Chapter 225: Huang Zhi’s Misdeed

Chapter 225 Huang Zhi Gets into Trouble

"Is Jianli okay?"

Xu Jianwen hadn’t been able to check on Xu Jianli yesterday and felt a little guilty.

Zhao Hongxia sat on the sofa. "Jianli is fine now, but we need to get an explanation from the Huang family. What was the fight about? If Jianli hadn’t been saved... what would our family have done?"

Though Zhao Hongxia often scolded Xu Jianli, she still loved him dearly.

Xu Guochang looked serious.

"The Huang family hasn’t responded yet. I think they’re too embarrassed to own up to it."

"If they won’t admit it, I’ll go to their house myself. No one gets to bully our child!"

Hao Yanyan couldn’t get a word in, but fortunately, Zhao Hongxia soon pulled her into the conversation.

"Yesterday’s wedding was chaotic, Yan Yan. Don’t let it bother you. Weddings are always like this—full of unexpected situations."

Hao Yanyan: "Mom, I’m not upset. As long as my brother is alright, that’s all that matters."

Zhao Hongxia: "Yan Yan, you’re such a sweetheart. We’ll be eating out for lunch and dinner today—many relatives are still here. I’ll introduce you to more people."

Hao Yanyan nodded.

Zhao Hongxia had also heard some of the rumors about Hao Yanyan from the wedding.

But she brushed it off. The Ye family was just a bunch of hicks—cutting ties with them sooner rather than later would save trouble.

It was almost noon by the time Xu Jianli came downstairs.

He had stayed upstairs mostly to save face—he had lost the fight yesterday.

"Brother, what kind of friend is that? No better than you."

Xu Jianwen ditched the pep talk he had planned and asked, "Do you still need to go to the hospital?"

Xu Jianli immediately shook his head. "No, no."

"I owe Sister Xiaoxiao my life. You all doubted her remedy before, but you should really thank her this time."

Zhao Hongxia wanted to argue but ultimately said nothing.

Hao Yanyan shifted uneasily—she hadn’t known about this part of the incident.

Zhao Hongxia: "We’ll handle it, and of course she’d help you. You and Xiao Xiao are close, after all."

Xu Jianli still wanted to say more, but Zhao Hongxia urged him, "Go get changed. Your grandmother kept asking about you yesterday. Go spend some time with her today."

Xu Jianli had no choice but to go upstairs and change.

...

Huang Zhi still hadn’t gone to the Xu family to apologize—not because he didn’t want to, but because he had something else to deal with recently.

A few years back, he had killed someone by accident. His family had paid hush money to settle the matter back then, but for some reason, the victim’s family had suddenly changed their tune and brought the case back up, suing him.

And there must be someone behind it, as even the court dares to go after him so aggressively.

The Huang family is also in a panic.

All the aunts and uncles are discussing countermeasures.

Huang Zhi's mother always bursts into tears at the slightest trouble, covering her face and sobbing, "It must be the Xu family's doing. We should go to their house and demand answers."

"It was just a scuffle between boys, and their Jianli is fine. Why target our Huang Zhi like this?"

Huang Zhi's grandmother also stood up. "Let's storm over to the Xu house and confront them."

Supported by Huang Zhi's two aunts, the elderly woman led a whole squad of women marching toward the Xu residence.

Xu Guochang had already left for work, leaving only Zhao Hongxia and Xu Jianli at home.

But if Xu Guochang had been present, things might have been better—without him, these two at home weren’t the type to give anyone face.

When Zhao Hongxia heard that Huang Zhi had been arrested, she almost snorted with laughter.

"Whoever did this did a good deed. Your Huang Zhi has needed to be straightened out for a while."

Granny Huang huffed angrily, "Guochang’s wife, we all live in the same compound. Your Jianwen and our Xiao Zhi are even friends. Don’t take things to extremes."

Zhao Hongxia was taken aback. "Granny Huang, you don’t actually think this was our doing, do you? Guochang and I may be angry, but we’ve been waiting for your family to come and apologize."

The old woman eyed Zhao Hongxia suspiciously. "It really wasn’t you?"

Huang Zhi’s mother choked out through tears. "Hongxia, I’ll make Huang Zhi come and apologize, but please… don’t let him go to jail."

Zhao Hongxia pulled her hand back. "It really wasn’t us. So all of you came here not to apologize, but to cause a scene?"

Huang Zhi’s mother flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, we’re just too anxious."

Zhao Hongxia opened the door to see them out.

"You’d better rack your brains figuring out who you crossed instead of causing a scene here. Our Jianli is at home and needs rest."

Granny Huang and Huang Zhi’s aunts were left red-faced.

But their priority now was to get Huang Zhi out, so they left as quickly as they had come.

Only after they were gone did Zhao Hongxia allow herself a smug little laugh at home.

Xu Jianli saw his mother’s expression. "Mom, what’s so funny?"

"Huang Zhi had it coming. I always said someone like him would get his comeuppance sooner or later. Call it payback for you."

Xu Jianli just figured the guy got what was coming to him—his mom hit the nail on the head.

...

Lu Hanchuan had booked a table at a restaurant in advance, close to where Ye Jianguo and his wife lived.

Miao Cuifang was still on edge when heading out. Her hair had grown into a short layer, and she had been keeping a hat on this whole time.

But wearing a hat to a meal would be impolite.

Ye Xiaoxiao bought a wig for Miao Cuifang to wear. The wig didn’t come cheap, so it looked completely real.

Once she had it on, Miao Cuifang looked noticeably more confident than before.

But she couldn’t stop worrying it would fall off.

"What if it slips off in the middle of dinner? That would be even more embarrassing."

Ye Xiaoxiao reassured her, "It won’t. Lots of city folks wear wigs these days. If the size fits well, it won’t come off easily."

That finally put Miao Cuifang at ease, though she still found herself touching her hair now and then.

Ye Jianguo was dressed in a dark blue Mao suit and wore a cotton coat over it when going out, looking quite dapper.

During their time in the capital, the couple had been living well—not only had they gained a few pounds, but their complexion had also improved, and they carried themselves better.

Though Miao Cuifang and Ye Jianguo were unemployed in the city, lacking city residency or ration tickets,

Ye Xiaoxiao regularly provided them with coupons and various meats and vegetables. With her running a big factory, she had no shortage of coupons.

After a ten-minute drive, Ye Xiaoxiao arrived at the restaurant.

When she got there, Song Guangjing had just arrived as well.

Ye Xiaoxiao happened to enter with her mentor.

By the time they reached the private dining room, the Lu family was already present.

Grandma Lu and Grandpa Lu, along with Lu Hanchuan’s parents, had carved out time to come.

Otherwise, they were usually swamped with work and rarely even returned home.

Lu Hanchuan’s parents were only a year or two older than Ye Jianguo and his wife but looked years younger, likely due to their living environment.

Lu Xingzhou and Yun Chengxiu came forward with warm handshakes and welcomed them graciously.

Ye Xiaoxiao sat between Grandma Lu and Lu Hanchuan.

With such refined company, the meal went off without a hitch.

Though Yun Chengxiu was a powerhouse at work, at home, she had always been loved for her sweet nature.

Before coming, she had worried about not getting along with her future in-laws and had lost sleep for several nights.

But Ye Jianguo and Miao Cuifang turned out to be so gentle and kind, with refined manners. Despite being from the countryside, their insight was remarkable—way more down-to-earth than many city dwellers, completely different from what she had imagined.