Chapter 131: The Blind Date, Unmasking the Truth

"That said, although Sun Peng is a bit strapped for cash right now, as long as he’s willing to put in the hard work, there’s always a future to look forward to!" someone nearby remarked.

At this, a slightly plump woman grew displeased, curling her lip and complaining, "What do you all know? What good is a good personality? And what good is hard work?"

"For a man, the fear is choosing the wrong trade; for a woman, it’s marrying the wrong man! If I hadn't been blind back then, would I be living such a tiring life now?" she sighed, continuing.

Sun Peng whispered from the side, "Auntie He, I think your life seems quite comfortable as it is!"

The woman’s voice rose several notches upon hearing this: "Comfortable? That’s all something I fought for myself!"

"Take Xiaoxiu's father, for instance. He used to be just like Sun Peng—no ambition, no capability. If I hadn't put the pressure on him and forced him to go out and make something of himself, could I be living this life of gold and silver?"

"He’s at it all the time now: sweeping floors at the supermarket during the day, standing night watch at the warehouse, and delivering food in his spare time. I don't let him have a moment of rest! If he doesn't hand over eight thousand a month, he’s not setting foot in this house!"

"And then there’s Xiaoxiu’s grandfather. He’s back in the village farming, raising pigs, and herding sheep. Every time we go back, he has to give me at least twenty thousand!"

"Xiaoxiu’s grandmother isn't idle either; I found her a job washing dishes and cleaning vegetables at a restaurant, where she earns over two thousand a month!"

"My happiness is all a result of my management!"

"The old man and woman are only in their seventies and still quite sturdy. If I don't make them work, they’d just be sitting around bored at home!"

After saying this, she turned to her daughter, her expression stern: "I’m busy running around every single day, so naturally, I don't want you to follow the same path I did!"

Li Chao, listening from the side, was dumbfounded and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Then what are you so busy with every day?"

The woman replied with an air of ease: "I don't have to be busy with anything. I’m just responsible for keeping an eye on them so they don't slack off!"

Li Chao was shocked upon hearing this!

This… this wasn't a daughter-in-law at all; she was more like a "debt collector"!

To put her husband's entire family through the wringer and still claim she’s the one suffering? Who would believe that? Anyone who married a woman like her would be cursed for eight lifetimes!

But the woman felt no shame. Instead, she looked at Sun Peng with a smug expression and said, "Don't worry about whether I’m happy or not. The point is, after seeing things today, I am ten thousand percent dissatisfied! I do not approve of you and Xiaoxiu."

The girl, Xiaoxiu, hung her head, not daring to let out a breath.

Sun Peng pleaded anxiously, "Auntie He, we are truly in love! Please, give us your blessing!"

The woman sneered contemptuously, "True love? How much is true love worth? You want to marry my daughter? Fine! A bride price of two hundred thousand, a house in a bustling area of the county over a hundred square meters, and a car worth over two hundred thousand! Once you meet these conditions, then come talk to me about marriage!"

With that, she grabbed her daughter and headed for the door, kicking over the chair she had been sitting on as they left, as if to vent her lingering dissatisfaction.

Sun Peng hurried after them, shouting as he ran, "Auntie He, let me see you out!"

The woman turned back impatiently: "See us out? What for? Hurry back and go be your security guard! Don't get your pay docked because of this!"

Even after being berated so harshly, Sun Peng persisted in following them. It was clear that his feelings for Xiaoxiu were genuine.

After they left, Sun Peng’s father looked at Li Chao, his face filled with loneliness and pain. "Sigh! It’s all my fault. A major illness drained the family’s savings, and now I’m dragging my son down with me!"

Li Chao patted him on the shoulder, comforting him: "This has nothing to do with you! Besides, with a mother like that, the upbringing probably wasn't much better. If they truly can't be together, it might not be a bad thing!"

Hearing this, the old man’s distress seemed to ease slightly.

Before long, Sun Peng walked back slowly, sat down beside Li Chao with a bitter expression, and said, "Brother Chao, I was too naive."

"I thought love was simple—that as long as two people truly loved each other, that was enough. I didn't expect to lose to the trivialities of life in the end."

