Su Banxia sneered coldly. Why were this woman’s words so unpleasant to hear?

A flicker of displeasure passed through Jiang Guo’an’s eyes.

Su Banxia retorted, “Why is your mouth so foul? Did you forget to wipe it after using the toilet?”

With people like this, there was no need to be polite.

As it happened, she had been feeling frustrated these past few days. Was this Liu Yan here looking for a fight?

Before Liu Yan could react, Jiang Guo’an behind her burst out laughing uncontrollably.

When Liu Yan finally processed the insult, her face turned livid with anger.

How dare you! You’re the one with a foul mouth—your whole family has foul mouths!

She never expected Su Banxia to be so sharp-tongued now.

With Jiang Guo’an present, Liu Yan struggled to maintain her refined image in front of him, holding back the harsher words she wanted to say.

Suppressing her irritation, she said, “How can you say such things? I was only looking out for you.”

Su Banxia crossed her arms.

“Stop right there. We’re both old foxes—no need to play games with me. Why are you really here? Should I expose you in front of Jiang Guo’an? If you want me to, I can spell it out for you right now.”

Liu Yan lifted her chin arrogantly.

Go ahead, say it. It might even be better if you do. Let Jiang Guo’an understand my feelings.

After all, she was educated, had a job, and came from the city. She believed she was good-looking—surely she could outshine some country bumpkin?

Just as Su Banxia was about to speak, Jiang Guo’an interjected, “Liu Yan, please take the ribs back. My stomach hasn’t been well lately, and the doctor advised against rich foods. I appreciate your kindness, but my wife has already made rice for me. You should take them back.”

He continued, “Also, as a teacher, you should lead by example. I hope you’ll choose your words more carefully in the future. Su Banxia is my lawfully wedded wife, and I expect you to treat her with respect when you see her. Please leave.”

Jiang Guo’an, still standing by the door, opened it wider as he finished speaking.

His words hit Liu Yan like a slap in the face. She had always believed Jiang Guo’an disliked Su Banxia. Before, when she visited him, he had kept his distance. But recently, she heard he had moved back home. Worried that the two might develop feelings under the same roof, she had come over hoping to leave a good impression and make him compare them in his mind.

Now, Jiang Guo’an’s words felt like a direct rebuke.

Liu Yan’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the plate.

Su Banxia glanced at Jiang Guo’an, relieved he hadn’t sided with an outsider. In her mind, he earned another point for that.

Liu Yan stood frozen, unsure whether to leave or stay. She turned back with a pitiful expression.

“I’m sorry, Brother Jiang. I was just worried about Sister-in-law and spoke without thinking. I know Sister-in-law isn’t petty—she won’t mind, right?”

Ugh… How shameless can she be?

How did someone like her become a teacher? Is she even fit to educate others?

Su Banxia rolled her eyes. “Actually, I do mind. Please leave. Our humble home can’t accommodate someone like you.”

She pointed toward the door. Liu Yan pursed her lips, lowering her head with a hurt expression.

“I’m sorry, Brother Jiang. It’s my fault.”

Jiang Guo’an frowned deeply. “Teacher Liu, you’ve misunderstood. You should apologize to my wife, Comrade Su Banxia, not to me.”

Liu Yan trembled with anger, barely resisting the urge to hurl the plate at Su Banxia’s head.

Didn’t those debt collectors crack her skull open last time?

It’d be best if this plate ended her for good today.

How could someone who looks like a fat sow cling to Brother Jiang like this?

People like her are a waste of air—better off dead sooner rather than later.

Liu Yan cursed Su Banxia’s ancestors eighteen generations over in her mind but turned to her with a pitiful expression.

“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

“No, no, no, I don’t deserve this. With that pitiful look of yours, anyone would think I’ve been bullying you. Teacher Liu, please see yourself out. Goodbye.”

Biting her lip in anger, Liu Yan left with the plate of ribs, her eyes red.

Jiang Guo’an shut the door firmly without hesitation. Both were in better spirits now, sharing a tacit smile for the first time.

It was the first time Jiang Guo’an had seen Su Banxia smile so brightly.

His heart skipped a beat.

Though she was overweight, he had to admit she looked quite pretty when she smiled.

They returned to the dining table. Jiang Guo’an picked up his chopsticks and instinctively picked up some potato strips for Su Banxia’s bowl. She paused in surprise.

Jiang Guo’an recalled Political Commissar Liu’s advice: Go back and make a life with her.

He now felt that if they could continue getting along this pleasantly, there might still be hope for their future together.

It had to be better than living alone.

Aware of Su Banxia’s puzzled gaze, he asked between bites, “What were you going to say earlier?”

“Oh, I wanted to tell you I went to the county town today and rented a place.”

Jiang Guo’an’s hand froze mid-air. It’s only been a little over a week—how did she find one so fast?

He still couldn’t believe Su Banxia would actually go through with the divorce.

There must be someone behind the scenes advising her—this was probably a strategic retreat to advance later.

Yes, that had to be it.

He comforted himself with that thought.

Suddenly, he lost all appetite for the food on his plate.

Jiang Guo’an asked, “Is it safe? How much is the rent per month?”

“Two yuan a month. I think it’s quite safe.”

Jiang Guo’an fell silent, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes that quickly faded.

He had been the one to propose divorce, yet now that she had found a place, he felt uneasy.

After a moment of silence, he said, “I spoke to Chen Feng. He’ll help find you a job. You should start working soon.”

Su Banxia was taken aback. “Huh?”

I thought we were getting divorced?

Chen Feng had previously found a job for the original host at a lumber mill, but she ended up getting into a fight and was fired. Jiang Guo’an had been furious about that.

Now he was asking someone to find her a job again—what was he really thinking?

Su Banxia couldn’t figure out his intentions.

“I appreciate your kindness, but I’d rather not. I’ll find a way to earn money myself. Let’s find time to file the divorce application first.”

Jiang Guo’an looked up at her, searching her eyes. He saw no trace of anxiety—only calmness and composure.

She didn’t seem to be pretending at all.

Irritated and restless, he frowned deeply.

“Fine. This weekend is busy for Political Commissar Liu—he has a meeting scheduled for Monday. I’ll take you to see him on Tuesday.”

Jiang Guo’an had been longing for a divorce, and now both seemed resolved. They had finally spent a few peaceful days together amicably. But why did the thought of filing the application next week leave him feeling so unsettled?