Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Chapter 34: It is her nature to retaliate

Lu Chengxiao did not see the appearance of the woman, only her back, but he could faintly sense the hidden malice within. However, at this moment, he could no longer step forward; he could only suppress his impatience and silently observe the situation.

Mrs. Chen secretly followed Chen Sheng all the way, arriving at this northern town. She watched how Chen Sheng welcomed the other side of the river and how he eagerly looked ahead, exchanging a few words before parting ways.

Until now, she finally saw the young woman whom her son had set his sights on and actively sought to marry, Liu Yu.

Without scrutinizing details, just a distant glance revealed that she was a beauty. As Mrs. Chen approached, she took a closer look, and for a moment, her breath caught.

In her heart, she thought, no wonder Sheng’er is infatuated, neglecting his bookstore business and thinking only of her.

Sons may love beauty, but mothers may not necessarily appreciate their sons marrying someone overly beautiful. At that time, the son might become compliant, leading to estrangement and neglect of family duties. Being immersed in romantic feelings might not contribute to family harmony—wouldn’t that be a source of family ruin?

Madam Chen pursed her lips, and her eyes did not hide her dislike for Liu.

She sighed, realizing that convincing her son to change his mind about someone as outstanding as Liu would be quite challenging.

Originally, the girl in the Zhou family had only average conditions for Changfeng Town. Madam Zhou had repeatedly tried to catch up, but Madam Chen had never wavered. Yesterday, she chose Zhou Ruyi in a haste, being attracted by her face. Madam Chen had always been clear that when dealing with men, the best weapon is beauty. To win a man from another woman, the most effective weapon is still beauty.

Originally, with Zhou Ruyi’s good appearance, she was confident that she could smoothly change the daughter-in-law candidate from the Liu family to the Zhou family without causing any waves. However, when she truly saw Liu Yu in person, she realized she had miscalculated.

Madam Chen carefully observed Liu Yu at this moment, and Liu Yu also assessed her. Seeing that the woman was around thirty years old, with her hair styled in a high coiled bun, adorned with a gold and silver filigree hairpin, willow-leaf eyebrows, slanted eyes, and lips slightly curved upward, portraying a hint of sharpness with a contemptuous almost-smile.

Liu Yu came to a conclusion similar to Lu Chengxiao’s—that the newcomer was not friendly. Strangely, she also guessed the person’s identity, discerning a faint resemblance to Chen Sheng from the eyes and eyebrows.

Although Liu Yu knew that the Chen family’s marriage proposal might not proceed smoothly, she maintained an expression of seeming ignorance about the woman’s identity. With a perfect blend of doubt, she graciously performed a courtesy to Madam Chen and asked, “My surname is Liu. May I inquire about Madam’s surname?”

Madam Chen was not polite at all, accepting her courtesy with a solid response. She examined Liu Yu closely, despite her critical scrutiny, finding no fault in Liu Yu’s demeanor or manners. Mrs. Chen’s lips curled into a faint smile, which quickly disappeared. “You are quite courteous. However, there’s no need to pretend. You should know who I am.”

Meeting Mrs. Chen’s gaze, Liu Yu thought, “You are indeed a presumptuous person, displaying such an annoying attitude.” However, she maintained a composed demeanor and smiled, saying, “Madam is joking. I don’t recognize you.”

Mrs. Chen snorted coldly and said, “My husband’s family name is Chen.”

Coupled with that skyward-pointing nostril, for a moment, Liu Yu truly believed that the Chen surname was exclusive to the royal family. In her heart, she was already thoroughly fed up with Madam Chen. If she really married Chen Sheng, wouldn’t she have to deal with such a mother-in-law for decades to come?

If it were her in the same situation in her past life, she might have endured it. After all, where else could be worse than the Liu family? She had not been treated well throughout her entire life, so encountering someone like this wouldn’t make much of a difference. However, in this new life at the age of fifteen, despite being in humble circumstances, she had been pampered by the madam (from the brothel) and the maidservants. She could endure for a moment, but how could she endure for a lifetime?

