Chapter 6

The old master personally visited the Shi family, conveying that Cheng Yi is already married and advising Shi Jieyi not to pursue him any further

She was already angry and wanted to turn around and leave. However, she thought about how he was so openly holding hands with Shi Jieyi, and how the people of Yongji Town would see this and start talking about it.

Zhou Honghong had no choice but to follow them

He has told me everything. Shi Jieyi continued, her tone tinged with sympathy. You are also a victim; if this continues to spread, how will others view you in the future

Since I entered the door of the process until now, I have been beaten many times, yet I am still living well

"Enough, Zhou Honghong, you may go back now," Cheng Yi coldly uttered, leaving behind a sentence as she pulled Shi Jieyi and turned to walk inside

This statement is simply adding fuel to the fire. The old man shouted: "Rebellious! Cheng Yi, kneel down for me! Wei, go fetch my stick!"

Zhou Honghong was taken aback

Although he is indifferent to her, they were originally strangers, merely bound together by the stubbornness of the old master

Zhou Honghong nodded and then said: "I am not a particularly talented person; the pressure is quite significant"

Zhou Honghong once imagined that if her boyfriend were to pretend to be in a relationship with another woman, she would absolutely not be able to tolerate it. She considers herself an ordinary person, lacking the generosity of Shi Jieyi.

Although the girls who admired Cheng Yi did not treat her well, it was still better than enduring the strange gazes of various people.

After Cheng Yi sent Zhou Honghong home, he went to the casino and played for several dozen rounds before returning. By the time he came back, Zhou Honghong had already arrived.

In a state of helplessness, the Shi family had no choice but to relax their policies, advising their youngest daughter not to let that man take advantage of her. Shi Jieyi earnestly promised that she would not.

Zhou Honghong made up her mind to focus on her studies. After being a third wheel a few times, she suggested that Cheng Yi go to the movies with Shi Jieyi while she stayed at the juice shop to read.

She is about to enter her third year of high school, so she might as well endure it; it will only be a little over a year.

The old gentleman has business dealings with a dyeing workshop in the neighboring town. He rarely visits Wushan Town in person, and even when he does occasionally go, he never engages in personal conversations.

Zhou Honghong was actually quite anxious in her heart, but she secretly took a deep breath and then said: "Old Master, I believe in Cheng Yi. He has already cut ties with my friend. They are now just ordinary friends, and I was present the whole time."

The old master turned to Cheng Yi and asked, his voice still resounding. "Is what Honghong said true?"

Zhou Honghong also understands that she is merely a pretext for Cheng Yi to meet with Shi Jieyi. However, for her, studying is the most important thing

Cheng Yi knelt down silently, as if indifferent.

The old man was about to raise the stick to strike Cheng Yi when he was halted in his actions by Zhou Honghong's words

With your clumsy lies, do you think you can deceive the old man? He could easily ask someone from Wushan Town and find out what is going on between her and me

Zhou Honghong's mind was in a state of chaos; she was unsure how much the old master knew about the matters concerning Cheng Yi and Shi Jieyi. However, in her panic, she could only think of such a line of reasoning.

Moreover, Cheng Hao is the true scoundrel, while Cheng Yi is merely a bit frivolous

However, she was right in her latter statement; Zhou Honghong has indeed been driven to distraction by the rumors. Even Zhou's mother said that if Zhou Honghong continues to stay in the town, the rumors will only become more outrageous. The people in the town are conservative in their thinking, making it difficult for her to marry in the future

After the old master inquired in detail, he was absolutely furious and hurried back to the Cheng family home

Cheng Yi suddenly smiled, yet her gaze was filled with coldness as she stared directly at the old master. "She was a woman I was involved with in the past."

That is an iron rod! Even though the old gentleman is advanced in age, continuing to strike like this is not mere intimidation

The second concubine lowered her head, slightly turned her face, and desperately signaled to Cheng Yi with her eyes

Shi Jieyi felt a moment of embarrassment, realizing that the term "outsider" in this context actually referred to herself. She quickly tried to smooth things over. "How about you all go ahead? I also need to head home early today"

Zhou Honghong made a sound of acknowledgment, pondering how to begin. "In fact, I am the outsider here. It is not easy for you to meet each other, and I am always standing by. Moreover, my studies are not very good, and I would like to have more time to read books."

