Volume One, Chapter 10: He Forcibly Dragged Her into the Bathroom to Bully Her, Leaving Her Terrified and Shaken

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To avoid drawing Song Chuanhe’s attention, Jiang Weiyue took the initiative to go to the kitchen and help Wang Lan and Zhang Pei with the cooking. The entire living room was left with only Old Lady Jiang, Song Chuanhe, Minister Qin, and Jiang Weili.

Old Lady Jiang, known for her straightforwardness, addressed Song Chuanhe bluntly once Jiang Weiyue had left. “Chuanhe, about what happened back then, it was indeed our Weiyue who wronged you and betrayed your sincere heart. It’s only natural for you to harbor resentment and hatred towards us. On behalf of my whole family, I offer you my apologies.”

As she spoke, Old Lady Jiang wiped away tears and feigned grief, crying plaintively, “Chuanhe, if there’s anyone to blame, it’s that fickle girl Weiyue. She had you but still thought of others. What could we adults do? We just had to follow her wishes.”

Song Chuanhe noticed that Jiang Weiyue had hidden away in the kitchen. Without that damn woman here, he had no desire to waste another word with Old Lady Jiang. If he hadn’t become more experienced, hearing such disgusting words from her would have made him smash their family to pieces long ago.

What struck him as most ridiculous was that, after so many years, this old hag still treated him like a fool. Most of what happened back then was because of her. Even when Jiang Weiyue was still dating him, this old woman had openly and covertly looked down on him. But at that time, his heart was full of Jiang Weiyue; he paid no mind to the old woman’s words and even tried to win her favor carefully, hoping she would accept him.

Most of the troubles back then were due to this old woman, with only a small part attributed to Jiang Weiyue. Yet, knowing this so clearly, why did he still harbor such hatred toward Jiang Weiyue? He pondered that perhaps it was her betrayal, or that love had turned to hate.

Jiang Weili, standing aside, saw Song Chuanhe silent with his gaze faintly drifting toward the kitchen. It was obvious even to a child that he was looking at Jiang Weiyue. She was furious and resentful. How could Jiang Weiyue still occupy Song Chuanhe’s heart and eyes when she herself had done so many wrongs to him?

“Brother Chuanhe, Grandma’s right. Those things back then were indeed my sister’s doing. After you left, she kept going on blind dates, trying to climb to a better position,” Jiang Weili said angrily.

Old Lady Jiang couldn’t quite grasp Song Chuanhe’s thoughts; he was unlike before—now he was cold-faced and silent, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Just as she was about to lose face, Jiang Weili kept talking hurriedly. “Yes, Chuanhe, so those things back then have nothing to do with us. If you want revenge, just take it out on Jiang Weiyue alone. Don’t take it out on the rest of our family...”

At that moment, Wang Lan, carrying a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes, came out of the kitchen and overheard the words. She was stunned, eyes wide in disbelief. She never expected her mother-in-law, who usually valued men over women, to say such things. But even so, she couldn’t accept it. Everyone in the family had been involved in what happened to Song Chuanhe, especially herself.

Now that disaster had struck and Song Chuanhe was seeking revenge, she understood that, but her mother-in-law should not shift all the blame onto Weiyue.

“Mother, how can you say that? It was clearly you back then...” Wang Lan began.

“Shut up! I said shut up, Wang Lan! Jiang Weiyue, it’s come to this, and I no longer intend to hide things from you. Today, I had Weili call Chuanhe here just to calm him down. As long as he’s appeased, it doesn’t matter what happens to Jiang Weiyue,” Old Lady Jiang snapped.

Jiang Weiyue also came out from the kitchen with a dish in hand. Hearing Old Lady Jiang’s words, she was somewhat shocked, but only slightly. No matter the era, one could only rely on oneself; family was never truly dependable, especially in such a patriarchal time.

For Old Lady Jiang to abandon her and protect her two sons and four grandsons was only natural.

