Watching Chen Erniu's face contort into a ferocious, demon-like grimace, Wang Tian felt a tremor in his heart.
Chen Erniu was as strong as an ox, and Wang Tian knew he couldn't beat him.
Besides, what was the point of fighting a fool? With the IOU in hand, he wasn't afraid that He Hongjuan wouldn't pay the debt.
With that in mind, Wang Tian no longer cared about his two lackeys and, in a panic, scurried behind He Hongjuan, fleeing out of the Chen family's courtyard.
Seeing their boss run away, the two hoodlums lying on the ground didn't dare stay any longer and followed Wang Tian, scrambling to get out.
As Wang Tian and the others left, the crowd gathered at the entrance of the Chen family's courtyard slowly dissipated.
Chen Erniu also put away the dagger.
His intimidating act just now, meant to scare Wang Tian away, was also a move of desperation.
Repaying debts was part of the natural order of things.
His sister-in-law had borrowed money to arrange a marriage for the third child; naturally, she shouldn't be the one to pay it back.
It's just that Han Meili, that vile woman, didn't deserve to step through the Chen family's threshold.
Yet, that money for the dowry must be reclaimed.
With a plan in mind, Chen Erniu turned around, getting ready to tell his sister-in-law about his recovery from feigned idiocy and about Han Meili.
However, at that moment, He Hongjuan suddenly threw herself at him, hugging him tightly.
"Wuu... you scared me to death!"
He Hongjuan wept, her tears like dew on pear blossoms.
Inhaling the fragrance emanating from He Hongjuan's body and feeling her warm, soft form, Chen Erniu's heartbeat quickened dramatically.
The scene of He Hongjuan bathing him the previous night suddenly came to mind.
Tonight, I'll be your wife, and I'll bear you a child...
He Hongjuan's words still echoed in his ears.
Chen Erniu frowned secretly. His elder brother had been away from home for three years without any news.
He Hongjuan, alone in her empty boudoir, had managed the rundown household and naturally, it was normal for her to feel lonely over time.
However, while He Hongjuan could feel lonely, he couldn't betray his elder brother, even if his brother was just adopted!
Recalling the kindness He Hongjuan had shown him in the past, Chen Erniu couldn't help but feel moved.
"It seems I'll have to pretend to be a fool for a while longer and not let He Hongjuan realize I've returned to normal. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to refuse her!"
Chen Erniu chose to feign ignorance so that when He Hongjuan wanted to marry him again in the future, he could easily feign foolishness to avoid her further sentiments.
Just then, He Hongjuan in his arms suddenly cried out in pain.
"Ugh!"
Clutching her chest, she whimpered, her complexion turning pale, and a cold sweat even appeared on her forehead.
"What's wrong?" Chen Erniu quickly supported He Hongjuan.
He Hongjuan waved her hand, indicating she was fine.
Chen Erniu knew He Hongjuan was enduring it.
He carefully observed her complexion and noticed the bloodshot in He Hongjuan's eyes, her labored breathing, and her neck veins pulsing continuously.
This sight alarmed Chen Erniu.
He quickly said, "You... what's wrong with you?"
"Ugh!" He Hongjuan took a breath and said, "I have a lump on my chest, the hospital said I need major surgery, it would cost tens of thousands."
She had checked it before; the lump was near her heart, making the surgery very risky and consequently expensive.
"Tens of thousands?" Chen Erniu was startled by the astronomical figure.
Just for the mere eight thousand dowry, He Hongjuan had to borrow usurious loans from Wang Tian.
Tens of thousands... Chen Erniu didn't even dare think about it!
"It's okay, I've gotten used to it, I just bear with it, and it passes!" He Hongjuan comforted.
Chen Erniu could tell that He Hongjuan was enduring tremendous pain.
Suddenly, Chen Erniu remembered the Dragon God Scripture in his mind.
At first, he had skimmed through this Dragon God Scripture, which seemed to contain medical knowledge for treating and saving people.
But he hadn't paid it much attention.
However, facing He Hongjuan's serious illness, he couldn't help but pin his hopes on the possibility that the Dragon God Scripture contained a way to save He Hongjuan.
Time passed without knowing how long.
The sweat on He Hongjuan's forehead had already dripped down her cheeks onto the ground.
Chen Erniu's brows, previously knitted together, finally relaxed at this moment.
"Rub it a little, and the pain will go away," Chen Erniu said with a chuckle.
But his words left He Hongjuan both crying and laughing.
If rubbing could cure her, she would have willingly let Chen Erniu rub it hundreds of times.
Knowing Chen Erniu's simplicity, He Hongjuan didn't take it to heart and pursed her lips, "Erniu, be good, I'm okay!"
Seeing that He Hongjuan didn't believe him, Chen Erniu really wanted to tell her that he was no longer foolish and that he had even received a mysterious inheritance from a fairy.
But, thinking of He Hongjuan's embracing behavior from the night before, he had to choose to continue playing the fool.
Remembering the healing methods recorded in the Dragon God Scripture, Chen Erniu hesitated before deciding to do as it suggested.
Extending his rough hands, he directly wrapped them around He Hongjuan's slender waist and lifted her horizontally.
"Ah…" Caught off guard, He Hongjuan let out a yelp. "Erniu, what are you doing? Put me down quickly!"
"Erniu fell down, bottom hurts, rub it and it doesn't hurt. Sister-in-law's lump hurts... rub it and it won't hurt!" Chen Erniu feigned a laugh, inwardly sighing in helplessness.
To treat He Hongjuan and yet play the fool so she won't find out was indeed a difficult task!
Hearing this, He Hongjuan laughed out, "Erniu, you really are adorably silly! If so, then go ahead and rub it for me!"
After all, she had already decided to be Erniu's woman.
If Erniu cared for her and wanted to help relieve her pain with a rub, then so be it.
Relieved by He Hongjuan's consent, Chen Erniu breathed easier.
He carried He Hongjuan straight into the room and laid her on the kang.
"Erniu is going to rub it."
Gazing at the seductive He Hongjuan on the kang, Chen Erniu said with a chuckle.