Zhou Jingran was taken aback.
Only then did he realize that Tang Rubao had changed.
She had actually become bold enough to talk back to him!
His dark eyes scrutinized Tang Rubao.
In the past, no matter what she said or did, she was like a quail, too timid to ever argue with him.
But today, she was acting very strangely.
A trace of sarcasm flashed through Zhou Jingran’s eyes, he thought she was trying to get his attention in a different way.
“I’m taking Xinxin to the hospital to see Xiuxiu later. Go cook me a bowl of noodles now.”
Tang Rubao ignored him and continued eating her noodles.
In her previous life, she pitied Zhou Jingran for working so hard, so she never dared to eat the good food at home, things like eggs or cured meat.
Meanwhile, he pitied Tu Xiuxiu for raising a child alone, so he would send all the good food to her.
Every time she saw him bringing delicious food to Tu Xiuxiu, her heart ached, but she never dared to say anything.
Looking back now, she realized just how foolish she had been.
Loving a man who didn’t care about her at all, what a foolish thing to do.
Every day, she kept the house spotless.
She cooked delicious meals daily, all to be a good wife.
But who knew how suffocated and wronged she felt in the process?
No, Zhou Jingran knew.
Yet in his eyes, her devotion as a virtuous wife was nothing more than a speck of dust, insignificant, unable to stir even the slightest ripple in his world.
She didn’t want to suffer from breast cancer again.
She didn’t want to endure that pain ever again.
In this life, she would be selfish. She would never again live for others.
Seeing her ignore him, Zhou Jingran grew both angry and irritated. “What kind of temper are you throwing now?”
Tang Rubao lifted her bowl, finished the soup, and stood up.
Meeting his cold, furious gaze, she slightly parted her red lips and said, “My husband is about to run off with another woman, can’t I be upset?”
“What do you mean, run off with another woman? I’ve told you so many times, Xiuxiu and I are innocent. I just take care of her because she and her daughter are pitiful.”
Tang Rubao shot back, “Is it because they’re pitiful… or because you’ve always loved her?”
“You—!”
Ignoring him, Tang Rubao went straight into the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Zhou Jingran took a deep breath, anger simmering inside him. He disliked how she talked back now.
He still preferred the woman who used to look at him with shining eyes, filled with admiration and adoration.
He liked the obedient version of her, the one who would agree to anything he asked without a single complaint.
He walked to the kitchen doorway and watched her profile.
Thinking about how she would have to take care of Tu Xiuxiu for the next month, his tone softened slightly, though it still carried a trace of command.
“The doctor said Xiuxiu’s hands can’t touch water for a month. During that time, you’ll help her with laundry and cooking, and also take Xinxin to and from school.”
Tang Rubao placed the washed bowl beside the stove.
She stared out the window, lost in thought.
In her previous life, she had served Tu Xiuxiu like a nanny for an entire month.
Not only did she receive no thanks, but she was constantly criticized and picked apart by both mother and daughter.
Either her laundry wasn’t clean enough, or her cooking wasn’t good enough.
What was worse, the food expenses for that entire month came from her father’s pension.
Tu Xiuxiu didn’t give her a single cent.
Zhou Jingran didn’t give her a single cent either.
To them, it was only natural, her responsibility, to spend her own money to take care of Tu Xiuxiu.
“Xiuxiu is going north to perform on June 1st. You need to take good care of her and help her recover as soon as possible so it won’t affect her rehearsals. Xinxin—”
Tang Rubao suddenly turned around and coldly interrupted him. “Zhou Jingran, I want a divorce.”
Zhou Jingran was stunned for a few seconds, unable to believe those words had come from Tang Rubao, who loved him so deeply. “What did you say?”
Tang Rubao took a deep breath and looked at him calmly. “I want a divorce. You can submit the application to the military.”
Anger surged within Zhou Jingran, and he became agitated. “I’ve already compromised and didn’t ask you to apologize to Xiuxiu anymore. Why are you still making a scene?”
“I’m not making a scene. I know you don’t like me. Marrying me was just carrying out the task my father gave you. The one you’ve always liked is Tu Xiuxiu.”
“Xiuxiu and I are innocent!”
Tang Rubao suppressed the bitterness in her heart. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I just want a divorce.”
Zhou Jingran’s face darkened. “I don’t like Xiuxiu. Do you still insist on divorcing me?”
If he didn’t like Tu Xiuxiu, would he cherish her like a precious treasure? If he didn’t like her, would he stay by her side for decades?
Thinking of the humiliation she suffered in her past life, Tang Rubao’s eyes filled with tears. She said softly, “If we don’t divorce, are we going to keep torturing each other like this forever? I don’t want to live like a widow anymore.”
Zhou Jingran let out a mocking laugh. “So after all this fuss, you just want me to touch you?”
As soon as he finished speaking, he strode forward.
Before Tang Rubao could react, his tall figure was already in front of her.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace.
Looking down at her, his gaze was cold and sharp. “I’ll grant your wish right now.”
As he spoke, he lowered his head.
If it were before, she would have been overjoyed if he kissed her.
But she was no longer the same person.
When he tried to kiss her, all she felt was disgust.
She pushed him away abruptly.
Then she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Smack—
Zhou Jingran was stunned. His handsome face turned slightly to the side.
After a long moment, he turned back to her in disbelief. “You hit me?”
Tang Rubao glared at him, her eyes blazing with anger. “Zhou Jingran, don’t push me too far!”
A surge of inexplicable fury rose within him, his eyes instantly reddening.
He stepped forward again and pulled her into his arms.
One hand pressed against the back of her head to stop her from struggling, while the other gripped her waist tightly.
He kissed her again as if he wanted to devour her.