Chapter 44

Zhang Shijing’s Divorce

Early the next morning, during breakfast, Qiao Shuyun stared at Zhang Shijing and asked, “Old third, is that vile woman being released today? What are you planning to do?”

Hua Hua tugged on his arm, pleading, “Dad, don’t abandon Mom. If you don’t want her, then my brother and I won’t have a mom anymore!”

Aunt Qiao shot a sharp glare at the child. “You’re so young, and your mother has already taught you how to lie. What good is a mother like that?”

For the past few days, Zhang Shijing had been juggling work during the day, taking care of the kids during his lunch break, and in the evenings, struggling to rest while bathing his eldest daughter and feeding his youngest son. Acting as both father and mother had left him utterly exhausted. When his daughter gazed at him with teary eyes, it truly tugged at his heartstrings.

Zhang Shiye swallowed his bite of food and said, “Third Brother, it’s up to you. Whether you divorce or not is your decision to make.”

Zhang Shijing felt a little moved. After everything that had happened, he didn’t expect his fourth brother to say something so considerate. However, before he could savor the sentiment, Zhang Shiye added, “If you don’t divorce her, then let’s split the family. I can’t live under the same roof as Li Ling. I might lose control and kill her.”

Zhang Shijing quickly interjected, “No, no, Fourth Brother. Our parents are still alive, so we can’t split the family. I will definitely divorce her. I don’t dare to share a bed with a woman like that.”

At this moment, their eldest sister-in-law, Liu Fang, who was enjoying the drama, sneered. “Fourth Brother, you just said it was up to Third Brother whether to divorce or not. Now you’re threatening to split the family if he doesn’t. Isn’t that still forcing him to divorce? And after the divorce? Third Brother will have to raise two kids on his own. How is he supposed to manage that? You can’t just find a partner for yourself and ignore your third brother’s struggles.”

Ignoring Zhang Shiye’s dark expression, Liu Fang continued, “Speaking of your educated youth girlfriend, she’s quite something. A woman who isn’t even afraid of a sickle clearly cares about you. But isn’t her heart a little too small? Li Yu is already in prison, and Li Fang didn’t actually attack her. What’s so unforgivable? If she forgave them, wouldn’t that save Third Brother from having to divorce?”

Zhang Shiye couldn’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of Xia Wanyao. The moment Liu Fang finished, he flung a pair of chopsticks in her direction and said coldly, “Say one more word about her, and I’ll kill you. See if I dare!”

Aunt Qiao slammed her chopsticks on the table and started cursing, “You troublemaking wench! When did it become your place to meddle in family matters?”

Zhang Shijing quickly declared, “Mom, Fourth Brother, I know Li Ling didn’t hurt Xia Wanyao directly, but she did manipulate Hua Hua to set him up. I will divorce her, no question about it.”

Aunt Qiao rolled her eyes. “Don’t make it sound like Li Ling is so innocent. If she hadn’t used Little Hua to lure Shiye to the house, could Li Yu have snapped and gone crazy on the spot? With her brain, which only knows how to swing a sickle, do you think she could come up with such a dirty trick?

“You’d better think it through. If Xia Wanyao hadn’t pushed your brother out of harm’s way, he’d be a corpse now. We can’t be ungrateful. From now on, Xia Wanyao is the Zhang family’s benefactor. If she marries into our family, you’d better drop any petty thoughts. If you make her unhappy, I’ll make the entire family miserable!”

Zhang Shifeng pulled Liu Fang aside and warned her, “If you don’t want to live here anymore, you can leave. The Zhang family isn’t afraid of gossip. But as for my brothers’ issues, you better keep your mouth shut.”

Liu Fang was furious. With Xia Wanyao’s heroic act, it was almost certain she’d marry into the family. Carrying such a massive favor, wouldn’t she ride roughshod over everyone? The second sister-in-law was too shrewd to align with her, and with the third sister-in-law gone, Liu Fang would inevitably be at the bottom of the family hierarchy.

However, with the parents favoring their youngest son and her husband refusing to back her up, there was nothing she could do. And after the way Zhang Shiye had looked at her, daring to throw chopsticks just for Xia Wanyao, what would happen if she offended that girl once she moved in? She couldn’t forget how Zhang Shiye had brutally kicked those sisters back then. The thought sent chills down her spine.

