“Tsk tsk…” Tang Rubao’s face wore a sarcastic smile, but a bitter feeling welled up in her chest. “You really is deeply in love and will go to great lengths for it.”
In his past life, his mother had barely arrived at the family compound when she falsely accused her of stealing the Zhou family’s ancestral jade bracelet.
It caused a huge stir at the time, half the military wives in the compound gathered to watch, and even the political commissar came over.
The aggressive way Zhou Jingran had forced her to return the bracelet back then still made Tang Rubao feel suffocated just thinking about it.
Later, his mother found the bracelet in the pocket of a coat. He knew he had wronged her but never apologized.
She should apologize for things she hadn’t done.
Tu Xiuxiu didn’t need to apologize for what she had done, her fussing had made it her fault.
Why had she been so foolish and love-obsessed in her past life?
Rubao… her parents had named her that, cherishing her like a treasure.
What kind of life would she lead after marrying Zhou Jingran?
People with generational gaps and incompatible values are destined to suffer if they’re together.
Tang Rubao glanced coldly at Zhou Jingran.
In her mind, she and Tu Xiuxiu were undoubtedly opposites.
She had dark skin, Tu Xiuxiu was fair. She had ordinary looks, Tu Xiuxiu was stunning. She was dull and slow-witted, Tu Xiuxiu could sing and dance. She could barely read, Tu Xiuxiu was the star of the performing arts troupe. She was unloved, Tu Xiuxiu was his ideal woman…
Tang Rubao withdrew her gaze and said calmly, “In your heart, Tu Xiuxiu’s face is beautiful, but mine isn’t?”
“Do you have to be so jealous?” Zhou Jingran asked with a sullen expression. Usually distant, he passively explained: “When I was in the Nanning camp, Xiuxiu saved my life. Now that she’s in trouble, I’m helping her to repay that life-saving debt. Is that wrong?”
If it weren’t for Tu Xiuxiu saving him back then, he would have died by the river.
He hoped she could understand and not be jealous of Xiuxiu.
He felt only brotherly affection toward Xiuxiu, not romantic love, she had absolutely no reason to target her.
“You can repay your life debt, but you can’t use my money to do it. Tu Xiuxiu saved you, not me,” Tang Rubao retorted bluntly.
Zhou Jingran clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead. “Aren’t I your husband?”
Her words disappointed him utterly.
“What kind of husband are you? We’ve been married for years, have we even consummated our marriage?”
The last words caught in Tang Rubao’s throat. She feared that if she spoke them aloud, it would upset Zhou Jingran and he would try to kiss her like last time.
“I’ll give you three days. If I don’t see the money in three days, I’ll make a scene at Tu Xiuxiu’s place. I’ll also tell everyone in the compound that you’re protecting her.”
Seeing Zhou Jingran’s face darken and his gaze sharpen, Tang Rubao quickly dropped the subject, slipped into her room, closed the door, and bolted it.
Who knew if this man would do the same disgusting thing as last time and force a kiss on her?
“Phew…” Tang Rubao exhaled, and her mood improved slightly.
She heard the door outside close.
Tang Rubao quickly went to the window and saw Zhou Jingran leaving, heading toward Tu Xiuxiu’s house.
Pursing her lips, she turned, found her clothes, and took a shower.
Afterward, she bolted the door, lay down on the bed, and read a “Story Collection.”
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She got out of bed, grabbed pen and paper, and began writing her story while lying on the bed, quickly immersing herself in her creative world…
“Ah Ran, I didn’t mean to take Rubao’s money. I was looking for a skirt and saw an envelope in her bag with your name on it. I thought she had stolen your money. Even if Rubao hadn’t come to make trouble, I would have given the money to you tonight. She brought people to make trouble and falsely accused me of stealing. I panicked and didn’t know what to do.”
Tu Xiuxiu handed the envelope to Zhou Jingran, lowering her head, her eyes red, speaking softly.
Zhou Jingran sat in his chair, staring at her.
Tu Xiuxiu’s eyes were clear, but a hint of guilt flickered in them.
He could tell she was lying, but he didn’t call her out.
He took the money and said in a deep voice, “This money is for Rubao.”
Tu Xiuxiu looked up, confused. “How do you have so much money to give her? Why would a woman need so much?”
“Giving her money is to stop her from making a fuss about divorce,” Zhou Jingran said calmly, a trace of annoyance showing as he thought of Tang Rubao’s divorce antics.
Tu Xiuxiu’s heart skipped a beat. “You… you said you’d already written the divorce application?”
Zhou Jingran rubbed his temples and said wearily, “Just to scare her.”
“…” Tu Xiuxiu seemed stunned.
So Tang Rubao was stubbornly insisting on a divorce.
Zhou Jingran had never even considered divorcing her.
To stop Tang Rubao from pursuing a divorce, he even gave her two hundred yuan.
So… Zhou Jingran had never thought of marrying her.
Although she looked down on Zhou Jingran’s family background, she couldn’t let him be completely indifferent to her.
Her feelings were conflicted and complicated. What if Zhou Jingran divorced Tang Rubao and wanted to marry her?
Now he was telling her he didn’t file for divorce…
Tu Xiuxiu’s face turned pale, and she looked away in grievance, no longer meeting Zhou Jingran’s eyes.
Oblivious, Zhou Jingran didn’t notice her odd behavior. He put the envelope in his pocket and went to check Ke Xin’s homework.
Ke Xin really liked Zhou Jingran, so she had brought her completed homework for him to check.
After reviewing it, Zhou Jingran looked up and smiled at Tu Xiuxiu. “Xinxin is as smart as you. You’re so young, yet you write such beautiful characters.”
Tu Xiuxiu wiped tears from her eyes. “I hope she can study more and join a performing arts troupe when she grows up.”
“You cried?” Zhou Jingran frowned, suspiciously eyeing Tu Xiuxiu. Then, thinking about the earlier incident, he said: “I’ll go back soon, give the money to Rubao, explain the situation, and ask her to apologize to you.”
“Uncle Zhou, I’ve finished my homework. Can I go to Uncle Wei’s house to watch TV?” Ke Xin tilted her head and blinked at him.
Zhou Jingran rubbed her head. “Okay, but don’t stay up too late.”
“Okay.” Ke Xin nodded, then, as if remembering something, pouted.
“But Uncle Wei’s dog is very fierce, and Xinxin is afraid of it. And Grandma Wei always tells Xinxin to let her mother be her daughter-in-law. Mom doesn’t like me going there to watch TV, but I really want to.”
Hearing this, Zhou Jingran turned, his dark eyes swirling with surprise and unusual emotion, and looked at Tu Xiuxiu. “Aunt Wei wants you to be her daughter-in-law?”