Liu Xiaocheng's face turned a ghastly shade of green and white. He stammered, unable to utter a coherent word, his guilt palpable.
"Yingshu, please listen to my explanation. She's a female teacher I met during a teaching research project at a school in another province. She wanted to come to our school. I took pity on her and decided to help her stay as a teacher here."
Liu Xiaocheng had been working at the school for over a decade. Given his seniority, he had the right to recommend outstanding rural teachers to the principal.
Luo Yingshu stared coldly at the man, finding him utterly ridiculous. "And then? Did your 'help' lead you to bed? Liu Xiaocheng, I once thought you, with your pretense of educating the young, were a decent man. But it turns out you're just a dog that can't stop eating shit!"
Her teeth gritted, her voice seethed with hatred, as if she wanted to flay the man in front of her alive.
Liu Xiaocheng's face froze. "Yingshu, let's talk about this at home. Please don't make a scene here... okay?" His voice was almost pleading.
Some of his colleagues lived nearby. If this got out, it would definitely affect his job.
"No. If this isn't resolved properly, we might not even have a home anymore."
Luo Yingshu's tone was firm. "Liu Xiaocheng, I'll only ask you one question. Do you want to break up with her or divorce me? If you choose to cut ties with her, we can still make this marriage work. But the condition is that you send this teacher back right away! Let her go back to where she came from."
Zhang Yu nervously glanced at Liu Xiaocheng. Seeing him stuttering and unable to speak, her heart sank.
She bit her lip. "Teacher Liu, say something... You promised me..." Tears streamed down her face, giving her a somewhat endearing and vulnerable look.
Luo Yingshu sneered inwardly. Zhang Yu had clearly chosen the wrong man and was destined to be disappointed.
Liu Xiaocheng only pretended to be a nice guy when his interests weren't at stake. Once they were, he could turn cold - hearted faster than anyone. Just like when he promised the neighbors to tutor their kids, but disappeared after a day or two.
Liu Xiaocheng would never divorce his wife for a country girl. He had an urban household registration, and her parents gave their family a generous monthly subsidy. Was he a fool?
Liu Xiaocheng hesitated for a moment.
"Luo Yingshu, does it have to be like this? It's not easy for a young girl like her to come all the way from the countryside..."
Zhang Yu's eyes lit up. She looked at Liu Xiaocheng with surprise and hope.
Luo Yingshu calmly nodded. "Fine. Since you've made your decision, I respect it. Then let's get a divorce!"
Saying that, she took the hand of Huzi, who was standing beside her, crying from fear, and walked away.
"Yingshu, don't go. I'll send her back!"
Zhang Yu was stunned, forgetting even to cry.
She had sacrificed so much, only to end up being sent back to where she came from?
No, she wasn't willing to accept this!
She summoned her courage and rushed out, hugging Liu Xiaocheng tightly from behind. She wailed, "Teacher Liu, I don't want to go back. I want to stay by your side. I'm willing to be your servant!"
Under Luo Yingshu's cold gaze, Liu Xiaocheng blushed with shame and annoyance. He forcefully pulled her arms off and pushed her away. "Get out of my way!"
It was the first time Liu Xiaocheng had spoken to someone in such a fierce tone.
Luo Yingshu sneered inwardly.
The closest and yet the most distant relationship was that of husband and wife.
After all these years, she had finally seen this man for who he really was.
...
In fact, she had never intended to stay with Liu Xiaocheng any longer. He disgusted her.
While some women could tolerate their husbands having affairs, she couldn't.
Zhang Yu's sobs echoed from the room. Liu Xiaocheng, irritated, snapped at Luo Yingshu, "Luo Yingshu, are you satisfied now?"
Just a moment ago, he had been calling her "Yingshu" lovingly. Now, he was addressing her by her full name.
Sure enough, men could change their attitudes faster than flipping a book.
At that moment, there was a sudden rush of footsteps outside.
It was Liu's old mother.
She had heard the commotion from afar and rushed over. Sure enough, it was Luo Yingshu who had quietly found them!
What a scheming woman!
She saw Zhang Yu crying beside them and Luo Yingshu standing there with a cold face, confronting her son. In a fit of rage, she rushed over and pushed Luo Yingshu away.
"What do you think you're doing? My son having an affair is a sign of his charm. Which man doesn't play around outside? Why can't you be more tolerant like other women?"
Such absurd words were almost laughable.
What was even more ridiculous was that Liu Xiaocheng stood there silently, accepting his mother's baseless support.
Judging from his mother's reaction, she must have known about Liu Xiaocheng's affair for a long time. If it weren't for her suspicion today and Li Chuchu's reminder, she would still be kept in the dark.
Luo Yingshu's heart grew colder.
"No, this woman has to be sent away! She's not allowed to stay at this school any longer!"
"Who do you think you are? You can't make any decisions here!"
Liu's old mother showed her true colors as a shrew. Hands on her hips, she spat on the ground. "As long as I'm around, you won't touch Zhang Yu! Son, don't listen to her! Our family won't be controlled by a woman. We can just divorce her. You can marry Xiaoyu. Mom will take care of everything."
Her old, wrinkled eyes glared at Luo Yingshu menacingly.
Zhang Yu, who had been crying, was overjoyed when she heard Liu's mother's words. She had been right to flatter the old woman all this time. She knew the old woman would support her.
She quickly took the opportunity. "Aunt Liu, you're so kind to me. If I were your daughter - in - law, I'd definitely take good care of you. But this is too difficult for Teacher Liu. It's all my fault. If there's a next life, I hope I can be your daughter - in - law..."
Her words were so touching and plaintive that few men could resist her charm.
For a moment, Liu Xiaocheng was also shaken.
Liu's mother protected Zhang Yu in her arms. "Don't be scared, dear girl. I like you, and Xiaocheng likes you too. It's her who should back down!"
Zhang Yu was over the moon, thinking that there was still hope for this matter.
The three of them stood on one side, isolating Luo Yingshu.
A sense of desolation welled up in Luo Yingshu's heart.
Even a wild wolf could be tamed after a few months of care, but people were ungrateful.
All these years of effort and devotion had been in vain.
Xiaohu sensed the change in the atmosphere and gradually stopped crying. He looked up at his cold - hearted father and then at his sad mother. His father had a strange aunt and a fierce - looking grandma by his side, while his mother had no one.
After a moment of hesitation, he tugged at his mother's sleeve. Despite his red - rimmed eyes, his childish voice was filled with determination. "Mom, I only want you. I don't want them. Don't be sad."