Thirty-Six: Forming a Marriage Alliance

Just as they reached the entrance of Wang Luo’s house, they saw his parents hurriedly locking the door, as if about to leave for some distance.

Aunt Wang bustled over to them. “Where are you two going?”

Cui Juan’s eyes were red and swollen from crying; at the sight of Aunt Wang, she began to sob again. “Sister, Wang Luo’s been kidnapped.”

“What?! People still get kidnapped these days? Did you call the police?” Aunt Wang exclaimed in alarm.

Cui Juan only wept and said nothing, but Wang Luo’s father interjected, “He wasn’t kidnapped. He ran off with that city girl, and now they’ve detained him.”

“So where are you off to now?” Aunt Wang asked, surprised.

Wang Luo’s father sighed. “We don’t know. They only told us to come over.”

Aunt Wang instantly calculated a strategy in her mind. “What are you afraid of?” she said. “Their daughter eloped with your son. For all we know, the deed’s already done, maybe she’s even pregnant. If they give you any trouble, just tell Wang Luo to leave their daughter—let's see if anyone else would marry her then.”

At these words, Wang Luo’s parents suddenly saw the light.

Wang Luo’s father’s furrowed brow finally relaxed, and Cui Juan stopped crying at once.

“Sister, you always know what to do,” they said gratefully.

Aunt Wang puffed up her chest with pride. “Of course! Just remember to give me a big red envelope at Wang Luo’s wedding.”

Hearing this, Cui Juan beamed and urged her husband toward the road. “You go on ahead, sister, we’ll be on our way.”

As soon as Wang Luo’s parents left, Aunt Wang’s expression collapsed. She spat fiercely on the ground. “Bah! That wretched woman, always encouraging my brother to take advantage of his own sister!”

“If it weren’t for the sake of my brother and nephew, you’d be crying your heart out today!”

Meanwhile, Wang Luo’s parents hurried to the Chen family home.

Standing before the Western-style house with its garden, they were both stunned.

Cui Juan marveled at the wrought iron gate. “Heavens, this is beautiful, just like in the movies!”

Her unsophisticated wonder piqued her husband’s irritation, and he gave her a sharp kick. “Quit acting like you’ve never seen the world—don’t embarrass me.”

Cui Juan dared not lose her temper, straightening up obediently. “If I don’t know how to handle something later, just give me a hint.”

Wang Luo’s father looked stern, as if indifferent, but inside he was more anxious than anyone. When they met the girl’s parents, should he address them as Sir and Madam, or as in-laws? When the in-laws served them food, he must remember to act reserved and not overeat, for the sake of his son’s dignity.

As they waited nervously, the gate slowly opened from within, revealing a fashionable woman behind it.

Wang Luo’s father quickly approached, greeting her warmly. “Hello, Mother-in-law.”

The woman glared at him impatiently. “You’re mistaken—I’m the housekeeper. The Madam is waiting for you inside.”

Wang Luo’s face burned with embarrassment. He fell silent and followed the housekeeper in.

Once inside the courtyard, they admired the elegant paving stones, the unfamiliar flowers, and the swing nestled in the flowerbeds—so lovely it seemed almost unreal.

Gradually, their legs stiffened; they nearly forgot how to walk.

When at last they reached the grand hall, the sight of the gleaming marble floor so startled them their legs nearly gave out.

Cui Juan, flustered, clutched her husband’s arm and cried, “Oh heavens, you can see your own reflection in the floor!”

Wang Luo’s father, equally weak-kneed, glanced at the calm group ahead and quickly recovered. He smacked Cui Juan hard. “Stop making a fool of yourself and be quiet.”

Trembling, they approached the assembled family.

On the floor, Wang Luo was trussed up, covered in bruises. Beside him knelt a haggard Chen Wanjun.

At the sight of her son, Cui Juan’s heart shattered. Forgetting her fear, she wailed, “My son!” and threw herself at him in tears.

“How could they beat you like this?”

Wang Luo shook his head. “Don’t cry, Mother. I’m fine.”

When it came to her son, Cui Juan’s shrewish side flared up. “In-laws, let’s be reasonable here! It takes two to tango—if your daughter hadn’t followed my son, could he have forced her? You failed to raise her properly—what right do you have to beat my boy?!”

Her argument was baseless but delivered with brazen confidence, as if she wished she could tear apart the couple seated at the head of the room.

Chen Wanjun’s mother flushed with rage, but as a lady of refinement she refused to stoop to Cui Juan’s level.

She closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and spoke slowly. “Your son lured my daughter away for over a month without any matchmaker or engagement. Yet you still feel justified?”

Wang Luo’s mother persisted in her shameless bravado. “Oh, so your daughter ran off with a strange man and hid in a graveyard for a month? Anyone would think you raised a paragon of chastity!”

At those words, faces darkened throughout the hall.

Chen Wanjun’s family erupted in fury.

Her mother nearly lost all composure and leapt up to slap Cui Juan’s mouth.

Clenching her fists, she turned to her daughter. “Did you hear what they said about you?”

Chen Wanjun, mortified, lowered her head and bit her pale lip.

Emboldened, Cui Juan raised her chin to say more, but Wang Luo stopped her.

Finally, Chen Wanjun’s father could restrain himself no longer. He slammed the table, his gaze sweeping over the Wang family, finally fixing on the loudest, Cui Juan.

“Perhaps we should call the police. Wang Luo abducted my daughter—that’s a criminal offense.”

Cui Juan was about to repeat, “It takes two to tango,” but Chen’s next words left her shaken.

“We’re old friends with the chief of police in Yuncheng. Having him arrest a criminal would be easy.”

At this, Wang Luo’s father fell to his knees and apologized. “In-laws, my wife doesn’t know any better—she’s just talking nonsense. The children still care for each other. Since things have come to this, why not turn misfortune into a blessing and let them marry?”

“Nonsense!” This time, Chen Wanjun’s mother’s composure completely broke. She stood up, cursing, “Marriage? As if you’re worthy! Wang Ma, call the police!”

She shouted, preparing to storm out.

At that crucial moment, Chen Wanjun suddenly lunged forward and clung to her mother’s leg. “Mom! I’m pregnant!”