Chapter 123: Chapter 123: The Groom Ran Away on His Wedding Night 34

After Lou Hong divorced, he no longer engaged in the marinated food business, which was one of Shen Ping’s conditions for agreeing to the divorce.

Because the marinated foods were usually prepared by Lou Hong, even though she knew the process and the recipe, she was not as skillful as Lou Hong. Just thinking about Lou Hong opening a marinated food shop with another woman made her furious, so she proposed this condition.

Actually, by that time she already regretted the divorce. She proposed this condition in the hope that Lou Hong would have a change of heart. As long as he was willing, she could give him more money in the future.

But Lou Hong’s decision to divorce was firm, he didn’t want anything, and he also didn’t want to engage in the marinated food business in the future.

“I told him before, Chen Yuexiang is not a decent person, see, now he’s left with nothing. She just turned and left for another town to work,” Shen Ping said through gritted teeth when mentioning this.

“He must regret it a lot.”

“But now that they are divorced, it won’t be easy to get remarried.”

Shen Mingqiang said, “Lou Hong is not so bad actually; you were too hard on him usually. If he comes back, you should treat him well.”

“But you should also keep an eye on him to avoid him making mistakes again,” Jiang Hongying remarked.

At this point, Jiang Hongying looked at Shen Xun, “Second son, you should also keep an eye on your wife. She’s not coming home these days, and now she has money, who knows if one day she might run off with another man. People outside have all sorts of thoughts.”

Shen Xun frowned, “She won’t, she’s not that kind of person.”

Not to mention, with Wei Menglan’s looks, who would be interested?

“Third son, you should also think about getting married, you can’t delay it anymore. If not, you should go to your sister’s place to help out, learn how to make marinated foods first, and open a place elsewhere; it won’t affect your sister’s business.”

Shen Ping agreed, “I think that’s a good idea.”

Having a family member around to help brings her some peace of mind.

Without enough funds, Shen Chi was even less willing to work in a factory. Even though the wages here could compare to Guangcheng, he still didn’t want to work in a factory.

Marinated foods indeed had a profit margin, and now with his sister’s guidance, he suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

Lou Hong and Chen Yuexiang indeed had nothing to do with each other anymore. Chen Yuexiang left without saying a word, and he didn’t ask. Work could be found anywhere, and he, used to hardships, found a job close to home to take care of his parents conveniently.

Not as Shen Ping had thought, he didn’t regret the divorce.

Chen Yuexiang leaving didn’t affect him, he wasn’t surprised; there were no waves in his heart, he had expected it.

He was almost forty now, Dengtong Town had developed quickly these past few years, and he had seen many things.

His daughter, Lou Jiajia, came to see him, looking displeased, saying he doesn’t appreciate good times. He stayed silent, not knowing how to rebut, the girl was still young and probably didn’t understand. Of course, when she grows up, she might still not understand his heart.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

He no longer felt like looking for someone else, just wanting to take good care of his parents.

Let life continue like this.

For the first time, being able to stuff all his salary into his pocket gave him a sense of fulfillment, but the surroundings felt empty, a bit too quiet.

He was still accustomed to living frugally, not buying anything lavishly, continuing to live life frugally. But when it came to his parents, he never hesitated.

Life had become much duller than before, but buying things for his parents, taking them to see doctors, he no longer had to call to ask for money, nor bear the odd stares around him, as if it wasn’t that disgraceful anymore.

He was free, yet a bit lonely.

Shen Xun and Wei Menglan hadn’t divorced, the two were in a stalemate like this.

Shen Chi went to help Shen Ping’s marinated shop, but business wasn’t as good as before. Even though the recipe was the same, the taste varied when different people made it. Another reason was neither Shen Ping nor Shen Chi were as attentive in business as Lou Hong, both were somewhat casual and perfunctory in their work.

For instance, when customers requested thinner slices or smaller cuts, they didn’t have the patience, sometimes involuntarily showing impatience on their faces. Customers come to spend money; with such an attitude from the boss, they naturally wouldn’t come again.

There are many marinated food shops now; they’re not irreplaceable.

Especially Shen Chi, even before the business took off, he learned all sorts of deceitful business practices. The crucial point was, Shen Ping felt saving some costs was fine.

If there weren’t any competitors, they might still be making money.

Dengtong Town was prosperous, with many businesses, but the competition was fierce, too.

One reason the marinated food shop’s business was good before was because Lou Hong was honest.

By the time the siblings realized it, it was too late, and they were forced to close that branch.

Faced with Shen Ping’s cold attitude, Shen Chi couldn’t stand to stay there anymore.

Reluctantly, he had to find another job, planning to save enough to start a business again.

Due to Jiang Hongying’s urging, he had to go on blind dates.

He wasn’t satisfied with the people he met, and in reality, they weren’t that satisfied either, as locals knew Shen Chi’s reputation.

Later, Jiang Hongying could only find someone from further away.

While Shen Chi was still in agony, news spread on the Lv Family’s side that Lv Chen was getting married, to someone named Xie Yan.

“Don’t think about it anymore, find someone and settle down soon,” Shen Xun patted Shen Chi’s shoulder.

Someone like Lv Chen — it wasn’t to belittle Shen Chi, but his third brother truly wasn’t a match for her.

In the past or now, he wasn’t.

Back then, Lv Chen came to the Shen Family solely because she genuinely took a liking to this boy. But having missed the first chance, there would be no more opportunities.

On the wedding day, Xie Yan personally put a ring on Ah Chen, staring at her hand, lost in thought.

The crowd thought of it as deep affection, and those who knew him better understood his enormous infatuation for her.

Ah Chen smiled with her eyebrows, genuine affection was true, but having a bit of a flaw was also true.

Who swaps bracelets instead of just exchanging rings at a wedding?

“At this moment, our groom must be thinking that he can finally spend his life with the girl he loves.”

Xie Yan remained silent, thinking instead that he could finally keep Sister Ah Chen by his side for a lifetime, and she could never escape.

But this was a secret, one he couldn’t share with anyone.

That night, Ah Chen asked, “During the wedding, what were you thinking about?”

Xie Yan: “…”

“Can’t you say?” Ah Chen rubbed his head with her palm, “Don’t want to tell me?”

Xie Yan wrapped his arms around her waist, having no solution for her: “If Sister Ah Chen wants to know, I’ll say it.”

“I was thinking that I can finally keep you by my side forever. Also thinking that only I can see you, and no one else can.”

“Sorry, sometimes I can’t control myself.”

Ah Chen held his face and kissed him, smiling lightly, “I allow you to think like that, but only just think, understand?”

Xie Yan looked at her, his eyes filled with an obsessive possession: “Sister Ah Chen, you are mine.”

She must never leave his side.

Otherwise, he would go crazy.

He would die.

Because he couldn’t bear the consequences of her leaving, nor could he do anything to her; only his demise could end it.

“Do you like me that much?”

“Yes.”

Very much.

A kind of fondness beyond imagination.

So much that if there wasn’t her in this world, he would never understand what liking truly meant.

Ah Chen stroked his brow bone, a curve at her lips: “I’m very happy.”

“Does Sister Ah Chen like me?” He still asked cautiously.

Ah Chen answered, “I like.”

“Am I the most liked?” He hoped, yet anxious.

Ah Chen smiled faintly, “You’re the only one.”

Xie Yan was stunned, his mind blank. Though there was someone before, he believed her words. Yet he couldn’t hold back anymore, he wanted to possess her entirely.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep