Chapter 31.1

“… All you do all day is focus on other people, causing trouble every few days. Lin Fang, can you just settle down? Huh? I’m out in the fields working hard while you’re out there making a mess!?”

“All you do is blame me! Who do you think I’m worrying about all day? Huh? Isn’t it for you guys? Have I enjoyed a single day of comfort or what?”

“Has the family treated you badly? Tell me, has the family treated you badly?”

“…”

Wen Yue finished her shower, and the shouting from next door continued.

She was drying her dripping hair with a towel, leaning against the kitchen door frame to look next door.

Having spent the whole day at the Fang family house, she didn’t have time to wash her hair and could only do it when she returned home at night.

“How long are they going to keep fighting?” Her hair was a bit long, making it difficult to dry, and she contemplated whether she should cut it shorter, to collarbone length.

Suddenly, the towel was pulled from her hands. She instinctively turned her head, only to find the towel draped over her head, gently drying her hair. Zhou Yao’s deep voice came from behind her: “Who knows? They’re still arguing?”

“Not surprised.” Wen Yue yawned slowly, a hint of drowsiness in her tone. “I’m really tired right now. Once I close the door in my room, I’ll be able to sleep, and they won’t bother me.”

Zhou Yao raised his eyebrows slightly. “Alright, then go to bed early. If they keep you up, just tell me, and I’ll take care of it.”

As he spoke, he carefully and attentively dried her hair.

Wen Yue’s hair had not looked great before due to malnutrition—dry and yellow at the ends, and the texture was poor. But now, her hair had turned black, smooth, and thick, feeling incredibly nice to touch, like silk.

Zhou Yao shifted his gaze from her hair to Wen Yue’s delicate face, which had become even more beautiful. It was as if she had suddenly blossomed, captivating to the point where one couldn’t look away, though her features still held a hint of youthful innocence.

“You’ll definitely be able to sleep.”

Her crimson lips parted and closed, revealing a hint of her pink tongue. The fullness of her lips, especially the center, looked particularly attractive. Even when she’s not smiling, her lips naturally curled upward…

Zhou Yao’s hand slowed down as he dried her hair. His gaze lingered, and he suddenly felt a bit thirsty, swallowing hard as his throat tightened.

“Almost done.”

Noticing that Zhou Yao was slowing down, Wen Yue reached up to touch her hair. It is mostly dry now. She picked up the wooden comb hanging nearby and gently combed her hair, still keeping her gaze on Zhou Jianghai and Lin Fang’s room, not turning back.

“You should go take a shower, then get some sleep.” Wen Yue said with a cheerful smile.

Zhou Yao’s eyes flickered, and he quietly replied but still didn’t move from his spot.

The argument next door had escalated into a fight. The sounds of chaos mixed with Zhou Guangzong and Zhou Yaozu’s attempts to mediate, making it all feel quite stimulating.

Wen Yue hesitated to go to sleep, wanting to move a stool to sit at the door to watch a bit longer. Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Yao hadn’t left. She turned and accidentally bumped right into him, landing solidly against his firm chest.

“Hiss.” Wen Yue covered her forehead and instinctively took a step back, only to be caught by Zhou Yao around the waist.

“Zhou Yao? You didn’t go take a shower?”

“Not yet.” Zhou Yao pressed his lips together. “Did that hurt?”

Wen Yue blinked. “No, it just startled me. I thought you had already gone to the shower.”

“… I’ll go now.” Zhou Yao glanced at her forehead to check for any injury, and seeing she wasn’t hurt, he felt relieved and turned to get water for his shower.

Wen Yue tilted her head to watch Zhou Yao’s tall and straight back for a couple of seconds, her brows slightly furrowing. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about him, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was…

Not thinking too much, she moved the stool to sit by the kitchen door.

Listening to Lin Fang shout like a madwoman, it seemed that the couple had gotten into a fight. Their two sons were trying to intervene, likely siding with Lin Fang, leading her to scream about ungrateful children, lamenting how much she had sacrificed for the family only to be blamed by everyone.