Li Chao asked about the story between him and the girl named Xiaoxiu.

It turned out that a while back, when Sun Peng was still in the county, he had encountered a few thugs harassing a girl. He had stepped in without a second thought, driven them away, and saved her.

That girl was Xiaoxiu.

Later, they exchanged contact information and started chatting frequently. Eventually, feelings blossomed.

With Sun Peng now serving as the security captain in the village and his father’s health recovered, he was in high spirits. Taking advantage of a drinking session, he proposed to Xiaoxiu, and to his surprise, she agreed. That led to the meeting with the prospective mother-in-law today.

Yet, love had ultimately lost to reality.

Li Chao sighed, feeling a sense of regret for Sun Peng. A moment later, he patted Sun Peng on the shoulder, stood up, and said, "It’s getting late. Tomorrow morning, come with me to the county seat."

Sun Peng asked curiously, "What for?"

Li Chao gave a faint, mysterious smile: "To get you a house."

Both Sun Peng and his father were stunned. The father quickly waved his hands: "That won't do! Really, it won't!"

Sun Peng also shook his head in refusal: "Brother Chao, I appreciate your kindness, but I really can't accept a house!"

Li Chao smiled and said to Sun Peng, "This house isn't just for this one matchmaking attempt. To be honest, while you think the girl is nice, I didn't think much of that mother-daughter pair. But having said that, a marital home is a big deal. They might not ask for one, but we can't be unprepared. Let’s get you a house first, just in case. Next time you go on a date, you’ll have more confidence when you’re talking in your own new home. As for the money, just pay it back slowly from your wages!"

Sun Peng wanted to decline again, but Li Chao cut him off directly: "It’s settled. If you keep being polite, we’re going to be strangers."

With that, he walked away. Sun Peng stood rooted to the spot, watching Li Chao’s retreating figure, a wave of indescribable emotion welling up in his heart. He knew that the talk of deducting it from his wages was just an excuse. To give a house in the county seat just like that—this favor left him deeply moved, to the point where he felt he would go through fire for Li Chao.

Li Chao walked along, deep in thought. In truth, his current wealth was more than enough to easily cover the bride price, the car, and the house. But he worried that helping too much would backfire. It wasn't that he doubted Sun Peng, but rather that he feared the plump woman would simply raise her demands even higher. What if she saw Sun Peng acquire a car, house, and bride price so quickly and just set the bar higher? One must always be guarded.

When Li Chao returned to the clinic, it was already late. Sun Xinglin had already returned with his disciples, and Yuxin and Luo Su were busy preparing dinner. Li Chao returned to his room, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began his cultivation. He knew that only by constantly improving his own strength could he better protect the people and things around him.

After practicing the "Star Body Tempering Technique," Li Chao’s consciousness sank once again into the ancient tower in his mind. He observed closely and found that the scale on the light curtain leading to the third floor had increased again, and he felt a secret joy. At this speed, perhaps soon he would be able to enter the third floor and explore its deeper mysteries.

However, a trace of curiosity also welled up in his heart. Since the ancient tower had appeared in his mind, it had never taken any initiative. But why did it suddenly glow while on the mountain today? And that inexplicable evil thought regarding Liu Lele was also far too strange. How were the two connected?

Li Chao pondered for a long time but could find no answer. He sighed, eventually having to give up, deciding to investigate slowly when he had the chance.

After dinner, Li Chao noticed Yuxin and Luo Su huddled together whispering. Luo Su’s face was flushed, and Yuxin was laughing uncontrollably. He found it strange, and after they parted, he pulled Yuxin aside and asked, "What are you two whispering about?"

Yuxin laughed: "Xiao Su said she promised you in the county that she would warm your bed! She was worried I wouldn't agree, so she came to consult my opinion!" After saying this, she pinched Li Chao’s waist: "You really are planning to treat her like a maid who comes with the dowry, aren't you?"

Li Chao was speechless and quickly cried foul: "This really isn't my fault!" He muttered to himself that this was a huge misunderstanding.

