PDLP Chapter 208 Zhou Huizhu
Chapter 208 Zhou Huizhu
208 Zhou Huizhu
Zhou Huizhu, a woman who has been immersed in the intricate web of relationships within the Zhou family since childhood, has always harbored a burning desire for freedom.
She knew very well that her position in the Zhou family was nothing more than a carefully crafted false mask.
She had worn this mask for so long that she had almost forgotten what her true self, hidden beneath it, actually looked like.
In her eyes, the so-called kinship of the Zhou family was more like a carefully planned and choreographed theatrical performance.
Every family member is forced to play a fixed role that has been set up in advance, and she has long been utterly tired of this hypocritical and pretentious performance.
Although the Zhou family appears glamorous and wealthy on the surface, only those like Zhou Huizhu who can see through the truth can discover that beneath that seemingly glamorous exterior lies countless undercurrents.
However, Zhou Huizhu did not choose to escape or give up.
Because she deeply understood that if she wanted to protect her own interests, she had no choice but to get involved in the complex and unpredictable game played by the Zhou family and skillfully arrange her own pieces.
Even if it meant that she had to pretend to be someone who desperately craved the affection of the Zhou family, she was willing to do it.
As long as she can ultimately achieve her goal—to obtain the freedom and independent life she has always dreamed of—she is willing to pay any price, even if it means completely sacrificing her original true feelings and shaping herself into a cold-blooded, ruthless, and vicious persona.
However, Zhou Huizhu clearly understands that there are some things that can never be obtained through improper or unfair means.
Deep within her heart, moral principles and a sense of justice are like two inextinguishable lamps, constantly reminding her that even on the long road to freedom, she must firmly uphold her principles and bottom line.
Zhou Huizhu witnessed firsthand the extremely hypocritical attitude the Zhou family showed towards Chu Jiuyue, as well as the various insidious schemes hidden behind it.
She silently witnessed all of this and deeply engraved it in her heart.
She had once tried to help Chu Jiuyue, hoping to tear off the mask of pretense from the Zhou family so that Chu Jiuyue could clearly see the true nature of things.
However, every time she looked into Chu Jiuyue's eyes and saw the intense longing and yearning for family affection within them, she could only choose to give hints in a more subtle and tactful way, and dared not reveal the truth directly without any scruples.
Because she knew all too well that Chu Jiuyue's stubbornness and unwavering obstinacy were actually the result of the Zhou family's painstaking efforts to cultivate her.
It would be far too difficult for her to completely reverse this situation with her limited personal strength.
Zhou Huizhu has never been the type of person who is keen to meddle in other people's affairs. In contrast, she usually prefers to maintain a certain distance from the people and things around her.
Therefore, once she realized that Chu Jiuyue didn't appreciate her kindness at all, she simply stopped saying anything more.
In fact, Zhou Huizhu did not have much affection for Chu Jiuyue. It was only because she considered that Chu Jiuyue might bring some loopholes to the Zhou family, and she secretly hoped that someone could break the situation that Chu Qingqing had brought to the Zhou family, that she kindly reminded Chu Jiuyue several times.
However, she still overestimated Chu Jiuyue. She couldn't quite describe the feeling; she breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a touch of sadness.
Since Chu Jiuyue is so ungrateful and doesn't know what's good for her, Zhou Huizhu naturally won't do such a futile and thankless thing again.
Therefore, she chose to remain on the sidelines, watching helplessly as Chu Jiuyue was manipulated at will by the Zhou family like a pawn, forced to marry in place of someone else.
At this moment, Zhou Huizhu's heart was filled with contempt and disdain.
Nevertheless, she was perfectly aware that there were certain things that were none of her business to interfere in.
After all, if Mo Wenchen weren't disabled, she might actually have been willing to marry into the Mo family!
But now, are you asking her to take care of a disabled person who is unable to take care of themselves and needs constant care?
That's simply a fantasy, absolutely impossible!
Of course, the Zhou family was completely unaware of Zhou Huizhu's hidden thoughts and remained in the dark.
Little did they know that their eldest daughter, whom they had always ignored, had already grown up right under their noses. When they finally discovered this, everyone was filled with complex emotions.
But at that moment, they had no idea.
Mo Wenchen, whose dignity had been constantly looked down upon and trampled upon by them, had actually already completely healed his injured legs!
Once the time is right, and the Zhou family realizes the cruel truth, they will likely be filled with regret and despair.
However, Zhou Huizhu was completely aware of all this and observed it with a detached eye. Whether Chu Jiuyue or Guo'er was good or bad, Zhou Huizhu didn't care at all the moment she left the Zhou family. Or rather, the moment she realized that Chu Jiuyue would not become a knife in her hand, they parted ways and went their separate ways.
Therefore, if Chu Jiuyue is doing well, she will only sigh and not be jealous or resentful. If she is not doing well, she will not interfere or help. She will just be her Bishan flower, indifferent and minding her own business.
As for the Zhou family?
She knew all too well what her family members were really like—extremely hypocritical and selfish!
She understood perfectly well that the reason they did this was simply to pursue their own interests.
Of course, these are things to follow.
Just then, her mother suddenly spoke up, saying, "Huizhu, please don't blame your brother and father! They had no choice but to do this... Sigh, you know how many eyes are watching our family right now! Many people dream of pulling us down from our high position and taking our place."
So, your dad and his family have to deal with all sorts of people every day, and they have to be extremely careful with every step they take!
