Chapter 177 Slap in the Face
Xia Mufan's words successfully changed Zhao Penghai's expression.
He glanced at Xia Mufan in doubt, then at Mei Yudong who had a stubborn face, and felt that things were out of control.
In the past, Mei Yudong had no relatives in Hui City and regarded Zhao Penghai and her mother-in-law as her family members. No matter how they bullied Mei Yudong, she never resisted. But now that Mei Yudong had the support of the police, she suddenly became emboldened and began to complain in front of outsiders, saying that that home was not her home and she did not want to go back.
However, if Mei Yudong was no longer in that home, even Zhao Penghai would not be willing to go back.
Only those who have taken care of paralyzed patients know how much patience and love it takes. Faced with his mother's trouser pockets full of feces and urine, the smell was simply disgusting. Zhao Penghai, who was naturally very clean, couldn't do it at all as he endured the nausea to change her clothes and wipe her body, feeling the stench of feces and urine all over himself.
After his mother became paralyzed, Zhao Penghai took care of her for a week. He was so tired that he couldn't even straighten his back, so he decided to find someone to take care of his mother. However, after asking around in the labor market for a long time, he couldn't find many people willing to take care of paralyzed elderly people. Even if there were, he couldn't afford the price they asked. After much thought, Zhao Penghai came up with an idea: he might as well find a wife to take care of the elderly and do the housework at home.
Just like that, Zhao Penghai set his sights on Mei Yudong. Mei Yudong is an orphan who works as a waitress in a restaurant in Xing City. Although she looks ordinary, she is tall, strong and gentle. She always smiles at everyone she meets and you can tell at first glance that she is a good-tempered and virtuous person.
Zhao Penghai took some time to understand Mei Yudong's hobbies, took the initiative to approach her, and successfully married her home.
Everything happened as Zhao Penghai expected. Mei Yudong was kind-hearted. Even when facing her angry mother, she was considerate, gentle and devoted without any regrets. Many paralyzed elderly people do not live long because of organ failure caused by long-term bed rest. However, under Mei Yudong's care, Zhao Penghai's mother not only lived for seven or eight years, but her health became better and better. She was able to eat and drink, and was full of energy. There was not even a piece of skin ulcer on her body.
After settling down at home, Zhao Penghai felt refreshed. It is such a good deal to find someone to come back and take care of my mother and her daily life without spending a penny.
At first, he was afraid that Mei Yudong would give up, so he coaxed him with sweet words from time to time. But later he found out that Mei Yudong had no relatives and had nowhere to go even if he was angry, so he gradually became lazy. Zhao Penghai's attitude also affected his mother. Everyone took Mei Yudong's efforts for granted, ordered her around, and bullied her without any scruples.
Zhao Penghai was not used to Mei Yu's sudden resistance.
Zhao Penghai thought about it and decided to change his attitude and pretend to be pitiful. He sighed, looked at Mei Yudong with a sad face and pitifully said, "Yudong, if you don't go back, what will happen to that family? You have always taken care of my mother, and you have always cleaned up all the pots and pans, clothes and shoes at home. What should I do if you leave me?"
Zhao Penghai gently took Mei Yudong's hand, his eyes full of affection, and said sweet words that made people feel sick: "Yudong, I can't leave you. I'm a grown man, I have to go to work to earn money to support the family, can you really bear to leave all the family affairs to me?"
Perhaps because she received too little affirmation while growing up, Mei Yudong particularly likes others to praise her. In the past, as long as she was praised a little, Mei Yudong would smile shyly with a childlike joy in her eyes.
Having been with her for such a long time, Zhao Penghai certainly knew Mei Yudong's inner desire, but he just felt there was no need to coax her before. Now seeing that she was showing signs of backing off, Zhao Penghai got a little flustered, so he once again used the same trick he had used when pursuing Mei Yudong.
It had been a long time since Mei Yudong had heard any affirmation or praise from her husband. Under Zhao Penghai's affectionate gaze, she looked a little confused and didn't know how to respond.
Feng Xiaoyu curled her lips and replied unhappily, "When Sister Mei was in a good mood, you bullied her. Now that she is angry, you start to please her. Teacher Zhao, don't you think it's ugly to bully the weak and fear the strong?"
When Mei Yudong heard what Feng Xiaoyu said, he suddenly reacted. It turned out that her husband also knew how to coax her, but because he was too honest in the past, he was reluctant to give even this little bit of emotional value.
Mei Yudong deeply realized that he, like Liu Qin, was longing because of the lack. Because of desire, I am humble.
