Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 219 Suffering Woman

Chapter 219: Chapter 219 Suffering Woman

"Qiuhua, what’s this about? Are you really getting married?" As soon as she entered the room, Song Xiaoru grabbed Cao Qiuhua’s hand and asked impatiently.

Cao Qiuhua let out a long sigh, then nodded and said, "Yes, I’m getting married tomorrow."

"But your family..." Song Xiaoru really couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence. Weddings are supposed to be joyful occasions, but this was far from it.

Cao Qiuhua gave a bitter smile and said, "Does it seem at all like a wedding to you?"

Song Xiaoru nodded.

Cao Qiuhua took a deep breath and continued, "My dad used to drive a truck, as you know; our family was doing okay, but then he got in a car accident the year before last and has been bedridden since. The compensation money and savings, after the medical expenses, were pretty much wiped out when my mom got cancer. It vanished like water into sand, drying up all our funds."

After a pause, Cao Qiuhua added, "I’ve been working like crazy to make money, but it’s nowhere near enough for my mom’s treatment. We’ve had to borrow money from everywhere, but there’s nobody left to borrow from. Finally, the village chief said he could lend me two hundred thousand, but on the condition I marry his son—and I agreed."

Song Xiaoru immediately said, "Why didn’t you talk to me again? I could lend you the money. You helped me a lot when I was struggling."

Cao Qiuhua shook her head and said, "Let it be, things are already like this. Besides, you’ve already lent me ten thousand. I know it’s not easy for you; ten thousand is already a lot."

Song Xiaoru insisted, "No, Qiuhua, look, I have money now, I really do. I can give you the two hundred thousand, just like that."

Cao Qiuhua’s eyes reddened with emotion as she said, choking up, "Xiaoru, I... I really didn’t make a mistake befriending you. Before getting married, I really didn’t want to see anyone; I just wanted to see you. That’s why I called. Otherwise, I’d have just gotten married quietly, and after that, no one would need to know about me anymore."

Song Xiaoru immediately replied, "We’re friends. When I was in trouble, you helped me, and naturally, now that you’re in trouble, I’ll help you. It’s just two hundred thousand; I have it and can give it to you."

Cao Qiuhua wiped her eyes and smiled through her efforts, saying, "To hear you say that, Xiaoru, makes me content. But I’ve made up my mind. I appreciate your kindness, and I take it to heart."

She and Song Xiaoru were very close. She knew what Song Xiaoru’s life was like; she barely managed to lend her ten thousand, so how could she believe Song Xiaoru had two hundred thousand?

As Song Xiaoru began to insist further, Cao Qiuhua, touched, quickly changed the subject, and looked at Song Xiaodong with some surprise, asking, "You must be Xiaodong, right?"

"Yes, hello, Sister Qiuhua." Song Xiaodong greeted Cao Qiuhua with a smile.

"Heh... It’s been many years since I last saw you. You’ve grown so tall and big. Have you come back from the military?"

"Yeah, I’m back," Song Xiaodong nodded.

Cao Qiuhua said, "You’re finally back. It’s been tough for your sister these past years, all by herself. I didn’t understand her struggles before, but these last two years, carrying the load of this household myself, I’ve come to know how hard it is for a woman to shoulder the burden of a family—it’s exhausting. Now that you’re back, you must take good care of your sister."

Song Xiaodong turned to look at Song Xiaoru and said softly, "Of course, I’ll make sure my sister never has to suffer again."

Cao Qiuhua rarely smiled but did so now, and said, "Hmm, you were quite a handful as a child, but looking at you now, you seem much steadier. Your sister shouldn’t have to worry anymore."

Song Xiaoru said, "Dongzi has done well for himself. He brought back quite a bit of money as soon as he returned. Two hundred thousand is certainly within our reach; I really can transfer it to you now."

Cao Qiuhua pushed her disheveled hair from her forehead and managed a strained smile, saying, "I’ve already taken the betrothal gifts, and tomorrow is the wedding day. It’s normal for his family to help me out with my problems. I won’t trouble you with this."

Song Xiaodong then interjected, "Sister Qiuhua, we still don’t know what kind of person your brother-in-law is."

"Right, who are you marrying?" Song Xiaoru also realized that this was the crucial point. If Cao Qiuhua’s in-laws were good people, then there was no reason to object further.

Cao Qiuhua took another deep breath and said, "His family is quite well-off. His dad is our village chief, and they hold some power around here. By marrying into their family, I won’t need to work, I won’t lack money, and I can take care of my parents. There’s nothing wrong with that."

"The village chief’s son?" Song Xiaoru and Song Xiaodong exchanged a glance, recalling the fellow named Xiao Long they had seen at the village entrance.

"That person...", Song Xiaoru hesitated, wanting to say that guy was no good, but she couldn’t quite get the words out.

"Hehe..." Cao Qiuhua laughed and said, "It’s nothing. A woman’s gotta marry somebody, and marrying a man like that, he’ll actually listen to me. What I say goes. At the very least, he won’t bully me."

"Oh? How can he listen to you?" Song Xiaoru was genuinely surprised. That Xiao Long seemed like he was not easy to deal with at all; how could Cao Qiuhua be so confident?

"Xiaoru, you’re really underestimating me. I can handle a guy like that. Don’t forget, I’m known as a fierce chili pepper. Whoever dares to bully me will have to see if they’re capable enough, especially a guy like him. Don’t worry about me," Cao Qiuhua insisted.

Song Xiaoru and Song Xiaodong looked at each other again. This situation obviously seemed unreliable, but this was really not something they could decide for her, nor did they know what to say.

"Alright, you’ve driven for hours to get here; let’s not talk about this anymore. I’ll be the bride tomorrow, hehe... it’s a happy occasion. I’m going to cook some dishes; have a drink with me later, and let’s be merry."

"I’ll help you."

"No no, I can handle it myself. Please, sit down," Cao Qiuhua quickly stopped Song Xiaoru and went straight to the main room to cook.

Frowning, Song Xiaoru whispered to Song Xiaodong, "Dongzi, what should we do about this?"

Song Xiaodong hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let’s go talk to Sister Qiuhua’s parents and find out what’s really going on. It’s clear Sister Qiuhua is keeping some things from us, as if she’s trying to swallow her own teeth in silence."

Song Xiaoru nodded in agreement, unable to just stand by and watch Cao Qiuhua jump into the fire pit.