Wen Yue sighed as she listened, losing interest in watching the drama unfold. She returned the stool to the stove and called out to the small space, “Zhou Yao, I’m going back to sleep~”

There was no sound of running water in the small space, and after several seconds, she finally heard Zhou Yao’s low, hoarse voice responding, not quite clear, “… Hmm.”

…

Early in the morning, there was shouting and crying coming from outside.

Wen Yue was forced out of her dream, pouting and feeling a bit irritated. After a while, she slowly regained some energy and got up to change clothes, putting on her shoes, and walking to the door to peek outside.

In the yard stood a crowd of people, all from the Li family.

They were passionately arguing with Lin Fang.

Wen Yue opened the door, and the scene fell silent for two seconds.

She covered her mouth and yawned, her eyes glistening with sleepiness. She mumbled, “You all carry on, don’t mind me.” After saying that, she slowly turned around and headed back into the kitchen.

Zhou Yao was not there. She didn’t know if he was still asleep or had gone out.

Wen Yue squatted outside the kitchen, holding a bowl and toothbrush while brushing her teeth, casually tilting her head to watch the farce unfold.

Li family member: “You put my mom in the hospital, so you have to pay the medical bills!”

Lin Fang wasn’t backing down: “Your mom hit me too, so don’t you think you should pay my medical bills?”

“Did you go to the hospital? Huh? My mom’s in the hospital! She’s almost sixty, and she’s suffering like this! You heartless woman! If you don’t pay the medical bills, we’re going to the police station to report you!”

“Go ahead! If you have the guts, go! Have the police arrest me and lock me up! There’s no point in me living anyway, so go ahead!”

Lin Fang screamed at the top of her lungs, her eyes red, looking completely deranged as if she had suffered a great mental blow, intimidating the Li family members.

“Come on! Come arrest me! Shoot me!!” The yard was filled with Lin Fang’s screams, her eyes filled with negative emotions sweeping over everyone, including Wen Yue, who was nearby, eating popcorn. “If I die, you’ll all be murderers! None of you will have a good death!!”

Wen Yue: “…?”

Wait, she was just brushing her teeth…?

The yard fell silent again.

Wen Yue sped up her brushing, took the towel hanging under the eaves and returned to the kitchen.

Li Lao’er was silent for two seconds before speaking, snorting twice, “Do you think we’ll let you off just because you act crazy? It doesn’t matter if you don’t give it, go ask your man. You two are a couple. He is also responsible for the trouble you’ve caused!”

“We’re leaving!”

With that, the crowd of Li family members surged away, leaving the yard empty.

Wen Yue washed her face and hung the towel to dry outside the kitchen. Just as she finished, she met Lin Fang’s furious gaze.

“Bad omen! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this situation!” Lin Fang, with pent-up anger, glared at Wen Yue. Seeing that Zhou Yao wasn’t home, she was consumed with rage. “If you had hired me to help, this wouldn’t have happened!”

Wen Yue found it ridiculous. “What kind of bandit logic is that? Why should I hire you? Who do you think you are? Do you think everyone has to listen to you?”

“How dare you talk back? You bad omen! You broom star! You’re a burden! It’s all your fault!!” Lin Fang suddenly erupted and charged toward her.

Wen Yue was taken aback for a moment, instinctively backing away and slamming the kitchen door shut.

Lin Fang angrily kicked the door. “You little brat! Open the door! I’m going to teach you a good lesson today! Open the door!!”

Wen Yue quickly grabbed a few pieces of firewood to block the door, her heart pounding in fear.

She would be a fool to open the door.

“You’re blaming me for the mess you caused? You really have no shame.” With the wooden door tightly closed, blocking the distance between them, Wen Yue finally had the courage to retort back. “If you’re so capable, why don’t you figure out a way to earn money yourself? Why come to me? You can keep kicking the door. Zhou Yao will be back soon.”

When Zhou Yao returned, she would definitely tell him!

From now on, whenever Zhou Yao wasn’t home, she would stay inside. Lin Fang was like a rabid dog, biting anyone in her path.