Yang Wenfu’s face stiffened for a moment before returning to normal. He said coldly, “It has nothing to do with you. It was just a misunderstanding. If you want compensation, I can give it to you within a reasonable range.”
His words infuriated Zhuang Hui. She flared up without any restraint and retorted, “Compensation? Do you think I’m a prostitute? Or that I’m dirty and not good enough for you?”
Seeing Zhuang Hui’s angry expression, Yang Wenfu explained helplessly, “I didn’t say you’re dirty. Yes, that accident was my fault, but I was drunk at the time and in a state of confusion. What happened wasn’t my intention. I hope you can understand. As for compensation, consider it my apology to you.”
Even now, he still believed that it was his intoxicated, confused self who had actively harassed Zhuang Hui. And Zhuang Hui, naturally, would not take the initiative to tell him the truth.
“What’s so good about that woman? Is she prettier than me? You’ve been in a cold war with her for so many years. In the end, just because you feel guilty, you want to reconcile with her?”
Zhuang Hui found it somewhat incomprehensible. Logically speaking, after so many years of cold war, it would be a miracle if they hadn’t divorced. How could he still have any attachment to that woman?
Hearing this, Yang Wenfu fell silent for a while. Finally, he decided to make things clear to completely cut off Zhuang Hui’s wishful thinking.
“She is prettier than you. This isn’t just a perfunctory excuse. Over the years, I’ve seen countless women, but only a handful can compare to her. However, it’s not because of her beauty or anything like that…”
“She is like a noble white swan, and I… well, I’m probably just a toad who was fortunate enough to gain the swan’s favor…”
Yang Wenfu’s eyes grew distant with recollection, as if he was remembering the distant university days when he and his wife met, got to know each other, fell in love, and finally stepped into the palace of marriage.
During university, he came from the countryside and lived inηͺθΏ« circumstances. Faced with the wealth and glamour of the big city, he often felt inferior. He had to work several part-time jobs while studying hard to earn meager income for living expenses and tuition.
His first meeting with Ruoxi wasn’t at school, but at a hotel where he worked part-time. At that time, his mother-in-law was discussing business with some people, and Liu Ruoxi felt bored and walked alone to the balcony for some fresh air.
Back then, he was foolish andεεε»ε»η. Seeing Liu Ruoxi’s outstandingζ°θ΄¨ and exquisite beauty, he felt ashamed of his own inadequacy. Distracted while going up the steps, he accidentally broke a plate. The dishes on the plate spilled all over the floor. The hotel manager saw it and scolded him severely. It was then that Ruoxi walked over, said a few gentle words, and helped him out of the situation.
TheirηΌε was established from this moment. At that time, he wasn’t just like a toadβhe was one. So now, he has no qualms about using “toad” to describe himself.
Liu Ruoxi was like a ray of sunlight shining into his dark andιΊ»ζ¨ world. Throughout the four years of university life, she completely illuminated his entire world.
Therefore, even though they had been in a cold war for so many years and their relationship had frozen to aε°ηΉ, he had never once considered divorce.
“Hearing you say that, I actually want to meet your wife.” Zhuang Hui hadn’t expected her love rival to hold such an important place in the man’s heart. Even she couldn’t help feeling a bit curious.
On the other side, after Yang Haoran finished breakfast, he was about to go to school with his younger sister when his mother suddenly called out to him.
“Come here for a moment.”
Liu Ruoxi didn’t give him a pleasant look. She coldly issued the order, turned around, and left.
Yang Haoran instantly felt as if his legs weighed a thousand pounds. He thought his mother was going to settle the score with him about the morning incident.
“Brother, Mom is calling you.” Yang Mengyao, who was standing nearby, saw her brother rooted to the spot and urged him when he showed no movement.
“Oh… okay.” Yang Haoran’s face was full of worry. Reluctantly, he slowly followed.
Watching her brother’s dejected appearance, Yang Mengyao grew curious. What had her brother done wrong this time to upset Mom?
Yang Ha trailed slowly behind his mother, his mind racing furiously as he thought about how to sweet-talk his way out of trouble later.
They arrived on the second floor. His mother remained silent all the way until she entered her bedroom, making Yang Haoran, who followed behind, increasingly uneasy.
After entering the bedroom, Yang Haoran saw his mother walk to the dressing table, pick up something, and then turn around to approach him.
“Take this. Drink one bottle during class. When you feel the time is right, drink another bottle.”
Yang Haoran saw his mother hand him a small box resembling a cosmetics case while saying something he didn’t understand.
His first reaction wasn’t to question his mother’s words but to secretly rejoice that she wasn’t settling accounts after the fact.
“What is this?”
He took the box. It was a flat case, similar to a cosmetics box, only the size of a palmβmore than enough to fit into his pocket.
“Open it and see.”
Liu Ruoxi glanced at him sideways without explaining.
Hearing this, Yang Haoran opened the small box. Inside, a layer of white cloth, similar to silk, was spread out. On the cloth lay small glass bottles containing a transparent liquid. There were three of them, each about the size of one of his fingers.
“What is this stuff?” Yang Haoran looked at the glass bottles in the box, somewhat baffled, and gazed at his mother in confusion.
“Don’t ask so many questions. Take it and get lost to school.” Since it concerned that evil game, Liu Ruoxi didn’t want to explain too much. Besides, even if she did, her son wouldn’t believe her.
These three bottles were all learning potions she had exchanged for from the system mall. One learning potion cost 10 points and its effects lasted for two hours.
The total points she had earned from completing tasks previously was only 160. The Dragon Delay Potion took 50, buying those sexy uniforms cost 73. Deducting these, only 37 points remainedβjust enough to buy three learning potions.
It could be said that the majority of her points were spent on her son.
The learning potion could enhance the activity of nerve cells in the human brain. Although the duration was only two short hours, it was enough to give the user a cheat-like speed of thinking.
Although Yang Haoran didn’t understand, seeing his mother’s impatient expression, he thought to himself that his mother wouldn’t harm him, so he felt at ease.
His mother said to drink one during class. He guessed it was probably some kind of supplement to refresh and clear the mind.
Yang Haoran tucked the small box into his pocket and went downstairs. Yaoyao was already waiting for him below.
As usual, the siblings left the residential area and walked toward the bus stop.
The golden sunlight shone on them, draping them in a golden veil. Their two long shadows sometimes separated and sometimes seemed to nestle against each other…