The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 231 - 230: What Was the Original Intention for Coming to Beijing City?
’Of course. What else would you expect from a Foreign Language University student? Just listen to him—already painting himself as some righteous, honorable man, completely omitting the fact that he beat Xue Yue this morning.’
This wasn’t the first time He Lang had seen someone twist the truth, but it was rare to encounter someone so sanctimonious and mindlessly self-assured.
He Lang looked down and began to roll up his sleeves, then slowly walked toward Niu Hongjun.
At the sight, Niu Hongjun took two steps back, gulping audibly.
As He Lang drew near, he even reached out a hand to stop him.
"Uh—Bro, let’s talk this out."
But He Lang grabbed the outstretched hand. With a sharp twist and a sickening CRACK, the man’s entire hand went limp.
Niu Hongjun let out a horrific scream that was utterly terrifying to hear.
Li Lanying’s eyes flew wide, as if she were witnessing the impossible.
He Lang grabbed Niu Hongjun by the neck with one hand and, with his other fist, began to relentlessly pound his face.
Despite his size, Niu Hongjun was utterly powerless against He Lang.
He Lang’s expression was indifferent, like a machine, as he continued to pummel him without stopping.
Li Lanying was frozen in terror. After what felt like an eternity, she saw Niu Hongjun lying motionless on the ground, his face a bloody mess, and she couldn’t tell if he was unconscious or dead.
"Murder! Help, murder!"
Only then did Li Lanying start to shriek.
The two children had been crying the entire time, their voices already growing hoarse.
He Lang’s knuckles were covered in blood. He grabbed a handful of Niu Hongjun’s shirt to wipe his hands, but his gaze fell on Niu Hongjun’s other hand. For some reason, the sight of it still bothered him.
He grabbed that hand and, with a twist, produced another sharp CRACK. Though Niu Hongjun was unconscious, his brow twitched and his entire body convulsed.
Only then did He Lang stand up. He glanced at the two children in the yard.
When Li Lanying saw He Lang look toward the children, she stumbled over to shield them with her body, trembling all over as she stared at him in terror.
He Lang looked at Li Lanying, his eyes filled with warning and threat, then turned and walked away.
As she watched He Lang leave the yard, Li Lanying’s legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground. She turned to look at the unconscious Niu Hongjun, her expression complex.
Meanwhile, He Lang returned to an empty house. Xue Yue was still at the hospital, as the doctor had recommended she stay overnight for observation.
He Lang went into the bathroom, showered, and changed his clothes. There was a mirror just outside the bathroom.
He Lang stood before the mirror, looking at his reflection. His hair was soaked, water still dripping from the ends.
He stared at himself, recalling what Xue Xingzhou had said to him that day. He thought about his original reason for coming to Beijing City; back then, he had only wanted to never leave Xue Yue. He would follow her wherever she went so their family could be together. At best, he had hoped to do a little business, earn some modest money, and support his family.
’When did I stop being content with what I had? I went from selling clothes at a street stall to buying a storefront for a boutique, and now I’m buying land to build a tower for a supermarket. Once the supermarket is up and running, how long before I’m dissatisfied again?’
He Lang started to wonder: when was the last time he and Xue Yue had a real, private talk? How long had it been since he’d played with their two children?
He Lang stood transfixed before the mirror for a long time, until a layer of steam fogged the glass, obscuring his reflection.
He Lang reached out to wipe the fog from the mirror, then grabbed a nearby towel and began to dry his hair.
He went into their room to grab a change of clothes for Xue Yue before leaving the house. On the way, he stopped to buy food and then headed to the hospital.
When Xue Yue saw him return unharmed, she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
After they had eaten, He Lang sent everyone else home.
Mrs. He looked at He Lang. "He Lang, why don’t you two go home? I can stay here and watch over her. You have to be at the construction site tomorrow."
He Lang said, "Mom, you should take the children home. I’ll stay. I’m not going to the site tomorrow."
Mrs. He looked like she wanted to ask something more, but when she saw Xue Yue’s brother standing in the doorway and giving them a pointed look, she held her tongue. Then she took the children and left.
Xue Xingzhou said to Xue Yue, "Focus on getting better. Don’t try to get out of bed yet. I’ll be back tomorrow."
"I’m getting discharged tomorrow, so you don’t have to come."
"I’ll come get you," Xue Xingzhou said, then left.
Xue Yue felt that her brother’s mood seemed a little off. She glanced at He Lang and thought he was acting strangely as well.
Only He Lang and Xue Yue were left in the hospital room.
He Lang asked her, "Do you need to use the restroom?"
Xue Yue nodded. She had actually needed to go before they ate, but she’d been too embarrassed to say anything with so many people in the room.
He Lang pulled back the blanket, scooped Xue Yue up into his arms, and headed for the bathroom.
She patted his arm. "You don’t have to carry me. I’m just a little dizzy, it’s not like I can’t walk. You can just support me."
He Lang didn’t say a word, simply carrying her into the bathroom and setting her down before he began to pull down her pants.
Before Xue Yue could even react, she felt a cool breeze below.
Her face instantly flushed crimson. "Hey! You can leave, I’ll do it myself."
He Lang looked at her beet-red face and chuckled.
"Call me when you’re finished. I’ll come in and help you with your pants."
Then he stepped out of the bathroom. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Xue Yue finished, but before she could call for him, He Lang pushed the door open and came back inside.
Xue Yue pouted. "I didn’t call you yet."
He Lang said nonchalantly, "I heard you finish."
As he spoke, he helped Xue Yue to her feet and pulled her pants up for her.
It finally dawned on her, and another blush crept up her face. She stared at He Lang in disbelief. "How could you listen to me in the bathroom? Are you some kind of pervert?"
He Lang picked her up and chuckled softly. "You’re my wife. What is there I haven’t seen? Does listening to you use the bathroom really make me a pervert?"
Xue Yue was left speechless by his shamelessness and just huffed.
He Lang looked at her. "Still bothered? How about I return the favor sometime?"
"Ugh, how can you be like that? I’m not talking to you anymore." She shyly buried her face in his chest.
She heard his low chuckle next to her ear.
He placed Xue Yue back on the bed, covered her with the blanket, and sat down on the edge.
Xue Yue looked at him, and their eyes met and held.
Xue Yue asked him, "I feel like something’s off between you and my brother. Did he scold you?"
He Lang shook his head. "No. I was just thinking... I’m so busy all the time, with no time to spend with you and the kids. I was wondering if you resent me for it."
Xue Yue thought for a moment, then shook her head. "You’re working hard to give us a better life. I don’t resent you for it. Besides, I have my own things to keep me busy."
He Lang took her hand. Looking at her, he felt his heart soften, but then his eyes fell on the gauze wrapped around her head, and a fresh wave of anguish washed over him.
"Does your head still hurt?"
Xue Yue started to shake her head, but remembering the dizziness, she stopped and said, "It doesn’t hurt anymore, just a little dizzy."
"You must have been terrified today."
Thinking back, she felt a wave of residual fear. "Yeah. It’s a good thing Mom came running out when she did."
’Niu Hongjun was completely unhinged. If Xue Yue had passed out, there’s no telling what he might have done.’
He Lang buried his face in her hand and remained still for a long time.
