Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 254 My Poor Cousin
With a sigh, Wang Chengpeng said somewhat embarrassedly:
"Actually, I didn't want to contact you either, but I just couldn't bear to see my cousin die of depression."

"To tell you the truth, I am not actually Zhou Xia's relative, but Liu Yanran's cousin."

Although they live in the same village and share the same surname, they are all related in some way.

Therefore, it's perfectly reasonable for Wang Chengpeng to say that he is Liu Yanran's cousin.

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng say that it had nothing to do with Zhou Xia, Li Dan was immediately prepared to leave in anger. However, after hearing the name Liu Yanran, she stopped in her tracks.

If she remembered correctly, Liu Yanran was not Zhou Xia's cousin, so how did she become the cousin of the comrade in front of her?
Before Li Dan could voice her doubts, Wang Chengpeng continued speaking to himself:

"Speaking of my cousin, she has really had a tough life."

Before she met Zhou Xia, my cousin lived a hard and repressed life, but she was also full of hope and looked forward to a bright future.

"Her expectations were not in vain; the arrival of love was like a ray of light, illuminating her gloomy life."

"By chance, she met Zhou Xia, who was eloquent and articulate, and they gradually became acquainted."

"Unbeknownst to them, the two fell in love and secretly pledged their lives to each other."

"Their love was passionate yet secretive, and at one point I even envied it."

"But fate is cruel. The sweet days didn't last long before my cousin discovered she was pregnant with Zhou Xia's child."

"But just as she was about to happily discuss the future with Zhou Xia, she was hit hard by a cruel truth—Zhou Xia was actually a married man."

"At that moment, my cousin felt dizzy and her world was collapsing."

"She thought about giving up, about leaving this place that broke her heart, but the child in her belly became a bond she couldn't let go of."

"Just when she decided to give birth to the child despite the pain, an even greater crisis struck."

"I don't know who reported to the Revolutionary Committee that my cousin's relationship with Zhou Xia was improper and suspected that they had sexual misconduct."

“The Revolutionary Committee quickly launched an investigation. During those days, my cousin was repeatedly questioned and under tremendous mental pressure.”

"It was in the face of the Revolutionary Committee's stern questioning that my cousin, though in great pain, never revealed Zhou Xia's name."

"Because she knew that once Zhou Xia's name was mentioned, his family and future would be ruined."

"In the end, it was my strong cousin who bore it all alone, preferring to swallow all the bitterness rather than reveal Zhou Xia's name even a little bit."

"However, it was my poor cousin who finally got through Zhou Xia's divorce and had a chance to hear the devastating news that Zhou Xia was dating you."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes, his voice choked with emotion as he said:

"She never said anything and silently endured everything alone."

“I really don’t want to see my cousin suffer like this anymore, so I mustered up the courage to come to you and beg you to break up with Zhou Xia and give my cousin a chance.”

The tragic and sorrowful story, coupled with Wang Chengpeng's melodious voice, was very captivating, quickly drawing Li Dan into the role of Liu Yanran.

For a fleeting moment, she seemed to transform into this woman who was willing to give up everything for love, enduring countless hardships alone, all so that she could be with Zhou Xia and achieve a happy ending.

Overwhelmed with empathy, Li Dan's eyes welled up with tears, and she blurted out instinctively:

"I... I grant your request."

However, she realized something was off after saying that, so she quickly withdrew her "agree" and said:
"No, that's not right."

"Xia Ge and I are truly in love. I can feel his love for me. You must be lying to me."

"I don't believe Brother Xia is that kind of person!"

Even if he is that kind of person, it doesn't mean that he doesn't truly love me.

"Since we are truly in love, there is no such thing as giving up love to make someone else happy."

"Maybe from beginning to end, this is just wishful thinking on your cousin's part."

Seeing Li Dan's self-humiliation, Wang Chengpeng hit the nail on the head, saying:
"So, the child in my cousin's womb was also a lie I told?"

"Whether I lied or not, Comrade Li, you only need to investigate a little. I have no need to tell lies that are so easily exposed."

Li Dan could lie to herself about anything, but the child in Liu Yanran's womb was a real thing, something she couldn't refute.

