Sun Zhewen was stunned. The news left him in awe. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Those two brothers really are good buddies, having been through thick and thin together. Alright, but I think it might be difficult. After all, they won't leave evidence of what they've done out in the open, and Li Zhiyan wouldn't bring it home."
Chen Qingyan's eyes became even more resolute. She clenched her fists tightly, her voice filled with determination. "Zhewen, I can only rely on you now. I hate Liu Qunqi, and you hate him too, right? I think we should do something! I know some of his background, but there's no evidence. What they've done is more than just bribery and corruption; there's more to it. Replacing you was just a small incident. So Zhewen, can you help me?"
Looking at Chen Qingyan's eyes, filled with both pleading and determination, Sun Zhewen felt a pang of emotion. He took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll do my best."
A hint of gratitude flashed in Chen Qingyan's eyes, but it was overshadowed by a deep sense of helplessness and pain. She sighed softly, as if collecting her thoughts, and then slowly began, "Zhewen, do you want to know why I ended up with him?"
Before Sun Zhewen could answer, Chen Qingyan was already lost in memories. "I graduated from Hundred Universities Chinese. I passed the civil service exam and was assigned to the county government office. He was the county magistrate back then. I was so naive; seeing a county magistrate caring for me, helping me quickly get familiar with the work, I really treated him like an elder."
Her voice carried a hint of mockery, as if she was laughing at her own past naivety. Sun Zhewen listened quietly, his heart filled with anger and pain for her.
"One day, his wife went back to her parents' home, and he invited me to his house for dinner. I even went there with a gift, and I didn't expect him to drug me." Chen Qingyan's voice trembled slightly, but she still tried to stay calm. "When I woke up, I swore I would report him, but he knelt down and begged me not to, saying he loved me, that he wanted to marry me. I refused, and he threatened me, saying that if I didn't agree, my family wouldn't be able to live in Jiang City."
Sun Zhewen clenched his fists tightly, feeling the fire of anger burning within him, but he knew this wasn't the time to lose his temper. He had to stay calm, he had to make Chen Qingyan feel safe.
"I didn't report him, but he called people to bring my parents to the county and forced them to agree to our marriage. My parents are just farmers, they've never even met a township head. When the county head brought the police to find them, they were terrified. Given his promises to be good to my family, they ultimately had no choice but to agree."
Chen Qingyan's eyes darkened further, and her voice dropped. "And to divorce his wife, he brutally sent her to a mental hospital. That poor woman, she never understood why her husband, who always seemed so caring, would do that to her. Her son still doesn't know his mother is in a mental hospital."
Sun Zhewen felt a chill run through him. He had never imagined there could be such a cold and heartless person in the world. He looked at Chen Qingyan, his heart filled with pity and rage.
"Zhewen, do you understand why I can't get a divorce now?" Chen Qingyan's voice was filled with a sense of weariness and despair. "Soon after he married me, I found out he had other women. He only married me for appearances. He even has illegitimate children. But in Jiang City county, he's the law. I want revenge, but I can't do anything. Sob, sob."
Sun Zhewen gently patted Chen Qingyan's shoulder, trying to comfort her. "Qingyan, don't cry. I'll help you, okay? I'll help you no matter what."
Chen Qingyan hugged Sun Zhewen and sobbed, "Zhewen, why did I have to come back that year? Why did I have to meet him?"
Sun Zhewen patted her back gently, trying to calm her down. "There, there, don't cry. Let's think of a way. I think we should start with Li Zhiyan. I want to know if she's there willingly or if she was forced to become a plaything for them, or even more men."
Chen Qingyan sniffled and raised her head, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Zhewen, you're so smart. You found a clue so quickly."
Sun Zhewen gently patted her shoulder and said with a smile, "Qingyan, let's go back."
Chen Qingyan stubbornly shook her head, a glint of cunning flashing in her eyes. "No, why would we go back? We're going to get a room too."
Sun Zhewen was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Qingyan, what's going on in that head of yours! But, alright, since you say so, let's go."
The two of them entered the hotel as well. Chen Qingyan was unusually wild, as if trying to cast all her worries aside. As the sky darkened, they finally woke up from a nap. They hadn't eaten lunch or dinner, and were both a little hungry.
Chen Qingyan lazily stretched, hugging Sun Zhewen and saying, "Zhewen, it's so good to have you."
Sun Zhewen smiled and ruffled her hair. "Qingyan, get up, let's go downstairs and find somewhere to eat."
Chen Qingyan pouted, acting spoiled. "I really don't want to be separated from you."
Sun Zhewen smiled helplessly. "Me neither."
Chen Qingyan suddenly became serious, a hint of apprehension in her eyes. "Zhewen, do you think we'll have a future?"
Sun Zhewen was taken aback, a flicker of hesitation crossing his mind, but he still replied firmly, "We will, definitely."
Chen Qingyan, tears welling in her eyes, caressed Sun Zhewen's face, her voice trembling. "Zhewen, if I die one day, I only ask that you visit my grave every year."
Sun Zhewen's hand tightened, a touch of reproach in his eyes. "Qingyan, don't talk nonsense. We'll be fine."
Chen Qingyan blinked, then suddenly laughed. "Zhewen, I was just joking! Look at you, you're all sweaty from being so nervous."
Sun Zhewen breathed a sigh of relief, shaking his head and laughing. "You, you really scared me."
The two looked at each other and smiled, as if all their worries had vanished in the laughter. Chen Qingyan suddenly stood up, pulling Sun Zhewen's hand. "Let's go, Zhewen, let's go eat. I want a feast!"
Returning to Jiang City, the night had fallen. The dim light of the street lamps cast a faint glow on the wet ground, making it seem a bit desolate. Sun Zhewen slowly parked the car near the community, turned off the engine, and took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart. Chen Qingyan still wouldn't let him go, playfully demanding a kiss, which made him feel a little helpless and amused.
"Alright, alright, stop it. I have to go back," Sun Zhewen said, gently patting Chen Qingyan's shoulder, trying to hide his nervousness.
"Hmph, how boring," Chen Qingyan pouted and finally let him get out of the car.