Chapter 227 – The Daughter-in-Law Dungeon (Part 1)

Meng Chudong’s heartfelt reunion with his older sister in the bedroom lasted only about ten minutes. By the time the bedroom door opened again, Fifth Brother hadn’t even finished his meal, yet Meng Chudong was already at critical HP, barely clinging to his last sliver.

Fang Zheng quickly set Meng Zhuo down from his lap and stood up nervously from the sofa.

Meng Hanlu didn’t even glance at the dining table, striding straight over. After sizing him up, she stated, “You’re Fang Zheng.”

No hint of uncertainty—it was a definitive statement.

Fang Zheng didn’t want to dwell on how his sister-in-law had recognized him so confidently, sensing it might lead to a depressing truth. So he forced a smile: “…Pretty obvious, huh?”

Cool fingers suddenly hooked under his chin, catching Fang Zheng off guard and startling him. With her tall frame and high-heeled boots, Meng Hanlu towered over him, creating the bizarre scene of the innocent Fang Zheng being teased by the suave Meng sister.

“You look different from the photos,” Meng Hanlu mused, tilting his face slightly upward. “In the pictures, your eyes always seemed half-closed, but they’re wide open now.”

Birdy unhappily brushed her hand away and pulled Fang Zheng to his side.

Warmth surged in Fang Zheng’s chest—he was about to grip Birdy’s hand tightly when he heard him say, “The photos I gave you were from before he lost weight. After slimming down, there’s less fat on his face, so his eyes don’t get squished as much.”

If anyone dared claim these two weren’t siblings, they deserved to be machine-gunned for five minutes straight!!!

“No need to guard him so fiercely. I’m not going to eat him.” Meng Hanlu chuckled teasingly, her eyes glinting with playful charm.

Fang Zheng instinctively took a step back, sensing an inexplicable chill around him.

“Xiao Fang Zheng,” Meng Hanlu turned her attention back to her future brother-in-law after teasing her sibling, “I’d like to have a chat with you. Is that alright?”

Fang Zheng gulped involuntarily, blinking pleadingly: Can I say no?

Meng Hanlu raised her gaze slightly, her expression cool as moonlight: Try me.

No, more like a crescent blade =_=

Though Meng Chudong clearly didn’t want his sister getting too involved with his partner, even his nephew could tell that with his mom around, his uncle was a paper tiger. So Fang Zheng obediently followed Meng Hanlu into the bedroom.

Once again, a door separated them—only this time, he was inside, and Birdy was outside.

“Sit. Don’t be nervous.” His sister-in-law patted his shoulder lightly.

Fang Zheng sat on the bed: “Yeah, I’m not nervous…” Was this still his own home? TAT

Meng Hanlu pulled over a chair, turned it backward, and straddled it effortlessly, resting her arms on the backrest. The motion was so smooth it seemed as if she wasn’t sitting on a chair but a motorcycle.

“Actually, your features are quite attractive,” his sister-in-law began, completely earnest with no trace of teasing. “They make a strong first impression, but once you get used to them, they grow on you. You’re a dark horse.”

“Thank you TAT…” Fang Zheng had never been complimented to the point of tears before, but politeness demanded reciprocity, “You’re very beautiful too…”

“I know.” Meng Hanlu replied naturally, as if stating the obvious.

Suddenly, Fang Zheng was enveloped in a familiar feeling—so comforting that he let his guard down: “Sister, are you and Birdy twins?”

Meng Hanlu laughed: “Impossible. Do I look that young? I’m five years older than him.”

Fang Zheng leaned in, serious: “So even with such an age gap, siblings can still share striking similarities…”

Meng Hanlu raised an eyebrow: “You think that brat and I look alike?”

Fang Zheng shook his head hastily: “No, you outshine him by miles. Conservatively speaking, there’s at least a hundred Xi Shis and fifty Diao Chans between you two.”

Meng Hanlu’s eyes curved into crescents: “So?”

