The widow Lin harbored resentment, spewing venomous words that made Cheng Tianhua deeply uncomfortable.
Yet, he had to admit, the widow Lin was speaking the truth.
Despite being bound by blood, it seemed Cheng You and her brother were truly determined to disown their father.
"Old Cheng, we can't just let this go. Let's go to Qili Village to find them! If Cheng You doesn't come back to hold the wedding banquet, we'll cause a scene at their school!"
Cheng Tianhua hesitated, not immediately agreeing.
If things went that far, his relationship with Cheng You might truly become irreparable.
The widow Lin had been with him for so long; she couldn't possibly not know what he was thinking.
It was obvious the man was softening.
She sneered, "Old Cheng, do you really think your children will ever acknowledge you if you don't do these things? Look at what you and Song Yulian did back then; they stopped recognizing you long ago!"
Cheng Tianhua shot her a cold glance. Although she was speaking the truth, her words had undeniably struck a raw nerve.
If he had known Song Yulian was such a person, he would never have betrayed Jiang Qing to get involved with Song Yulian.
Now that his family was broken, who was to say this wasn't retribution?
The widow Lin knew how to employ both carrot and stick. After prodding his wound, she softened her tone, "Let's try diplomacy first. We just want to hold a wedding banquet in Wujing Village. What if they agree?"
If Cheng You agreed, then they wouldn't need to cause trouble.
Cheng Tianhua thought this made sense and nodded, "Then let's hurry. We don't want Cheng You taking Wen Yu back to Yancheng before we get there."
The widow Lin beamed, her eyes crinkling, as if she could already see the money in her hands.
To demonstrate his paternal concern for his son, Cheng Tianhua brought many gifts, all intended for Cheng Wen Yu.
Cheng Wen Yu was softer-hearted than Cheng You. If he could win over this son's heart, it wouldn't be a total loss.
The two set off from Wujing Village, hurrying on their way.
Passersby noticed and asked. The widow Lin, eager to broadcast their intentions, announced, "Wen Yu is going to study in Yancheng, and his dad bought him a lot of things to take with him."
Hearing this, many people secretly shook their heads.
Before, Cheng Tianhua had never shown any fatherly affection. Now, he was suddenly so solicitous.
It was clearly because their son had gotten into university, and he wanted to curry favor.
Carrying large bags and parcels, the two walked all the way to Qili Village.
As soon as they reached the village entrance, they were spotted, and someone ran to inform the old Jiang family.
"Liao Hongmei, your son-in-law from the Jiang family is here!"
Liao Hongmei hurried out, "Auntie, what are you talking about?"
"Cheng You's father is here. You should be careful."
At this time, why else would he come but for profit?
Otherwise, when Cheng Wen Yu hadn't gotten into university, why hadn't Cheng Tianhua ever come to see him?
Liao Hongmei watched from the doorway for a moment before spotting the widow Lin and Cheng Tianhua.
The two were laden with packages. Uninformed people would truly think Cheng Tianhua was a good father.
However, Liao Hongmei had no intention of letting them into the house from the start. She blocked the entrance completely.
"Well, well, such rare visitors! Cheng Tianhua, it's been so long. You're living quite well; you've put on so much weight."
Cheng Tianhua chuckled, "The old Jiang family is prospering now. How would I, a poor relative, dare to associate with you? Sister-in-law, I'm here to see Cheng You and Wen Yu. Are they home?"
Liao Hongmei spat forcefully, "Who are you calling sister-in-law? Don't disgust me here. I don't have a brother-in-law like you! Just tell us directly, why have you come!"
The smile vanished from the widow Lin's face, revealing a trace of her sharp tongue.
"Since that's the case, then call Wen Yu out. His father has come in person; it's improper if he doesn't show himself, isn't it?"
Liao Hongmei let out a cold snort, "The siblings have already gone to live in the county town and will return to Yancheng tomorrow. They're not here."
"What!" Cheng Tianhua was greatly disappointed.
The widow Lin refused to believe it and insisted on barging in, shouting that she wanted to find Cheng Wen Yu.
Liao Hongmei grabbed a broom and began hitting her on the head, chasing her around the yard.
"You're just the widow Cheng Tianhua married in his third marriage. Do you really think you're a senior member of Cheng You's family? What right do you have to be arrogant in my Jiang family's home? How dare you barge in and yell? I've indulged you enough!"
The widow Lin, terrified, hid behind Cheng Tianhua, and Cheng Tianhua himself took several blows.
After Liao Hongmei had had her fill of beating, she threw the broom to the ground.
"Cheng Tianhua, at least save yourself some dignity! You raised Cheng You and Wen Yu for a few years. They can still send you a pension in the future, ensuring you have food and clothing in your later years. But if you keep causing trouble, they'll sever ties with you! Jiang Qing is watching you from heaven. When you go down there in a hundred years, will you have the face to see her, or the face to see the ancestors of your Cheng family!"
Cheng Tianhua's heart felt as if it had been punched severely. His hands loosened, and the gifts fell to the ground.
He stood at the door, utterly dejected, and after a long while, he turned to leave.
The widow Lin, anxious, grabbed his arm.
"What are you doing? Didn't we come to find Wen Yu? Aren't we looking anymore?"
Cheng Tianhua glanced at her, lowered his head, like a deflated balloon.
"Let's go back."
Liao Hongmei was right. At least now Cheng You still sent him money, ensuring he had food and clothing.
If he truly fell out with her, he might lose even that money.
How many times had he stirred up trouble, and each time he gained nothing, only to end up in this predicament step by step.
The widow Lin was unwilling; her money hadn't come into her hands yet.
But no matter how much she scolded, Cheng Tianhua remained unmoved, as if he had lost his soul.
The moment the two arrived back in Wujing Village, they heard someone say, "Tianhua, hurry home and take a look. Someone is looking for you! They're dressed very nicely; they must be from the city."
The widow Lin instinctively felt it must be Cheng You and the others who had come. She pulled Cheng Tianhua and ran home.
Upon reaching the doorstep, they saw a strange man.
The widow Lin inwardly sighed; this man was truly handsome.
"Comrade, do you need something from us?"
"My name is Feng Xianxu. I have some questions about Song Yulian, and I'd like to inquire about them."
Feng Xianxu took out two large bills, as compensation for his inquiries.
As soon as the widow Lin saw money, her eyes lit up. How could she care about his appearance?
She quickly stuffed the money into her pocket and opened the door, leading him inside.
"Old Cheng, you go to Sixth Aunt's place and bring the child back first. I'll talk to this Comrade Feng for a bit."
Feng Xianxu quickly said, "I'm primarily looking for Comrade Cheng Tianhua."
The widow Lin faltered, "That's right, Song Yulian was his ex-wife, so he'll know more."
Feng Xianxu nodded slightly.
Cheng Tianhua sat down and said in a low voice, "What do you want to know?"
"Song Yulian was adopted by the old Song family. Did you know this before?" Feng Xianxu asked.