Plunder-Chapter 312: Making Trouble

"Auntie."

Qiao En took the opportunity to hold onto Mrs. Jia’s arm.

"Do you want to know why Youyou is determined to be with Cheng Lu?"

She threw out a bait, her expression one of wanting to say more but hesitating.

Mrs. Jia certainly didn’t know.

Since she had learned that Cheng Lu had been in jail, she had crossed him off in her heart, and she didn’t want to know anything about him.

However, she hadn’t expected that Lin Youyou, who had always been obedient and gentle since childhood, would be as stubborn as a mule when it came to her marriage.

In this period, Mrs. Jia had reasoned with her and moved her emotionally, told Lin Youyou countless reasons, cried and scolded, but Lin Youyou hadn’t listened to a word.

The ancients said, "Know thyself, know thy enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles."

Mrs. Jia was a Chinese language teacher by profession. She looked at Qiao En skeptically, "Why?"

"Youyou didn’t tell you?"

Qiao En feigned surprise in her response.

Mrs. Jia looked confused and shook her head, "These past few days, I’ve been too upset to ask. Youyou isn’t the kind of person to be indiscriminate in her choices. I raised my daughter myself, I know her temperament. Why would she like someone who has been in jail?"

Mrs. Jia was deeply troubled, her brows knotted like earthworms.

Qiao En glanced toward the door, which was tightly closed. She pulled Mrs. Jia to sit down again in the sitting area.

"The thing about Cheng Lu being in jail, I only told you half of it, the other half involves Youyou’s privacy, so I can’t say. But you should be assured knowing that Cheng Lu did it to help Youyou."

"What exactly happened? You must tell me clearly today. Did something happen to Youyou? Is there something compromising in someone’s hands?"

Mrs. Jia’s imagination was indeed wild. A little hint from Qiao En, and she started to imagine things following Qiao En’s train of thought.

"Nearly, after all, Youyou is young and beautiful, just out of college, and oblivious to many things. The reason she can now work in Singapore, a good part of it is due to Cheng Lu. Therefore, they found their true feelings through adversity."

"Oh."

Mrs. Jia pondered for a moment.

"Okay, I understand now."

She suddenly got up and walked toward the bedroom. After a few minutes, she came out with a case from the bedroom.

Instead of walking towards Qiao En, she headed for the front door.

The door was tightly closed; she reached out, turned the doorknob, and Cheng Lu was waiting anxiously outside.

Seeing Mrs. Jia holding a case, Cheng Lu immediately called out respectfully, "Mom."

Mrs. Jia had a stern face, she did not respond.

"This is all the savings Youyou’s dad and I have accumulated over the years. The debt of gratitude Youyou owes you, we, as her parents, will repay it. Please understand our good intentions. We only have this one daughter, we must think about her future."

"As for the two kids, don’t worry. Her dad and I are still in good health, we can help take care of them."

After finishing her speech, Mrs. Jia opened the case, took out the house deed and passbooks, and tried to stuff them all into Cheng Lu’s hands.

Cheng Lu was stunned. He repeatedly backed away, waving his hands.

"I can’t accept this, I can’t."

Qiao En was shocked and quickly followed out.

"Auntie, what are you doing?"

Qiao En was astonished.

Mrs. Jia sighed heavily, "No matter how great the favor Youyou owes you, it cannot be repaid with her lifelong happiness. Cheng Lu, I know you are a good man, thank you for everything you’ve done for our Youyou. I’m sorry, our family cannot accept you. Please leave."

When Cheng Lu didn’t take the items, she returned them to the case and gently placed it on the ground.

She turned around and quickly went inside the house.

"Auntie."

Qiao En knocked on the door, but it remained tightly closed and wouldn’t open for them again.

Cheng Lu’s mood plunged into the abyss.

Qiao En had given him hope, but ultimately, he reaped double the disappointment.

"I’m sorry."

Qiao En sighed and said.

Cheng Lu’s eyes were full of sorrow, but he tried to be strong and shook his head, "You’ve already helped me a lot. It’s my mistake; it has nothing to do with you."

He placed the case by the door and then turned to leave.

Qiao En knocked on the door again, "Auntie, I’ve left the items at the doorstep. Don’t forget to bring them inside."