Her initial joy at going on a date with Zhou Xia vanished instantly, leaving her only with a look of bewilderment and helplessness.

Seeing this, Wang Chengpeng didn't press further. Instead, he gently comforted Li Dan, saying:

"I know it's selfish of me to say this, but I just don't want my cousin to continue suffering."

"Comrade Li, you don't need to rush to make a choice. You can go home and think about it some more."

Whatever choice you make, I will respect your decision.

"After all, you're right. In your relationship with Zhou Xia, you two are completely in love with each other, and there's absolutely no problem."

By sending Li Dan back and explaining the situation, Wang Chengpeng had created a rift between her and Zhou Xia, thus achieving his goal.

As for whether Li Dan will break up with Zhou Xia, that's not something Wang Chengpeng needs to worry about.

After all, he had made things very clear, especially Zhou Xia's despicable character, which was completely exposed.

If Li Dan chooses to continue being with Zhou Xia, then Wang Chengpeng can only stand by and respect her own choice.

After hearing Wang Chengpeng's words, Li Dan indeed became panicked and distraught.

At a crossroads in her life, she did indeed become lost, standing there blankly and helplessly, not even noticing that Wang Chengpeng had already left.

After a moment, Li Dan seemed to have thought of something and muttered to herself:
"I'll go back and ask my dad first, and see what he says. This is such a difficult decision."

After saying that, Li Dan hurriedly left like a panicked rabbit, forgetting even to say goodbye to Zhou Xia.

On the other side, seeing Zhou Xia, who had already walked out of the Hongqu Textile Factory and was anxiously waiting at the gate, Wang Chengpeng revealed a playful smile and walked towards him.

At this moment, Zhou Xia was very flustered, extremely flustered.

It wasn't because of Bi Jun's matter. After all, in his opinion, although Bi Jun spoke with certainty, it was normal for such an important matter to be delayed a little.

His only worry was that it was already this late, and he still hadn't seen Li Dan.

Normally, Li Dan would be lucky to arrive at least five minutes early, let alone be late.

Now that the time had arrived as agreed with Li Dan, but the obese figure was nowhere to be seen, Zhou Xia naturally panicked.

After all, he only has this presentable appearance because he lives off Li Dan.

If he couldn't get this job and had to go back to his impoverished days, it would be worse than death for him. It was during this anxious wait that Zhou Xia noticed someone constantly blocking his way, which he found incredibly annoying.

Especially after he changed positions several times in a row, the other party still followed, which made him want to curse.

Finally, when the other person blocked his way for the fifth time, Zhou Xia started cursing loudly:
"Comrade, the road is so wide, can't you use your eyes to watch your step and stop blocking my way?"

“I have very important business to attend to, and I’m not on the same wavelength as a good-for-nothing street urchin like you.”

Zhou Xia was a man who knew how to treat people differently; if the person blocking his way was wearing a suit and tie, he wouldn't dare to be so arrogant.

He only dared to shout so angrily because he saw that the other party was dressed plainly.

Faced with Zhou Xia's angry shout, Wang Chengpeng turned around, revealed a hearty smile, and said:

"Comrade Zhou, you really have a bad memory; you've even forgotten me."

The moment Zhou Xia saw Wang Chengpeng's face clearly, he couldn't even be described as surprised; he was utterly horrified and exclaimed:
"Are you a human or a ghost?"

Aside from the fact that Wang Chengpeng had already been killed by Bi Jun and had now become a vengeful ghost seeking revenge, Wang Chengpeng couldn't think of any other possible explanation for why Wang Chengpeng had suddenly appeared in front of him.

Faced with Zhou Xia's questioning, Wang Chengpeng said with a laugh:
"If you do nothing wrong, you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door in the middle of the night."

"Since Comrade Zhou is so afraid, he must have done something wrong and dare not let others know."

"For example... hiring someone to commit murder?"

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's last words, Zhou Xia felt a chill run through his body.

He didn't even care about his date with Li Dan; he turned around and prepared to flee from there, to escape his confrontation with Wang Chengpeng.

But before he could take even half a step, Wang Chengpeng's next words made him abruptly turn back:
"Comrade Zhou, if you don't want your hiring of a hitman to become public knowledge, then I advise you not to act rashly."