However, no matter how she felt inside, she had to endure this moment. So, from confusion to realization, and then to shyness, she slightly lowered her eyes and softly called out, “Madam Chen.”

This address pleased Madam Chen quite a bit. It was a rare moment when she found Liu Yu somewhat agreeable. Unfortunately, if this girl wasn’t the one Sheng was set on marrying, she would have liked her.

If Liu Yu heard this, she might retort with disdain: “A chicken feather trying to look like a phoenix. Who cares about your liking?”

Both had their own thoughts. Mrs. Chen adjusted the brocade handkerchief in her hand and said, “I won’t beat around the bush. I just want to make it clear to you. Whether you like it or not is secondary. The first and foremost thing in marriage is the compatibility of social status. Do you understand these four words?”

Liu Yu’s face turned slightly cold, but she still wore a somewhat smiling expression. “I don’t quite understand Madam’s meaning.”

Mrs. Chen smiled casually, winding the handkerchief around her fingers. “Whether you understand or not, I’ll put it plainly. The daughter-in-law of my Chen family cannot be a village girl. It’s better for a young lady like you to keep a distance from our Sheng-er. Otherwise, when he marries and establishes a family, it won’t look good on you, will it?”

Even the best temper should be able to be provoked to laughter. It’s clear that this person won’t look favorably upon you just because you grovel and flatter; she’ll only trample on you even more ruthlessly. The expression in Liu Yu’s eyes turned colder, and she replied with a smile, “Shouldn’t these words be said to Young Master instead? Whether he sees or doesn’t see, the decision lies with Young Master, doesn’t it?”

Mrs. Chen’s face turned cold, thinking that the fox’s tail had indeed been exposed, revealing claws. She snorted and said, “There’s no need for you to worry, young lady. I’ll naturally manage my son. You just need to mind your own behavior and conduct yourself properly.”

She approached Liu Yu, standing diagonally beside her, and with a sidelong glance, she said, “

“Things like buying embroidery patterns from the bookstore are better avoided. People should cherish their own dignity. My Chen family won’t welcome a daughter-in-law like that.“

After saying this, she snorted disdainfully, flicked her handkerchief, brushed past Liu Yu’s shoulder, and walked away gracefully.

Liu Yu stood still, absorbing the words—cherish one’s own dignity. This was the second time she heard this phrase since her rebirth.

The first time was from Lu Chengxiao, and now it was from Chen Sheng’s mother.

It felt like being slapped on the left cheek, and right away, the right cheek was slapped again, achieving a balanced equilibrium with the four words.

Lu Chengxiao was in a small alley not far from Liu Yu. His figure was half-hidden behind a makeshift woodshed, not only clearly hearing Chen Sheng’s mother’s words but also capturing the self-deprecation on Liu Yu’s face.

Even though he had felt that his words hurt her yesterday, hearing someone else use almost the same words today felt like a piercing and heart-wrenching stab.

Lu Chengxiao no longer cared about how Liu Yu knew Chen Sheng, he simply didn’t care. He was only filled with heartache and regret, regretting that he had done something similar to what Chen Sheng’s mother had done today. He hated himself for not realizing anything back then, for not noticing anything when he received that purse. If he had, would today’s incident with Chen Sheng have happened, causing her to be humiliated once again.

Even more disgusted with himself, Lu Chengxiao knew very well that stepping forward at this moment, appearing in front of Liu Yu, would be like rubbing the words “cherish one’s own dignity” onto her wounded heart.

He dared not let Liu Yu know that he witnessed everything. If she found out, she might be even more unwilling to see him again.

Therefore, no matter how much pain, regret, or the desire for forgiveness he felt, he couldn’t take a step forward.

Helplessly watching as she tilted her head slightly towards the sky for a long time, put her head down, smiled and left.