But what did such humility bring?
Being humble to the dust, asking cautiously, forgiving timidly...all this did not bring them warmth, but instead made the other party look down on them and bully them even more severely.
Now that the police comrades have taken the initiative to lend a helping hand and help her escape from that home, she must seize the opportunity and must not be like Liu Qin.
Otherwise, she would be squeezed dry of every last drop of blood by her husband's family and then cruelly abandoned.
Mei Yudong's eyes became clear, and he looked at Zhao Penghai and said loudly: "Zhao Penghai, I've had enough of that family. I won't go back. I want to divorce you!"
"divorce?"
Zhao Penghai's voice suddenly rose and he screamed like a chicken with its neck strangled.
The rage in his heart could no longer be suppressed, and he could no longer pretend to be affectionate. Zhao Penghai grabbed Mei Yudong's arm and dragged her towards the office door.
While dragging him, Zhao Penghai shouted angrily, "What divorce? I don't agree! How can a couple divorce just because they are unhappy? What do you think marriage is? Is it a joke?"
Mei Yudong was distracted and was pulled forward by Zhao Penghai, almost falling down.
Even though Mei Yudong's body was considered strong among women, a woman's strength was ultimately inferior to that of a man. She wanted to struggle, but was held tightly by Zhao Penghai and could not break free at all.
Mei Yudong shouted anxiously: "I won't go back with you!"
Zhao Penghai ignored her and continued to pull her forward: "Divorce? I tell you, I don't agree. As long as I don't agree to divorce, you are still my wife! Come on, go home with me."
Mei Yudong's arm was hurt by Zhao Penghai's dragging. He was about to use all his strength to fight Zhao Penghai, but unexpectedly, his eyes blurred, Zhao Penghai screamed, flew into the air, and fell to the ground.
It all happened too fast. Mei Yudong stood there in a daze, with his mouth slightly open, looking at Zhao Penghai lying on the ground crying in pain. It took him a long time to raise his head and look at Xia Mufan who had taken action.
After throwing Zhao Penghai to the ground over his shoulder, Xia Mufan turned his wrist, stepped forward, bent his left knee slightly, pressed his right knee against Zhao Penghai's stomach, twisted Zhao Penghai's arm with his left hand, grabbed his throat with his right hand, and shouted: "You dare to fight in the police station, you are tired of living!"
The female police officer in front of him was very skilled. Zhao Penghai knew that he would not get away with it, so he had to soften his attitude: "I was wrong, I was wrong, I promise not to do anything, police comrades, please let me go."
Xia Mufan did not loosen his hand, but increased the strength in his hand: "Let you go? You dare to beat your wife in front of the police. If I let you go, wouldn't that mean I would kill someone?"
Zhao Penghai's throat was grabbed by Xia Mufan, his arms were twisted behind his back, and sweat began to break out on his forehead due to the pain.
He was a gentleman who usually adhered to the principle of using words rather than violence and never fought with anyone. The first time he used force against his wife, he unexpectedly was subdued by the police.
Zhao Penghai's back hit the ground hard, his whole body numb, and he was afraid that he would be paralyzed like his mother. He panicked and said, "Please let me go, please let me go. I didn't beat my wife. I just want to take her home."
Xia Mufan hit him with his knee and Zhao Penghai screamed again.
Xia Mufan said coldly: "Even if she is your wife, she is still an independent person and her wishes must be respected. She told you clearly that she didn't want to go with you, didn't you hear it?"
Zhao Penghai felt pain all over his body. Time became unbearable. He could only wail, "I heard it. Police comrade, you are right to criticize me. I should respect my wife and talk to her properly. I will never do that again. Please let me go."
Having said that, Zhao Penghai raised his head and tried hard to find Mei Yudong's location.
After meeting Mei Yudong's eyes, Zhao Penghai forced a smile and said flatteringly: "Yudong, please ask the police to let me go. I don't want to fight with you. I just wanted to take you back in a hurry. Please explain to the police."
Looking at Zhao Penghai falling to the ground, Mei Yudong felt extremely happy.
It turns out that Mr. Zhao, who was elegant and respected everywhere, would still beg for mercy after being beaten;
It turned out that Zhao Penghai, whom she had always looked up to, was just a coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong.
Don't go into a dead end alley when beating a dog. Mei Yudong was worried that Xia Mufan would suffer, so he said softly, "Officer Xia, let him go."
Xia Mufan then raised his knees, released his hands that were clasping Zhao Penghai, and stood up.
