LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Cen Shuang is the Daughter-in-law of the Zhuang Family
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When they all went inside, Lan Yibai had someone bring out two bowls of mung bean soup. On a hot day like today, staying outside for a little while would make one’s clothes sweaty, not to mention staying outside for an entire day. Cen Shuang brought Cen Zhu to the guest room to take a shower first. She returned to her room and took a shower. When she emerged, she saw a pale-faced Cen Zhu standing at the door, looking at Zhuang Hong who was lying on the bed.
Seeing Cen Shuang come out, Cen Zhu’s tears instantly fell. She could not help but cry out, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault for making you suffer so much. How can you live with such a person for the rest of your life?”
1
She was seeing Zhuang Hong for the first time. The door of the room was half-closed. There was no response when she knocked on the door. She was worried that Cen Shuang would come in. However, when she first saw Zhuang Hong lying on the bed like a dead man, Cen Zhu admitted that she was scared. When she thought about how Cen Shuang had to lie with such a person every night, she was even more afraid. Perhaps in the eyes of the Zhuang family, this was Young Master Zhuang, but in Cen Zhu’s eyes, he was a stranger. Moreover, he was like a dead man, a stranger who could not move or speak. She did not dare to think about how Cen Shuang had been spending her days in this house.
“Let’s go. Even if we become beggars and starve to death, it’s better than letting you sleep with the living dead. I can’t allow that.”
Cen Shuang held Cen Zhu’s trembling body. “Sis, you’ve misunderstood. The Zhuang family treats me very well.”
“So what if they treat you well? Zhuang Hong is a vegetable. If he doesn’t wake up, you would have to take care of him for the rest of his life. Ever since you were young, you haven’t even washed a single piece of clothing. How are you going to take care of him? If the Cen family hadn’t gone bankrupt, you wouldn’t be suffering like this?”
1
They thought of Cen Shuang like a princess. They could not bear to see her suffer, even a little bit. Cen Shuang knew that Cen Zhu was in a very bad mood right now. Her marriage was a trap. She could not bear to let herself live in such pain. However, other than the Zhuang family’s home, where else could they go? Cen Shuang tried to comfort Cen Zhu for a long time. This was also the first time she had come to the Zhuang family’s residence. She did not sleep in the same room as Zhuang Hong. Instead, Lan Yibai agreed to let the two sisters sleep on the same bed.
Under the quiet night sky, the lights became dim. Cen Shuang lay in Cen Zhu’s arms, “Sis, I think the Zhuang family is very good. I didn’t feel wronged at all when I agreed to marry Zhuang Hong. I’m not afraid of him either. He’s different from what I thought. The Zhuang family gave me shelter from the storm. I’m very grateful.” Moreover, although she was used to leaving, she was a little reluctant to part with Zhuang Hong.
2
The two sisters talked for the entire night. In the end, Cen Shuang could not help but fall asleep. Looking at her younger sister in front of her, Cen Zhu’s lips curled up. Cen Shuang probably did not even realize that what they had talked about most was how good Zhuang Hong and the Zhuang family were to her. They did not spend the night talking about how miserable her life was after the Cen family went bankrupt. How could someone who lies in bed all day make her feel good? The Zhuang family must take note of her kindness. Cen Zhu looked at the thick curtains in front of her. She could not see the moonlight outside the window, but she knew that it was the 15th day of the month. The moon would definitely be round and beautiful.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Cen Shuang looked at the sandalwood box that Lan Yibai had taken out and subconsciously wanted to reject it. She was not a greedy person. She had already gotten enough from the Zhuang family.
1
“Take it. Grandpa asked me to give it to you. It’s something your grandmother left behind. If you two sisters need them, feel free to use the things inside.” Lan Yibai did not take out these things behind Cen Zhu’s back. She just passed it to her. How Cen Shuang used it was her own business. Even if she was her mother-in-law, she had no right to interfere.
“Mom, I can’t take these things. I’m living very well in the Zhuang family.” Cen Shuang told the truth. Lan Yibai had never made her uncomfortable, nor did she make her feel like a servant the Zhuang family had chosen to marry Zhuang Hong and keep him company. She could see the respect Lan Yibai had for her.
“Since grandfather has given these to you, they are yours. If you don’t want them, return them to grandfather personally.” Lan Yibai then smiled at Cen Zhu. “Did you sleep well last night? Was it hard to get used to?”
The two Cen sisters were exceptionally beautiful. Cen Zhu had a gentle personality and looked more like a well-educated young lady. However, the Lu family had worn her down over the years. There was still a haggard look on Cen Zhu’s face that had been there since last night. Anyone could tell that she had not slept all night. “Thank you, madam. I slept very well. After listening to Cen Shuang talk about how well you and the Zhuang family have been treating her, I… actually felt very relieved.”
It was not that she was worried, but she felt sorry for Cen Shuang. Her sister was still so young, yet she had to take care of such a person every day. Cen Zhu did not say anything else. The phone in her pocket rang. She looked at it and her face instantly turned pale. Without waiting for Cen Shuang to speak, Cen Zhu said in a low voice, “Lu Hongyang wants to divorce me.”
It turned out that she had no chance to ask for the divorce that she herself had wanted. Cen Zhu smiled coldly and put away the phone. She looked at Lan Yibai and said, “I guess I can drop the act. I am indeed not living well, but I am fine as long as Cen Shuang is fine.”