As usual, Li Chao first explained some knowledge from the "Xuantian Medical Canon" to Sun Xinglin and Yuxin. Then, he called Sun Peng, and they drove toward the county seat. Not long after, they arrived in the city and stopped in front of a sales office called "Forest Peninsula." Last night, Li Chao had asked Zhou Shaofeng which property development was reliable, and Zhou had recommended this one. Li Chao figured that since the guy was in construction, his recommendation couldn't be wrong.

After parking, the two walked into the sales office to pick out a house. In the VIP lounge, they sipped rich coffee while carefully browsing the brochures the sales consultant handed them. The brochures were comprehensive, detailing the location, green space, artificial lake features, and surrounding amenities, giving them a thorough understanding of the community.

The consultant introduced them with great enthusiasm: "Mr. Li, Mr. Sun, our Forest Peninsula community is not only beautifully landscaped, like a paradise, but also has a superior location with convenient transportation. The surrounding area has large shopping malls, hospitals, and schools—everything is very convenient for daily life. Additionally, our floor plans are very well-designed; whether it’s a two-bedroom or three-bedroom, we can meet your various living needs."

Li Chao nodded, acknowledging the consultant’s introduction. He turned to Sun Peng and asked, "Peng, what do you think? Did you see any floor plans you like?"

Sun Peng’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he pointed to a three-bedroom unit in the brochure: "Brother Chao, I like this one. The layout is very reasonable, the space is utilized perfectly, and the balcony faces the artificial lake. Imagine standing on the balcony and enjoying the view of the lake and mountains—it must be spectacular."

Li Chao smiled and said to the consultant, "We’ll take this one. Let’s talk price."

The consultant was overjoyed and quickly took out a calculator. As she skillfully operated it, she introduced various discount policies, trying to let Li Chao and Sun Peng feel the greatest sincerity and value. After some friendly bargaining, both sides reached a consensus. Li Chao paid the deposit promptly and scheduled the subsequent payments and handover.

The consultant smiled happily and expressed her sincere gratitude: "Mr. Li, Mr. Sun, thank you for choosing Forest Peninsula. I believe you will love it here. If you have any questions or need help in the future, feel free to contact me at any time."

Li Chao and Sun Peng smiled at each other, very satisfied and happy with the home-buying experience. They knew that with this house, Sun Peng’s marriage would have a foundation, and they were about to have a warm, comfortable home of their own.

Facing this sudden turn of events, Sun Peng’s face turned ghastly, as if shrouded by dark clouds. He gripped his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms as he tried hard to suppress the anger and resentment in his heart. Xiaoxiu’s betrayal and her mother’s harsh, snobbish words were like a sharp knife, ruthlessly stabbing into his heart and causing him unbearable pain.

Li Chao stood by, silently observing everything. He knew that at a time like this, any verbal comfort would seem pale and powerless, unable to truly soothe the wounds in Sun Peng’s heart. So, he chose to stand quietly by Sun Peng’s side, offering the most solid support through his presence.

Xiaoxiu’s mother didn't seem to notice Sun Peng’s reaction, or perhaps she simply didn't care. She continued to show off the man beside her, Junfeng, as if Sun Peng’s presence were merely an optional backdrop, a tool to highlight their happiness.

"Junfeng, look at this house. I think it’s quite suitable for us," Xiaoxiu’s mother said, pointing to a well-designed unit with a beaming smile.

The man, Junfeng, nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on his face. "Not bad, it fits my requirements." He spoke with an air of confidence and superiority, as if everything were within his grasp.

Sun Peng could finally take no more. He took a deep breath, as if to inhale all the pain and resentment into his lungs. Then, he looked at Xiaoxiu and asked with a trembling voice, "Xiaoxiu, do you really want to be with him? Have you forgotten the promise between us?"

Xiaoxiu hung her head and said nothing. Her silence was like an invisible hammer, striking Sun Peng’s heart heavily, leaving him completely disillusioned. He knew that no matter what he said or did, he could not change this cruel reality.

At that moment, Li Chao gently patted Sun Peng’s shoulder, his voice gentle yet firm: "Chaozi, don't be sad. Some people are destined to be mere passersby in your life. They arrive, they leave, and all they leave behind are memories and lessons. You must believe that there is someone better waiting for you ahead."

