Chapter 101: Chu Ling—She Truly Regrets It!

Blackstone Village.

Under the large tree at the entrance of the village, a group of elderly men and women sat together. As soon as Chu Ling and Han Guoqiang returned, everyone’s expressions became tinged with pity. They wanted to greet them, but feared saying something that might upset the couple. This pair had truly suffered misfortune after misfortune—they were pitiful indeed.

Seeing the sympathy in the villagers’ eyes, Han Guoqiang felt a sharp pang in his heart. He had always been the pride of the village; people used to look at him with admiration. Never before had he felt so defeated as he did today.

Chu Ling’s heart was troubled as well. Her reputation had already suffered after she fell into the river during the landslide. Now, those criminals had ruined it completely. Just as Han Guoqiang had said, she was nothing but damaged goods. If she left him, no one would be willing to take her in.

Returning to the Han household, they found the neighbor aunt cleaning Han’s mother. Hearing movement in the yard, she quickly came out and said, “Oh, you’re finally back! Your mother was so difficult to care for these days. Now that you’ve returned, I’ll be leaving.” Without waiting for a response, she hurried off.

Before Chu Ling married in, the neighbor had cared for Han’s mother, and Han Guoqiang would reward her with little benefits. This time, she got nothing. The team leader had said that after the catastrophe in the Han family, all their savings were spent on Han Guoqiang’s treatment; they had nothing left to give. If not for the bond of years as neighbors, she would have quit long ago. Now, seeing them back, she was quick to leave.

“Is that Guoqiang? Guoqiang, my son!” Han’s mother cried out from inside the house.

“Mother!” The usually silent Han Guoqiang could no longer hold back. He rushed inside, and mother and son embraced, sobbing.

Chu Ling was about to enter when a figure darted from the corner and knocked her over.

“Filthy thing! Filthy thing fell down, hehehe!” Her little sister-in-law, dirty all over, clapped her black hands, hopping and laughing.

Chu Ling climbed up, glaring fiercely at the girl.

Her sister-in-law used to be quite attached to her, bringing her whatever she found on the ground. Who would have thought, after a short absence, this crazy girl would dare hit her? Someone must have poisoned her ear.

A desolation welled up in Chu Ling’s heart. Who could have imagined that she would one day be bullied by a mad child?

Just then, a voice bellowed from inside, “Guoqiang’s wife, what are you standing out there for? Hurry in and help me wash!”

It was her mother-in-law, furious. The neighbor had only finished half the job; the rest fell to Chu Ling. Previously, though loud, her mother-in-law had never dared lose her temper at her. But today, she acted high and mighty. Once fallen, everyone stomped on you.

A flash of irony crossed Chu Ling’s eyes as she slowly walked in.

As soon as she entered the room, the smell of excrement assaulted her. After so many days away, she wasn’t used to it and instinctively covered her mouth.

Han’s mother saw her reaction and erupted, “What are you covering your mouth for? You’ve brought shame to our family, and now you look down on me!”

Filthy thing? Chu Ling stared in disbelief. She had thought it was the gossipy village women who had taught her sister-in-law those words. Never expected it came from her mother-in-law. She had served her for months—was this how she repaid her?

“What are you staring at? Get to work, or I’ll have Guoqiang throw you out!” Han’s mother was domineering.

Han Guoqiang stood to the side with a cold face, offering no support.

Suppressing her disgust, Chu Ling stepped forward to help Han’s mother wash.

While she wiped, Han Guoqiang turned his back, gazing out the window.

After the first round, she prepared to change clothes, but Han’s mother shouted again, “I haven’t bathed for nearly a month—my body’s crawling with bugs! Go to the kitchen, heat more water, and wash me again!”

Chu Ling had no choice but to obey.

After finishing, Han’s mother instructed her again: “Clean the house. It’s a mess after a month—looks like a dog’s den. The yard and kitchen are filthy too, full of dust and chicken droppings. Clean it all up!”

Han Guoqiang stood up, “Let me help.”

Han’s mother grabbed him, “What are you doing? Men don’t do chores. Sit and talk with me.”

Chu Ling bit her lip, carried the basin, and went out.

It took more than three hours to clean the house inside and out. After all the toil, her back ached, her legs were weak, and she was drenched in sweat. But she couldn’t rest—dinner wasn’t ready yet.

After cooking and serving her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, the dishes on the table were already cold. Chu Ling ate a few bites, then went to the kitchen to heat water for washing her face and soaking her feet. Only then, massaging her aching back, did she slowly head to her room.

Entering, she locked eyes with Han Guoqiang, who was leaning against the bed.

“Come here...” His gaze was dark and sinister.

Chu Ling froze mid-step, suddenly yearning to escape. But outside, night had fallen—where could she run?

Swallowing her resentment, she obeyed. She undressed and lay naked on the bed.

That venomous, predatory presence pressed down upon her.

The familiar torment began, violent and rough.

A coarse hand gripped her throat, suffocating her.

In that moment, Chu Ling was overwhelmed with regret.

She couldn’t understand how things had come to this. Heaven had given her a second chance, and she’d failed to seize it.

Had she known Han Guoqiang was such a beast in human form, she would have fought to return to the city.

Why had she been so impulsive, so eager to marry him?

Twice in her life, she’d fallen for men—she must be the world’s greatest fool.

Sobs wracked her body.

She was so regretful, so very regretful!