Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 220 I’m Not Getting Married

Chapter 220: Chapter 220 I’m Not Getting Married

The two went in and chatted with Cao Qiuhua’s parents for a bit, but then Cao Qiuhua came in and stopped her parents from talking, obviously not wanting Song Xiaoru to know too much.

This made both Song Xiaoru and Song Xiaodong feel even more certain there was a problem. Song Xiaoru was a bit unwilling to let it go, but Song Xiaodong shook his head at her. Song Xiaoru knew he must have a plan, so she didn’t press further and took out a thousand yuan, giving it to Cao Qiuhua’s mother, which left Cao Qiuhua’s parents endlessly grateful.

After preparing several dishes, Cao Qiuhua first took a portion to her parents, then called for Song Xiaodong and Song Xiaoru to sit down and eat together. She also brought out two bottles of white liquor.

Cao Qiuhua poured the liquor and said, "Xiaoru, this might be my last crazy moment before getting married. Today, I just want to drink to my heart’s content, and you have to keep me company."

"This... You have your wedding tomorrow morning. What if you drink too much?"

"Ha... Drinking too much would be perfect. If I’m all fuzzy during the wedding, that’s a kind of pleasure, too. Just kidding, don’t worry. I’ll be fine after some sleep. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep well tonight either. People from the city, before they get married, don’t they all go crazy one last time because they’re ending their single lives? I want to try it, too."

Song Xiaoru hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well, okay then, I’ll keep you company."

At first, Cao Qiuhua was somewhat able to control her drinking, but after half an hour, she began to lose control of her emotions, and tears flowed uncontrollably.

Song Xiaoru wanted to take this opportunity to ask for clarity, but Cao Qiuhua simply refused to tell.

"Sister, let me go out and ask around. Stop questioning her," Song Xiaodong whispered in Song Xiaoru’s ear before standing up and walking out.

Sun Family Village wasn’t a small village, and Cao Qiuhua’s home wasn’t in a remote location, but stepping outside, it felt like there was no one around in the neighboring houses.

It was only after reaching the corner that he encountered a few old ladies chatting together, and what they were discussing was none other than Cao Qiuhua’s situation.

After listening for a while, Song Xiaodong found out what was going on.

Turned out, the village chief, Sun Changkui, had two sons. The eldest son was mentally disabled, and the second son was Sun Xiaolong. Cao Qiuhua was to marry the disabled elder son, and though the old ladies all felt sorry for Cao Qiuhua, they dared not say more. Clearly, Sun Changkui held considerable sway in this place.

Song Xiaodong then followed the music to the doorstep of village chief Sun Changkui’s house, which was a three-story mansion with a large courtyard. Inside was a feast being set up, likely with the whole village in attendance to celebrate. In rural areas, weddings were fancy affairs that required setting up a day or two in advance, so with the wedding tomorrow, the celebration had already begun.

Seeing a man in the crowd with a vacant look and drool at the corner of his mouth, Song Xiaodong furrowed his brows even tighter. If Cao Qiuhua married him, wouldn’t her whole life be ruined?

Upon returning to Cao Qiuhua’s home, she was already so drunk she could hardly sit straight. Song Xiaoru’s face was flushed red, and her eyes were filled with tears. The two of them were reminiscing about the happy times during their school days.

"Qiuhua, you can’t marry that idiot," Song Xiaodong sat down and stared at Cao Qiuhua.

Cao Qiuhua paused and then forced a bitter smile, slurring her words, "Did you see him?"

"What? Dongzi, are you saying he’s an idiot?" Song Xiaoru grabbed Song Xiaodong’s arm and widened her eyes.

Song Xiaodong said gravely, "Yes, the one we met today is the second son of the Sun family. Sister Qiuhua, if you marry this kind of man, your life will be ruined. Didn’t you already take the bride price from their family? We can return it."

Cao Qiuhua wiped her eyes and said with a sob, "I’ve already used their hundred thousand to pay for mom’s medical treatment. Where would I find the money to return to them?"

Upon hearing this, Song Xiaoru hurriedly said, "I’ll give you the money, I’ll give it to you right now, and we’ll go return it to them."

"Where would you get that much?"

"I really have it. Right now, it wouldn’t be just a hundred thousand; I could even come up with a million if needed."

"You... you don’t have to comfort me," Cao Qiuhua was unwilling to believe.

"Really, I’ll transfer it to you right away, it’s still your old account, right? I have savings in the bank," Song Xiaoru immediately took out her cellphone.

Cao Qiuhua nodded subconsciously.

Song Xiaoru operated her phone and transferred one hundred thousand to her.

Cao Qiuhua’s cellphone message alert went off. She picked up the phone and her eyes widened in shock as she said, "Xiaoru... this... this..."

Song Xiaoru immediately said, "What’s all this ’this and that?’ I can’t just watch your life be ruined. You don’t have to think about paying me back this money. Moreover, if you need more money, I’ll help you. You can just pay me back slowly later."

Tears suddenly welled up in Cao Qiuhua’s eyes, and she was so moved that her lips trembled. She didn’t know what to say.

"Qiuhua, difficulties are only temporary. Once you get through this tough time, good days will definitely await you. Think about how tough it was for Dongzi and me in the past. Now Dongzi has returned, haven’t our lives gotten better slowly?"

"Yes!" Cao Qiuhua nodded repeatedly, saying, "That’s good, then let’s go and pay back the money right now."

The three of them were no longer in the mood to drink. Cao Qiuhua had drunk quite a bit, but now that she was excited, it seemed like the alcohol had worn off. She directly led the two to the village chief Sun Changkui’s house.

"Eh, isn’t that the Cao family’s daughter? Tomorrow is the official day, why has she come today?"

People in the courtyard were all curiously looking at the trio.

Village Chief Sun Changkui came out upon hearing the news. He was a man in his fifties with a very fierce appearance, who said with a smile, "Qiuhua, what brings you here?"

"Village Chief!" Cao Qiuhua took a deep breath and said, "I’ve come to pay you back."

"Pay me back? What do you mean?" Sun Changkui’s face instantly darkened.

Cao Qiuhua clenched her fists and said, "The one hundred thousand I owe you, I’m paying it back now. I can’t marry your son."

"What? Say that again?" Sun Changkui’s eyes narrowed, and he shouted angrily.

Cao Qiuhua, frightened, stepped back and stammered, "I said... I won’t marry your son."

"Nonsense! Just because you don’t want to marry doesn’t mean you can’t marry. Who doesn’t know my son is getting married soon? And you’re bringing this up now?"

"I... It was you pressing me to repay the debt that forced me to agree in the first place."

Sun Changkui stepped forward menacingly and said, "I don’t care how you agreed. Laozi doesn’t lack money, I don’t even want your money. You must marry; not to mention my son is a fool, even if my son were dead, you would still have to join Old Sun family, even if it means joining him in burial!"

"I... I will not marry!"

"Damn it!" Sun Changkui bellowed in anger, raising his hand to strike Cao Qiuhua’s face!

Everyone gasped in horror. With Sun Changkui’s slap coming down, Cao Qiuhua was certainly going to be sent flying!