Chapter 230: Retreat to Advance

Hearing Xiao Dang's words, Shazhu laughed.

He didn't mind at all.

At worst, I'll go find Yu Haitang.

Besides, Xiao Dang had said that if Qin Huairu wasn't willing to marry, then she would marry.

Although he thought it might be a joke.

But there's still Yu Haitang.

Yu Haitang is still quite interested in him.

If it weren't for Xu Damao, Yu Haitang would have already been with him.

But.

It's precisely because of this that he wants to vent his anger, snatch Yu Haitang away, and piss off Xu Damao.

How could he lose to Xu Damao?

Just then, Huaihua's shout suddenly came:

"Mom!"

Xiao Dang turned her head and saw Qin Huairu walking over with a grim face.

Shazhu also saw it, and instantly his mood vanished.

What he hated most was Qin Huairu's expression.

A dead‑pan look, as if the whole world owed her.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua ran over, supported Qin Huairu, and asked:

"Mom, where did you go?"

Qin Huairu didn't speak.

She just kept walking forward.

She walked up to Shazhu, still silent, not even glancing at him.

This made Shazhu even more depressed.

He let out a long sigh and followed behind them.

Qin Huairu didn't go home; instead, she shoved open Shazhu's door and walked in.

Shazhu stared for a moment, then followed her inside.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua glanced at each other and headed home.

Qin Huairu sat in Shazhu's home, saying nothing the whole time.

Shazhu, feeling depressed, said: "Come on, say something."

After a moment.

Qin Huairu lifted her head, glanced at Shazhu, and said:

"I've thought it over; as a mother, I can't be that selfish."

"Bang Geng is right—he and Xu Damao are learning to operate projectors, not how to be a person."

"If I married you, I would be happy."

"But that child would suffer so much."

It sounded lovely, but in fact she never even considered marrying Shazhu.

This, too, is her way of retreating to advance.

So that Shazhu would think his character is noble.

In that case, Shazhu might end up loving her even more.

Shazhu let out a long sigh and sat on the bed.

Qin Huairu looked at him and said:

"You talk about our courtyard."

"San Da Ye's family—why does San Da Ye hoard money?"

"Isn't it because the kids can't stand his stinginess?"

"They've all moved out of the courtyard."

"Who's ever come back to see him?"

"And Second Elder—he just takes his anger out on the kids."

"He himself is quite comfortable."

"Look at his family's kids."

"Nobody pays him any attention."

"If I don't start caring about the kids' feelings, I'll end up just like Second Elder and San Da Ye."

Shazhu flared: "These aren't problems at all."

"The real problem is that your son is hanging out with Xu Damao."

Qin Huairu snapped:

"What's wrong with being together?"

"You can't just stop Bang Geng from being with him because you dislike Xu Damao."

"Besides, when he's with Xu Damao he's learning a trade, not how to be a person."

"It's rare that Xu Damao can teach him—why wouldn't he learn?"

Upon hearing that, Shazhu instantly flew into a rage:

"Those who stay near vermilion become red; those near ink become black."

You don't know about this?

Qin Huairu: "I've said it all, it's learning a skill, not learning how to be a person."

Besides, this job is hard to come by.

Just for you, I'm supposed to let him quit?

Then if you're capable, find him a good job.

Shazhu frowned tightly and angrily questioned:

What do you mean then?

Oh, that is to say, you'd rather let him work than prepare to marry me, is that what you mean?

Qin Huairu pursed her lips and said:

No, you, can you also understand me?

Bang Geng is furious now; can we first calm down?

Shazhu: "You always say that; when exactly should we ease up?"

Do we have to keep easing until we're seventy or eighty?

Qin Huairu: "But I, I really am doing this for my son."

For my son, I must make a sacrifice.

Shazhu shouted: "I won't sacrifice."

Qin Huairu hesitated a moment, nodded, and said:

Fine, you don't have to sacrifice.

If you feel I've wronged you...

Then I have wronged you.

I, Qin Huairu, have delayed you, Shazhu, for too long.

Okay?

What can I do?

I'm caught between two sides right now.

I also don't want to end up like San Da Ye and Second Elder.

Now I can only attend to one side; don't you understand?

Anyway, in the end, I just ask you one thing.

You, before you marry someone else, let Bang Geng live in your house first.

Is that okay?

At the end, Qin Huairu burst into tears.

Shazhu pointed at Qin Huairu and angrily said:

Say it again!

Say it again!

Qin Huairu, you mean you're preparing to break up, is that what you mean?

Say it again!

Upon hearing that, Qin Huairu's brows involuntarily tightened.

In her heart she thought:

This Shazhu is really stupid; who's going out with you?

And break up?

I never even went out with you.

There's nothing to break up about.

Qin Huairu let out a long sigh, choking with tears, and said:

Unless you still feel sorry for me.

Let's ease up and talk later.

But the child's job really can't be quit.

Otherwise the child will resent me.

Shazhu roared: "I damn well feel sorry for you!"

Who's ever felt sorry for me?

Qin Huairu cried: "I, I really, really beg you, Shazhu."

I beg you, I really have no other way.

Shazhu felt sorry.

But thinking of Qin Huairu dragging things out again and again, and still not having any relationship with him.

He then felt unwilling.

That's right.

Shazhu has supported Qin Huairu for many years, spending much money and energy.

Not getting Qin Huairu, he is not at all resigned.

In reality, his feelings for Qin Huairu are just that.

Can't even say how much he loves her.

Love is certain, but this love certainly isn't that deep.

Otherwise, could he now place Qin Huairu after Xiao Dang?

Even he sometimes felt that Qin Huairu wasn't as good as Yu Haitang.

At least Yu Haitang is young, and she's not bad-looking either.

Moreover, because he was unwilling to accept it, and because Qin Huairu ruined every blind date, he has remained single until now.

Seeing Shazhu standing there silent, Qin Huairu gave him a white look and cried:

"Shazhu, I really beg you, I really have no other way!"

Then.

She cried while running out.

Shazhu flew into a rage and roared at her back:

"What do you mean you don't have this?"

"Hey, come back!"

"Stop, did you hear me?"

Qin Huairu didn't turn her head.

Shazhu pointed at her back and continued to roar:

"Qin Huairu!"

"We've been together for so many years, and you treat me like this? ah?"

Qin Huairu's silhouette had already disappeared from view.

Shazhu sat down and muttered to himself:

"Fine, who can't live without whom?"

"I, damn it, have turned from a slave into a master."

"I've removed my shackles, I'm free, I'm free."

"I'll go find Yu Haitang, I'll go find Xiao Dang, I'll piss you off!"

"I still don't believe it; if I leave you, I won't be able to find a wife!"