After a while, Lu Chengxiao finally walked out of the alley and stood in the same spot where Liu Yu had stood earlier, tilting his head towards the sky.

There was nothing in the sky. After a while, he suddenly realized that perhaps the only purpose of looking up was to hold back the tears in his eyes.

Was she about to cry just now?

A shiver went through Lu Chengxiao’s heart as if pricked by an extremely sharp needle. The pain momentarily took over all his senses.

He was tempted to beat up Chen Sheng, tear off Madam Chen’s proud face, and give himself a slap in the face.

In his heart, a clear and resolute thought emerged – he had to protect Liu Yu and prevent her from enduring such humiliation again, like she did today.

She wanted to marry someone from a well-off family, and his family was better off than Chen Sheng’s. She wanted to live a good life, and he was determined to make her live a life that everyone envied, a life where even that Mrs. Chen would find it impossible to look down upon.

Whatever she wanted, he would present it to her without having to seek anyone else’s help.

Lu Chengxiao hurriedly followed after Liu Yu. Even if he couldn’t see her right now, a bit later, he would surely lay bare his intentions.

~

Liu Yu didn’t go elsewhere; she headed straight for Ji Xian Zhai.

She had never been a good person and never allowed herself to be bullied. One crucial thing she learned from Liuxian Pavilion was to sharpen her own claws.

Being meek meant being swallowed whole by that ruthless place, and if you suffered oppression, you retaliated fiercely. There was never a case where she didn’t retaliate; it was just a matter of whether she did it sooner or later.

So, of course, Madam Chen, once caught by her claws, would get a retaliatory strike!

Therefore, when Chen Sheng saw Liu Yu, her eyes were slightly red, her face pale, and even her lips couldn’t restrain a slight tremble.

His heart sank. They had only been apart for a short time, how did things turn out like this? Nervously, he went over, urgently called out Liu Yu’s name, and asked, “What happened to you?”

Liu Yu glanced at him, quickly lowered her eyelids, refusing to make eye contact with Chen Sheng. There was a hint of tears in her eyes, but she forced a smile and said, “Young Master Chen, when I came to the study earlier to find embroidery patterns, I indeed acted superstitiously and behaved inappropriately. Marriage is decided by parents, matchmakers, and fate. The most crucial aspect of marriage is compatibility of social status. I know my status is not suitable for you. Kindly convey my message to Madam Chen and reassure her. I won’t come to Ji Xian Zhai in the future.”

With a courteous gesture, Liu Yu turned and walked away.

Chen Sheng hurriedly chased after her, but the crowded streets outside had no trace of Liu Yu.

Gritting his teeth, Chen Sheng couldn’t help but realize that his mother had found Liu Yu. She was fine on the bridge just a moment ago. In such a short time, where did his mother see her? Chen Sheng understood that his mother had recognized Liu Yu and followed her after him.

Frustrated, he stomped his foot and didn’t even bother giving instructions at the shop. He rushed back home.

At the calligraphy and painting stand outside Ji Xian Zhai, Liu Yu watched Chen Sheng leave with an angry expression. She then turned away from behind the stand, a narrow smile playing on her lips. She wondered if Madam Chen, faced with the mess created by her own son, could still maintain her high and mighty demeanor.

Gentleness and harmlessness had always been just appearances; retaliation for any slight was her true nature. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth – yes, Chen Sheng’s tooth felt satisfying.

As she was about to leave, she unexpectedly saw Lu Chengxiao’s figure appearing. She quickly hid behind the painting stand, drawing several glances from the elderly man running the stand. She smiled at the old man, and when Lu Chengxiao passed by, she turned towards the direction of Mr. Li’s house.

How the Chen family would fare depended entirely on Chen Sheng. Using him to fend off trouble temporarily was one thing, but as for a lifetime… She would figure that out later. Living under the same roof as the old lady, she couldn’t bear it.

Sansukini: Chen Sheng is a toxic mama’s boy.

Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5 review.