Zhao Penghai struggled to get up, feeling sore waist and back, dry throat, and arm pain, and he felt uncomfortable all over his body.
After learning his lesson, Zhao Penghai looked at Xia Mufan with some fear, and became very honest.
Zhao Penghai's mind was working rapidly, wondering why Mei Yudong said the word divorce.
Finally, he suddenly realized that Mei Yudong had tears in his eyes when he saw him for the first time, and his reaction was too cold when he told him that Liu Qin was dead. Then he thought, Mei Yudong seemed to have mentioned that he wanted to adopt Liu Qin's child, but he refused?
It seems that this incident annoyed Mei Yudong.
Liuqin holds an unrivalled position in Mei Yudong's heart. She insisted on divorcing me today, probably because I refused to raise the child.
It's just a child after all, it's just a matter of adding chopsticks to the house. It would be better to buy time first, agree to all her requests, and then wait until her emotions have stabilized and the police have relaxed their guard, then find a way to send the child to the countryside.
Thinking of this, Zhao Penghai said to Mei Yudong, "Yudong, didn't you say you wanted to take Liu Qin's child home just now? I agree. You can go with me to handle the custody procedures in a few days, okay? Come home with me."
Seeing a hint of cunning in Zhao Penghai's eyes, Mei Yudongdong's heart shuddered and she shook her head: "No need. Liu Qin has nothing to do with you, and you are not responsible for raising her child. Anyway, you and your mother usually dislike me, think I'm fat, stupid, and lazy. That's perfect. I will divorce you and raise Xiaoxiao alone without adding any burden to you. You can also find another beautiful girl who is not fat, stupid, or lazy. It's the best of both worlds, isn't it?"
Zhao Penghai hurriedly shook his head: "No, no, my mother and I criticized you before, it was our fault, I will reflect deeply and promise that I will never say you are lazy, fat, stupid or similar words in the future. Please don't divorce me, I will listen to you in the future, you want to raise Liu Qin's child, then raise it, you want to rest and go shopping, then I will accompany you, okay?"
Once Mei Yudong made up his mind, he was very stubborn: "Zhao Penghai, you don't need to say anything more. I have decided to divorce you and raise Xiaoxiao alone. I don't want anything from your family. I just want you to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau with me to get a divorce certificate."
Mei Yudong cannot be allowed to leave. If she leaves, what will happen to her paralyzed mother? Zhao Penghai was anxious, and the physical pain was nothing at that moment.
A faint smell of feces and urine penetrated Zhao Penghai's nostrils, and he then noticed that there were a few stains under his leather jacket and on his sleeves.
Zhao Penghai couldn't help but feel sick. He grabbed Mei Yudong's hand and said almost pleadingly, "Yudong, please don't leave me. I promise to treat you well in the future. You have been enjoying yourself at home for so many years. I provide you with food and drink. You don't know how hard it is to make money outside. You are already 31 years old, with no education, no skills, and have been out of society for a long time. It is difficult for you to even support yourself. You can't find a job with a child. If you leave me, how will you live? What will you eat? What will you drink? Where will you live?"
A loud female voice rang out in the backyard of the police station: "That's bullshit! What kind of happiness does she enjoy at home? Taking care of a paralyzed old man is a blessing? Three meals a day is a blessing? Cleaning and washing clothes is a blessing? You must be kidding!"
When Zhao Penghai heard this, his face turned red and white, and he was extremely embarrassed.
He gritted his teeth secretly and looked up. The Anning Road Police Station is simply incompatible with him. Why are all of them helping Mei Yudong?
Following the voice, a fat figure in a silk flowered cotton jacket walked into the director's office. Xia Mufan looked closely and found that it was an old acquaintance, Wang Lixia.
Since the milk poisoning case, Wang Lixia has lived with her son Zhou Han. The son took over the business left by his father Zhou Yaowen and developed the pharmaceutical company into a prosperous business. Wang Lixia is content to enjoy happy times with Aunt Hong. She travels, square dances, goes shopping, and occasionally does charity work. Her life is very fulfilling.
Out of gratitude to the comrades at Anning Road Police Station for saving her life, Wang Lixia often went to the police station, bringing them food, drinks and clothes from time to time, and became a frequent visitor to the police station.
As New Year's Day was approaching, Wang Lixia came to the police station to deliver a cashmere scarf and heard the policemen discussing Mei Yudong's family affairs.
As a woman who had also been bullied and deceived by her husband, Wang Lixia felt the same way. She was furious when she heard this and walked to the backyard without saying a word. Before she reached the director's office, she heard what Zhao Penghai said. Wang Lixia immediately made sarcastic remarks, choking Zhao Penghai to death.
