Chapter 4

Zhao Yunsheng had long suspected that Liu Yuetao was the one scheming behind the scenes. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Since she was leaving anyway, there was no need to maintain appearances.

She let out a cold laugh and pulled out a pair of earmuffs for Yuanbao, keeping her son from hearing any foul words.

Turning to Liu Yuetao, she fixed her gaze on her and deliberately hit where it would hurt the most.

“You just don’t understand, do you, Auntie? The matchmaker introduced me to twice-married older men, and I didn’t like any of them. I prefer a stubborn young man from his first marriage—strong, young, and able to help raise my son. They say don’t let good water flow to outsiders; I think Dali fits perfectly. How about we become one family?”

Liu Yuetao’s face turned red, her chest heaving with anger. Hands on her hips, she shouted, nearly exploding.

“Oh, so that’s your plan, Zhao Yunsheng? Walking around my Dali every day, clearly trying to seduce him! You want my Dali to raise your kid for you? Dream on!”

“Looking like some fox spirit, without a proper job, yet always surrounded by nice things. Who knows how many men you’ve crawled into bed with behind the scenes! Pfah! A broken woman like you… you think you’re worthy of my son?”

Usually, Liu Yuetao’s words were sharp, but not this vicious. Zhao Yunsheng was momentarily stunned—and then burst out laughing from anger.

She nodded, glanced around, carried Yuanbao to the corner, and, without hesitation, raised her hand and slapped Liu Yuetao.

“You old hag! You think I’d give you face? You dare smear me in front of a child—believe it or not, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

“???”

Liu Yuetao, in her decades of life, had never been slapped by someone younger. She froze on the spot.

Zhao Yunsheng wasn’t done. She let her words fly like daggers.

“If there’s no pot at home, there’s still urine, right? Look at yourself! You old hen, and you think I’d let you be my mother-in-law? If it weren’t for He Dali, I wouldn’t even bother with you. Poor Dali—having an old shrew like you for a mom, how could he ever get a wife? Dream on!”

Liu Yuetao’s eyes widened, her gaze viciously cutting into Zhao Yunsheng. Trembling lips, tears streaming, she suddenly roared.

“Help! Someone’s being attacked!”

“Zhao Yunsheng, that little tramp hit me! Come see, I won’t survive this!”

She threw her hands up, tossed her groceries to the ground, and flopped down, kicking her legs and throwing a tantrum.

Zhao Yunsheng barely spared her a glance, feeling satisfied, and turned her attention back to carrying her son.

Yuanbao, curious, peered at Liu Yuetao. Though only four, he understood everything.

Resting on his mother’s shoulder, he glared at her, pouting.

“Bad person! You’re a bad grandma! You bullied my mom! I don’t like you!”

Liu Yuetao was enraged, wiping her tears, her neck stiff, shouting.

“Who’s your grandma? Don’t make up relations! I don’t care if you like me or not, you little brat from nowhere!”

Zhao Yunsheng’s face turned green. She had almost reached the door, then pivoted back, raising her hand to give Liu Yuetao another slap—but Liu Yuetao, quick as a cat, scrambled up and lunged toward her from behind.

“Jun’er! Jun’er, you’re back! Quick, save me! This little brat has no respect for elders and hit me! You’re a soldier, right? Arrest her and send her for reform!”

Zhao Yunsheng turned to see Liu Yuetao ducking behind the newcomer at the door.

Focusing, she saw the man in a jacket, standing tall and straight—it was Deng Lijun, the same one from the earlier blind date.

He had been with Pei Hechuan before. Now, suddenly appearing—did that mean Pei Hechuan had followed too?

Zhao Yunsheng took two fearful steps back, clutching Yuanbao tightly. She remembered a back exit to the north and was about to bolt.

Seeing the bag on her arm, Deng Lijun’s eyes widened. Afraid the mother and son would escape, he rushed over to stop her.

“Comrade Zhao, wait!”

Zhao Yunsheng thought, “It’s over… I probably can’t get away.”

Seeing her face pale, Liu Yuetao assumed she was scared. Feeling emboldened, Liu Yuetao stood tall, grabbing Deng Lijun and wailing.

“Jun’er, you don’t know! Ever since this little brat came to the compound, our Dali has been acting like he’s under a spell, neglecting everything at home, just laboring for her and her son! Every month, all his salary goes to raising her kid. Now that I exposed her, she still won’t admit it, and she even hit me, her elder! Look at my face!”

“I’m going to report her to the police for assault! Jun’er, arrest her!”

Deng Lijun lowered his eyes, surveying Liu Yuetao’s red handprint across her yellowed face. It was a shocking sight.

He hadn’t expected Comrade Zhao, seemingly gentle, to be such a fiery little pepper.

Didn’t the commander always say he liked gentle and sensible women? This Zhao Yunsheng was nothing like that.

“Comrade Zhao, this situation’s gotten out of hand. How about we all sit down and talk? I can get a clearer idea of what really happened.”

“Also, Auntie, don’t mention calling the police. We live in the same compound—seeing each other all the time, it’d only ruin the harmony.”

Deng Lijun had only come to gather information. He didn’t expect Zhao Yunsheng to live here. Had he known they were in the same compound, he wouldn’t have had to ask around outside.

Since the commander was waiting outside, and he hadn’t gone in yet, the commander would eventually come to check. How would Comrade Zhao escape then?

Deng Lijun had his little plan—but so did Zhao Yunsheng.

Her mind raced. She wanted to leave more than anything and regretted having confronted the old shrew.

Resigned, she forced a bitter smile and nodded.

“Fine… it’s better to clarify things, so no one misunderstands me.”

Liu Yuetao, furious, spat and pointed at her nose.

“Misunderstand you? Ask the neighbors—I didn’t say a single word wrong!”

Zhao Yunsheng didn’t even glance at her, smiling as she turned to Deng Lijun.

“Comrade Deng, weren’t we going to sit down and talk? Could you bring two stools over, please?”

Deng Lijun saw two stools right at the door, didn’t think much, and nodded, turning to grab them.

Zhao Yunsheng’s face lit up. Scooping up Yuanbao, she headed straight for the back exit.

Her survival instincts were in overdrive—she ran like the wind.

Liu Yuetao grabbed the basket of vegetables at the door, looked up, and saw them almost out. She stomped angrily, pointing and shouting.

“Zhao Yunsheng, stop! Scared now, huh? Trying to run after hitting someone? Stop right there!”

She charged forward, but Deng Lijun beat her to it.

“Comrade Zhao! Don’t leave! I have something to say…”

The two of them followed her, one ahead, one behind—but Zhao Yunsheng suddenly slammed on the brakes.

She froze stiff at the doorway, staring straight outside like a tree stump.

Only Yuanbao struggled uncomfortably in her arms, kicking his little legs, his face red as he asked,

“Mom, why aren’t we going?”

Deng Lijun slowed his steps, following their line of sight.

Commander?!