On the way back, both were silent.

Cheng Lu drove with tightly pursed lips, speeding along.

"Have you ever thought about telling them the truth?"

Qiao En tentatively asked.

"There’s no need. I’ve already regarded Beibei and Gege as my own sons."

He said decisively.

Midway through the drive, Lin Youyou called.

Her name flashed on Cheng Lu’s mobile screen, but Cheng Lu didn’t answer.

He didn’t answer, and Lin Youyou kept calling.

It seemed like the two were silently competing against each other.

Qiao En sat in the back seat, seeing everything clearly.

She sent a WeChat message to Lin Youyou.

"I’m with Cheng Lu, we’ll meet and talk later."

When the car arrived at Chu Garden, Cheng Lu was surprised to find that Lin Youyou was there.

"Young Madam, we’ve arrived, please get out of the car, I have another matter to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first."

Just as Qiao En opened the car door, he had already started the engine intending to leave.

Lin Youyou panicked, she sensed Cheng Lu’s thoughts and rushed in front of his car, blocking him with her arms spread wide.

"Youyou, move aside."

Cheng Lu rolled down the window and shouted at her loudly.

But she remained unmoved.

The night wind blew fiercely, tousling her messy hair and the tears in her eyes.

"Why won’t you answer my calls? Why don’t you reply to my messages? Cheng Lu, are you trying to run away?"

Lin Youyou asked bluntly.

Her slender figure appeared exceptionally frail in the wind.

Qiao En did not get close, some things needed the individuals involved to collide to have a resolution.

"Youyou, we are not suitable for each other."

Cheng Lu said painfully.

He honked the horn, signaling for Youyou to move aside.

But she didn’t.

"Have you forgotten how happy we were together these past few days? Is it really that important that my parents don’t agree? If it comes down to it, I, Lin Youyou, will just never marry and follow you without any formal acknowledgment, I’m willing to do that, are you scared?"

Lin Youyou broke down crying, she yelled at Cheng Lu with her voice strained.

He was conflicted and in pain.

"Youyou, let’s both calm down first."

"Calm down, huh? For how long?"

Lin Youyou wiped away her tears forcefully, trying to muster a strong facade.

Yet she stubbornly glared at Cheng Lu.

"Youyou, don’t be like this."

Cheng Lu was at a loss.

He had never dated a girl before, Youyou was his first girlfriend, and now that Lin Youyou was crying, his heart ached immensely.

"How long?"

Lin Youyou yelled.

"One week." Cheng Lu was frightened and blurted out instinctively.

"Fine, one week it is. During this week, I won’t call you, nor will I message you. After one week, we’ll meet and talk."

She made way for him, "You can go."

Cheng Lu gripped the steering wheel but sat frozen.

Clearly, Lin Youyou was much more resolute than he was, he was looking too far ahead, overthinking.

For a moment, he wanted to open the car door and embrace Lin Youyou.

To hell with dignity!

But, reason prevailed, and he managed to restrain himself.

The car roared away from Chu Garden.

Lin Youyou watched as Cheng Lu departed until his silhouette vanished into the night.

She could no longer hold back and burst into loud sobs.

Qiao En slowly walked over and placed a hand on Lin Youyou’s shoulder.

"Young Madam."

Lin Youyou cried on Qiao En’s shoulder, feeling extremely wronged.

Qiao En remained silent, merely patting Lin Youyou’s shoulder gently.

After a while, Lin Youyou’s emotions finally calmed down.

"Did you go to my parents’ house today?"

She asked.

Qiao En did not hide the truth, nodding, "Yes."

"My mom is a very stubborn and assertive person. Growing up, my good grades were her pride, and she flaunted them. Later, when I graduated and got into Nanchen, she was even prouder. Now, I want to marry a man who has been to jail, and she can’t accept it. But, it’s my marriage, what does it have to do with her?"

"Youyou, I can understand your parents’ concerns. They want what’s best for you, but their approach is wrong. Don’t be too saddened. Let Cheng Lu cool down first, then you two can discuss what to do next."

Lin Youyou had completely calmed down now, the familiar stubbornness reappeared on her face.

"I definitely won’t break up with Lu, no one can separate us unless I’m dead."

However, Mrs. Jia had begun causing trouble again.