Fang Zheng: “I meant certain traits deep in your souls are very similar.”

Meng Hanlu: “Such as?”

Fang Zheng: “Promise not to hit me if I say it.”

Meng Hanlu: “I promise.”

Fang Zheng: “Sarcasm.”

Meng Hanlu: “Anything else?”

Fang Zheng: “Being punchable.”

Meng Hanlu: “I take it back.”

…

The sudden scream from the bedroom sent chills down the spines of the friends cleaning up in the kitchen, all of whom turned to look at Meng Chudong.

Unable to hold back any longer, he stood up angrily and tried to open the door—only to find it locked. He could only protest through the door: “Meng Hanlu, you promised you wouldn’t lay a hand on him!”

His sister’s voice came from inside: “I just pinched his cheek. Why so dramatic?”

Though he knew Meng Hanlu wouldn’t go too far and could tell Fang Zheng’s yell was exaggerated, a promise was a promise: “No pinching either!”

Meng Hanlu: “He brought it on himself.”

Meng Chudong: “Can’t you, as the older sister, give him some slack?”

Meng Hanlu: “I wanted to, but his cheeks are just too pinchable.”

Meng Chudong: “…”

Meng Hanlu: “See? You agree.”

[Outside the door: Babe, I failed you.]

[Inside the door: Go away, you’re all evil TAT]

[Living room: Was it just them, or was there a hint of flirtation seeping through the door crack…]

Strangely, despite having his cheek pinched, Fang Zheng’s earlier nervousness—already eased by the “familiar and comforting sarcasm”—now vanished completely. The domineering flower was still the same, but now, when Fang Zheng looked at her, the thorns seemed fewer, replaced by fragrance.

“When I first walked in, I was wondering what that brat saw in you,” Meng Hanlu smiled, rubbing Fang Zheng’s reddened cheek. “But now I want to ask—what do you see in him?”

Fang Zheng opened his mouth, only for his sister-in-law to add: “Besides his face.”

The words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back: “Then nothing.”

Meng Hanlu paused, then burst out laughing: “Hahaha, I think I like you.”

Fang Zheng advised sincerely: “Sister, don’t laugh like that. It doesn’t suit your face.”

Ignoring him, Meng Hanlu asked, “Why do you call that brat ‘Birdy’?”

Fang Zheng: “We met in a game. That was a nickname for his username, and it just stuck.”

Meng Hanlu: “What’s yours?”

Fang Zheng: “Kite.”

Meng Hanlu: “…”

Fang Zheng: “Milk is Mom.”

“Good boy.” Meng Hanlu ruffled Fang Zheng’s hair affectionately after laughing. “You’re so endearing—why don’t you be my little brother instead?”

Fang Zheng dropped the joking tone, replying earnestly: “If you’ll have me, you’re my sister from now on!”

Suddenly, the smile faded from Meng Hanlu’s face, replaced by a trace of sorrow: “I’d love to, but my parents probably won’t be too happy.”

Fang Zheng understood immediately and fell silent.

“Does he rarely talk to you about his family?” Meng Hanlu asked abruptly.

Fang Zheng nodded.

“Even if you ask, he avoids the topic?” she pressed.

Another nod.

“If you push, he gets upset or just pretends not to hear?”

“Sister, do you two share a surveillance feed on me or something? =_=”

Sighing, Meng Hanlu said quietly, “When he came out to our parents, Dad lost his mind and chased him out of the house with a kitchen knife. My brother’s always been cold by nature. For the first couple of years, he listened to me and came home for holidays, but Dad never softened—every time, it was the kitchen knife again. No idea why a man who’s never cooked in his life is so handy with that thing. Eventually, my brother stopped coming home altogether.”

Fang Zheng listened, unsure how to respond. Back then, his own father had wielded a shovel, and he’d avoided going home for years, convinced his dad was the ultimate unbeatable boss. Now, compared to Birdy’s father, his own seemed like just an elite mob—and a biological father through and through.

