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Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Went to the River, Got Too Many Shoes Wet
’Thunk’
Si Chen abruptly planted the kitchen knife upright on the chopping board, causing Liu Haisheng to jump in fright. His composure nearly slipped away; after all, convincing others to divorce was not an admirable act. He felt somewhat guilty and unsure about Si Chen’s sudden move. He stretched his mouth into an awkward grin.
"Dr... Dr. Si, actually I was just conveying a message, I wasn’t trying to instigate your divorce."
Si Chen turned his head, his eyes as dark as ink, looking at Liu Haisheng with disapproval, "Dr. Liu, if you want to divorce and remarry, that’s your affair. Don’t drag me into it. Whoever prompted this, kindly pass on my message that the hospital does not need a morally corrupt doctor."
Si Chen usually presented himself as a man of gentle manners and few words, like a literary youth, always patient and seldom losing his temper. It was the first time everyone had seen him speak so directly.
Liu Haisheng felt as if Si Chen’s eyes were a mirror reflecting his morality, causing him great shame, as if he had been stripped naked and placed in public. His face flushed, feeling humiliated. Marrying Li Meiyu in his second marriage was a matter of great pride to him, but in comparison to Si Chen, it seemed to question his character.
To others, Liu Haisheng portrayed his ex-wife negatively, trying to prove he didn’t abandon her and their child just because his life improved after becoming a doctor. The truth about his ex-wife, however, and whether his current wife was as good as she seemed, he knew better than anyone else.
It was as if Liu Haisheng was nailed to a pillar of humiliation. He opened his mouth to speak but found himself at a loss for words. It wasn’t until Si Chen started pouring oil into the wok to cook that he regained his voice, his face flushed and he said, "Dr. Si, just forget what I said today. I was being too nosy, I shouldn’t have interfered."
Being in his thirties, yet not able to successfully persuade someone to get a divorce and instead getting a lecture like this, was surely losing face. How could he show his face anymore if word got out?
Liu Haisheng felt as if his legs were filled with lead, each step he took out of the kitchen felt heavy. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Si Chen was watching him from behind. Just as he was about to leave the kitchen, Si Chen’s voice echoed behind him.
"Dr. Liu, if anyone else tries to slander Tong Yao in front of you, kindly reply on my behalf. Regardless of appearance or family background, she is second to none."
Everyone was clear who this ’no one’ referred to.
Si Chen did not like to boast or speak about Tong Yao in public, and he disliked even more anyone belittling her behind her back. She had left her hometown and married him, relying only on him.
"..."
Initially, Liu Haisheng thought Si Chen was lofty but upon hearing the last sentence, he couldn’t help but scoff internally, how could Tong Yao compare to Yu Shiya?
Leaving everything else aside, with just looks, Yu Shiya outshone Tong Yao in every aspect. Si Chen was merely young and impulsive - he would regret his decision sooner or later... n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
Suddenly, Liu Haisheng’s thoughts came to a halt, his eyes widened, and his mouth agape as he stared at the lady who had appeared before him, utterly dumbstruck.
Smelling a pleasant aroma, Tong Yao knew that Si Chen was cooking. She was about to go into the kitchen when she bumped into Liu Haisheng, who was standing still. She tentatively asked, "You’re Dr. Liu, right?"
The door of Liu Haisheng’s house was left open, with nobody inside, and a strange man had just come out of the kitchen. It wasn’t hard to guess his identity.
"And you are?" Although he had an idea, Liu Haisheng could not resist asking.
Tong Yao flashed a sweet smile, "I’m Tong Yao, Si Chen’s wife."
Although they had had an argument with Li Meiyu, they were still neighbors. She and Liu Haisheng hadn’t had any quarrels, there was no need to act like enemies upon meeting. She knew how to keep up the decorum. Of course, if Liu Haisheng did not treat her well, she wouldn’t embarrass herself either.
"..."
For Liu Haisheng, it was as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat. He stood there, stunned for a moment, his face moth-eaten, looking more like a cold, hard swine liver. The summary of his looks was like the sour taste of garbage dump, not pretty at all.
He had been laughing at others, playing the good Samaritan, persuading them to throw the sesame seeds for maize. In the end, he was the joke as others held a watermelon. Furthermore, it was a watermelon made of jade! Tong Yao, with her looks and grace, was nothing less than the young lady of a wealthy household. No wonder Si Chen had suddenly gotten married.
By accent, Tong Yao was not a local in Li City; Si Chen had returned after graduating from Kyoto. Without asking, it was clear that Tong Yao must be from Kyoto.
Such a wife, who wouldn’t worship her at home?
Thinking about how he had advised others to divorce and marry someone better, and now she was greeting him with a smile, Liu Haisheng wished he could crawl into a hole. With a black face, he skirted around Tong Yao and returned home. The moment the door shut, all noise ceased.
"..." Tong Yao was left rather speechless by Liu Haisheng’s series of actions. Just as she was about to ask Si Chen what had happened, she heard him speak, "Go to the room and sit in front of the fan. The food will be ready soon."
Tong Yao was indeed feeling hot, her back was entirely drenched in sweat. Seeing no need to pretend, she washed her hands and headed to the room, where the breeze from the fan rejuvenated her immediately.
After a while, she got up to fetch the bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen just as Si Chen had turned off the burner after cooking the rice and vegetables. Seeing her flushed cheeks that resembled a little tomato, he furrowed his brows and commented, " The weather is hot outside. Try to go out at a cooler time and return early."
Tong Yao thought he said this because she had been out for too long and pursed her lips, "It’s so hot; I wouldn’t go out if I didn’t have to. Also, I am afraid of getting a tan."
The meat leftovers from the previous night were finished; only a few green vegetables and snaps remained. Si Chen somehow managed to cook two vegetarian dishes from these. His knife skills matched his cooking skills; the snaps were cut uniformly, and the garlic-sautéed greens were flavorful and appetizing.
The two carried the dishes back to the room. Si Chen placed the dishes on the table and, noticing the beads of sweat on Tong Yao’s forehead, he bent down to aim the fan towards her and handed her a towel.
Tong Yao took the towel and wiped the sweat from her forehead, unintentionally rubbing it against the wound on her head, causing a slight pain. ’Tsk’ she winced in pain. But seeing her act as if nothing had happened and hang the towel on the side and take a seat, Si Chen put his hand down casually.
After tasting a bite of food, Tong Yao happily squinted her eyes, and generously complimented him, "You are quite skilled; this tastes better than the food I cook."
Si Chen replied calmly, "If you like it, eat more."
Having been exhausted all morning, Tong Yao was indeed hungry. After finishing half a bowl of rice and her stomach finally feeling comfortable, her thoughts again returned to Liu Haisheng’s strange behavior. Intrigued, she asked, "What were you and Dr. Liu talking about in the kitchen earlier? Why did he storm out with a sour face as if someone owed him millions?"
Si Chen, slightly pausing while helping himself to the vegetables, replied, "He wet his shoes while walking by the river."
Tong Yao: What’s with the profoundness, scared that people might understand?
Secretly rolling her eyes, Tong Yao changed the subject, "I found a job. I will start work next Monday. I’ll leave at six in the morning and won’t be back until seven in the evening. Don’t cook lunch for me, I will eat out."
The work hadn’t started yet; Tong Yao intended to keep selling milk tea at the school a secret for now. She planned on telling Si Chen once the business stabilized.
