Chapter 5

Scumbag Finds a Helper

“Yue Tang, come out! It’s me, Yang Jiao Jiao!”

Yang Jiao Jiao stormed into the house, searching every corner, even checking behind the curtains.

Hu Ouhua found the scene both amusing and exasperating.

“What’s with that look? Don’t think that just because you have a pretty face, you can be on equal footing with my sister. I’m warning you—when Chief Lu comes out, don’t blame him for embarrassing you on the spot,” Yang Wei said viciously.

A lowly girl from a poor background.

If she weren’t somewhat good-looking, he wouldn’t take her even if she were given to him for free.

And yet, she had the audacity to act all high and mighty?

“Sis, stop causing trouble. Just go home with brother-in-law. If you ruin your reputation, how will you live in the future?” Hu Jingsheng said in a seemingly kind-hearted manner.

Wang Chunlan sneered.

“I know exactly what kind of person you are. Always dreaming about things beyond your reach. Don’t think that just because you slept with a man, he’ll marry you. Families like his care about social status. What kind of sin did I commit to raise a daughter as delusional as you?”

As she spoke, she humbly apologized to Yang Wei.

“Son-in-law, you’re the one I recognize as family. If you still want this used woman, I’ll even pay you a hundred yuan and skip the wedding ceremony—just take her away. If she resists, tie her up and beat her until she submits. Even if she dies, I won’t hold you responsible,” Wang Chunlan promised, patting her chest to show her sincerity.

Yang Wei pretended to accept the offer, promising to treat Hu Ouhua well, speaking as if they were truly mother and son.

Watching the scene unfold, Hu Ouhua felt nothing but irony.

When she was young, Wang Chunlan often had fits of rage, grabbing her ear and scolding her:

“Get lost! Go far away! You stole my son’s life! You wretched jinx! Worthless burden—”

During her pregnancy, Wang Chunlan craved sour foods and kept telling people she was having a boy.

But when a daughter was born, she immediately hated her to the core.

“Yue Tang—”

Yang Jiao Jiao’s excited voice came from inside the house.

Everyone turned around to see a tall, handsome man in a military uniform standing in the corridor. He had his hands in his pockets, his face cold as ice as he scanned the people present.

“Yue Tang, it’s me, Yang Jiao Jiao! Get rid of this woman! I can take care of you myself. Then we can return to the capital together. I… I’m willing to do anything.”

Yang Jiao Jiao batted her eyes at Lu Yue Tang flirtatiously as she hurried toward him, reaching out to grab his arm.

Swoosh.

A sharp, icy glare landed on her hand, like a venomous sting.

Yang Jiao Jiao felt an intense chill run down her spine. Her hand stopped mid-air, uncertain and hesitant.

Lu Yue Tang’s cold expression was terrifying.

“Brother-in-law, why waste money on hiring a maid? Jiao Jiao can do housework. From now on, let her handle all the chores. It’s her duty anyway,” Yang Wei said as he greedily inspected the spacious, standalone courtyard house.

If Lu Yue Tang ever moved out, he planned to make him give it to him…

“Get out.”

Lu Yue Tang finally spoke.

His tone was ice-cold, and his expression was terrifyingly dark.

The Yang siblings froze in shock.

Especially Yang Jiao Jiao, who felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. The excitement and anticipation in her heart rapidly cooled, replaced by embarrassment and anger.

She took a step back, her voice trembling. “Y-You mean… you’re telling them to leave, right?”

She pointed at Wang Chunlan and her daughters.

“We’ll go! Right away—”

Wang Chunlan, afraid of ruining Yang Wei’s chance at securing Lu Yue Tang as a powerful ally, quickly grabbed Hu Jingsheng’s wrist and reached for Hu Ouhua.

However, Hu Ouhua stood firm, unmoving.

“Sis, let’s go. Didn’t you hear? The Chief told us to leave,” Hu Jingsheng urged.

Instead of leaving, Hu Ouhua stepped forward and said firmly to the Yang siblings, “Please leave. The Chief needs to rest.”

“You—” Yang Wei raised his hand to strike her.

“Yang Wei, take your sister and get out of my house. Don’t make me say it again!” Lu Yue Tang ordered, his eyes briefly landing on Hu Ouhua.

“Go boil some water and take it upstairs. If they cause more trouble, call the police.”

With that, he turned and went upstairs.

Yang Jiao Jiao was stunned.

She never expected Lu Yue Tang to humiliate her in front of that woman. The embarrassment was unbearable.

“Lu Yue Tang, I will never forgive you! Waaaah—” she cried, covering her face as she ran out.

“Jiao Jiao—”

Yang Wei trembled with anger.

He glared at Hu Ouhua and spat, “Just you wait! You’ll regret crossing me!”

Then he stormed out after Yang Jiao Jiao.

Wang Chunlan and her daughters stood there in shock.

Wait—weren’t they supposed to take Hu Ouhua away?

How did they end up offending the Chief instead?

Hu Ouhua walked up to them, her gaze cold.

“Mother, Chief Lu has a bad temper. It’s best not to provoke him. Otherwise, the ones getting locked up won’t be me.”

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

Wang Chunlan felt a chill run down her spine. It took her a while to process what had just happened.

“That wretched girl… just threw us out? Is she crazy?”

“Hmph, she’s just a servant. What’s there to be smug about? The moment she leaves that courtyard, she’s nothing. She’s only using the Chief’s status to act all high and mighty. Disgusting,” Hu Jingsheng sneered.

Inside, Hu Ouhua stood by the door for three seconds.

The insults outside meant nothing to her.

She had heard them too many times in her past life to care anymore.

Calming herself, she quickly started boiling water. Once it was ready, she carried it to the second floor, pouring it into a wooden tub filled with medicinal herbs. A strong, pungent smell filled the air.

When she turned around, she saw Lu Yue Tang had already stripped off his outer uniform. He stood there in just a white tank top and shorts. Her cheeks flushed slightly.

Memories from before resurfaced, and her fingers trembled slightly.

“You should leave,” Lu Yue Tang said hoarsely.

He should have taken a medicinal bath earlier.

Holding out this long had already pushed him to his limit.

“Yes,” Hu Ouhua replied, lowering her gaze as she hurriedly left the room with the empty bucket.

She wasn’t sure how long he would take, but skipping dinner and soaking for too long could cause low blood sugar.

So she went to the kitchen, fried two eggs, and made two bowls of egg noodles.

Just as she was about to knock on his door, she heard his heavy breathing from inside, followed by the sound of furniture being knocked over.

The last time he took a medicinal bath, there was no such commotion.

Could something be wrong?

She knocked. “Chief Lu, are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

No response.

She tried the door.

It was locked.

Just as she hesitated, footsteps sounded downstairs, followed by a loud voice.

“Lu-ge! I’m starving! Got anything to eat?” Shen Fubai’s voice echoed through the house.