A joyful voice rang out from the room, "Is it my big brother-in-law who's back?"
Before the words could even finish, Zhang Hu walked out with a smile on his face.
He was bald and wore a gold chain as thick as his thumb around his neck, exuding an air of nouveau riche.
"You two, open your eyes and be respectful. This is my future brother-in-law. Remember to treat him with respect from now on," Zhang Hu reprimanded them.
"Yes!"
"Zhang Hu, why are you at my house?" Chen Nan's eyes glinted with a hint of coldness.
He grew up in the shantytown of Nancheng and was all too familiar with this bully, who operated with impunity and committed all sorts of evil deeds.
Whenever he showed up, trouble was sure to follow.
"Don't be so distant. This isn't just your house; it's our house, to be precise."
Zhang Hu laughed heartily, slinging an arm around Chen Nan's shoulders and entering the house. He then announced to Chen Shan and Jia Cui, "Mom and Dad, my big brother-in-law is back."
"You brat, why didn't you say anything about getting out of prison early?" Chen Shan exclaimed in surprise.
*Boom!*
Seeing his once robust father gaunt and frail in a wheelchair, Chen Nan felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
He asked anxiously, "Dad, what happened to your legs?"
Jia Cui retorted angrily, "How dare you ask that? Do you know you've ruined our entire family? Your dad's legs too, it's all your fault! If you hadn't meddled three years ago, would we be in this situation?"
A piercing pain shot through Chen Nan's heart. Being wrongly accused after acting heroically three years ago was already unbearable, and he never expected Jia Cui to utter such hurtful words.
Even though she was his stepmother, Chen Nan had always regarded her as his own mother!
Chen Shan sighed, "It's been so long. Why do you blame him?"
"Father-in-law is right. Today is a happy occasion, so let's not talk about unhappy things," Zhang Hu interjected with a smile, changing the subject.
"Father-in-law, when should we finalize the wedding arrangements? I deeply respect you all, and I'll accept either Xia Zhi or Han Lu being married to me."
Chen Nan's shoulders stiffened, and he shook off Zhang Hu's arm. His gaze was as cold as a knife. "Who said my two sisters are marrying you?"
Zhang Hu didn't seem to mind. "Brother-in-law, you might not know this, but after Dad was fired from the steel plant, he started a street stall and had his legs broken. He borrowed ten thousand yuan from me, and with interest, it's now reached thirty thousand."
"I figured your family wouldn't be able to repay the debt, so I thought of this money as a betrothal gift."
"As long as you marry Xia Zhi or Han Lu to me, this debt will be cleared. Not only that, but I'll also give you a house in the new district and even arrange a job for you. After all, you're an ex-convict, and it'll be hard to find stable employment even after returning to society. This would be a good thing for your family!"
"Dad, you were fired from the steel plant?"
Chen Nan's head was buzzing, a shock even more profound than seeing his father in a wheelchair. His father had dedicated his youth to the steel plant, and with only two years left until retirement, he was about to enjoy a leisurely life of bird-watching and dog-walking. To be fired now meant the loss of his pension.
"It's all your fault! If you hadn't meddled, Zhao Yuan wouldn't have used his connections to get me and your dad fired. You are the sinner of our family!" Jia Cui made no attempt to hide her anger. Although she wasn't an employee of the steel plant, she worked in its canteen. The elderly couple used to commute together, which many envied. While their salaries weren't high, they managed to support three children. With the children grown, their burden had lessened, and they had dreamed of traveling across the country after retirement. Yet, no one anticipated they would be fired. This immense change was too much for the couple to bear, and Jia Cui placed the blame squarely on Chen Nan.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I never thought things would turn out like this!" Chen Nan's eyes were filled with shame, but more so with anger. Zhao Yuan not only sent him to prison but also caused his parents to lose their jobs. The wickedness of humans was truly beyond salvation.
Zhang Hu patted Chen Nan's shoulder and smiled, "Brother-in-law, once we become family, I'll definitely help you get revenge. Yes, I admit Zhao Yuan has some influence in Jizhou, but we're not afraid of him."
"Get lost!"
A roar erupted from Chen Nan. Zhang Hu's brow furrowed, and even the two burly men outside the door entered the living room.
Zhang Hu's eyes turned icy. "Chen Nan, what do you mean? Are you refusing a toast and opting for a forfeit? Do you know the consequences of becoming my enemy?"
Chen Nan said coldly, "I will repay the money I owe you. You will never get your hands on my sister, not even in your wildest dreams." Zhang Hu was a notorious troublemaker in the shantytown, and Chen Nan would never stand by and watch his younger sister marry him.
A venomous smile flickered across Zhang Hu's face. "Fine, then pay up. Every last thirty thousand yuan."
Chen Nan replied, "Give me one month. I will return the debt with interest!"
Zhang Hu snorted, "You've already dragged this out for three years, and now you want another month? Do you think this is a charity?"
Chen Nan, unfazed, stated, "If that's the case, then I'll have to call the police."
Zhang Hu exploded in anger, "Damn it, are you threatening me?"
"Brother Hu, this guy is going too far. He doesn't respect us brothers at all. We have to teach him a lesson and show him who's boss," a middle-aged man said, clenching his fists.
Zhang Hu lit a cigarette and chuckled mockingly, "A simple beating should suffice. After all, we'll be in-laws soon."
"Yes!"
The middle-aged man agreed and lunged at Chen Nan.
"Get lost!"
Chen Nan roared, kicking the middle-aged man so hard that he flew out the door.
???
???
Everyone stared at Chen Nan, dumbfounded. No one had expected the slender Chen Nan to unleash such terrifying strength, sending a burly man weighing over two hundred pounds flying.
Chen Nan said with a cold expression, "One month. If you can accept that I will return thirty thousand yuan in one month, then it's up to you whether we settle this publicly or privately."
Seeing Chen Nan's eyes, Zhang Hu's breathing quickened, and a chill ran down his spine. The other party's gaze was like an invisible blade, exuding an immense pressure. He didn't know what had happened to Chen Nan, but he knew that if they fought, they would be the ones to suffer.
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Hu forced a smile. "Since you've put it that way, I'll give you some face. I hope you can repay the thirty thousand yuan in a month. Otherwise, don't blame me for turning ruthless!"
As Zhang Hu left, Jia Cui breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Chen Nan and said coldly, "Chen Nan, don't blame me for being blunt. Without regard for past affections, you'd better repay that thirty thousand yuan. Otherwise, I will take Xia Zhi and Han Lu and leave this house. I cannot let them live in fear here!"
Chen Nan said solemnly, "Mom, I don't blame you. You're right. This is all because of me. I will definitely earn money and repay that thirty thousand yuan to give you a better life."
"No matter what, this family cannot fall apart!"