Chapter Seventeen

After hearing Tang Doudou’s words, Wu Mei fell into deep thought. Tang Doudou quietly shared her own idea with Chen Xingfan. Chen Xingfan then returned to Wu Mei’s side, crying continuously and muttering, "Help me, I’m still young, I don’t want to go to prison. Mom, I’m your own son!"

Finally, under Chen Xingfan’s persistent plea, Wu Mei nodded. "You," Wu Mei shouted at Luo Fancheng, "it was your money that he used to buy the car a few days ago, and now look what’s happened—a car accident!"

Luo Fancheng was stunned. How could this be pinned on him? Was this family out of their minds?

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Chen Xingxin asked in confusion.

Wu Mei glanced at her. "Xingxing, stay out of this." Then Wu Mei turned her gaze to Luo Fancheng. "Back then, Xingfan used your money to buy the car, and now there’s an accident—what are you going to do about it?"

Hearing this, Chen Kangjian suddenly realized and echoed, "So, you’re actually harboring ill intent, Luo. You knew Xingfan’s driving was poor but still gave him money for a car. Now there’s a car accident. What do you suggest we do?"

Luo Fancheng was speechless. How was this his fault?

"Was it really my money that bought the car?" Chen Xingxin was bewildered by this twisted logic, unable to believe her parents could be like this.

"Mom, Dad, what has Luo Fancheng done wrong for you to treat him like this?" she protested.

Wu Mei replied with disdain, full of self-righteousness: "The fact is, we’re right."

Chen Kangjian chimed in, "If that useless man hadn’t given over two hundred thousand, would things have gotten to this point? Now someone needs to pay compensation, but we have no money, so only that useless man can go to prison."

Chen Xingfan’s expression suddenly changed; his pitiful look vanished, replaced by a sly grin. "Well, Luo, if you go to prison and get out, I’ll still have to call you brother-in-law."

Chen Xingxin looked around at everyone and shouted, "How can you all be like this? Luo Fancheng is my husband, your brother-in-law, your son-in-law."

"Brother-in-law? I don’t have such a useless brother-in-law. My brother-in-law should at least be wealthy," Chen Xingfan retorted with a laugh.

"I don’t want such a useless son-in-law either," Wu Mei added. "My son-in-law should at least be someone like Ouyang Feng."

"So that slap wasn’t hard enough last time," Luo Fancheng said, looking at Wu Mei and Chen Kangjian. "Your ideal son-in-law gave you both a slap each, and you’ve already forgotten?"

Wu Mei hurriedly turned to Chen Xingxin. "See? How could a useless man like him ever be a proper son-in-law? Have you ever seen such an uncouth son-in-law?"

"Mom, can you stop being unreasonable?" Chen Xingxin pleaded.

"My daughter, I’m only doing this for your own good. Look at him: just a security guard, arguing with us every day—what else can he do?" Wu Mei sighed. "Once this useless man is in prison, you can divorce him. I’ll find you someone wealthier, and our whole family will be happy."

"Yes, sis, divorce him and find someone rich. Then our family will be happy," Chen Xingfan echoed.

"Hah," Chen Xingxin laughed, "I never thought my own family would be like this. Have you ever considered my feelings? I want him, Luo Fancheng, regardless of money."

"Sis, have you ever considered my feelings?" Chen Xingfan protested, feigning misery.

"Your feelings? You demanded money from us to buy a car, got into an accident, and now you want me to worry about your feelings?" Chen Xingxin replied.

"Sis, I’m your only brother! How can you let your own brother go to prison for an outsider?" Chen Xingfan accused.

"That’s right," agreed Wu Mei and Chen Kangjian, "Xingfan is your brother. How can you abandon your own brother for an outsider?"

Luo Fancheng was at a loss for words. This family was beyond hope, utterly unreasonable.

"I’ve never seen parents treat their daughter like a commodity. Are you really treating Xingxing like she’s property?"

"Useless fool, it’s not your place to speak," Chen Xingfan snapped.

Luo Fancheng was about to reply, but Chen Xingxin stopped him. "Forget it. For every word you say, they’ll reply with ten, all nonsense. What’s the point?"

Luo Fancheng nodded. "Let’s go, let’s get out for a walk," Chen Xingxin said to him.

Just as Luo Fancheng was about to wheel Chen Xingxin away, Chen Kangjian, Wu Mei, and Chen Xingfan blocked their path. Chen Xingfan knelt in front of Chen Xingxin, begging, "Sis, I’m your only brother. Please save me!"

Chen Xingxin retorted, "You made your own bed—now lie in it. Reflect on your actions in there." Then she looked at Luo Fancheng. "Let’s go."

"You’re not going anywhere. Xingxing, no matter what, you have to save your brother today!" Wu Mei blocked her again.

Chen Xingxin was exasperated. "How am I supposed to save him? Divorce? Make an innocent man take the blame for you?"

Everyone fell silent.

At that moment, Tang Doudou ran over, smiling at Luo Fancheng. "There’s actually another way: you two get divorced, and Xingxin marries Ouyang Feng. Ouyang Feng will pay to save Xingfan, and no one will need to go to prison."

Wu Mei slapped her own forehead. "Ah, that’s a great idea."

"I think it could work," Chen Kangjian agreed.

"Heh, if you’re so eager, why don’t you marry him? Why should I?" Chen Xingxin retorted.

Tang Doudou looked exasperated. "I’d love to, but he doesn’t want me."

"Please, sis, save me!" Chen Xingfan kept pleading.

Chen Xingxin ignored him. Wu Mei rushed to a nearby pillar and threatened, "Chen Xingxin, if you don’t agree to a divorce today, I’ll end my life right here. You and that useless man can enjoy your happiness together!"

Chen Kangjian shouted at Chen Xingxin, "You unfilial daughter, agree to the divorce now! If your mother dies here today, I won’t go on living either."

Watching the couple, Luo Fancheng couldn’t help but applaud inwardly. The performance was flawless—simply unbeatable. Wu Mei, who clung so desperately to life, would never actually die. As for Chen Kangjian, he probably hoped Wu Mei would die, so he could marry Xiaofang.

"Mom, what do you really want?" Chen Xingxin asked helplessly.

"Divorce. I just want you to divorce him today," Wu Mei said, pointing at Luo Fancheng.

Suddenly, the doors to the emergency room swung open. A doctor stepped out and announced, "Is the patient’s family here? We’ve done all we can. Please come and say your final goodbyes."