Wang Lixia is living a happy life now. She is happy, plump, radiant, and wearing gold and silver jewelry. She looks like a rich person at first glance. Her appearance stunned Zhao Penghai at once.
Doudou, who was in Wang Lixia's arms, has grown a lot. As soon as he saw Xia Mufan, he immediately jumped out of Wang Lixia's arms and ran towards Xia Mufan.
Doudou was circling around Xia Mufan's feet, making a whining sound and wagging its tail like a top. It looked like it was extremely happy.
[Xia Xia, I haven’t seen you for a long time.] 】
Where have you been? Why don’t you come to see me at home! 】
Xia Mufan squatted down, touched Doudou's head, and said with a smile: "Doudou, long time no see, you have grown up."
Doudou is now an adult dog who is almost two years old. She is a Teddy dog with a petite body, brown curly hair, and a hand-knitted floral sweater with a bow on her head. She looks very festive.
Wang Lixia and Doudou were very happy to meet again after a long separation. Wang Lixia stretched out her arms, hugged Xia Mufan, and smiled like a flower: "Xiao Xia, long time no see."
Xia Mufan was almost suffocated by her passionate hug, and finally struggled to get free: "Sister Wang, I still have things to take care of."
Wang Lixia turned her head and looked at Mei Yudong who had been standing silently beside her: "You are Mei Yudong, right?"
Mei Yudong nodded: "I am."
Wang Lixia was a warm-hearted person. She came over and grabbed Mei Yudong's hand, looking her up and down: "Sister, I think you are also a virtuous person. I have a few words from the bottom of my heart to tell you."
At this point, she paused and glanced at Zhao Penghai, who was blushing because of her retort: "I tell you, men can't be spoiled. The better you treat him, the more he will despise you. The more you make him pay, the more he will value you. I have experience in this."
"Sister, I've suffered at the hands of men before. If it weren't for Officer Xiao Xia and the comrades at the police station who helped me, I would have been killed by my husband who always said he loved me. Don't think you're incompetent. I tell you, women are fine without men, but men are nothing without women."
Wang Lixia looked at Zhao Penghai with disdain: "You just said that Mei Yudong couldn't find a job and couldn't support himself? I tell you, you are wrong!"
After that, Wang Lixia smiled and grabbed Mei Yudong's hand: "Sister, I think you are a hardworking and virtuous person. My family just needs a live-in nanny. I will pay you 1,000 yuan a month, including food and accommodation, and you can bring your child with you. I will also cover the child's daily expenses and school fees. Are you willing?"
Mei Yudong opened his eyes wide and opened his mouth, his eyes shining with surprise: "Really?"
Wang Lixia nodded: "Really! I have an aunt Hong who has taken care of me since I was a child. She used to do all the housework. Now she is old. She sprained her ankle some time ago and has been resting at home. I want to find a live-in nanny, but I haven't found a suitable one. It just so happens that we two sisters are destined to be together, and I like you."
This was really like a dream come true. Mei Yudong agreed and nodded repeatedly: "I can endure hardships. I am good at cooking, cleaning, washing and scrubbing. I can take care of the elderly without any problems."
Wang Lixia picked up the puppy Doudou and asked Mei Yudong for his opinion: "There is one thing. I have a puppy at home. It's called Doudou. I treat it like a girl. It's my baby. You and your child are not afraid of dogs, right?"
Mei Yudong waved her hands hurriedly: "Don't be afraid, I really like small animals. Look..." She held the coal ash in front of Wang Lixia, "This is Officer Xia's kitten. It's very close to me."
Meihui and Doudou used to work together in the police station and are old acquaintances. A cat and a dog meet again, and Doudou barks to please them! Woof! After barking twice, Coal Ash bared his teeth and let out a proud whimper from his throat.
Wang Lixia couldn't help but smile when she saw how well-behaved Meihui was in Mei Yudong's arms. "Great, it seems you have a connection with cats and dogs. It's settled then. Come find me after you bring the child over. I live in Building 6, West District, Xueyuan Jiayuan. My name is Wang Lixia."
When Zhao Penghai heard Wang Lixia's name, a strange light flashed in his eyes behind his glasses.
I didn't expect that the boss behind the famous pharmaceutical company in Hui City was right in front of me! Xueyuan Jiayuan is the most upscale villa area in Hui City.
