CHAPTER 567: CHAPTER 292: ENTANGLEMENT

"Ah, you can’t speak like that!" Master Zhou said as he raised his hand to invite them to sit down, smiling faintly: "Our two families have been business partners for many years, Young Master Shi and Second Young Master Shi stepping through the door are guests, and esteemed guests at that. If word got out that we neglected such distinguished guests, it would make us the laughingstock! Right, I still haven’t asked the two of you, what brings you here?"

Shi Fengming stood up and bowed in respect, saying: "Father-in-law—Master Zhou, I’ve previously let down Jingyi, I’ve wronged her! Please allow me to reconcile with her! From now on, I will treat her well and never let her suffer any grievances again!"

Mrs. Zhou, upon hearing this, was immediately irritated and about to retort, but was silenced by a look from Master Zhou. He chuckled mirthlessly and said leisurely: "The matter is, there is a divorce letter involved, it’s not child’s play! Second Young Master Shi, our Jingyi will never return to the Shi family! Do not mention this again; if you have no other business, please leave! I apologize for the lack of hospitality!"

"Master Zhou—"

"Second Young Master Shi," Master Zhou’s firm and solemn gaze fixed on Shi Fengming, pressing down like the weight of Mount Tai, making him momentarily breathless, inexplicably filling him with awe.

"Such matters require the mutual consent of both parties. As it stands, our Zhou family’s stance is quite clear, do you still wish to persist in this entanglement? This makes it difficult for us! Please, leave now! If you come again for this matter, there’s no need to visit in the future! There’s no room for negotiation! If you continue to hassle us, we, the Zhou family, abide by the law and will simply ask the government to resolve this!"

Shi Fengming’s complexion changed drastically, looking at Master Zhou in disbelief. The most difficult one to deal with was actually him! Although his mother-in-law and brother-in-law were angry, at least it showed they cared, but his father-in-law’s cold indifference clearly meant there was no room for discussion.

"Master Zhou, I am sincerely seeking to amend my ways, please let me see Jingyi, maybe she—"

"Haha, your intentions are your own business, but the decisions our Zhou family makes, that’s our business, isn’t it? As for seeing Jingyi, there are differences between men and women, don’t even think about it! She is our family’s young lady, not someone a man from outside can casually address by her name. Don’t call her by those two characters from now on; my daughter is not someone to be casually disrespected!" Master Zhou’s tone suddenly became sharp.

"We understand Master Zhou’s intentions!" Seeing Shi Fengming still wanted to speak, Shi Fengju hurriedly pulled on his sleeve, stood up with a cupped-fist salute and said with a smile: "We were presumptuous today, we will take our leave now!"

"Please!" Master Zhou raised his hand and nodded slightly.

Shi Fengju bid farewell to Mrs. Zhou and Young Master Zhou, then pulled Shi Fengming along with him to leave. Shi Fengming, although reluctant, had no choice but to follow.

"Big brother, why did you pull me out!" Shi Fengming raised his hand and gently touched the bruised and swollen corner of his mouth and cheek, wincing from the pain.

"What else could you have done? They made themselves very clear!" Shi Fengju said.

"But I didn’t endure these two punches for nothing!" Shi Fengming protested with dissatisfaction, "I took these punches for no reason, endured the scolding, only to be kicked out with nothing to show for it!"

Shi Fengju then asked: "Do you still want to get your sister-in-law back?"

"Of course, I do!" Shi Fengming’s spirit lifted and he eagerly said: "Big brother, do you have a plan? Please tell me!"

Shi Fengju said: "There’s no other way, you just have to keep on visiting!"

Shi Fengming was stunned and then said: "But, my father-in-law said if I keep pestering them, he will take it to the government officials..."

"You believe that!" Shi Fengju said irritably: "He says that to see if you are truly sincere. If he forbids you from pestering, will you just stop?"

Shi Fengming was momentarily confused and after a while, he said: "So you mean, we should visit again tomorrow?"

Shi Fengju replied: "Not ’we’, but you alone! You find an inn to stay in the county town, and as for what to do, that’s up to you! I must go back! Just remember one thing, don’t even think about sneaking around or climbing walls. If so, then it’s truly over!"

Shi Fengming was speechless for a moment before saying: "You’re going back, big brother? Me, all by myself—" He was still fearful, what if his brother-in-law threw another punch and there was no one to help fend it off? Everyone in the Zhou family seemed eager to beat him up.

"Don’t worry, he won’t lay hands on you again after today’s incident. Young Master Zhou is not a violent and combative person! Right now, you are the one seeking favors from them, if you don’t lower your attitude, are you expecting them to welcome you with open doors?"