Chapter 42: Driven Out of the House

“Well… but we can’t just let this man get carried away!” The person Liu Hong referred to, of course, was Jiang Hao.

Madam Zhao sighed again and turned to look at Jiang Hao, speaking earnestly, “Mr. Jiang, what will it take for you to help us? Whatever conditions you have, just say the word. As long as my Zhao family can manage it, we won’t be stingy!”

Yet Jiang Hao remained silent, as if he hadn’t heard Madam Zhao at all.

“Say something! At a time like this, why pretend to be so mysterious?” Liu Hong shouted furiously.

It was then that someone rushed in from outside—who could it be but Zhao Ziyun!

As soon as Zhao Ziyun entered, he greeted everyone with a bright smile, “Is Mr. Jiang here already? I’m so sorry, Mr. Jiang. I was delayed in a business meeting with a client. If I’ve neglected you, please forgive me.”

But before he could finish, Zhao Ziyun froze in place.

He wasn’t blind—how could he not notice the chaos in the room?

“What’s going on here?” Zhao Ziyun asked in shock.

Madam Zhao glanced at Liu Hong, then recounted everything that had just happened to Zhao Ziyun in detail.

Once he understood the whole story, Zhao Ziyun’s face darkened with anger, his fists clenching tightly.

He suddenly turned and strode over to Liu Hong.

“Ziyun, this Jiang Hao has gone too far! Just because he’s the doctor you invited, he’s been nothing but rude to me and even struck your family’s bodyguard! If it weren’t for your mother’s presence, who knows how arrogant he’d become! Ziyun, how could a man like that be a doctor, or possibly cure your father? You’ve been deceived by him!” Liu Hong finished with a triumphant glance at Jiang Hao.

In her mind, now that her fiancé Zhao Ziyun had arrived, Jiang Hao would surely rein in his arrogance.

But in the next instant, a resounding slap landed hard across her face.

The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the entire room.

Liu Hong staggered backward from the force of Zhao Ziyun’s blow, finally collapsing onto the floor with a thud.

“Liu Hong, do you really think you’re the lady of this house, daring to be so disrespectful to the doctor I invited? We’re not even married yet! This house belongs to the Zhao family, not the Liu family!” Zhao Ziyun thundered, pointing an accusatory finger at her, his rage like that of a lion driven mad.

Liu Hong was stunned by the slap, cradling her cheek and staring blankly at him, unable to recover for a long time.

Zhao Ziyun continued his tirade, “Liu Hong, today I finally see your true nature! Get out—get out of this house, out of the Zhao family! We’re finished. I, Zhao Ziyun, would sooner marry a sow than bring a troublemaker like you into my home!”

He jabbed a finger toward the door, shouting.

Liu Hong was dazed for a moment, then burst into loud, wailing sobs.

She looked for all the world like a spoiled child who, denied a sweet, was throwing a tantrum.

Seeing this, Madam Zhao hurried over to smooth things over, “Ziyun, don’t be so angry. Now isn’t the time for this. Besides, Liu Hong, though she was wrong, was only thinking of your father’s wellbeing.”

“That’s what infuriates me the most! She knows nothing, understands nothing, and yet insists on meddling, thinking she’s helping. In the end, her good intentions only make things worse, and then she acts like the world has wronged her. But did I ever ask her for help?” Zhao Ziyun snapped, glaring at Liu Hong with utter fury.

“But you can’t just break off the engagement in a fit of anger. After all, you’ve been together for over two years,” Madam Zhao said awkwardly.

“It wasn’t me who wanted this two-year relationship—it was you who arranged it. Mother, if not for your sake, do you think I’d ever date a woman who’s all looks and no brains? I, Zhao Ziyun, am not some shallow womanizer!” With that, he strode over, seized Liu Hong by the collar, and hauled her up from the floor.

“Ziyun, I was wrong, please don’t throw me out… I know I was wrong, I’ll never do it again… I’ll even apologize to Mr. Jiang, isn’t that enough…” Liu Hong sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

But Zhao Ziyun was unmoved, barking, “Guards! Get this woman out of here!”

At his shout, a group of Zhao family bodyguards rushed in.

But when they saw the person Zhao Ziyun wanted removed was none other than Liu Hong, they all looked bewildered.

“You want us to throw out the young mistress?” one guard asked, completely at a loss.

“She is not the young mistress of the Zhao family! We’re not married, and I will never marry her!” Zhao Ziyun was nearly beside himself with rage. He hadn’t realized that, in these two years, Liu Hong had managed to win over the whole household; everyone treated her as the mistress of the house, even though she’d never officially entered the family!

“But…” The bodyguards hesitated, unsure.

“Who is the master of the Zhao family—me or her? Are you here to obey me or her?” Zhao Ziyun roared.

“Yes, sir! Right away!” The guards dared not delay further. They rushed over, seized Liu Hong, and began dragging her out.

All the while, Liu Hong continued her wailing.

“Ziyun, just forgive me this once, I know I was wrong… I’ll change, I promise… Please, don’t throw me out…”

But it was too late for words—she was hauled out by the guards, and Zhao Ziyun strode over to slam the door shut with a bang.

With the door closed, her cries were cut off, and peace finally returned to the room.

Regaining his composure, Zhao Ziyun approached Jiang Hao and bowed deeply.

“I’m truly sorry, Mr. Jiang. I never anticipated this. It was my negligence.”

Jiang Hao nodded in satisfaction and smiled, “There’s no need for such formality, Mr. Zhao. I was simply frustrated by her repeated provocations. Now that you’re here, I will give my utmost to treat your father.”

“That’s wonderful! Please, Mr. Jiang, help my father at once!” Zhao Ziyun urged anxiously.

How could he not be anxious? His father, Zhao Shibo, was still trembling on the bed, looking as if he could breathe his last at any moment.

If he, as a son, wasn’t worried now, he would be utterly lacking in filial piety!