RYEY – Chapter 118 Everyone Comes Looking for Cheng Qiao

“Who are you? Who are you looking for?”

“Is this Cheng Qiao’s home?”

“How do you know Cheng Qiao? What’s your relationship with her?”

The handsome middle-aged man pulled out a household registration booklet from his pocket and handed it to Li Huan. Li Huan took it suspiciously, opened it, and the moment he saw a certain name, his eyes shrank.

“Quick, come in. Mom, close the door!”

Cheng Qiao stood at the parlor doorway, her eyes fixed tightly on the man walking in. This face… it looked somewhat familiar. Where had she seen it before?

“Qiao, look at this.”

Li Huan handed her the booklet. Cheng Qiao opened it, and with just one glance, her breathing grew heavy.

On the first page of the household registration was a name extremely familiar to her—Zhao Chen. On the second page, Lin Qing. On the third, Zhao Hui. On the fourth, Zhao Min. But on Zhao Min’s page, the last line read: household registration moved out.

She flipped further—Qin Yue, with husband listed as Zhao Hui. Next page, Zhao Qiming. Last page, Zhao Qijun.

“You’re my uncle.”

“I’m sorry, Cheng Qiao. After your mother married Cheng Liguo, your grandfather announced that the Zhao family had severed ties with Zhao Min. Although I secretly came to see you and your mother, it was too inconvenient traveling from the capital to Huizhou.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. Her mother had often told her about her maternal family, especially about how her grandfather had unilaterally announced cutting ties with her. Though it broke her mother’s heart, she never regretted her choice.

Back then, the Zhao family had strongly opposed Zhao Min marrying Cheng Liguo. The only reason—because he was a soldier. Being a soldier’s wife meant shouldering responsibilities far heavier than ordinary people.

But the usually obedient Zhao Min defied her parents’ will. She secretly married Cheng Liguo, and only when she was pregnant with Cheng Qiao did she return home to inform them.

Unfortunately, Cheng Qiao’s grandmother, Lin Qing, was angered to death over this matter. Because of it, her grandfather Zhao Chen decided to sever his relationship with Zhao Min.

They never expected that Cheng Liguo would later be injured and retire from the army, while Zhao Min, worn out with exhaustion, would pass away from illness. Though Zhao Chen had declared estrangement, when he received news of his daughter’s death, he cried until he nearly fainted.

Because of this, Cheng Qiao had never once met her mother’s family. Perhaps she had seen her uncle when very little, but she had no memory of it.

“Uncle, why are you here this time…”

Cheng Qiao didn’t hesitate and asked directly. Zhao Hui’s eyes reddened. Looking at Li Huan, Mother Li, and little Li Le, he didn’t know how to start.

“Mom, this is my uncle. We haven’t seen each other in years, and we have a lot to talk about. I’ll take him back to my room.”

Mother Li nodded repeatedly. Since her daughter-in-law’s family had come, of course they must be treated well. She’d have to cook a few extra dishes. And today, Li Huan had even received an award—perfect reason to celebrate!

Zhao Hui awkwardly bowed to Mother Li. He knew his current identity wasn’t exactly appropriate for coming here, but seeing Cheng Qiao’s abilities gave him a plan.

Li Huan followed them too. He wasn’t sure why this uncle had come, but as long as it didn’t hurt his wife, everything could be discussed. If it did—well, the man could get lost.

“Cheng Qiao, I once saw you in the county town. You followed that leader to your doorstep, then suddenly disappeared, and then appeared again. That’s when I started investigating you.”

Cheng Qiao recalled that day, tailing the man with the fleshy face, when she’d hidden in panic as Chen Chunhua glanced her way. So someone had seen her after all.

“Uncle, you—”

“Don’t worry, Cheng Qiao. I swear I won’t tell anyone—not my father, not my children, not even my wife. I’m here for revenge. I want to kill the man who gave the speech today.”

Cheng Qiao nodded slightly, motioning him to continue.

Zhao Hui explained: this man had abused his power to have Zhao family members taken away, and they had never returned. He had pursued him here solely to take revenge.

Cheng Qiao sighed and told him about how her own father had also been implicated. Zhao Hui was so shocked his eyes bulged.

Suddenly, he understood—the real enemy wasn’t this former colleague. That man was merely a gun in someone else’s hands. If exposed, he would simply be discarded.

Who was it? Who was behind this, targeting the Zhao family?

Cheng Qiao shrugged. She wanted to know too.

“Uncle, where are you staying now?”

“I found a guesthouse in the county. Temporary lodging, convenient for my movements.”

“Then how did you find me?”

“Because you suddenly vanished and reappeared, it drew my attention. Once I saw your name and file, I knew you were my niece. Don’t you realize you look so much like your mother?”

Li Huan, listening on the side, suddenly felt enlightened. No wonder this man’s face looked familiar—it was because he resembled Qiao’s late mother, just as Qiao herself did.

“So what’s uncle planning to do?”

“I have a plan. Since you can disappear instantly, you must have ways to protect yourself. I want you to approach that man, lure him to a certain place, and I’ll be waiting there.”

Li Huan immediately bristled. Using his wife as bait? Even if he was her uncle, why should Qiao risk herself?

Zhao Hui shook his head. He explained that the man was extremely lecherous—if he saw Cheng Qiao, she would suffer sooner or later anyway. So why not strike first?

Li Huan fell silent. Just earlier, he had seen how the fleshy-faced man looked at Qiao, his gaze so naked and obscene it made him want to gouge out his eyes. But the man held high office—Li Huan had no way to deal with him.

“What’s your plan?”

“I have one. Listen carefully…”

“Li Huan, Cheng Qiao! The village head is here—and that leader who gave the speech today has come too!”

From the doorway came Mother Li’s excited voice. The three of them stiffened.

Cheng Qiao, after a brief hesitation, nodded firmly. She stood up, straightened her clothes, and pulled Li Huan out with her.

In the old house parlor, the fleshy-faced man sat at the dining table, staring at a plate of scrambled eggs with disdain. Such a pretty young woman, living in this shabby house and eating such poor food—what a waste.

But in a way, it was good. All he needed was to dangle good food and drink, fine clothes, and glittering gold rings, necklaces, and bangles. Then she would surely fall into his hands.

Footsteps approached the doorway. The fleshy-faced man looked up, and his eyes narrowed.

In the midday sun, Cheng Qiao walked in, her delicate skin shining with a crystal-like glow.

The man couldn’t help but swallow a mouthful of saliva, his fingers twitching uncontrollably.

Chen Weidang, thinking the leader was happy to see Li Huan, quickly stood up as well, extending both hands toward him.