Free Web NovelChapter 64: Chapter 64: Madness
Su Li had taken off her outer clothes and was ready for bed, but she was still dressed underneath.
She was wearing a modest, short-sleeved shirt. Other than her arms and neck, nothing was exposed—it was as conservative as could be.
Su Li didn’t see anything wrong with her attire, so when Tang Yuanxiao came back and said something, she didn’t scream or cause a scene.
And yet, despite that, Tang Yuanxiao still got a nosebleed!
Su Li was left speechless.
When Tang Yuanxiao came to his senses and touched his nose, the sight of blood on his hand made him turn red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
This time, it wasn’t just his ears and face. His neck, his hands—every inch of his exposed skin turned red.
He didn’t dare to look at Su Li at all. He wanted to explain himself, but the nosebleed kept his mouth shut.
In the end, he said nothing and once again fled in a panic, bursting out the door.
He came and went in a flash. The whole thing took less than a minute.
Leaving Su Li utterly bewildered.
’So, Tang Yuanxiao, was your purpose in coming back just to perform a nosebleed and prove you can change color?’
Su Li couldn’t resist the snarky thought as she looked down to carefully inspect herself again.
’I really only exposed my arms and neck. I didn’t even take off my bra!’
"Tang Yuanxiao, you’re a father! A twice-married ’old driver’! What are you blushing and getting a nosebleed for...?" Su Li muttered as she slammed the door and shot the bolt.
Lying in bed, Su Li was still annoyed and couldn’t wrap her head around it. ’His reaction was so immature. Not at all like an ’old driver’.’
Su Li shivered. ’Could it be because there are too few women where he works?’
’I’ll have to be more cautious from now on.’
Maybe it was triggered by Tang Yuanxiao’s nosebleed, but that night, Su Li dreamed she was singing nonstop.
At one point, she was singing a certain folk song, "Old driver, wait for me, I’m eighteen this year..."
Then she’d hear everyone saying, "Old driver, give me a ride..."
When she woke up the next morning, the ’old driver’ curse seemed to still be ringing in her ears.
Unlike other days, when she would see Tang Yuanxiao first thing in the morning, Tang Yuanxiao and Little Tang Mo were not home.
They had gone to help out early in the morning. The Tian Family in Xinghua Village was hosting a wedding celebration, and everyone from the village had gone to help or attend as guests.
In a village like this, unless you were on bad terms with the family, everyone would attend a celebration. Those who could help would pitch in without hesitation.
Su Li was no exception. Shortly after she got up, Mrs. Tang hurried back and told her to weigh out some rice to take over as a guest.
In those days, guests brought grain in addition to money. There was a customary amount to bring, depending on the size of your family—more people meant more grain, and fewer people meant less.
Cornmeal, flour, or rice were all acceptable; it depended on what your family usually had.
Su Li weighed out the rice and headed to the Tian Family’s home. The moment she stepped inside, she was startled.
The village fool suddenly jumped out from behind the door, shouting, "Wife!"
Su Li flinched in alarm, but in the next second, someone swatted the fool aside.
"Behave," Tang Yuanxiao snapped, then turned to Su Li.
"Are you all right?"
Su Li patted her chest and shook her head. "I’m fine."
"Mama." Little Tang Mo came running on his short legs to comfort her. "Don’t be scared, Mama. That silly man doesn’t hit anyone."
"Mm," Su Li nodded.
Tang Yuanxiao had planned to avoid Su Li, but thanks to the fool, his plan failed.
However, even though Tang Yuanxiao stayed near Su Li, he avoided her at every turn. He especially couldn’t meet her eyes, his face a mask of awkwardness, guilt, and embarrassment.
Su Li’s expression soured. She gave him a look that silently reminded him of the divorce, and Tang Yuanxiao’s face grew even darker.
She spent half the day busy with miscellaneous chores like washing vegetables and dishes. Although she remained mostly silent, she was still the subject of good-natured teasing all day.
Qin Shanshan was also there as a guest. After listening to the teasing all day, she was consumed by a deadly hatred. Spurred on by jealousy, her mind raced, desperate to destroy everything she saw and tear the names Su Li and Tang Yuanxiao apart for good.
That afternoon, after the bride had been brought home and the main banquet at the Tian Family’s home began, Qin Shanshan happened to spot the village fool passed out drunk outside the courtyard. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
She whipped her head around to look at Tang Yuanxiao and Su Li, who were in the middle of their meal. A cold smile slowly spread across her face.
"Mom, let me help you with that." After a moment, Qin Shanshan stood up and walked over to her mother, Aunt Li. She took the serving bowl from her and started refilling the dishes for the guests.
After serving a few tables, she finally reached Su Li’s table.
She appeared silently behind Su Li. Just as she was about to serve the food, her hand "trembled," and the contents of the ladle—soup and all—spilled onto Su Li’s clothes.
"Ah!" Qin Shanshan cried out. "I’m so sorry! I didn’t do it on purpose."
"Shut up," Tang Yuanxiao said coldly, turning anxiously to Su Li. "Are you burned?"
"Mama..." Little Tang Mo dropped his bowl, his face etched with worry.
"No, I’m fine." The soup wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn, but...
Su Li looked at the soupy vegetables dripping down her arm and sighed in resignation. "I’m going to go home and change. You all keep eating."
"Mama..."
"I’ll go back with you."
Tang Yuanxiao and Little Tang Mo shot to their feet.
"There’s no need. I’ll be right back. You two keep eating. Besides, I’m pretty much full anyway. I can go by myself."
Su Li shook her head, convincing Tang Yuanxiao and Little Tang Mo to stay.
Qin Shanshan wore an expression of extreme self-reproach, looking as if she were about to burst into tears. "I’m so sorry, Su Li. It’s all my fault..."
"You’re just full of tricks, aren’t you?" Su Li shot her a cold glance and turned to leave.
"I really didn’t mean to..." Qin Shanshan said, handing the serving bowl back to Aunt Li before following Su Li out with a worried expression.
Once outside the Tian Family’s gate, Qin Shanshan stopped. After waiting for Su Li to get some distance ahead, she strode quickly over to the soundly sleeping fool.
SLAP! SLAP! Qin Shanshan slapped the fool’s face hard to wake him up.
"Fool, wake up."
The fool mumbled but didn’t stir. Frowning, Qin Shanshan slapped him twice more.
The fool’s face was now red from the slaps, but he was finally awake.
"Fool, your wife is calling for you. She’s waiting for you at home. Take off your clothes and hurry inside."
Qin Shanshan said, looking at the fool.
"Home, go home," the fool repeated obediently, staggering to his feet.
"I’ll take you to your wife. I’ll take you home. Just follow me," Qin Shanshan said in a gentle voice.
"Okay," the fool agreed with a silly grin, obediently trailing after her step for step.
The tall and short figures tailed Su Li from a distance.
Su Li returned to the Tang Family home and went into the side room to find a change of clothes. Just as she was about to take off her soiled dress, she heard the door open.
"Why don’t you ever knock...?" she began, turning around, only to be seized in a hug by a tall, naked man.
"Wife! Wife, let’s go sleepy-sleep."
The arms behind her held Su Li in a tight grip, pinning her in place. Hot breath, reeking of alcohol, washed over her face. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
An icy dread washed over Su Li, and she began to struggle with all her might.
The door to the side room was slammed shut from the outside with a loud BANG.
Su Li whipped her head around.