Everyone finished breakfast lost in their own thoughts. Afterward, Zhang Shijing asked his father for leave and went straight to the city police station to pick up Li Ling and process the divorce papers.

Zhang Shiye, having lost his appetite, quickly made a bowl of chicken noodle soup in the kitchen. He shredded lots of chicken, sprinkled it with scallions, and served it steaming hot.

Hua Hua watched from the side, holding her brother in her arms. Zhang Shiye didn’t spare her a glance. Although she was just a child, her performance in luring him to the Li family that day was far too convincing. She had clearly known that Zhang Jiabao hadn’t fallen but still acted with such urgency and sincerity that she easily deceived him.

He didn’t know if she was just blindly obedient or if she’d already been spoiled. Either way, he didn’t bother holding a grudge.

At the educated youth dormitory, Xia Wanyao, still groggy, opened the door with her hair in a mess. Zhang Shiye had been taking care of her day and night lately, so he’d seen her in every possible state. A bit of messy hair was nothing. He had even teased her once for having sleep crust in her eyes.

“You’re here?” she mumbled before turning back to crawl onto the bed to keep sleeping.

Watching her dazed and adorable demeanor, Zhang Shiye felt his heart soften. He couldn’t help recalling his dream from last night, where the little girl had grown rabbit ears and a fluffy tail. Her two tufts of messy hair sticking up now, paired with her white pajamas and red-rimmed sleepy eyes, made her look just like a bunny.

Zhang Shiye placed the basket on the table, walked over, and scooped the sleepy girl into his arms. He planted a firm kiss on her cheek before burying his head in her neck and taking a deep breath.

Xia Wanyao instantly woke up and swatted at his hands. “What are you doing? Acting like a hooligan first thing in the morning?”

Zhang Shiye laughed, smacked her soft little bottom, and said, “Exactly. First thing in the morning, I’m being a hooligan!”

Embarrassed and annoyed, Xia Wanyao pounced at him, shouting, “You dare hit me! Stand still and let me hit you back!”

Afraid she’d strain her wound, Zhang Shiye playfully guarded her while dodging. Xia Wanyao, desperate to retaliate and still half-awake, tripped over her own feet and fell straight into his arms.

Zhang Shiye caught the little girl and lifted her, placing her on his arm, pulling her up a bit higher.

The embarrassing position made Xia Wanyao feel like she might die of shame right then and there. She squirmed and tried to wriggle down, “Let me go, you pervert!”

Hearing her soft, sticky voice, Zhang Shiye felt his heart skip a beat, and he almost melted. His ears immediately turned bright red.

He placed Xia Wanyao back on the bed, and Zhang Shiye had already broken into a thin layer of sweat. Ignoring the heat in his body, he quickly checked her wound with his left hand. It had healed much better than yesterday—almost completely, but the scar was still long and ugly, looking like a centipede.

“It’s almost healed. I put some scar cream on it yesterday. It’ll be fine in a little while, so you don’t need to worry!”

Every time Zhang Shiye saw that scar, his heart ached unbearably. His eyes reddened as he gently lowered her arm. “Yao Yao, listen to me. You can’t use this arm too much. I was wrong earlier. Let me make it up to you, alright?”

He extended his arm toward her lips. Xia Wanyao glanced at it. “Are you really letting me bite it?”

Zhang Shiye’s eyes were as firm as if he were swearing an oath, “More real than gold. Go ahead, bite!”

With a playful growl, Xia Wanyao bit down on his sturdy arm, leaving a row of tiny tooth marks.

Zhang Shiye patted her fluffy little head. “Are you happy now? Go brush your teeth, or your breath will smell like an old sock.”

After breakfast, Zhang Shiye left for work. Xia Wanyao, feeling bored, lay on the bed and zoned out. After a while, the sound of the postman calling out could be heard.

“Is anyone home?”

Xia Wanyao quickly put on her shoes and ran to the door. Upon seeing her, the postman, whose face was dark yellow, forced a smile. “I’ve got some letters for the educated youth. I was heading to the Xiangyang team, so I brought these from the other educated youth posts.”

Xia Wanyao thanked him and signed for the letters before taking a stack back into the room.

She picked out her own letters and placed the rest on the dining table. When everyone came back for lunch, they’d see them.