That was in the past. Now, there is hardly anything left. "Zhou Honghong spoke a little more fluently. "They used to tell me about their matters, Cheng Yi Ge has mentioned it to me before. It is all in the past, and I have nothing to be concerned about.

Cheng Yi turned to Shi Jieyi and said, "Wait here, don't run around." Then he went to the ticket office

One night, suddenly the old master sent someone to call her to the Cheng family.

It was that day when the dyer's wife returned from outside and, upon seeing the old master, gossipingly mentioned that she had seen Cheng Yi with a girl at the cinema in the morning

The second concubine could no longer hold back, kneeling beside her son, her voice filled with pleading and tears. "Cheng Yi was momentarily confused, please forgive him, old master."

Shi Jieyi concealed Cheng Yi's illegitimate status. When the family inquired about Cheng Yi's situation, she repeatedly insisted that everything was fine. When her mother disagreed, she threw a tantrum and cried loudly

Zhou Honghong was frightened by the old man's anger, standing stiffly to the side, unsure of what to do. Until the iron rod, as thick as a water pipe, was grasped in the old man's hand, she was startled once again

Zhou Honghong thought this way, believing that his attitude towards her was also understandable

Faced with Shi Jieyi's kindness, Zhou Honghong could only murmur her thanks

The boss's wife was taken aback and asked when the old master had made a marriage alliance with the Shi family

Zhou Honghong felt as if she were in a fog, experiencing a sense of being the third party

Zhou Honghong wanted to say something, but upon seeing Cheng Yi's disdainful gaze directed at her, she refrained from speaking

Then please go and tell him

She worked hard to steady her fear, trying to make her voice sound more composed. "Sir, that is a friend of mine"

As Cheng Yi walked away, Zhou Honghong was the first to apologize. "I am sorry"

After Zhou Honghong focused her thoughts on her studies, her grades improved somewhat

Zhou Honghong is also feeling a bit irritable. Every time she sees him with Shi Jieyi's sweet demeanor, she feels quite uncomfortable inside. "What kind of couple brings a third party along every time they go to the movies? Do you think they are too foolish to see the underlying tension?"

At that time, when she agreed to Cheng Yi, she was flustered and did not think it through carefully. Later, she asked him how long they would have to pretend, and Cheng Yi replied that it would be about the time she went to university.

Cheng Yi glanced at her and said, "Oh, whatever."

"It's alright," Shi Jieyi said with a smile, "I need to go home early today. I have to leave after the first half."

Shi Jieyi is indeed considerate of Cheng Yi. Since she has spoken to this extent, what follows is only natural.

Cheng Yi brought Zhou Honghong in as a cover and does not agree with her plan to withdraw from the scene

Indeed, you will be taking the college entrance examination next year. Upon hearing Zhou Honghong's remark, Shi Jieyi added, I was a year late in school before, and then I changed schools and repeated a year. Speaking of which, I am actually a year older than you.

The play continues to be performed, and the conversation has also opened up. Cheng Yi and Zhou Honghong often go to Wushan Town.

On the road, Cheng Yi broke the silence between the two, sneering, "Zhou Honghong, do you have any brains?"

Subsequent events unfolded very suddenly

Cheng Yijian was silent for a while before finally saying expressionlessly: "It is true"

Cheng Yi also turned around and snorted, originally intending to mock her a few times, but Shi Jieyi beside him promptly instructed him to go buy tickets

The old gentleman merely thought it was he and Zhou Honghong, and thus spoke somewhat calmly, saying that she was Cheng Yi's fiancée, who had already been betrothed.

She does not spend much time alone with Shi Jieyi, but she feels that Shi Jieyi has a good personality and is friendly towards her. Moreover, Shi Jieyi once told her that Cheng Yi initially did not want to get involved in this matter, and it was Shi Jieyi who persuaded him to agree.

The old gentleman was quite pleased to learn about it and occasionally asked Zhou Honghong if the movie was good and what it was about

Ultimately, they parted ways on unfriendly terms

The old master remained silent. The Cheng family members were all silent.

There may be new rumors, such as being unable to resist the temptations of the city. However, let us take it one step at a time; addressing the current gossip is the priority.

When Shi Jieyi saw her coming over, she grabbed Cheng Yi

It was only later, with the appearance of Cheng Yi, that the rumors began to shift

Zhou Honghong clenched her fist. "That is iron! Are you seeking death?"

