Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Seeing Through the Trap
"I told you there was a trap."
"Even if there was a trap, it was my fault, right? It was me throwing myself into it. I failed to carry out the task he gave me today. So, what should I do now?" Zhang Cuihua asked nervously.
At this time, Liu Zheng pressed down on Zhang Cuihua’s shoulders.
"You must explain everything to me today. Only then will I be able to figure out a way to help you."
Zhang Cuihua was also tense since she hadn’t completed her task today. If she returned home without it done, not only would she not get any money, but her father-in-law, Liu Baishun, was likely to beat her as well.
Fear flooded Zhang Cuihua’s heart as she remembered the various abuses her father-in-law had inflicted on her.
Her face, which had just relaxed in comfort, was now stricken with panic.
Seeing her state, Liu Zheng hurriedly urged, "Come on, spill it. If you don’t, and your father-in-law does show up, you’ll find yourself beyond explanation."
"Ugh, Liu Zheng, let me tell you, it’s just as you think. He wanted me to seduce you, then he would break in and catch you in the act. He also wanted me to falsely accuse you of raping me."
"Hmm, this Liu Baishun, if he can’t get you in the open, he plays dirty. Looks like he’s still wary of me."
"Ah, wary of you? I’d say he hates you quite a bit."
"He does hate me, but he’s also wary. Otherwise, he would have come here himself to give me a thrashing.
But he didn’t. Instead, he’s using you, which proves he doesn’t have any good cards to play anymore. So now I have a good solution. You just lie down on the bed."
"What, again? Aren’t you afraid of getting caught this time?"
Liu Zheng quickly waved his hand dismissively and then confidently said, "Fear? Absolutely not. Don’t worry, though, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m going to treat you. Didn’t your father-in-law call you several times just now?"
Seeing three missed calls on her phone, each with a very short interval between them, Zhang Cuihua realized that Liu Baishun was also becoming impatient. He could show up at any time, but for now, there was still room for maneuver.
Liu Zheng urged, "Quick, lie down. I reckon your father-in-law will be here any minute. You predicted this, keeping your ’clairvoyance’ in reserve. You’re really something, no wonder you’re from the city."
"This has nothing to do with being from the city or not. Hurry up and lie down," she retorted.
Just as Zhang Cuihua hesitated, the door suddenly thudded loudly, causing her to shiver in fright. Liu Zheng gave her a meaningful glance and said, "Aren’t you going to go?"
Zhang Cuihua had no choice but to follow Liu Zheng’s instructions.
She now lay on the treatment bed while Liu Zheng quickly straightened his clothes, appearing not the least bit flustered, instead walking over calmly.
Then he opened the door, and there stood Liu Baishun facing him.
At this moment, Liu Baishun wasn’t looking at Liu Zheng but kept peeking inside.
Liu Zheng pretended to be clueless and asked, "Uncle Liu Baishun, what are you up to?"
"What am I up to? What the hell have you been doing? You think I don’t know?"
With that, Liu Baishun waved his hand towards him, and suddenly a whole bunch of Liu family members were standing behind him. However, they didn’t seem to bring any weapons; they just followed behind Liu Baishun, with some younger ones rubbing their hands eagerly.
Liu Zheng thought, just as Zhang Cuihua said, these guys were here to cause trouble. Fortunately, he was prepared and showed no signs of being caught off guard. He retorted with a question.
"Why did you bring so many people over? Have you guys strained your backs working the fields today? Coming over for a group massage session at my place?"
"What? Liu Zheng, are you trying to destroy the unity of our family?"
"Ah, what are you joking about? How can I destroy your family’s unity? You’re the village head in our village, and nobody dares to mess with you here."
"Stop pretending, you’re not fooling me. Is it my daughter-in-law you’re after?"
"Your daughter-in-law, oh, Zhang Cuihua, right?"
"Well, well, you’ve started to play dumb now? Tell me you don’t know Zhang Cuihua."
"Of course, I know her. I’ve only met her once before and didn’t talk much, just said hello. After all, she’s your daughter-in-law and also from our village. Isn’t it normal to greet each other? I never said I didn’t recognize her, she’s inside right now, so what?"
"Hmph, inside is she? Well, let’s go in and see if she’s really there."
Liu Zheng didn’t stop him but instead gestured with his hand and said, "Come on in, please."
At that moment, Liu Baishun glared at Liu Zheng, and then rushed in with a dozen people. They had come with impure intentions, so they were in a hurry to get inside.
After all, they wanted to catch them in the act.
Liu Zheng had already proven that there was nothing illicit going on between them, but Liu Baishun knew what Zhang Cuihua was like. If she didn’t answer the phone, that proved she must be guilty; since she hadn’t gone shopping, she must have been up to something with Liu Zheng. And when Zhang Baishun pushed the door open,
right then, Zhang Cuihua was lying on the bed asleep. At this point, Liu Baishun hurriedly woke Zhang Cuihua and said, "Get up quickly, don’t embarrass yourself here."
"Ah, what do you mean? How is this embarrassing myself?"
Zhang Cuihua rubbed her eyes, then sat up.
But they hadn’t caught them red-handed, which really irritated Liu Baishun. Now, Liu Baishun wanted to pin the crime of assault on Liu Zheng,
and he shouted outside, "Liu Zheng, come here."
Liu Zheng strolled in confidently, knowing this was his home turf and he had nothing to be afraid of.
"What’s the matter, Uncle Liu? Why are you so angry? I even cured your illness today, and this is how you repay me.
Oh right, right, right, bringing so many people must be to thank me. But no worries, next time you have back pain, I can still help treat your daughter-in-law’s stomachache. I just pressed it for her, and you can see she’s fine now."
Liu Baishun was hit in a sore spot and felt a bit embarrassed, glancing at his own clansmen beside him.
In fact, the people of his clan also knew about the situation between Liu Baishun and his daughter-in-law; they just hadn’t spoken of it.
And upon hearing what Liu Zheng said, a grandson of the clan couldn’t help but snicker, which Liu Baishun saw and glared at the guy.
The grandson immediately tensed up, glaring at Liu Zheng with anger.
Liu Baishun quickly made eye contact with his daughter-in-law, feeling that she should still be on his side at this point.
But little did he know, his daughter-in-law had already been won over by Liu Zheng.
Now, Zhang Cuihua was counting on Liu Zheng for her future happiness.
If Liu Zheng were truly framed, she wouldn’t have any chance to experience that joy in the future.
