The Hot-tempered Young Master and His Village Flower Child Bride - Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Zhao Xunyu, always shrewd, discovered during a conversation with Chu Chunliu that she really had a strong negative opinion of him. He suspected that his father had maliciously slandered him. His actions were serious, but not intentionally provocative.Why would he make his grandmother so unhappy? 

He proactively talked about his deep-seated hatred for Gu Jie. He emphasized his own emotional journey, highlighting the tragic image of enduring humiliation and being forced to explode in the end.

He also said that his grandmother could look through his cell phone and see the chat records between him and his friends. He really had always been oblivious to the outside world and focused on reading the books of sages. If it weren’t for his friends, who couldn’t bear to watch, his great image as a young man with five virtues and four beauties would have been ruined.

This was yet another of his attempts to influence her.

Chu Chunliu didn’t disappoint him. She went into the room, took out his phone and opened it in front of him. Clicking on WeChat, Zhao Xunyu saw that many contacts had sent him messages. Unread notifications were indicated by red dots. He checked the dates. He saw some messages from two days ago that hadn’t been opened.

In other words, his grandmother hadn’t checked his phone yet! At least not his WeChat messages!

A wave of relief washed over Zhao Xunyu. Hopefully, his photo album hadn’t been viewed either.

Zhao Xunyu first showed his grandmother his chat history with Song Ting. It contained most of the details of the incident. Although his language was crude, the intensity of his feelings shone through! At least his grandmother believed most of it.

Zhao Xunyu then launched into another round of self-pity and complaints. Chu Chunliu angrily said that she understood and told him to be quiet. Even if he hadn’t started the incident, that didn’t mean he wasn’t to blame. His reckless and inconsiderate nature needed to be curbed.

Zhao Xunyu thought: Once she knew that he wasn’t entirely to blame, his grandmother wouldn’t be so harsh, right?

Noticing that his grandmother was looking away, lost in thought, and no longer focused on the phone, he boldly and carefully took the phone from her. He subtly blocked her view as he opened Xu Qingchen’s chat and deleted the video he had sent. He then quickly opened his photo album to find the video he’d sent to Xu Qingchen.

However, just as he was about to find it, Chu Chunliu unexpectedly snatched the phone back. Zhao Xunyu was caught off guard and left defenseless.

By the time he tried to react, it was too late.

He watched his grandmother’s actions intently, afraid that she would open the video.

Thump thump thump – he felt his heartbeat accelerate. He felt he might have a fatal heart attack.

Even without opening the video, Zhao Xunyu was already exposed. The thumbnail of the video showed him holding up a small white board with the following words written in bold red: Xu Qingchen, you are my beloved dad!

Anyone would look twice.

Chu Chunliu’s gaze stayed on the screen for more than three seconds. Zhao Xunyu closed his eyes, seemingly resigned and escaping.

He was so close to succeeding!

He had completely failed!

Chu Chunliu narrowed her eyes. Zhao Xunyu reached for the phone again. 

“It was a joke. I’ll delete it.”

Chu Chunliu dodged his hand. “Don’t move.”

Then she opened the video.

Zhao Xunyu couldn’t bear to watch. He lowered his head, closed his eyes, and furrowed his brow. However, the affected, theatrical male voice was still clearly audible: “Xu Qingchen! You are my beloved dad! You are handsome, virtuous, and the greatest man in the world! Zhao Xunyu willingly serves as your loyal dog son!”

Zhao Xunyu covered his face. “Grandma, let me explain…”

Chu Chunliu’s gaze was like a knife. “Does Zhao Qingtang know that he is not your father? If you are a dog’s son, then what is he? And what was your mother? Is this how you joke? I’ll call him and ask.”

“Grandma, please don’t! If my father knew, he would disown me!”

Zhao Xunyu stammered. He swore he’d only done it once and would never do anything so foolish again. Admitting his mistake, he said he shouldn’t have made a bet with others and joked about such things. 

Chu Chunliu scolded him severely before finally calming down. She didn’t call Zhao Qingtang, but of course, he wouldn’t get his phone back. Now his grandmother had something on him. Zhao Xunyu was in great pain as he was attacked from both sides.

He regretted it, deeply regretted it. If he hadn’t thought of destroying the evidence, his grandmother would never have looked through his phone and discovered that he had recorded such a video. In the eyes of the elders, it was considered extremely disrespectful.

***

Later, Chu Zhi Lu and her classmates went to see a movie. It was a poignant coming-of-age romance. The atmosphere in the theater was subdued, and Peng Qingjia, who sat next to her, even shed tears. Chu Zhi Lu, on the other hand, was completely unaffected and even felt a little sleepy.

After barely an hour and a half, Chu Zhi Lu went out to eat with them before finally heading home.

By the time she got home, it was 7:30 p.m. The evening sky, once aglow with the hues of sunset, was now veiled in clouds, leaving only a faint glow. The chirping of cicadas and croaking of frogs grew louder, mingled with the laughter of children running and playing. Adults gathered in groups, chatting and laughing. Square dance music echoed with a joyful beat, while lights, both near and far, shone with varying intensities, casting a warm and inviting glow.

It was a rare occasion that Chu Chunliu didn’t go to the square dance. She sat on the sofa with her usual expressionless face. A war drama was playing on the television. Zhao Xunyu sat on the innermost sofa and behaved perfectly.

When they heard Chu Zhi Lu enter, they both looked over.

“Grandma, I’m home.”

Chu Chunliu waved and gestured for her to come over and sit on the sofa.

Chu Zhi Lu nodded.

Chu Chunliu then addressed Zhao Xunyu about the household situation. They didn’t farm; there was only a small vegetable patch in the village, which she tended herself without any help. They did grow a lot of fruit, though, and he would have to help pick it when it was ripe. As for the rest, he had to focus on self-reflection, self-cultivation, and self-control.

In short, he had to obey when instructed and remember to write a self-criticism essay every two weeks, and then he could do as he pleased.

How could Zhao Xunyu dare to say no?

“Be good and be obedient, read more books, and reflect more. Otherwise, you’ll end up in jail instead of this village. Even jokes should have limits. Do you joke about your elders? That’s called disrespect.”

Zhao Xunyu replied dejectedly, “Understood.”