"I will not accept your father's terms. I'm going back to my own home. I can't stay here for another moment, and I'll have my father return the betrothal gifts to you."
"Yueyue, don't force me. I've already said I'll treat you even better. Why are you being so disobedient? Or perhaps you're just vile, unable to live without that."
Chen Qian Yue slapped Zhao Shi Xiao hard. "You have no shame! How could you say such a thing? You're clearly in the wrong, and now you're twisting the truth."
Zhao Shi Xiao suddenly lunged forward. He grabbed Chen Qian Yue's neck with his right hand and pushed her down, pinning her to the ground.
Chen Qian Yue kicked her legs wildly, her eyes rolling back as she struggled.
"Idiot, you brought this upon yourself. If you weren't useful to me, I'd really strangle you right now. Once you bear me a son, I'll set you free. Why are you so stubborn? Disobedient children don't live long."
Seeing she was close to passing out, Zhao Shi Xiao finally released his grip.
"Remember that feeling you just had. This is the lesson I'm giving you. Don't think about any nonsense, or you'll regret it."
Chen Qian Yue coughed incessantly, trembling uncontrollably with fear, instinctively shrinking away.
"If you dare speak carelessly outside, I'll kill your whole family. If I'm unlucky, it'll be one life for nine. If I'm luckier, I'll escape to another province and never return. In my current situation, a barefoot person isn't afraid of one with shoes. You absolutely shouldn't choose to confront me head-on."
Seeing Chen Qian Yue's fearful avoidance, Zhao Shi Xiao felt immensely satisfied. He forcefully gripped Chen Qian Yue's cheeks, pulling her face back to meet his gaze.
"Things like this, the first time is strange, the second is familiar. Since you've already done it, just consider it a dog bite. Yueyue, if you're obedient, you won't get hit. Understand?"
Under his coercion, Chen Qian Yue nodded. Zhao Shi Xiao, displeased, slapped her again.
"Are you mute? Speak."
"I understand."
"That's more like it."
With that, he laughed and walked out.
During dinner, Chen Qian Yue stayed huddled in her room, afraid to come out. Zhao Nuan Cheng asked once, but seeing no one respond, she awkwardly dropped the subject.
After she went back to sleep, Zhao Shi Xiao and his parents sat in the main hall to discuss matters.
Old Master Zhao slammed his cane forcefully on the ground. "What in the world is going on? The newly married wife is already causing trouble. Can't you pacify her? Chen Qian Yue has a bit of a temper, but she quite likes you."
"My son, I know you've been wronged. But let's indulge her for now. Once she's pregnant, you can do as you please."
"Father, Mother, you don't need to worry. She's just a young girl; she can't stir up any major waves. I taught her a lesson today, and her pampered temper has improved considerably. Father, you can go in openly tonight. Both she and I have cleared things up."
"Nonsense! How could she possibly agree to such a thing? You explain yourself properly. You've ruined a good thing like this."
Zhao Shi Xiao forcefully swept a nearby cup to the ground. "Do you think this is what I wanted? If you hadn't been useless and protected me, and if our family weren't poor, how could I have ended up like this?"
"Presumptuous! You speak to your father like that?"
"Hmph, who do you think you are? Even if the King of Heaven came, I'd say the same. Just because you were a team leader for a few years, you think you're so great now? You're nothing now, you're blind and useless."
"Cough, cough, cough. You unfilial son, I truly raised you in vain."
Mother Zhao: "Alright, alright, stop arguing. It's not good for the family to quarrel like this. Can't you speak properly? Shi Xiao, what exactly happened?"
"Since it's happened, what's the use of asking these questions? Anyway, she already knows my current situation. There's no turning back for our family on this matter. I've found the portion of the betrothal money her father gave her, and her valuable dowry is also in my hands. Our family isn't losing out on this deal."
"I think you're crazy. Did I want you to marry her for a few paltry coins? Sigh, but since it's come to this, there's nothing I can do."
"Instead of sighing endlessly here, you should put in more effort later. When she's pregnant and tied down, she won't be able to run away easily. With her in hand, the Chen family won't be able to ignore me."
"Old man, what our son says makes sense. How about you go now? I'll clean up here."
Father Zhao slammed the table heavily. "Don't I know that? Shi Xiao, I'm asking you, does anyone else know about this matter? Tell me the truth."
"Chen Da Zhuang, don't worry. He won't dare to speak carelessly. If this matter gets out, it's on him. He won't do something so foolish."
"Our two families are relatives. Da Zhuang knows the difference. That child is decent and honest; he won't spread rumors. My mind is finally at ease. I'll go now."
Saying this, he stood up and slowly walked towards the door, leaning on his cane. Zhao Shi Xiao stared at his back, wishing he could bore a hole through it.
Reason told him his father was doing this for his own good. But he still felt the cuckold's hat was suffocating him, and his heart ached terribly.
...
Father Chen: "I can't shake this feeling of unease. Have them pack up, and we'll go to the Zhao family's place."
Mother Chen: "This is improper. Yueyue will be back tomorrow. We can wait at home; there's no need to make a trip. We're all tired from a day's work. Besides, the young couple just got married, what major issues could there be?"
"Hurry up. I don't want to repeat myself."
Eldest Sister-in-law Chen: "Why is Father in such a hurry? If you miss your sister-in-law that much, we can go after dinner. No one is well-off nowadays. If you invite our whole large family, I'm afraid your sister-in-law's mother-in-law will have opinions."
"What's there to eat? We don't lack this one meal. None of you eat either, all of you come with me to the Zhao family."
No one dared to disobey him. A group of people headed towards the Tomato Brigade. They were already tired, and their legs felt weak by the time they arrived.
It was already bedtime. After knocking for quite a while, Zhao Nuan Cheng finally came out.
She cautiously asked, "Who is it? Everyone in the house is asleep. Please come back tomorrow."
"Is that you, Nuan'er? I'm your Uncle Chen. Open the door quickly; I need to talk to Yueyue about something."
Zhao Nuan Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. This Uncle Chen was so gentle. Yesterday, he gave her a lot of candy, unlike her father who only ever had a stern face and never cared about her.
"Uncle Chen, please come in quickly. I'll go wake up my sister-in-law. Aunt Chen, Uncle Chen, you've come too! Please come in and sit, come in and sit."