When the professor heard that Ding Xiaojie had returned, he immediately put on airs, sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, smoked, and watched the black-and-white 24-inch Romanian CRT television, completely ignoring Ding Xiaojie.
"Cough." Qin Xiaoyu coughed.
The professor realized there was someone else there. He was about to stand up when he saw that it was Qin Xiaoyu. He was so frightened that he fell back down as if he had seen a ghost.
Xiaoru's mother had no idea about the old lady's past. Qin Xiaoyu had established her authority over the professor, so she assumed the professor didn't recognize her and even helped explain: "This is your cousin's wife, the widow. She now runs a factory, and Xiaoru works for her. She's capable and makes money."
"Sit down, sit down." The professor, who was always somewhat afraid of Qin Xiaoyu, hurriedly offered her a seat.
"I'm here to help you sort out your relationships," Qin Xiaoyu said, sitting opposite him and getting straight to the point.
"What's there to pack? I've already said everything. My daughter has a bad temper, it's been like that since she was little, it's our fault. From now on, let her do more chores, and the two of you can live a good life together. That's all, Xiaojie, you can move back today!" Xiaoru's mother said, winking at Ding Xiaojie, as if she wanted her to make a decision.
"Sister Ding isn't moving back," Qin Xiaoyu said decisively.
"What?" Xiaoru's mother's eyes widened.
Besides, isn't this her sister-in-law? How did she become Sister Ding? It seems she's already divorced.
"Yes, I'm not moving back." Ding Xiaojie looked at the man and felt disgusted. She made up her mind to tear off the mask of civility.
"Ha, fine, you're the ones who brought up divorce, so let's get a divorce. I can still find a virgin after the divorce. Pack your things and get out of here!" The professor raised his hand.
Qin Xiaoyu picked up the ashtray in front of her and threw it at him.
This lazy man hadn't emptied his ashtray in days; it was overflowing. When he lunged at it, not only did he squint, but his head and face were covered in ash, and two cigarette butts were stuck in his hair. He jumped up, brushing off the ash and yelling.
"This is insane! They're assaulting me in my own home! I'm calling the police!"
"Go ahead and call the police. We'll see you in court. You cheated on your spouse, so you'll leave with nothing!" Qin Xiaoyu said confidently.
"Hey Qin... Sister Qin, come here, let's talk in private." Xiaoru's mother was so frightened by the sight that her legs went weak, and she pulled Qin Xiaoyu into the kitchen.
"Speak quickly, what is it?"
“Men, you know, none of them are immune to infidelity. My old man, when he was young, he was flirting with other women. I argued and made a scene, but life still goes on, and we have to take care of the kids.” Xiao Ru’s mother’s words reflected the prevailing values of that era, and Qin Xiaoyu felt a chill run down her spine.
"If you can make do, that's your business, but don't make your daughter make do too." Qin Xiaoyu waved her hand and was about to leave the kitchen.
"No, please! Let me tell you, it's better to tear down a temple than to break up a marriage. That's an old saying, an ancient proverb! You're a sensible person, what are you doing!" Xiaoru's mother was so anxious that she was talking nonsense.
"Fine, just consider it my fault." Qin Xiaoyu didn't stand on ceremony, pushed her aside, and walked out.
"Qin Xiaoyu, don't act like a bully. You've made a mess of things yourself, ruined the Tang family's reputation, and now you're trying to interfere in my family's affairs, demanding that I leave with nothing. Do you even have the guts to do that?"
"Whether I have those skills or not, you can try and see. I'm not trying to scare you, but ask around and find out who I, Qin Xiaoyu, am. Even the mayor's wife can't beat me. I have powerful connections, and I'm tough. You don't like it? Keep it to yourself!" Seeing that he had just finished cleaning the dust off his body, Qin Xiaoyu still felt unsatisfied. She grabbed the large tea mug next to her and splashed the tea and tea leaves all over him.
The professor seemed to be a bit of a germaphobe; his eyes immediately lit up with confusion, his face practically screaming, "What's going on? Is this never going to end?"
Ding Xiaojie wasn't very confident to begin with, but now she was encouraged by Qin Xiaoyu and stood to the side, gathering her courage.
"You shrewish women, I'm not going to stoop to your level. I'm going to call the police and have you arrested!"
“Okay, let’s just sit here and wait for them to come and arrest us. Sister Ding, did you bring the photos you mentioned last time?” Qin Xiaoyu asked Ding Xiaojie calmly.
"The photos from last time? Oh dear, I didn't bring them. I had three sets printed, but I just forgot to bring them." Ding Xiaojie was a smart person and reacted quickly.
"It's alright, the bailiffs will collect the evidence, and we can take it to court. Professor, it's time to spill the beans about your affair with that young female student. Who was it that stayed in your room all day? She didn't even eat lunch and just stayed in bed?" Qin Xiaoyu was bluffing him. He'd been having affairs for so many years, there must have been a time like this.
"You, you're talking nonsense! I'm a teacher, a role model for others, how could I!" The professor was genuinely panicked.
"Xiao Qin, please don't meddle in this couple's business, okay? Let them talk it out. For the sake of the two children, try to reconcile them if you can." Xiao Ru's mother was so angry with Qin Xiaoyu that her chest ached, so she could only clutch her chest and speak softly.
"No, I'm definitely getting involved today. If he doesn't want to leave with nothing, then we'll go to court. At worst, we'll all lose face together. I don't believe the school will ignore these things. If the professor slept with someone else, it doesn't matter. Having a relationship with his own student, hah." Qin Xiaoyu smiled coldly.
The professor and Ding Xiaojie had argued about this many times, and he always felt he had the upper hand intellectually. But after hearing Qin Xiaoyu's words today, he was completely unsure. Could that woman really have evidence? It was hard to say; he had never been particularly cautious.
"Well, mother-in-law, you see, Xiaojie and I have been married for so many years. We've only had a little argument recently, but we've been fine before. What couple doesn't fight? I'll give in a little, and you can try to persuade her to make up." The professor softened his stance.
“Oh! That’s right, if you had said that earlier, nothing would have happened. Xiaojie, even a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness. You have to consider the past twenty years. Forgive him once, he can change.” Xiaoru’s mother started pressuring Ding Xiaojie again.
"I won't believe anything he says. Now you have two choices: one is to leave with nothing, give me the house, and agree to a divorce. The other is for us to go to court, and I'll sue you for adultery. At that point, it's hard to say whether you'll keep your job. You choose." With Qin Xiaoyu backing her up, Ding Xiaojie's IQ instantly soared, and she laid out both options.
"What, what are you saying? Aren't you setting me up?!" the professor exclaimed angrily.
"Choose or not, it's up to you. Don't waste your breath on him. If he doesn't agree, we'll leave." Qin Xiaoyu didn't want to indulge him.
"No, don't go! Explain yourselves clearly." The professor panicked a little when he saw their firm stance.
"Yes, yes, explain clearly, don't leave." Xiaoru's mother didn't know how to help anymore, she just knew that things couldn't just end like this.
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