Sun Peng looked up at Li Chao. He saw Li Chao’s resolute gaze and warm smile. In that moment, he felt he had found support, and the pain and resentment in his heart dissipated slightly. He realized he couldn't keep dwelling on the past; he had to bravely face reality and embrace the future.

"Brother Chao, thank you," Sun Peng said, his voice choked. He was truly grateful that Li Chao could be by his side at this moment, offering support and encouragement.

Li Chao smiled without a word. He knew that what Sun Peng needed now was not verbal comfort, but the support of action and companionship. So, he took Sun Peng’s hand and walked out of the sales office.

On the way out, Li Chao said to Sun Peng, "Chaozi, don't forget, you still have me. No matter what happens, I will be by your side. We will face difficulties together and meet challenges together."

Sun Peng nodded, a warm current flowing through his heart. He knew that with a brother like Li Chao by his side, what was there to fear? He straightened his back and strode forward. He knew a better life was waiting for him.

Just then, the sales consultant came running over with the purchase details and intent contract, approaching Sun Peng and Li Chao, and said respectfully: "Sir, here are the purchase details and the intent contract. Please take a look!"

The atmosphere froze, dead silent!

Xiaoxiu, her mother, and the man named Junfeng widened their eyes in shock, looking at Sun Peng and Li Chao.

Sun Peng… was here to buy a house? How could that be! In the eyes of the mother and daughter, Sun Peng was a penniless loser, just a security guard living in collective village housing; how could he possibly afford a house in Forest Peninsula? This must be fake—a charade put on by Sun Peng to save face.

Thinking this, Xiaoxiu’s mother looked at the consultant and said disdainfully: "Don't be fooled by him. This guy is just a security guard; he can't afford a house here at all. Talking to him is a total waste of time."

The man named Junfeng chimed in from the side: "Exactly! The price here is over eight thousand per square meter. How could hillbillies like them ever afford it!" Clearly, he had heard about Sun Peng’s situation and expressed great skepticism that he could afford to buy there.

Even Xiaoxiu couldn't help but mock Sun Peng: "I know yesterday’s events made you uncomfortable, but there’s no need to put on a show like this. If you don't have the money, you don't have the money—no matter how you pretend, it’s useless."

Xiaoxiu’s words were like a sharp blade, piercing Sun Peng’s heart once again. He looked at her blankly, as if all his strength had been drained away. He could ignore what others thought of him, but Xiaoxiu’s words truly made his heart ache until he couldn't breathe.

He sighed and turned to Li Chao, his voice low: "Brother Chao, I’m not buying this house. Let’s go." His heart was as dead as ash; all his passion and expectations had been extinguished.

However, in the eyes of the others, his words only confirmed the embarrassment of his charade being exposed. Especially the man named Junfeng, who became even more smug, a mocking smile hanging on his lips: "People from the countryside are just that—no matter how you dress it up, you can't make it to the big stage."

Having said this, he sat down carelessly as if it were his own home. He looked at the consultant and said, "Ignore them. Bring the floor plans over; if it’s right, I’ll book a unit today." His display of wealth was meant to show off his status.

The consultant immediately stopped paying attention to Li Chao and Sun Peng and hurried toward Junfeng. She crouched beside him, introducing the floor plans with great excitement, not even caring that her own modesty was compromised. Such actions were an obvious insult and disregard for Li Chao and Sun Peng.

Seeing Junfeng so arrogant, Xiaoxiu’s mother became even more smug. She continued to mock: "See that? That’s what a real man like Junfeng is like—a million-dollar house, bought just like that. Could you do that?" Her words were filled with contempt and sarcasm for Sun Peng.

Sun Peng was shaking with rage, his fists clenched tight, trying to hold back the breath he was about to unleash. After all, watching his own girlfriend flirting with another man, just keeping his composure was already an immense struggle.

Li Chao naturally saw Sun Peng’s mood. He pointed to the lounge area and said softly, "Let’s rest for a moment, have some coffee, and cool down!" After saying that, he sipped his coffee leisurely, as if telling Sun Peng that none of this was worth getting angry over.