Chapter 7: Catching Them in the Act

After leaving the small courtyard, Hu Ouhua took a car to her father Hu Daquan’s workplace.

Hu Daquan, who lived and worked at his unit year-round, had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and dark skin. He was muscular and had a towel draped around his neck to wipe his sweat.

When he saw his eldest daughter visiting, he handed his iron shovel to an apprentice, wiped his sweat, and grinned. “What brings you here?”

Hu Daquan was an honest and hardworking man.

He supported his wife and two daughters through diligent work, but because he was not good with words, he offended his supervisors. As a result, he had spent most of his life tending the boiler without any chance of promotion, which led to resentment from his wife and daughters.

Whenever he returned home, Wang Chunlan either scolded him for smelling bad or blamed him for not securing a better job for her. She complained that he would be earning the same wage for the rest of his life.

He felt guilty about it but was powerless to change anything.

“Dad, I got a part-time job, and the employer even gave me a ten-yuan advance. I want to invite you and Mom for a nice meal. Can you take half a day off and come home?” Hu Ouhua asked with a smile.

Since it was rare for his daughter to invite him, Hu Daquan happily agreed without hesitation.

He had hardly ever used his leave, so as soon as he requested it, he got approval.

To avoid complaints from his wife, he even made a special trip to the public bathhouse, scrubbing himself several times with soap before putting on clean clothes and heading home with Hu Ouhua.

On the way, Hu Ouhua stopped by the market to buy groceries.

“Ouhua, the college entrance exam is coming up soon. If you need money, just ask your mother. Don’t let a little extra work affect your studies. Getting a university degree and a stable job is much better than ending up like me,” Hu Daquan said.

“Dad, I know how to manage my time,” Hu Ouhua replied with a smile.

In her past life, Hu Daquan had been completely controlled by Wang Chunlan. He handed over his entire salary and was often left penniless. Every time he came home, he was berated by his wife and had no say in anything, let alone the courage to stand up for his daughters.

After last night’s torment from Wang Chunlan, Hu Ouhua decided she couldn’t sit idly by any longer.

She had to take the initiative.

It was time to stir things up for Wang Chunlan and her daughter.

Otherwise, they would keep targeting her.

Hu Ouhua glanced at her father, who was looking forward to their meal, and felt a little sorry for him.

In their housing compound, there was a well-known “secret.”

Everyone knew it except for him…

It was time to expose it.

As she pondered this, they arrived home.

The moment they stepped into the courtyard, several women hanging laundry avoided eye contact and forced awkward smiles as they greeted Hu Daquan.

Hu Ouhua calmly said, “Dad, let’s be quiet. I managed to buy some pork belly after standing in line for a long time. Let’s surprise Mom.”

“Alright.”

Hu Daquan was delighted.

He took out his spare key and, unlike his usual loud entrance, he quietly unlocked the door, giving his daughter a pleased smile.

Hu Ouhua’s emotions were complicated.

Once this door opened, there would be no going back in their relationship.

Although it was cruel, she couldn’t let Wang Chunlan get away with everything.

She gave her father an encouraging smile.

Hu Daquan, full of joy, walked toward the bedroom…

The door was slightly ajar.

Just as he reached out to push it open, a suggestive voice came from inside.

“Oh, you naughty thing! Be gentle, you’re hurting me~~”

At that moment, Hu Daquan’s eyes widened in shock.

A chill spread through his body.

As the bed creaked and groaned, Hu Ouhua innocently asked, “Dad, why aren’t you going in? Mom’s shoes are here, so she must be home.”

Thud!

There was a startled cry from inside, followed by frantic movements and the sound of fabric tearing.

“Mom—”

Hu Ouhua pushed open the door with an excited smile.

“Ahhhh—!”

Inside, Wang Chunlan let out a panicked and terrified scream.

“Uncle Zhao, w-why are you in my mom’s room… and why are you not wearing any clothes? How embarrassing!” Hu Ouhua gasped, covering her face in feigned shock while deliberately shouting loud enough for everyone to hear.

Hu Daquan stood frozen, trembling all over.

Blood rushed to his head.

As he watched Old Zhao hurriedly dress and attempt to escape, his suppressed fury finally erupted.

“You damn scoundrel! You dared to sneak into my house? I’ll kill you!”

He swung his fist, and although Old Zhao tried to dodge, there was no escaping the rage of a betrayed man. In no time, he was pinned to the ground and beaten mercilessly.

The scene turned chaotic.

At first, Wang Chunlan was terrified, but as soon as she saw Old Zhao struggling under the assault, she panicked and tried to shift the blame.

“It wasn’t me! It’s your wife who’s been lonely for years! She came onto me! She gave me food, drinks, and even paid for my son’s tuition!”

Years ago, Old Zhao’s wife had died giving birth to their second child.

A notorious flirt, he had no intention of remarrying and instead spent his time seducing married women, living off them without any shame.

“Daquan, it’s not what he says! I never gave him a single penny! He’s lying! He took advantage of me when you weren’t home, I… I couldn’t resist him!” Wang Chunlan sobbed, pretending to be a victim.

“Mom, wasn’t it you who gave Zhao’s daughter money for dance classes? You said Uncle Zhao would pay you back. Did he?” Hu Ouhua asked casually.

“Oh, and didn’t you cover Zhao’s grandmother’s hospital fees? That cost over a hundred yuan. Did he ever return it?”

Each of Hu Ouhua’s words hit like a hammer.

Cold and precise.

With every sentence, Hu Daquan’s eyes darkened, his rage intensified, and his determination solidified.

Wang Chunlan finally understood.

This wretched girl had set her up!

“You ungrateful brat! How dare you! I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

Ignoring her disheveled appearance, Wang Chunlan lunged at Hu Ouhua.

Hu Ouhua dodged nimbly.

Wang Chunlan’s slaps landed on furniture and door frames instead.

Seeing the moment was right, Hu Ouhua stopped avoiding her.

She reached into a pile of clothes and grabbed a hidden cup.

Inside was fresh chicken blood.

“Mom, please don’t hit me! It hurts! Ah—I’m bleeding! I’m bleeding!”

She smeared the blood onto her forehead and shoulders.

Then, she dashed out of the house, screaming.

“Mom! Mom! You killed me—!”

Hu Daquan turned and saw his daughter covered in blood.

His anger erupted beyond control.

Letting out a furious roar, he abandoned Old Zhao and lunged at Wang Chunlan.

Grabbing her hair, he punched her twice.

For the first time, he saw fear in her eyes, and his long-dormant heart came alive.

“You heartless woman! You even beat your own daughter! How have you been treating her when I wasn’t home?”

Hu Daquan had worked tirelessly to support his family.

Yet, while he sacrificed, his wife had given herself to another man…

His life was a joke.

“Zhao, you’re not leaving, are you?”

Just as Old Zhao tried to escape through the window, Hu Ouhua caught him and shut it.

“Trying to leave? Not before you both get sent to the police!” Hu Daquan growled.

Dragging both of them by their collars, he stormed out.

The entire neighborhood gathered to watch.