Looking at Wang Chengpeng's calm expression, Zhou Xia was almost certain that the other party was definitely human.

After all, how could a ghost possibly appear in front of you in broad daylight?

However, it was Wang Chengpeng, a living person, who uttered words that terrified Zhou Xia more than a ghost, causing him to stammer and ask in return:

"You...you knew all along?"

Wang Chengpeng nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and said:
"If you don't want others to know, don't do anything except yourself."

"Comrade Zhou, you don't actually think that my appearance in front of you is just a coincidence, do you?"

"I'm giving you a chance, a chance to live. Would you be interested in coming to the teahouse next door for a chat?"

After saying that, Wang Chengpeng walked straight toward the teahouse next door without waiting for Zhou Xia's reply.

He knew Zhou Xia's character inside and out and knew that he would never let him leave.

After all, he was so afraid of death, how could he just stand by and watch Wang Chengpeng send him to hell?

Sure enough, after Wang Chengpeng found a quiet corner, Zhou Xia quickly sat down opposite him.

As soon as he sat down, Zhou Xia said in a very flustered manner:

"Wang Chengpeng, you're really cunning. Even at this point, you're still trying to trick me. You're utterly shameless."

“I, Zhou Xia, have always been upright and honest, and have never done anything wrong. Don’t spread rumors about me.”

Although Zhou Xia's words were firm, they sounded weak and powerless, clearly indicating that he lacked confidence.

With a noncommittal smile, Wang Chengpeng said, "If you haven't done anything wrong, why did you come with me?"

"Comrade Zhou, I advise you to understand the current situation and be honest."

Looking at Wang Chengpeng, whose eyes were full of confidence and seemed to have him figured out, Zhou Xia frowned and didn't say another word.

The person in front of me is the type to record conversations as evidence. If I say something carelessly and they manage to trick me into revealing information, I'll be in deep trouble.

Seeing Zhou Xia's cautiousness, especially his fearful look as if he'd been bitten by a snake once and was now afraid of even a rope for ten years, Wang Chengpeng couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Even the frustration in my heart seemed to be released, and I felt much more comfortable.

Having been reborn, Zhou Xia, who was once unapproachable, has ultimately been turned into a frightened bird by his own actions, and all he has left is fear of himself.

Even if Wang Chengpeng spoke a little louder, it could scare him half to death.

Looking at Zhou Xia, who was as frightened as a bird, Wang Chengpeng smiled indifferently and said:
"You really are very cautious."

"Even the most cautious person seems so weak and powerless in the face of absolute and irrefutable evidence."

"You're going to try to argue? Then go argue with the fingerprints on the little yellow croaker."

"Let's see if your more brilliant excuses will save you from being shot."

"Oh, right, I have something else I want you to hear, let's see what you think after you hear it."

With a quick rummage into his small bag, Wang Chengpeng pulled out a tape recorder, startling Zhou Xia, who had assumed he was recording. It was as if he wasn't even pretending anymore.

However, this was not the most frightening thing for Zhou Xia. The sound coming from the tape recorder made him feel as if he were in hell again, back to the time when he was naked and forced to apologize.

Clang.

The series of frights made Zhou Xia tremble so much that he couldn't even hold the cup in his hand, and he accidentally dropped it to the ground.

However, he didn't dare to pick it up; he just stared in terror at the tape recorder in Wang Chengpeng's hand and shouted:
"Turn it off, turn it off now."

"I'll do anything you ask!"

Wang Chengpeng did not refuse, but instead pressed the record button in front of Zhou Xia.

This also means that everything the two of them say next will be recorded and become irrefutable evidence.

However, Zhou Xia was completely panicked at this moment and even overlooked this most obvious move.

Of course, since Wang Chengpeng dared to do it in front of Zhou Xia, he must have intended to tell him.

However, Zhou Xia was too stupid to even see such an obvious action, so he deserved to suffer the loss.

Zhou Xia felt a little better after the tape recorder stopped playing.

Teahouses are public places; if others overhear him, he'll be in deep trouble.

As if resigned to his fate, Zhou Xia slumped back in his chair, his eyes lifeless, and said:
"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

(End of this chapter)