The person whom he could not curry favor with at ordinary times was actually so kind to Mei Yudong and offered her such a high salary. This made Zhao Penghai, who had a high opinion of himself, feel very embarrassed.
Zhao Penghai felt like he was slapped in the face.
Just now he had vowed that Mei Yudong was old, had no education or skills, had been out of touch with society for too long, and could not find a job to support himself.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Mei Yudong found a job as a nanny for a rich man, living in a big villa with her children. Not only was food and accommodation all included, but the children's expenses and tuition were also paid by the host family.
——Isn’t this much better than being a free babysitter in his house taking care of a paralyzed patient all year round?
Zhao Penghai was completely anxious and grabbed his wife's hand: "Yudong, come home with me. Have you forgotten that we promised to stay together when we were in love? You can't abandon me just because you have Gao Zhi. If you leave, who will take care of my mother? Are you going to watch my mother die?"
Mei Yudong now feels that her life has found a purpose, so why would she want to go back to that home that made her feel suffocated?
She shook her head. "When we were dating, you said you would treat me like a family member and take care of me. Have you done that? Since you can't respect and love me, why do you ask me to stay with you? You take care of your mother yourself. I've taken care of her for eight years and it's really tiring. I just want a divorce now and live for myself and Xiaoxiao."
Wang Lixia patted Mei Yudong's shoulder with a look of satisfaction on her face: "Good sister, you have courage. I'll go back first. I'll wait for you."
When passing by Zhao Penghai, Wang Lixia glanced at him coldly and snorted, "Useless man, you only know how to use women. If you have the guts, go take care of your mother yourself!"
Wang Lixia took Doudou away from the police station. Now that she had found a satisfactory nanny, she was in a good mood and hummed a song.
With Mei Yudong in the future, Aunt Hong can relax a little more. Plus, with another little girl in the family, it will be so lively when everyone goes out to play together!
Anyway, she has everything now, especially money. When Wang Lixia thought about being able to help suffering sisters recognize the true face of scumbag men as soon as possible and start a new life from then on, she felt that her life was meaningful and her efforts were rewarding.
Zhao Penghai didn't dare to confront Wang Lixia, but he dared to show off to Mei Yudong: "I don't agree to divorce! I also don't agree with you going to someone else's house to be a nanny. You are my wife, you have responsibilities and obligations to me and this family."
Mei Yudong still insisted: "I want a divorce, it's useless even if you disagree."
Seeing his wife made up her mind, Zhao Penghai's face turned cold: "The Marriage Law stipulates that divorce must be agreed by both parties. We have an emotional foundation. After so many years of marriage, you have neither hit me nor scolded me. You have bought me gifts every birthday and have never treated you badly. I work outside to support the family, and you stay at home to do housework and take care of the elderly. Isn't this the normal model for many families? Why are you divorcing me?"
The more Zhao Penghai spoke, the more he felt that he was right. He looked up at Xia Mufan and Feng Xiaoyu and said confidently, "Even if you are a policeman, there is no reason to force someone to divorce!"
Xia Mufan found the situation a bit tricky.
Mei Yudong wanted a divorce, but Zhao Penghai was unwilling, and divorce by agreement was obviously not feasible. If a divorce lawsuit is filed, the judge will also feel that the two have an emotional foundation, a clear division of labor in the marriage, and there is no problem of who exploits whom. Generally, the judge will determine that the relationship between the couple has not yet broken down and will not agree to their divorce.
Looking at Zhao Penghai who was determined not to divorce, Xia Mufan wanted to slap him in the face, but there was nothing she could do.
Unlike Ou Qingguo, who is an alcoholic and abusive man, Zhao Penghai is a vocational school teacher, well-mannered, and has a stable salary income. He uses cold violence against Mei Yudong, which is difficult to be considered as evidence of a breakdown in their relationship. In this case, how can Zhao Penghai be made to agree to a divorce?
Just when I was in trouble, the sound of a car braking was heard at the door.
There was also a fragrance wafting over from the kitchen.
Looking at the time, it was almost time for dinner. The office was a little dim, so Xia Mufan turned on the light.
Bang!
The room suddenly lit up.
Gong Weiguo and Sun Xianbing rushed in. When they saw Zhao Penghai, Gong Weiguo frowned and said unhappily, "Why are you still here?"
Zhao Penghai was somewhat puzzled: "I came to take my wife home. If she doesn't leave, of course I'm here."
Gong Weiguo sneered: "Stop pretending, why are you staying here if you don't go home to accompany your pregnant wife?!"
Zhao Penghai's heart tightened and his face turned pale.
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