“At first, I stopped trying to mediate. If the person involved isn’t willing, there’s no point forcing it. But…” For some reason, she didn’t continue, abruptly shifting the topic to Fang Zheng. “I can tell my brother cares deeply about you. So if possible, I hope you can talk to him.”

Fang Zheng would, of course, try—but: “With Birdy’s personality…”

Meng Hanlu: “Let me rephrase: I need you to convince him. He must go home.”

Fang Zheng: “Mission accepted. =_=”

Meng Hanlu exhaled in relief, then remembered to sweeten the deal: “I know it’s hard for people like you to face your parents. But home is where life begins and where it returns. Without it, no matter how brilliant your life is, you’ll always be adrift. With it, no matter how tough things get, you’ll always have a safe harbor. Don’t you agree? Parents raise you—no matter what they do, even if they’re wrong, you can get angry, you can leave to make a point, but you can’t forget they’re your parents. That’s filial piety. Don’t you—”

“Sister, sorry to interrupt,” Fang Zheng raised a timid hand, “but I agree. I’ve been on your side from the start. =_=”

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier? I spent ages crafting that parallelism!”

“You didn’t give me a chance! TAT”

By the time Fang Zheng and Meng Hanlu’s bedroom talk concluded, Fifth Brother, Chang Xiaohu, and Zheng Xi had already vanished into the night under the guise of taking a walk. Only Meng Chudong and Meng Zhuo remained in the living room—one lost in thought, the other watching him blankly.

“Mom—” Little Meng Zhuo rushed into her arms as soon as she came out. “Uncle is mad. He won’t talk. It’s scary…”

Meng Hanlu took her son’s hand: “Ignore him. Let’s go home.”

Meng Zhuo looked up: “Isn’t Uncle coming with us?”

Meng Hanlu glanced at Meng Chudong: “No. He’s scared Grandpa will hit him.”

Meng Zhuo tilted his head: “Why?”

Meng Hanlu: “Because Grandpa’s still angry too.”

Meng Zhuo: “Is it because Uncle married this uncle wife that Grandpa’s so mad?”

What did he mean by “this”?! =_=

Meng Hanlu: “No, your uncle’s wife is very well-behaved. It’s your uncle who’s being difficult.”

Meng Zhuo: “Did you spank him?”

Meng Hanlu: “I did.”

Meng Zhuo: “Yay! Let’s go home!”

What kind of twisted logic was this—”misery loves company” taken to new heights?! =_=

In any case, perhaps realizing further persuasion was futile, Meng Hanlu indulged in this call-and-response with her son before leaving decisively.

The spacious apartment suddenly felt eerily empty.

Fang Zheng walked over to Meng Chudong and waited, but the other man remained silent.

With a sigh, Fang Zheng sat beside him and spoke first: “Aren’t you curious what your sister said to me?”

Meng Chudong finally looked at him, the corner of his lips curling sarcastically: “Don’t need to guess.”

Fang Zheng leaned in anxiously: “So you’re really not going home?”

Meng Chudong: “What do you think?”

Fang Zheng frowned: “Stop answering questions with questions. It’s stressing me out.”

Meng Chudong shrugged: “Fine. Got it.”

Fang Zheng knew his mind hadn’t changed, so he pressed on stubbornly: “But they’re your parents. No matter—”

He was cut off mid-sentence.

Meng Chudong stared at him, repeating each word deliberately: “I said, I got it.”

Fang Zheng swallowed the rest of his words—his man was furious. Undeniably so.

Fang Zheng knew that, to Birdy’s family, he was an outsider. But knowing it didn’t make it hurt any less when faced with such treatment. He suddenly understood why Birdy had seemed so indifferent when he’d complained about his own struggles with his parents. It wasn’t that he had everything figured out—he just didn’t see the point. While Fang Zheng had fought tooth and nail to mend his relationship with his parents, Birdy’s attitude had been less “calm” and more “detached.” Even when he’d accompanied Fang Zheng home, it was only because Fang Zheng had asked—he was willing to try for Fang Zheng’s sake. But even after Fang Zheng reconciled with his parents, it hadn’t swayed Birdy’s stance. His was a resignation born of absolute pessimism.