“Mother, no matter what you say, I will never agree. Weiyue is my daughter. I won’t allow anyone to bully her. Since you invited us here not just to eat, we will leave now,” Wang Lan declared, grabbing the hands of Jiang Weiyue and Jiang Weili to leave.

At that moment, Jiang Zhen, who had gone out to buy wine and meat, along with Jiang Weiyue’s two older brothers, and Jiang Guo—Jiang Weili’s father—and his two sons, returned.

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Jiang Zhen immediately sensed the tense atmosphere. Known for his filial piety, he hardly hesitated before asking his wife, “What’s going on here?”

Before Wang Lan could answer, Old Lady Jiang lamented loudly, clapping her hands, “My dear eldest son, I only say this for the good of our family. Sacrificing Weiyue alone to ensure the safety of our two big families—doesn’t that sound like the perfect solution?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhen instantly understood her meaning. Torn between his mother and his own flesh and blood, Jiang Zhen felt conflicted and unsure.

“Big brother, mother is right. This all started because of Weiyue. She must bear the burden alone. If her actions cause me and my two sons to lose our jobs or affect my children, you have to take responsibility,” one of Jiang Zhen’s brothers said.

“Indeed, sir, my father is right. I believe Weiyue would also be willing to sacrifice herself to protect the family’s peace,” another agreed.

“Oh really? How do you know I’m willing to sacrifice myself for the family’s safety? Aren’t we supposed to share hardships together?”

“Who shares hardships with you? Let me tell you, Jiang Weiyue, if you cause us all to be unemployed, I won’t forgive you.”

“What nonsense! Our Factory Director Song is not the type to let you all go just for selfish reasons. You are slandering him,” Minister Qin said sternly.

“Minister Qin, you misunderstood. We didn’t mean that. We’re just scared and letting our imaginations run wild...” they stammered.

Qin Mu’s words made everyone’s hearts race. They were foolish to speak so carelessly, openly suspecting in front of Song Chuanhe that he might have fired them over past grievances. Though he might have done so, airing it publicly was a different matter entirely.

“Let the past be the past,” Song Chuanhe finally said indifferently, having seen enough of the commotion.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhen was elated. This was great; he no longer had to be torn between his family and his daughter.

He eagerly poured three cups of wine, offering one to Song Chuanhe, one to Qin Mu, and keeping one for himself. “Chuanhe, thank you. We were wrong before. I toast you for not holding grudges against us.”

Song Chuanhe accepted the cup, and Qin Mu, unsure of Jiang Zhen’s intentions, cooperated by raising his glass.

The scene appeared harmonious; even Jiang Guo and his two sons felt the same. But Jiang Weili was deeply dissatisfied and unhappy. Brother Chuanhe, what does this mean? How could he not hold Jiang Weiyue accountable?

Yesterday, when she told Jiang Weiyue she had been going on blind dates all these years, Chuanhe’s expression had changed drastically.

Suddenly, Jiang Weili thought of something. She whispered to Jiang Weiyue, who was quietly eating nearby, trying to remain unnoticed, “Eldest sister, Aunt Qiu next door told me about a match for you. The boy is well-off, honest, and works with his father at the steel factory. He’s an only child with no land. If you marry into that family, you’ll enjoy a good life immediately.”

The person Jiang Weili mentioned was none other than the suitor Aunt Qiu had suggested in their previous life. Though this was the current lifetime, Aunt Qiu had brought up the proposal again.

But after the tragic ending they had experienced before, Jiang Weili could never be foolish enough to marry that seemingly honest man this time.

Yet, she didn’t reject Aunt Qiu outright. Instead, she said, “Aunt Qiu, such a good man should be left for my cousin. After all, she hasn’t married yet. It wouldn’t sound right if I married first.”

“Oh, Weili, you’re such a thoughtful girl, looking out for your cousin. But I have to warn you, your cousin’s reputation isn’t good, and with the past story involving the factory director, if the groom’s family refuses, I can’t push the match through. Don’t blame me,” Aunt Qiu replied.

“I understand, Aunt Qiu,” Jiang Weili said.

