Zhang Yuehong's voice was not quiet; everyone at the dining table heard her loud and clear.
Upon hearing this, Fu Yan and Fu Ya's expressions immediately darkened.
But before Fu Ya could react, Fu Yan slammed his hand on the table. He turned to Zhang Yuehong and snapped, "Yuehong, how can you speak like that! Is this how you normally talk to family and outsiders? You have no manners at all! Do you have any idea that Er Gou saved my life? If it weren't for him, I'd be dead!"
"Apologize to Er Gou this instant!"
Startled by Fu Yan's roar, Zhang Yuehong froze on the spot. It took her a good ten seconds to process what had happened.
"Fu Yan, you dare to yell at me! You dare to be harsh with me!" Zhang Yuehong practically shrieked. "What did you promise me when we got married? You said you would never yell at or scold me as long as you lived! It hasn't even been that long, and now you're scolding me like this for an outsider? You've gone too far!"
Even so, Fu Yan showed no intention of changing his mind. "A promise is a promise, but now is now. Apologize to Er Gou this instant! If you don't, then we're through. You can pack your things and get out right now. I won't stop you! See if I'm bluffing!"
Fu Yan's words were resolute, leaving Zhang Yuehong speechless.
She glanced at Liu Ergou, then back at Fu Yan. Finally, grinding her teeth, she forced out the words to Liu Ergou, "Sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken like that."
Seeing her reluctant and defiant look, Liu Ergou's expression didn't change; he maintained a gentle smile. "It's alright, it's alright. I'm sure Auntie didn't mean it. I won't hold it against you, it's fine!"
The moment Liu Ergou finished speaking, Zhang Yuehong could no longer contain herself. Covering her face, she ran from the dining table, sobbing hysterically.
Watching her go, Fu Ya gloated loudly, "Well, well, well! Wasn't someone acting all high and mighty just the other day? Why the waterworks now? Tsk, tsk, tsk, as her daughter, hearing this just breaks my heart! Haha!"
Fu Ya and Liu Ergou were lounging in her room, making idle chitchat. Somehow, the conversation drifted back to Zhang Yuehong.
"Er Gou, I've disliked that Zhang Yuehong for a long time!" Fu Ya said with obvious displeasure. "If that woman hadn't deliberately seduced my dad, she never would have become my stepmother! No, I have to teach her a lesson. I'll show her who she's messing with!"
Liu Ergou didn't take her words seriously and just chuckled. "Come on, Fu Ya. Can't we just ignore her? There's no need to teach her a lesson. You know assault is illegal!"
However, as soon as the words left his mouth, Fu Ya abruptly sat up and straddled him on the bed. Her fiery gaze bored into Liu Ergou, making him blush.
"Fu Ya, what are you doing!" he said, flustered.
Fu Ya's expression was dead serious. "You might not care, Er Gou, but that woman, Zhang Yuehong, crossed a line by insulting you! I have to teach her a lesson. I have a brilliant idea, but I need you to cooperate with me!"
Hearing this, Liu Ergou raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What brilliant idea, Fu Ya?"
At his question, a charming smile spread across Fu Ya's face. She leaned close to Liu Ergou's ear and began to whisper.
When she finished explaining her plan, Liu Ergou decisively shook his head in refusal. "No way! Absolutely not! How could we do that? Scold her, hit her, whatever, but we absolutely cannot do that! She's your stepmother! If your dad finds out, forget about me—even you will face the consequences!"
Hearing this, Fu Ya haughtily lifted her chin. "Hmph, don't worry, Er Gou! Just trust me. That woman needs to be taught a lesson!"
Just as Liu Ergou was about to refuse again, Fu Ya leaned in and whispered slyly, "Er Gou, if you don't help me… hmph, hmph… I'll just have to tell my dad that for us, the uncooked rice has already been cooked!"
"My dad would be thrilled to arrange a wedding for us. I've been single for a long time—I'm already twenty-eight this year. And you look like you're only in your early twenties, right? You don't want to get married so young, do you, little brother Er Gou?"
This threat struck a fatal blow.
It wasn't that Liu Ergou was against marriage. He just felt that he had nothing right now and marrying someone would only be a burden to them. It simply wasn't the right time. Of course, marrying Fu Ya would mean a life without worry and a town mayor for a father-in-law, a future with limitless prospects. But Liu Ergou didn't want to be a kept man; he wanted to build his own world through his own efforts. Forcing him to live off his wife would be a fate worse than death.