Despite his frustration and the countless words still bottled up inside, Fang Zheng didn’t dare push further. He was terrified that if he pressed too hard, Birdy might snap and say something like, “It’s none of your business”—a one-hit KO he couldn’t withstand.

“Ah, just remembered—after all that, I still haven’t eaten. No wonder I’m starving, haha…” Fang Zheng forced a laugh, trying to act natural as he fled to the kitchen.

By the time he reheated the food and brought it out, Birdy was gone from the living room. Fang Zheng quickly set the dishes down and checked the bedroom—empty too, though thankfully the luggage was still there. He must have gone out to cool off, Fang Zheng told himself, though he hadn’t even heard the door close. Had he been that distracted, or had Birdy left deliberately quietly?

You stubborn, unreasonable, hot-tempered jerk—who gave you the right?!

Fang Zheng mentally put Meng Chudong through the wringer eight hundred times before his anger subsided somewhat. Still, he had no appetite—now that the anger had faded, all that remained was a hollow ache of hurt.

Meng Chudong returned late that night.

Fang Zheng, unusually, couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned until the mattress dipped slightly behind him.

Then he was pulled into arms that still carried the night’s chill.

Meng Chudong kissed his ear, as if certain he was awake, and murmured, “Sorry. I was a mess earlier.”

To show he was still upset, Fang Zheng refused to turn around: “And now you’re not?”

“Still a mess.”

“…Then why come back?!”

Meng Chudong chuckled but forcefully turned Fang Zheng to face him, forehead to forehead, eye to eye: “If I didn’t, I was afraid you’d run away.”

Fang Zheng was indignant: “Dude, you left first.”

Meng Chudong: “My leaving was temporary. Yours would be permanent.”

Fang Zheng: “I’m not some crazed rabbit. =_=”

As if by unspoken agreement, neither spoke further, simply gazing at each other. Fang Zheng suddenly noticed how much Meng Chudong’s eyes resembled his sister’s—bright, clear, sparkling like stars.

Fang Zheng initiated the kiss, but by the end, Birdy had taken over.

During their intimacy, Fang Zheng, unusually bold, scrutinized every inch of Birdy’s body without shame. If his view was blocked, he’d push limbs aside, examining with the intensity of someone searching for a treasure map tattooed on skin. =_=

Afterward, Birdy asked curiously, “What were you looking for?”

Fang Zheng answered seriously: “Scars.”

Birdy thought for a second, then laughed helplessly: “Dad chased me with a knife, but did you think I wouldn’t dodge? When have you ever seen me lose in PVP?”

Fang Zheng: “…”

Who applied their absurd PVP confidence to their own father?!

As if hearing Fang Zheng’s internal rant, Birdy hugged him tighter, resting his chin on Fang Zheng’s shoulder and offering his second sincere apology of the night: “I was out of line earlier. I made you feel bad.”

Fang Zheng turned to gently brush his fingers over Birdy’s brow: “I don’t mind feeling bad, and I don’t mind you being angry with me. I’m a healer—I can cast Ten Thousand Blossoms anytime, and if I die, I’ve got Resurrection. But I’m scared of you being unhappy, of you frowning, of you not being at peace.”

Birdy’s heart warmed, and he nuzzled Fang Zheng’s cheek with his forehead: “Who taught you to use parallelism in love confessions? Your romance skill is maxed.”

Fang Zheng grinned: “This is just the new ability unlocked at this point in the main storyline.”

Meng Chudong couldn’t resist pecking his lips and whispering, “I’ll think about going home.”

Fang Zheng nodded eagerly: “Good, good. And if after thinking you still don’t want to go…”

Meng Chudong raised an eyebrow, surprised Fang Zheng would give up so easily.

Fang Zheng: “…Then keep thinking.”

Of course. =_=