Old Mrs. Wang had been traumatized by the door. Even knowing her son was at the entrance, she didn’t dare approach when she heard Zhu Yun’s voice. She stood far away in the living room, and now, after a violent shiver, a stream formed beneath her again...

Zhu Yun glanced at her and pulled back her leg. "Wang Xianbing, you weren’t born with a human brain, but I was. Watching you flail your limbs around like a cuckolded turtle flipped on its back is pretty damn satisfying."

"My husband is fairer, taller, and more handsome than you. His salary is higher, his skills are better, and he’s a good man who treasures me. Would I have to be stupid, crazy, or a complete moron to still be hung up on you?"

"Don’t think that just because a village chicken from some poor backwater valley sticks a feather in its tail, it becomes a phoenix that the whole world revolves around! The only ones who’d enjoy watching you dance would be weasels, just humoring an idiot."

After speaking, she turned casually to Old Mrs. Wang. "Aunt Wang, I’ve worked in the fields for years, so I’m pretty strong. You should probably keep your distance when you see me, just to avoid any accidental bumps. It would just be an accident, wouldn’t it?"

Old Mrs. Wang kept trembling, not daring to make a sound. Where was the tyrannical attitude she used to have back in the village?

’So she’s just a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong, all bark and no bite!’

Zhu Yun’s expression changed in an instant. She dropped her aggressive stance and went to greet Chu Shenyu with a light smile. "It smells so good! Are we having sweet and sour pork ribs, braised carp, stewed potatoes, and stir-fried tofu skin with bean sprouts today?"

Chu Shenyu smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Nothing gets past your nose."

As he guided her into the house with an arm around her, Chu Shenyu glanced over at Wang Xianbing, who was clutching his stomach with a face twisted in pain. Chu Shenyu’s own expression shifted instantly as he said coldly, "Wang Xianbing, watch your mouth from now on. Otherwise, you can crawl back to your dirt-poor valley!"

"I’ve never stooped to playing dirty tricks, but if you want to try me, I’d be more than happy to oblige."

"And I can collect a little interest on my wife’s behalf while I’m at it."

What did it matter if someone came from a peasant background? So what if their home was in some poor, harsh land?

If your own heart is filthy, then anything anyone says will feel like an attack on your pride. But no one else is his parent; no one is going to coddle him!

For someone like Wang Xianbing, physical violence was less effective than a single, casual remark that tore away his facade.

Aches in his flesh and bones would heal with rest. Besides, you could only get away with it once or twice, not a third time. This was a society ruled by law.

But words that cut to the quick could be delivered every single time they met, each instance making him so ashamed and furious he wouldn’t be able to face anyone.

’This is too much!’ Wang Xianbing lay stiffly on the door panel, wanting to cry but having no tears. ’Wasn’t Zhu Yun the one who started talking first?’

"Mom, I... I think that vicious woman broke my ribs with her kick," Wang Xianbing said weakly, his voice drained by the pain. ’And my wound must have torn open again...’

Once inside, Zhu Yun happily tugged on Chu Shenyu’s sleeve and asked in a low voice, "Does this mean Wang Xianbing and Lin Jin have completely lost any chance of making a comeback?"

Chu Shenyu quickly held her back, stopping her from jumping around, and gently guided her to sit on the sofa. "Yes, yes, the Lin Family and the Lu Family are definitely finished. But you should be prepared. The Lu Family is very protective of Lin Jin. They’ll be busy taking all the blame on themselves to get her out of it."

"The Lu Family has been around for a long time. Who knows what leverage they have? Trading it for the freedom of a junior member is certainly within their power. However, even if Lin Jin and Wang Xianbing seem to get off scot-free, their lives are going to be very difficult from now on."

Zhu Yun nodded, a smile spreading across her face without any attempt to hide it. "If they’re miserable, then I’m happy."

Chu Shenyu patted her head. "You’ve suffered so much in the past. From now on, no matter what hardships come, your man will be here to shoulder them for you!"

Zhu Yun patted her belly proudly. "There’s another little man in here."

"It’s Dou Huahua!"

"Maodou!"

Mrs. Chu saw that whenever the two of them spoke, the conversation always turned to the baby. Their playful bickering was delightful to listen to. ’I never knew my own son would be this childish after getting married.’

Zhu Yun remembered she still had the college entrance exam to take, so her days returned to a routine of intense studying. She found ways to have fun amidst the hard work: she would tease her apprentice for fun, tease her husband, and boast to the baby in her belly about how smart and capable she was.

"Director Yun!" someone shouted up from downstairs, craning their neck.

There were many people in the factory. While the title "Director" sounded impressive, there were quite a few of them. However, not many women managed to reach that position. In fact, Director Yun was the only one!

Zhu Yun walked to the balcony and leaned over the railing, calling out in acknowledgment.

"You have a relative at the front gate! They’re asking for you to come get them!" the person shouted enthusiastically.

’A relative?’

Zhu Yun was puzzled, but she smiled, nodded, and called back an affirmative. At the same time, she summoned the Teletubbies.

She was surprised to see a person huddled at the gatehouse.

He was wearing black pants and a blue outer coat, with a hat on his head. He was so cold he had his neck hunched down and his hands tucked into his sleeves, squatting by the gatehouse curled into a ball. Beside him was a dusty but bulging sack.