Zhao Zeli walked out of the Kai Kai Hotel and drove back to Seventh High School, laughing heartily in the empty dormitory.
Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes as she struggled to compose herself. Her parents, always favoring sons over daughters, would view their son's preference for men as the ultimate act of defiance.
"My good little brother, you've finally done something that makes me happy. Zhong Yujin, Zhong Yujin, well done! Hahaha~"
Shui Wa: "This is a gift. I think Zhao Zeli will be overjoyed."
Jun Jiuli: "Neither of them is a good person, so they're a perfect match. I'm not doing this for Zhao Zeli; I just can't stand her parents."
...
Mother Zhao: "Old man, what are we going to do? Our Xiao Yu, that scoundrel, I don't think he can be turned back."
"I'll act as if I never raised him. We can always have another child."
"Don't say things like that in anger. We're too old to have another. What if we just listen to Xiao Yu and let Zhao Zeli have a child for him to raise in the future?"
"Are you crazy? That would still be someone else's child. I'm not going to be a sucker; I only raise my own Zhao family bloodline."
"But what choice do we have? Little Li's bloodline is close to ours too. If neither of us says anything, the child will still be filial to us in the future."
"You shut up! I'm going to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow. That unfilial son thinks I have no recourse; I'll have another child. If you don't want to give birth, I'll find someone else."
"Don't be like that. I'll cooperate. If that... thing is okay, I'll remove the IUD and have another child for you."
"That's more like it. If that little beast doesn't change his rotten habit, I won't give him a single cent. Let's see how long he can flaunt himself outside. In the end, won't he have to obediently follow my arrangements?"
"Mhm, mhm."
Meanwhile, at Kai Kai Hotel, Zhong Yujin and his companion didn't have enough money for a hospital examination.
Zhao Zeyu bought some anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medication for Zhong Yujin. The phone rang, and Zhong Yujin, enduring the pain, answered it.
Mother Zhong: "Son, when are you coming home?"
"Mom, I'm at my friend's place playing games with him. I won't be back tomorrow either."
"You child, you only have a day and a half of leave and you're still going to someone else's house. Your father is furious. You should come home tomorrow."
"Mom, you know Dad's temper. I don't want to go back; I'll get beaten if I do."
"Alright, Mom will cover for you, just this once. I'll transfer next week's allowance to you. Use it sparingly, and ask Mom if you need more."
"Understood, thanks Mom. I'll hang up now."
"Mhm, mhm, bye-bye son."
Zhao Zeyu put his arm around Zhong Yujin's waist. "Ge, when will you come out to my aunt and uncle? I'm so scared."
Although Zhao Zeyu's movement was gentle, it still hit Zhong Yujin's wound. He gasped in pain, gritting his teeth to keep from crying out.
Zhao Zeyu was startled and immediately let go, lowering his head guiltily. "I'm sorry, Yujin Ge. I didn't mean to. It's all my fault; otherwise, you wouldn't be hurt."
Zhong Yujin grabbed his hand. "It's all my fault. It's right for your aunt and uncle to hit me. I'll find time to tell my parents as soon as possible. I'll give you all my allowance this week. I'll get you another hotel; you can stay there after school."
"Mhm, mhm."
After speaking, Zhao Zeyu rested his head on Zhong Yujin's chest. Zhong Yujin patted his back and whispered comfortingly.
"Don't be scared, Xiao Yu. Everything will be alright."
...
The next day, Father Zhao took leave to go to the hospital for a check-up. The results came back quickly: his sperm motility was poor, and he could no longer father children.
After returning home, he silently drank an entire pot of wine. Mother Zhao, seeing his dejected state, knew the outcome and cautiously attended to him.
After finishing the wine, Father Zhao lay on the sofa, crying and cursing. After venting his frustration, he stood up and smashed many things in the living room.
Mother Zhao dared not incur his wrath, fearing she might be caught in the crossfire, and quietly hid in the bedroom, locking the door.
Only when the noise outside stopped did she emerge. Father Zhao was already drunk and unconscious, asleep in the middle of the messy living room.
Mother Zhao couldn't move Father Zhao by herself. She got a blanket from inside and covered him. After tidying up the room, she prepared to go grocery shopping.
As Mother Zhao went downstairs to throw out the trash, she coincidentally met Mother Zhong. She spat viciously at Mother Zhong and continued to curse as she walked away.
Mother Zhong found it inexplicable, but she didn't dare to provoke Mother Zhao and pretended not to hear.
When Father Zhao woke up, Mother Zhao had already cooked the meal. He got up himself, sat at the table, picked up his bowl, and started eating.
They ate in silence, the atmosphere in the house extremely tense. Father Zhao grew increasingly angry. He put down his bowl, rushed to the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and went to knock on the Zhong's door.
Seeing it was Father Zhao through the peephole, Father Zhong opened the door without any caution. Just as he was about to greet him, Father Zhao struck him with the cleaver.
Father Zhong immediately reacted, blocking with his hands. Father Zhao, fearing being seen by others, pushed Father Zhong into their home with force.
Blood soaked Father Zhong's shirt, and a small amount splattered on the wall. Father Zhong cried out in panic, and Mother Zhong rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
She grabbed a drying pole and rushed towards them. "Old Zhao, let's talk about this calmly. What you're doing is illegal; I'm calling the police."
Trapped outside, Mother Zhao was frantic. She dared not knock to make noise, nor did she dare to call the police.
"Go ahead and call the police. We'll both be disgraced. Do you think I'm afraid of you? I'm about to have no heir; I'll drag you two to hell with me!"
His words stunned Father and Mother Zhong. "Old Zhao, calm down. Let's talk about whatever it is."
As Father Zhong spoke, he backed away. Father Zhao noticed his movement and immediately swung the cleaver towards his face. Father Zhong dodged quickly and accidentally fell to the ground.
He was terrified, constantly uttering appeasing words, and crawling backward.
Seizing the opportunity while Father Zhao's attention was focused on Father Zhong, Mother Zhong rushed over and knocked the cleaver out of Father Zhao's hand with the drying pole.
Father Zhong seized the moment, lunging forward and pinning Father Zhao to the ground. They struggled fiercely on the floor.
Mother Zhong found an opportune moment to strike a disabling blow. Within moments, Father Zhao was subdued by the couple.
Seeing that Father Zhao was bound and could no longer cause trouble, the couple finally breathed a sigh of relief and let Mother Zhao, who was waiting outside, come in.
Seeing the situation, Mother Zhao dared not move rashly and sat obediently on the sofa. Mother Zhong remembered the day's events and her temper flared. With her husband by her side, she walked over and slapped Mother Zhao twice.
"Are you and your husband both insane? We've been neighbors for so many years, and I don't think I've offended you."
With a surge of strength, Mother Zhao pushed Mother Zhong onto her and cried out, "Your son is sick! He ruined my Xiao Yu. He's the only heir we have. How are your parents and I supposed to live?"
Father Zhong pulled her away. "Tell us what's going on clearly. What's the use of hitting people now?"
Mother Zhao no longer dared to act rashly and recounted the events truthfully.