CHAPTER 407: CHAPTER 402: SHE’S TRYING TO CHEAT MY BIG SISTER OUT OF HER MONEY (PART 3)

"The money is here, just use it." Zhiming was thrilled again upon hearing about marriage, hugging Xu He tightly and boldly said, "I’ll figure out a way for the house money. You’ve also said it yourself, my elder brother isn’t short on cash—I have a way."

"Okay." Xu He was delighted to hear this, and immediately hugged Luo Zhiming and gave him a kiss.

Luo Zhiming laughed happily, squashing Xu He down beneath him.

The very next morning, Zhou Yunmei, worried that Luo Zhiming might go about the divorce too late and would be sought out by Fang Xiu’s family.

Practically at the break of dawn, she went to knock on Luo Zhiming’s door, "Zhiming, get up now."

Luo Zhiming had been up late last night with Xu He, not knowing why, but Xu He, to Luo Zhiming, was like an addiction, seemingly never enough.

Late into the night, because Xu He said they were not married yet, it wasn’t good for her to stay overnight at his house, she even asked Luo Zhiming to take her back home.

Upon being awoken by Zhou Yunmei, Luo Zhiming felt he barely slept for two hours and irritably shouted, "Mom, it’s still early, why are you waking me up so soon?"

Because of yesterday’s incident with Luo Zhiming and Xu He grabbing the money, Zhou Yunmei also treated Luo Zhiming with a cold demeanor and shouted back, "Are you going to deal with things with Fang Xiu or not? If not, then there’s no need to talk about getting married."

Not long after, Luo Zhiming stumbled out of the room, bare-chested and bleary-eyed.

Zhou Yunmei stood at the doorway and saw several bite marks on Luo Zhiming’s torso, she pursed her lips and muttered, "Are you crazy for men or what, to end up marked like this."

Hearing that, Luo Zhiming glared at Zhou Yunmei with annoyance, his words filled with reproach, "Mom, why do you talk so much? This is an issue between us spouses, what business is it of yours?"

"You..."

Zhou Yunmei was cut off mid-sentence as Luo Zhiming no longer paid her any attention, while saying concurrently, "I’m going to wash my face."

Going into the kitchen, he scooped water out of the pot, but the water wasn’t even warm. He shouted outside, "Where’s the wash water? It’s not even warm; how am I going to wash my face?"

There was no response from outside, so Luo Zhiming called Zhou Yunmei again, "Mom, heat some water for me to wash my face."

Zhou Yunmei glanced towards the kitchen, annoyed as she yelled back, "Your matters, why should I meddle? Need hot water? You heat it yourself. If not, call Xu He over to do it for you. In your eyes, Xu He is more precious than Mom now."

"Mom."

Zhou Yunmei ignored him and went back into her own room.

With no other choice, Luo Zhiming rubbed his face with cold water, quickly dressed, and hurried towards the town.

When he arrived in town, Fang Xiu and Fang Ping’an were already waiting at the door of the township government for a long time. Seeing Luo Zhiming, Fang Xiu impatiently uttered, "Let’s get it done quickly, the sooner we divorce, the better."

Curiously enough, everyone was worried that it would take a long time for Luo Zhiming and Fang Xiu to settle their divorce; thinking it wouldn’t be so easy, but this time, it was surprisingly handled smoothly.

After settling it, both Fang Xiu and Luo Zhiming breathed a sigh of relief.

Neither of them said a word, they simply went their separate ways.

Luo Zhiming went back home, while Fang Xiu and Fang Ping’an went to the town to buy some things.

By the time Fang Xiu and Fang Ping’an returned from the town, they happened to run into Luo Dahu and Qiu Xiu, who were also on their way back from the town.

The two were sitting on a large stone at the entrance of the town. Luo Dahu looked pale, out of breath, and kept coughing as if he had no strength left to walk home from the town.

There was no conflict between Fang Ping’an and Luo Dahu, and since they were from the same village, he couldn’t help but approach with Fang Xiu to ask, "Brother Dahe, what’s happened to you? You don’t look well at all."

Seeing them, surprise flashed in Luo Dahu’s eyes, then he said, "Brother Ping’an, you’re back. I’ve been feeling unwell lately, been coughing nonstop, just got out of the hospital."

Fang Xiu nodded, then said, "No wonder. I was at my eldest sister’s place a while ago, and she mentioned that Yu’er was really worried about Uncle Dahe, even talking about sending money back for you to see a doctor."

"Yeah, that silly girl sent quite a bit of money back this month, said it was for her dad’s medical expenses." Qiu Xiu, worried about her daughter, stood up and asked Fang Xiu, "By the way, Xiu’er, is everything okay with Yu’er in the city? Has she adjusted well?"

"She’s doing quite well. She’s earning a decent salary working at my eldest sister’s shop, and Yu’er is such an obedient girl. My sister really likes her," Fang Xiu said with a smile, patting Qiu Xiu’s hand reassuringly, "Plus, she does everything together with Hong Lan, so she seems to have settled into city life just fine."

"That’s good to hear. I was worried that she might be homesick." Qiu Xiu looked at Fang Xiu and, recalling the matter of Luo Zhiming and Xu He’s wedding, roughly guessed a few things, and then tentatively asked, "By the way, Xiu’er, this trip back home is for..."

Fang Xiu replied frankly, "I divorced Luo Zhiming. We’ve just finished the paperwork."

Qiu Xiu had anticipated this and nodded, "That’s best. If a couple isn’t meant to be, it’s better to end it early. It’s better for both of you."

"Yes," Fang Xiu nodded, looking at Luo Dahu and Qiu Xiu, a sick man with his wife holding plenty of items, she said, "Auntie, let me carry your things for you. You and my dad can help Uncle Dahe along. We can take breaks as we go, we’ll eventually make it home."

Seeing Fang Xiu, Qiu Xiu didn’t know why, but it seemed as if Fang Xiu had become a different person. During her time at the Luo Family, she seemed sharp and harsh, but returning this time, she seemed much more generous and kind, seemingly taking after Fang Pingying in demeanor.

Perhaps some people really do need to go through certain things to change.

Qiu Xiu silently nodded, now believing what Fang Xiu said, and helped Luo Dahu stand up from the stone, "Ah, to be truly old. Ever since he stayed in the hospital over New Year’s, Uncle Dahe’s condition has really worsened. He’s been to the hospital several times today; I’m really afraid it could develop into something serious."

"It’s okay, it’s just a cough, it shouldn’t be anything serious," Fang Xiu reassured as she took the items from Qiu Xiu’s hands, and casually mentioned, "But it is strange, why would Uncle Dahe and my dad both fall ill?"

Qiu Xiu was taken aback, then asked Fang Xiu, "You mean your dad, Zhiyong, my eldest brother, right?"

Fang Xiu nodded, "Yes."

Qiu Xiu, unaware of the reasons, quickly responded, "He’s not sick. He was fine until yesterday."

"Not sick?" Fang Xiu frowned and said, "That can’t be right. Just a few days ago, Zhou Yunmei called my eldest sister to borrow one thousand yuan, saying it was for Uncle Dashan’s medical expenses."

"This..." Qiu Xiu looked towards Luo Dahu, the couple exchanged a glance, seemingly having realized something, their expressions turning somewhat awkward.

Now Fang Xiu also understood what was really going on, she stomped her foot in sudden realization, "I get it now, Zhou Yunmei was lying. She must have been cheating my sister out of her money." (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)