"You're our daughter, how could we not love you? My darling! What your brother said earlier was just because he loves you so much, his little sister. As for her..."
As she spoke, Zhou's mother secretly glanced at Zhou's father, who sat silently to the side, seemingly waiting for further instructions from him.
After seeing Mr. Zhou nod slightly in acknowledgment, Mrs. Zhou continued, "She's still young after all, and often doesn't understand things, so it's inevitable that she can be a little willful and reckless. But we're still family, blood is thicker than water, and we can't sever this family bond no matter what, can we?"
However, the eldest daughter remained seated there expressionless, her eyes vacant and lifeless, as if everything happening around her had nothing to do with her.
Her emotions were clearly at their lowest point, and anyone could easily sense the pain and struggle she was going through.
Zhou's mother knew very well that ever since Chu Qingqing came to this family, her eldest daughter had always felt neglected and ignored.
Although she had tried to communicate with her husband about this matter many times, the response she received each time was always the same cold "What does a child know?" or simply a scolding.
Zhou's mother knew that her husband's favoritism towards Chu Qingqing far exceeded his concern for his eldest daughter, but what could she do?
As a woman, she didn't have much say in the family.
In the household, her husband always made all the decisions, big and small, and all she could do was obey his orders.
Although she loved her eldest daughter dearly, she was powerless to change the situation in the face of such a domineering husband.
Thinking of this, Zhou's mother couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Alas, my poor daughter! It's not that I don't want to help you, but I'm truly powerless! I only hope that one day you will be able to understand my predicament."
Then, she took a deep breath and spoke again, "My dear daughter, don't be angry with your parents anymore, okay? I believe that as long as we are tolerant and caring towards each other, life will definitely get better and better."
Besides, even if Chu Qingqing isn't my biological daughter, now that she's part of our family, she's part of us. We should treat everyone equally and work together to create a warm and harmonious family environment.
The moment Zhou Huizhu heard her mother's words, a faint hint of sarcasm flashed across her beautiful eyes.
Then, as if mocking herself, she slightly twitched the corners of her mouth, revealing a bitter and helpless smile.
In fact, Zhou Huizhu was not an ignorant person. She was very clear about the psychological manipulation tactics her mother used.
After all, the mother had used this tactic on her younger sister Zhou Yiyi many times, and it always worked.
Unfortunately, this trick has long lost its effectiveness against Zhou Huizhu.
Back then, Zhou Huizhu also held similar thoughts to Zhou Yiyi, and even more so than her sister.
At that time, she longed to receive more love and care from her parents and brothers.
Unfortunately, cruel reality struck her hopeful face like a heavy slap.
Since then, Zhou Huizhu has completely given up that unrealistic hope and will never again crave any so-called warmth of family affection.
In her view, all the beautiful fantasies about family harmony and brotherly love were nothing but an absurd farce.
Zhou Huizhu's merciless words caused Zhou's mother's face to stiffen instantly, and the smile that had been on her face vanished without a trace.
At this moment, Zhou's mother's eyes revealed several different emotions—deep resentment, uncontrollable anger, and even obvious displeasure.
And so, Zhou's mother glared fiercely at her daughter, Zhou Huizhu, as if she wanted to devour her alive with her eyes.
Faced with her mother's fierce gaze, Zhou Huizhu showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, she raised the corners of her lips disdainfully, revealing a mocking smile.
At the same time, her already battered heart was secretly sneering: Humph! Her mother's extreme reaction precisely exposed her deep-seated helplessness and frustration.
"Boss, your sister went to the Mo family to marry in your place because of you!"
When the mother said those words, her tone was clearly displeased and stiff.
Standing to the side, Zhou Huizhu knew very well that her mother was angry with her, but she found it all somewhat ridiculous.
She knew perfectly well that her mother's attitude was simply an attempt to cover up her own helplessness.
So Zhou Huizhu retorted without backing down, "Mom, don't forget, it was Chu Qingqing who was supposed to be engaged to the Mo family! Back then, you kept telling me that my younger sister was more suitable for the other party, and that I was unsuitable because I was too old. Didn't you say those things to me yourself? Have you forgotten so quickly?"
Looking back, her parents went to great lengths to persuade her to give up all thoughts of marriage.
If she hadn't been so uninterested in people from the countryside back then, and too lazy to bother with them, all the responsibility would probably be pushed onto her now.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Zhou Huizhu raised her voice and continued, "Mom, to be honest, sometimes I really don't understand. If I didn't know clearly that Chu Qingqing is not your biological daughter, I would even start to wonder if Chu Qingqing is the only one who is your real daughter, while Chu Jiuyue is an outsider!"
Zhou Huizhu's bright eyes, like burning flames, were fixed on her mother, as if trying to see through her appearance to the hidden truth deep within her heart.
At that moment, a thought flashed through her mind like lightning: Is Chu Jiuyue really her biological sister?
This suspicion was not unfounded, but stemmed from a series of unusual behaviors by his parents and brothers recently.
Just then, Zhou Huizhu keenly caught the fleeting look of guilt in her mother's eyes.
This fleeting flaw was like a spark igniting a powder keg, instantly igniting her doubts like wildfire.
She began to carefully recall her mother's previous puzzling behavior and the various attitudes she had shown since Chu Jiuyue returned home.
Every detail and every word was flashing through Zhou Huizhu's mind, weaving together into a complex web.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt that these clues pointed to the same unsettling conclusion—perhaps there really was some unknown secret between Chu Jiuyue and this family.
"Mom, please stop lying to me!"