She intended for Jiang Weiyue and the man from her previous life to become involved, so that the people she hated most could be damned together.

After Jiang Weili’s words, all eyes at the dining table turned toward Jiang Weiyue, especially Song Chuanhe’s. His gaze was sharp and dark like a night hawk’s, staring intently at Jiang Weiyue with warnings and implications plainly evident. If she dared accept the match, she was doomed.

Despite his domineering and obsessive nature, no one would have guessed that moments ago, he had shamelessly spoken those conciliatory words in front of everyone.

Thinking of what he said made Jiang Weiyue feel amused.

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However, not wanting to provoke him, she looked at Jiang Weili calmly and said, “Such a good man, you should keep him for yourself, cousin. I’m not worthy.”

Jiang Weili felt her face lose some dignity.

“Eldest sister, you haven’t married yet. How can I marry before you? You’re at the right age; marriage will come sooner or later.”

“This gentleman is really good. I introduce him to you as if you were my own sister.”

“Yes, Weiyue, you’ve been on many blind dates over the years. You’re of age now. When you meet someone suitable, just marry.”

Old Lady Jiang, hearing about a well-qualified match, eagerly wanted to secure it for Jiang Weiyue. Now that Song Chuanhe wasn’t holding grudges anymore, her granddaughter would be safe. Thinking back on how she had just sacrificed Jiang Weiyue for the whole family, she even felt a bit guilty.

Watching Old Lady Jiang’s earnest coaxing and recalling her own earlier behavior—like a shrew sacrificing herself for the family—Jiang Weiyue secretly mused that Old Lady Jiang’s acting was far better than those actors who make millions a day in the future.

“My stomach feels uncomfortable. You all eat first; I’m going to the restroom,” Jiang Weiyue said, then left before anyone could respond.

In this era, unlike the future, there was no restroom inside the home. Each floor had a shared public toilet.

But Jiang Weiyue had no intention of using the restroom; she just wanted to clear her mind. Leaning on the balcony, she felt her good mood from the day utterly destroyed.

Suddenly, a rough hand with calloused skin reached out from behind and covered her mouth.

She tried to scream but it was too late; she was dragged into the shared storage room on that floor.

As she struggled to bite the person, the hand was released, and a low voice murmured, “Regret refusing that man so much?”

The storage room had no windows and the door was closed. It was already past nine o’clock, and inside it was pitch black.

Jiang Weiyue could only hear Song Chuanhe’s voice but could not see him.

Though afraid of the dark, she forced calm and said, “How could I regret?”

“Heh, so you mean if I hadn’t stopped you, you would have accepted Jiang Weili’s proposal?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Jiang Weiyue, have I ever told you that until my revenge is complete, you’d better not think of anything else? Otherwise, your whole family will be dragged into hell because of you.”

Song Chuanhe’s mention of her family infuriated her.

“Song Chuanhe, you know me well—I’ve always been selfish. My family has abandoned me. Do you think using them to threaten me will make me give in?”

Song Chuanhe was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly gripped her chin tightly. In the darkness, she couldn’t see his eyes but could discern his emotions from his voice.

“Jiang Weiyue, do you think saying that means I can’t do anything to you? I’m telling you, if I want, I have millions of ways to ruin you. So you better behave and listen carefully, got it?”

Jiang Weiyue hated being threatened. Her temper was stubborn. Seeing no response from her, Song Chuanhe grew angry.

He grabbed the back of her head with his other hand, pulled her down, and forcefully kissed her.

It was less a kiss and more a savage, vengeful bite—like she was his prey.

Soon, a bittersweet metallic taste of blood filled their mouths.

Jiang Weiyue thought Song Chuanhe had gone mad. She tried to push him away but found him as unyielding as a rock, unable to budge despite all her efforts.

“Mmm, mmm, let me go... mmm...” she struggled helplessly.

Just then, a voice came from outside the storage room.

“Cousin, are you in the restroom? Since you went in, Brother Chuanhe has left.”