Chapter 187: Forget It

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Forget It

Su Wan and Second Sister-in-law Su were exhausted. After getting the news, Second Brother Su, Mother Su, and Father Su had joined the search as well.

The search lasted until past six in the morning. Su Wan didn’t even know if Lu Zhengchuan had returned home that night. If he had, he would have likely gotten the news upon discovering the family wasn’t home.

"Wanwan, it’s morning. If we still can’t find her, we’ll have to go to the police station and file a report," Second Brother Su said with a frown.

Su Wan, her face etched with fatigue, said, "Yes. Everyone, let’s head home for breakfast first. We’re all too tired. Let’s take today to rest."

"Second Brother, I’ll trouble you to go buy some breakfast," Su Wan said, pulling out some money and handing it to Second Brother Su.

Second Brother Su knew her temperament, so he didn’t refuse. He took the money and went to buy breakfast.

Everyone, including Mrs. Zhao, sat resting in the courtyard, waiting for breakfast to arrive.

Mrs. Zhao wasn’t happy about it, but she had no choice. Zhang Qiao was out helping with the search on a bicycle she had borrowed, and she didn’t dare let that bicycle out of her sight. What if it got swapped?

Su Wan first went to her room to check on her two children.

She stroked her two children, who were sleeping soundly, and was careful not to disturb them. Then, she turned to look at the bed.

The quilt on the bed was tidy, and the sheets were completely smooth, without a single wrinkle. It was just as she had left it.

Lu Zhengchuan hadn’t come home last night.

For a moment, Su Wan didn’t know whether to call it a coincidence.

If Lu Zhengchuan had returned, there would have been someone to take charge. But as it was, she had no idea where Zhang Yun went. If something had really happened, it would be a disaster.

Second Brother Su returned with breakfast: eggs, soy milk, fried dough sticks, and meat pastries.

Mrs. Zhao’s eyes landed on the spread. It must have cost at least a few dollars, and she couldn’t hide the jealousy in her eyes.

She had always known the Su family was well-off, but seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely.

’It would have been so much better if Xiangxiang had married Su Jue.’

As this thought crossed her mind, Mrs. Zhao grabbed two large meat buns and glanced furtively at Mother Su, asking tentatively, "Sister Su, has your third son come back from abroad yet?"

"He’s so exceptional; he’d have no shortage of work if he developed his career here at home. You barely see him all year with him being so far abroad. Why don’t you call him back?"

"Call him back so your daughter can ruin him?" Mother Su retorted, looking up with a sharp tongue.

Mrs. Zhao’s expression turned ugly. "What do you mean, ’ruin him’? Your son is a grown man. Do you think my daughter can force him to do something against his will?"

"Hmph, that’s not for certain. It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman; it all comes down to who’s more shameless," Mother Su scoffed.

Mrs. Zhao clenched her fists in anger. "Sister Su, if you don’t approve of their marriage, then so be it. I’m not forcing your son to marry my daughter. There’s no need to be so aggressive."

"Aggressive? You know full well what you’ve done. Be careful you don’t do so many bad things you start seeing ghosts. You just better hope that whatever happened to Zhang Yun today has nothing to do with your son. Otherwise... Hmph."

"How could it? My Ah Yuan is Xiao Yun’s partner. He’d never harm her," Mrs. Zhao said, raising her chin confidently.

Just then, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

Everyone instinctively turned to look at the gate, Su Wan included.

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and Zhang Yun and Zhao Yuan walked in.

Second Brother Su shot to his feet. "Zhang Yun! Where have you been?"

The bashful, happy expression on Zhang Yun’s face froze as everyone in the courtyard turned to stare at her.

She asked nervously, "Second Brother, all of you... What is...?"

"You didn’t come home all night! What do you think we were doing? We were all out looking for you, worried sick that something had happened to you!" Second Brother Su snapped, unable to control his temper.

Su Wan’s gaze landed on Zhang Yun and Zhao Yuan, and the more she looked, the more her heart sank.

"What?" Zhang Yun was stunned. She waved her hands, embarrassed and guilty. "I’m so sorry, Second Brother, Uncle, Auntie, Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law... I... I got drunk last night. Ah Yuan took me to a friend’s house to rest, and we forgot to tell anyone."

"I really didn’t expect you all to go searching for me."

After all, back in their home county, she could be gone for days and her parents wouldn’t come looking for her.

Zhang Yun had never expected to cause such a huge disturbance.

Especially when she saw the dark circles under everyone’s eyes, she knew they hadn’t slept all night.

She was completely at a loss for words and could only apologize profusely.

"You said you and Zhao Yuan were resting at a friend’s house?" Su Wan stood up, her face hardening. "Come here."

"Sister-in-law..." Zhang Yun started toward her cautiously, but Zhao Yuan reached out and held her back.

"Sister-in-law, please don’t be angry. This was my fault. If you’re going to be mad at someone, be mad at me, not Xiao Yun. We just didn’t expect you all to make such a big deal out of it. It was just one night away from home, and you searched for this long."

"Xiao Yun is an adult. She probably told you she was going on a date with me before she left. Don’t you trust me?"

"Trust you?" Su Wan chided coldly. "Are you and Xiao Yun engaged? Are you married? Staying out all night drinking and not coming home—is that how a partner should act? Someone who didn’t know better might mistake you for some kind of hooligan."

Mrs. Zhao couldn’t stay seated after hearing that. She stood up and moved to stand protectively by Zhao Yuan’s side.

"Comrade Su Wan, watch your words. What’s this about ’hooligan’ behavior? Look, my Ah Yuan took good care of Zhang Yun, didn’t he? Isn’t she home safe and sound now? All they did was forget to notify you. Is there really a need to blow this so far out of proportion?"

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Zhao Yuan asked, confused.

Mrs. Zhao explained the situation, then said to Zhang Yun with false sincerity, "Oh, Xiao Yun, I was ready to accept your marriage because Ah Yuan likes you so much. But seeing the way your sister-in-law completely distrusts my Ah Yuan... as a mother, it truly breaks my heart. If you can’t even be the master of your own affairs, then as for this marriage, I think perhaps..."

She hadn’t yet spoken the words "forget it."

Zhang Yun panicked and quickly said, "Sister-in-law, I was really wrong! Please don’t be angry. If you’re angry, you can hit me, just don’t make things difficult for Ah Yuan and his mother."

The moment Zhang Yun said this, Second Brother Su laughed out loud.

Second Sister-in-law Su twisted his ear, warning him to stay out of it.

Mother Su watched the scene unfold with an expressionless face.

Su Wan looked at Zhang Yun, her gaze calm. "So what you’re saying is, you don’t need me to get involved in your business. And in the future, if you decide to stay out all night again, I shouldn’t concern myself with it. Is that right?"

For some reason, Zhang Yun felt a little frightened by her sister-in-law’s current calmness.

But she still wanted her freedom.

Zhang Yun lowered her head. "Sister-in-law, I’m sorry."

"Fine. I understand. From now on, your business is your own."

Su Wan ignored Zhang Yun. She finished her breakfast, returned to her room, grabbed a book, and walked out the door.

"Dad, Mom, I’m heading out. Thank you for all your hard work last night. Could you please look after Comrade Zhang Qiao for me? I’m going to the school to request a day off."

"Alright, Wanwan, you go ahead. Once you’ve sorted that out, come right back and get some rest. You’ve been up all night. Be careful on your bike," Mother Su agreed.

"Okay." Su Wan got on her bicycle and rode away.

Zhang Yun wanted to run after her, but Zhao Yuan held her back. All she could do was watch helplessly as Su Wan disappeared.