aligns well with the original storyline.

What troubled Xue Ci was that the elders of the Lu Family treated him too well.

He always made a point of wearing old clothes, thinking they would think he was a tasteless country bumpkin. But instead, his mother would immediately take him shopping and buy him several new outfits.

He would also pretend to accidentally break a teacup, and the elders' first reaction would be to check if he had cut his fingers.

how so...

11: [It must be because you're so popular, host! (^.^)]

You're so lovable, they can't even keep up with how much they adore you!

11. He said this with a tone full of pride.

Xue Ci probably sensed it too.

[But... that way they definitely won't throw checks at me and force me to divorce the protagonist.]

Xue Ci couldn't think of a solution, so she just took it one day at a time.

Until the crucial plot point arrives.

Lu Xiunan was helping him highlight the key points when the phone rang.

Xue Ci knew it was Sun Xingmei calling, and couldn't help but feel nervous.

Soon, Lu Xiunan handed over the phone.

Xue Ci took the cell phone, which looked like a PHS phone, and said "Hello."

Sure enough, Sun Xingmei on the other end of the phone cried and asked him for money, saying that her child was hospitalized.

Xue Ci pursed her lips. "How much do you want to borrow?"

Upon hearing "ten thousand," he couldn't help but frown.

In this day and age, a household with 10,000 yuan is very wealthy; the other person's hospitalization expenses shouldn't be that high.

"I don't have that much money right now," he said weakly.

Sun Xingmei certainly didn't ask Xue Ci for money; rather, she wanted Xue Ci's husband, Zhao Ying, to borrow money from the Lu Family because her child was indeed in the hospital and urgently needed hospitalization fees.

Actually, the hospital fees weren't that high, but her younger brother, Sun Xingming, said that the Lu Family were city people and didn't care about the money, so they should lend more if needed.

But Xue Ci's silence made her extremely uneasy, and she whispered a few more times.

Xue Ci: "I understand..."

Lu Xiunan roughly guessed what had happened, and frowned before saying, "She's still talking? Give me the phone."

"I've already hung up." Xue Ci handed the phone back. "Her child is in the hospital, and I need to raise money for her."

Lu Xiunan was naturally against lending money, but seeing Xue Ci's urgency, he asked, "How much?"

Feeling guilty, Xue Ci revealed the number.

"You're planning to borrow from my brother?" Lu Xiunan scoffed. "Where would he get so much money?"

Xue Ci murmured, "What should we do then..."

He was still considering whether to approach Lu Family's parents and ask for their help, hoping to incur their dislike and resentment, thus facilitating a smooth divorce.

Then Lu Xiunan said, "You can only borrow from me."

Wh-what?

Xue Ci looked up.

They met Lu Xiunan's predatory dark eyes.

"However, I'm a businessman; I won't do a deal that leaves me at a loss."

*

Xue Ci hadn't expected the mission to proceed so smoothly.

Lu Xiunan is also Lu Family.

Being forced to divorce by the other party perfectly fits the plot.

Of course, to fit the persona, he initially refused very seriously.

But Lu Xiunan seemed to have found an opportunity, coming over for several days in a row. He used both soft and hard tactics, and finally, seeing Xue Ci's attitude soften, he lowered his voice and leaned closer—

"Little sister-in-law."

"Who do you think is helping my brother's business succeed so much?"

Xue Ci's eyes widened.

Is this the beginning of... a threat?

11 was also very excited: [It's here! It's here! That line!]

Xue Ci was still wondering when he felt Lu Xiunan whispering in his ear.

The scorching breath sprayed onto his ears.

"Sister-in-law, you don't want your husband's business to be ruined, do you?"

Xue Ci: "..."

He hadn't expected Lu Xiunan to actually threaten him like that.

However, according to 11's analysis, Zhao Ying was busy with her career during this period and had no time to take care of him, which caused a rift between them. In addition, his own character is very honest and timid, and he felt that he was not good enough for his husband. Under these circumstances, his decision to agree to a divorce and leave the protagonist seems reasonable.

After all, he was just playing the role of cannon fodder.

Xue Ci finally spoke, "I understand..."

In Lu Xiunan's eyes, his sister-in-law was completely coerced by him, forced to the point of tears but unwilling to delay her husband's career.

A forced marriage is never sweet, but he still insisted on forcing it.

He stayed by Xue Ci's side, watching the two be intimate for many days, all for this very opportunity.

He used dishonest means.

She also knew that Xue Ci and her husband had a very deep relationship.

So what?

He was never a good person.

*

Lu Xiunan was very efficient; Xue Ci agreed in the morning and saw the divorce agreement in the afternoon.

"You can just sign your name here."

Xue Ci looked at the documents, wondering what the divorce procedure was like in this fictional world, and whether Zhao Ying's signature was also required.

However, once he signs the papers, Lu Xiunan should be able to find a way to help them get a divorce.

You don't need to worry about that.

When the document was pushed towards her and she picked up the pen, Xue Ci felt a moment of guilt.

Zhao Ying was still away on a business trip and knew nothing about it.

That's how I got divorced.

11: [The protagonist is destined to experience hardships! Host, remember how he used to lock me in a dark room and bully you a while ago!]

"!"

Xue Ci shrugged, and without further hesitation, immediately signed her name.

Lu Xiunan remained calm, concealing his inner tension, until Xue Ci finished signing her name, at which point his eyelids began to twitch wildly.

You don't need to call her "little sister-in-law" anymore.

From now on, I can openly and honestly pursue Xue Ci.

Lu Xiunan's back trembled as he pushed the check in front of Xue Ci, his voice brimming with barely concealed excitement. "I've already told them back home, so you don't need to worry. If they ask why later, you can just say whatever you want."

He didn't even care if people knew he used despicable means to break up his brother and sister-in-law.

[Host, congratulations, the divorce mission is complete.]

[Current progress bar is 90%].

Xue Ci accepted the check.

Lu Xiunan was even more anxious than him and immediately called the driver to take him back to Zhou Family Village.

Xue Ci: "..."

He was also worried about the flowers in the yard, so he pretended to be forced to get into the car, just as Lu Xiunan had suggested.

Xue Ci didn't have much luggage. When he got home, he found that his flowers were still alive and even growing stronger than before.

He thought it was luck, but in the afternoon, he accidentally saw A Hui coming to the yard to water the plants.

Xue Ci's eyes widened. "Have you been helping to water the plants all this time?"

The tall butcher stared intently at the boy opposite him.

Joy shone through his dark pupils.

He brings his basket full of fresh fruits and vegetables every day when he comes.

Today is no exception.

He placed the basket in front of Xue Ci.

Xue Ci smiled at him, found the most vibrant flower in the flowerbed, picked it, and handed it to the tall, strong man.

"For you!"

Just like when they first met.

Xue Ci handed the flowers to the man whom the villagers regarded as a monster.

*

While things were peaceful and harmonious on one side, on the other, the Lu Family brothers were fighting tooth and nail.

The honest man went completely insane upon seeing the divorce papers; his eyes turned bloodshot, he lost all reason, and he resembled a wild beast with nowhere to vent its fury.

Lu Xiunan's cheeks were already covered in several bruises. He casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered.

"It's because you weren't capable enough to keep your sister-in-law."

"Oh, I forgot, Xue Ci is no longer my sister-in-law."

Author's Note:

Alas, finally they're gone! Besides the Lu Dog, even the butcher gets a little bit of meat broth.