I have an old classmate who moved to Wushan Town, and my classmate is now in the same class as Shi Jieyi. When I went to visit my classmate, I also got to know Shi Jieyi. This morning, while watching a movie with Cheng Yige, I ran into her. The three of us watched the movie together

What kind of friend!

I did not ask you! Cheng Yi can answer for herself!

In this situation, she genuinely feels that she is the least qualified person to be upset

Cheng Yi's response was utterly bland. "Just let him beat me up; once he cools down, it will be fine. Why are you meddling in this?"

After the commotion, the old man did not allow Cheng Yi to eat and asked him to take Zhou Honghong home

Shi's family initially opposed Cheng Yi's relationship with their daughter, but later it was Shi Jieyi who mentioned that he was the young master of the Cheng family

Cheng Yi could roughly guess the situation from this commotion, and remained quite calm. "I am with a friend from a neighboring town."

She knew that he was not favored in the Cheng family, but she really did not expect that the old master Cheng would be so ruthless towards him

What? Zhou Honghong became alert at his sudden remark

Although the Shi family is also a prominent household, it can never compare to the Cheng family, which has a merchant background. The Cheng family of Yongji is well-known and highly regarded.

What is the matter with the woman that Cheng Yi mentioned? The old man glared at Cheng Yi, his anger unabated

Shi Jieyi warmly took Zhou Honghong's hand. "Let's find a place to sit and talk."

The Cheng family finally felt relieved. Given the level of anger displayed by the old master, if Cheng Yi were truly punished according to the family rules, it would surely cost him half of his life.

Cheng Yi ... ... After all, this lie was told by me. If the old man truly wants to pursue it, I will take responsibility.

"It is true. Old Master, it is true." The second concubine, fearing her son would be stubborn, hurriedly interjected.

Cheng Yi spoke lightly, but Zhou Honghong felt a chill run down her spine

Female

At that time, in a moment of desperation, Zhou Honghong truly had no other options. Now that she reflects on it, the story she fabricated is full of flaws. "What else could be done?"

"Zhou Honghong, I know you are colluding with Cheng Yi, you don't need to be so anxious." Shi Jieyi said with a beaming smile, looking at Zhou Honghong's expression as if facing a great enemy.

Are there no people from our town inside? Are you sure you can be at ease if they see you separating from me?

That very night, Shi Jieyi committed suicide

Zhou Honghong let out a sigh of relief; she truly did not want to face Cheng Yi's indifferent gaze any longer

Zhou Honghong realized that Shi Jieyi mistakenly believed that she had been taken advantage of by Cheng Hao

He is a person of quick temper. After returning home, he made the whole family wait in the hall, and without considering that it was already evening, he sent someone to the Zhou family to bring Zhou Honghong over

The old gentleman had a plan in mind, and upon seeing Zhou Honghong's anxious demeanor, he instructed the butler to take the stick back again

Zhou Honghong has her own plans; she is determined to take the exam and move to a big city in the future, and she intends to establish herself there. Once she goes to the big city, with the vast distances involved, the old man surely cannot pursue her relentlessly.

At this point, she began to feel anxious

She sighed inwardly and still followed Cheng Yi and the others into the cinema

The Shi family intends to approach the Cheng family, planning to discuss the marriage proposal once Cheng Yi and Shi Jieyi are of a similar age.

The old gentleman sternly asked Cheng Yi as soon as he saw him: "Who did you go to the movies with today?"

She pressed her lips together and raised her eyes to look at Cheng Yi. He met her gaze for a moment, nodded, and then turned his attention to Shi Jieyi.

What kind of woman!

"We did not take this into consideration. The college entrance examination is a significant matter, and you should read more books." At this point, Shi Jieyi felt a bit apologetic. "I told Cheng Yi not to buy the tickets; you should go to that store and read some books instead."

Zhou Honghong looked at her with a hint of surprise

When she arrived at the Cheng family, the old man was relatively polite to her, saying that he would give her an explanation when Cheng Yi returned

Sat down at a juice shop outside the cinema

However, nowadays, the other party is actually married, and Old Master Cheng's words harshly imply that Shi Jieyi is seducing his grandson. Consequently, the attitude of the Shi family has also become sharp.

Cheng Yi listened from the side, still kneeling upright, only slightly furrowing his brow without being noticed