country bumpkin

Seeing her eldest son's attitude, Yuan Yicao stepped forward and said, "Eldest son, what are you saying? No matter what, she is still your sister."

Kong Xianglong stood still and didn't say anything more, not even glancing at Xiong Shanhe.

[If this man hadn't ruined my sister's reputation, maybe she could have found a good man to marry.] Thinking of this, Kong Xianglong clenched his fists tightly.

He really wanted to beat Xiong Shanhe up to vent his anger. But from what they were saying, it seemed the two of them were already married and had obtained their marriage certificate, so it looked like he wouldn't be able to beat him up.

Kong Shangwu didn't speak. In fact, he didn't want to acknowledge his daughter back either, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

Kong Xiujin had already started to cry; she hadn't expected her return to end like this.

Yuan Yicao looked at her son's clenched fists and knew that this time it would definitely not end well, so she decided to send her eldest son away first. Otherwise, she was afraid that her eldest son would lose his temper and hit his son-in-law.

She pushed Kong Xianglong outside, talking as they walked.

"Go home first. I'll call you over once your sister is settled."

Kong Xianglong didn't stop his mother and went home as she wished.

When he got home, his wife, Yang Jinhua, saw him return with a dark expression and asked him what had happened.

He said, "My little sister brought that old man back." After saying that, he went back to the inner room, lay down on the bed, and angrily went to rest.

Yang Jinhua looked completely bewildered. "What old man? Did your sister-in-law find an old man and bring him back?"

There were rumors circulating in the village, but she was unwilling to believe them, since she hadn't seen it with her own eyes and was only half convinced.

Looking at her husband's dark face, she figured the person her sister-in-law had brought back must be an old man. Intrigued, she decided to visit the old house.

She quietly closed her front door and secretly ran to the corner of the old house's courtyard to squat down.

The voices of the mother-in-law and sister-in-law could be heard coming from the main room of the old house.

Yuan Yicao walked up to her son-in-law and said, "Son-in-law, don't be angry with Brother Xiujin. He's just stubborn and doesn't know how to be flexible. He'll be fine once he understands."

Xiong Shanhe knew perfectly well what was going on, so he could only smile bitterly and say, "Mother, don't worry, I won't take it to heart. And Xiujin is with me, I won't let her regret it, I will treat her well."

Hearing her son-in-law's assurance, Yuan Yicao felt much more at ease.

Kong Shangwu didn't hear anything and continued smoking his pipe.

Kong Xiujin and her mother talked for a long time inside the house. Xiong Shanhe, having nothing to do, sat on a stool in the living room and smoked.

He listened silently to his wife and mother-in-law's conversation without saying a word.

Yang Jinhua overheard everything from the wall and realized that this man was the one having an affair with her sister-in-law. The village rumors were actually true.

Her sister-in-law had married this man and was pregnant. This was shocking news! She didn't linger and quickly ran to her friend's house to gossip.

Kong Xiujin was unaware that her sister-in-law had already started spreading gossip about her.

There was no sound coming from her second brother's room. Kong Xiujin thought that perhaps her second brother and sister-in-law had gone to take a nap, otherwise why would there be no noise at all?

At this moment, Kong Xianghu and Manman were lying face to face on the bed, resting. He lay awake with his eyes open, unable to sleep, and didn't want to get up.

They had no intention of going out to join the commotion in the main room. So their mother and sister assumed that the couple had fallen asleep.

Kong Xiujin stayed until almost dark in the afternoon before preparing to leave. Yuan Yicao invited her to stay at her house for a few days, but Kong Xiujin declined.

She knew that her two older brothers didn't want to see her right now, and she could only wait and try to change their minds later.

She said, "Mother, there aren't enough rooms at home. I'd like to go to the city and have a good look around, and buy some things. I'll come back to see you later."

Yuan Yicao wanted to persuade him to stay, but Kong Shangwu tugged at his wife's sleeve, and Yuan Yicao looked at her husband.

Kong Shangwu gently shook his head, and Yuan Yicao understood what he meant. She could only say, "Alright, Mother will listen to you. But Xiujin, please come back and visit Mother often in the future, and take good care of yourself while you're away."

Kong Xiujin nodded: "Okay, Mom, don't worry, my mother-in-law's family treats me very well. When I give birth, I will definitely come and take you to stay with me for a few days."

Yuan Yicao nodded, "Okay, Mother, I promise you, I will definitely come to see you then."

After saying that, Xiong Shanhe helped Kong Xiujin leave his mother-in-law's house.

They went to the main road and hijacked the last bus to the city.

The two sat in the car, their thoughts racing. Looking at the trees rushing past the window, Kong Xiujin felt a mix of emotions.

Looking back on her first trip to the city, it was her good friend Kong Xiufang who encouraged her to go. She went to great lengths to help her find a job and resolve the troubles caused by her ex-boyfriend.

She stayed at her older sister's house for more than a month, eating and sleeping there.

Thinking back on all this now, Kong Xiujin suddenly realized that she had let her down and had even made advances towards her man; she had done wrong.

This mistake cost her her best friend and the chance for a normal girl to find a good husband.

What was I thinking back then? How could I have thought of becoming someone's mistress? Now I've ended up like this.

She regretted it and thought she would apologize to Kong Xiufang if she had the chance, hoping that she could forgive her.

After all, I can't go wrong dealing with her and making friends with her. Kong Xiufang is generous and righteous, and she'll definitely be of great help to me.

As Kong Xiujin was thinking this, the car had already pulled into the bus station in City B.

The driver stopped the car, and Xiong Shanhe took her hand. The two strolled around the bustling area of ​​Yicheng.

Looking at the familiar city, Xiong Shanhe was filled with emotion. He took Kong Xiujin to a small restaurant, ordered a few dishes, and wanted her to have a good meal.

While eating, Kong Xiujin was still thinking about Kong Xiufang when suddenly her eyes lit up as she saw Kong Xiufang and her husband Lin Junhui walking into the restaurant.

Kong Xiujin's heart clenched instantly. She instinctively wanted to hide, but it was too late.

Kong Xiufang also saw her and froze on the spot. Lin Junhui pretended not to see her and kept looking at his wife.

Xiong Shanhe noticed Kong Xiujin's unusual behavior, followed her gaze, and understood what was going on.

He said softly to Kong Xiujin, "Go apologize to her." Kong Xiujin hesitated for a moment, then stood up and slowly walked towards Kong Xiufang.

She lowered her head and said in a trembling voice, "Xiufang, I was wrong. I hope you can forgive me."

Kong Xiufang looked at her, remained silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let bygones be bygones. But we're strangers from now on. I don't blame you, but I don't forgive you either."

Kong Xiujin's eyes reddened, unsure of what to say. Xiong Shanhe, watching this scene, also felt despair. Both of them were the ones who had done wrong; what else could they do? Cutting ties was the best outcome.

Kong Xiufang bought two groceries and packed them up. After saying that, she ignored Kong Xiujin, carried the groceries out, hopped on the back of her bicycle, and went home.