Pan Li stumbled from Deng Hao’s shove, landing on a flower bed by the roadside.
“You little brat!”
Pan Li clutched her stomach with one hand, raising the other to strike Deng Hao, when a mountain bike suddenly cut in, blocking her.
She looked up to see a long-legged少年, one foot steadying the bike, turning to glare at her coldly. What eyes—devoid of emotion yet somehow making Pan Li feel small and ashamed.
Her raised hand faltered and dropped.
Chen Li and Deng Yaomei finally dashed across the road, shielding Deng Jie and Deng Hao behind them.
“Xie Qian, you… thank you.”
Chen Li stammered her thanks, grateful for Xie Qian protecting Deng Jie and Deng Hao, yet embarrassed he’d witnessed this scene. When she faced Pan Li again, Chen Li was like an enraged lioness.
“You dare harm my sons, I’ll fight you to the death! Get lost now. If you ever show up near my boys again, I’ll have someone scar your face and spread your filthy deeds at your workplace and your home!”
Didn’t Chen Li want to confront Pan Li?
She did!
If she could throw caution to the wind, she’d rush over and thrash Pan Li. With Deng Yaomei’s help, she could pin her down, strip her clothes, yank her hair, and scream that Pan Li was a homewrecker. Passersby would only half-heartedly intervene—who wouldn’t cheer an wronged wife beating a mistress?
But Chen Li couldn’t.
Deng Jie and Deng Hao were there. She couldn’t let her sons see such a disgraceful spectacle.
Pan Li flinched at Chen Li’s fury. Realizing she’d already stirred enough trouble to satisfy Wen-ge’s orders, she considered retreating.
Before she could leave, Deng Hao suddenly clung to Chen Li’s leg, sobbing, “Mommy, this bad woman said she’d be me and brother’s stepmom. I don’t want a stepmom, I just want Mommy…”
Deng Yaomei finally pieced it together. Dropping her grocery bags, she charged with a howl, grabbed Pan Li’s hair, and slapped her head, “Shameless! Talking nonsense in front of kids—I’ll beat you to death!”
Raised in the countryside, Deng Yaomei had hauled manure and water since eleven or twelve, her strength formidable. Pan Li couldn’t break free, taking several solid hits.
Chen Li eventually intervened, telling Deng Yaomei to let go and drive Pan Li off.
The crowd was growing—this was right across from Chen Li’s complex. Onlookers might include neighbors alongside random passersby. Chen Li could shrug off her own shame, but not the impact on Deng Jie and Deng Hao. If acquaintances found out, gossip would spread.
After Pan Li fled in disarray, Chen Li hugged her sons, nearly collapsing.
Deng Yaomei, fierce while fighting, now teared up after chasing Pan Li away.
That young woman had claimed she’d be Deng Jie and Deng Hao’s stepmom—had Deng-ge promised her something?
Heavens!
How could Deng-ge do this?
What was wrong with Chen-jie that he’d betray her?
Tears streamed down Deng Yaomei’s face.
Without Deng Shangwei, her cousin, five years ago she’d have been married off by her family. He’d brought her to the city, given her a job, lifted her from rural poverty.
Deng Yaomei was grateful to him.
But over these five years, she’d spent more time with Chen Li—raising kids, doing chores together. Chen Li was both employer and a sisterly figure.
Short and plump with a full chest, Deng Yaomei had never worn a bra in the countryside. At school, cruel boys mocked her, leaving her so self-conscious she slouched to hide herself.
Her first day in Rongcheng, Chen Li took her shopping, buying her two full outfits from the inside out. At fifteen, Deng Yaomei clutched the new clothes, too shy to wear them. Chen Li taught her how to wear a bra, told her girls should change underwear daily and bathe every day in summer… Her own mother had never been so patient. Deng Yaomei relied heavily on Chen Li.
Thinking of Deng Shangwei wronging Chen Li and breaking her heart, Deng Yaomei cried harder.
Chen Li said, “Yaomei, don’t cry,” but tears escaped her too. With the adults weeping, Deng Jie and Deng Hao grew scared and joined in.
Xie Qian watched all four crying, head aching.
By nature, he’d avoid lingering at such an awkward scene—what could he say?
But if he left, Wen Ying’s aunt was in such a state… No wonder her husband’s mistress dared show up at their door—she’d clearly pegged Chen Li’s soft nature.
Xie Qian couldn’t walk away. He pulled out his phone and called Wen Ying.
“Come down.”
“Yes, at the complex entrance, across the street. Hurry, it’s urgent.”
He crossed to the complex gate while speaking.
In under three minutes, a breathless Wen Ying appeared. Xie Qian stopped her, pointing across, “A woman just told your cousins she’d be their stepmom. Your aunt’s nanny beat her off. They’re not doing well.”
He didn’t need to elaborate—just mentioning “a woman” told Wen Ying it was Pan Li!
Pan Li had confronted her aunt?
Claiming she’d be Deng Jie and Deng Hao’s stepmom?
Even in her last life, when Chen Li and Deng Shangwei divorced, he never ended up with Pan Li. Up to Wen Ying’s rebirth, he’d been alone for over a decade—when did Pan Li earn that role?
Xie Qian saw Wen Ying’s cheeks puff up.
Calling her a hamster chewing food would be generous—more like an angry pufferfish, spines bristling. Round-faced girls could be fierce too. Her uncle Deng Shangwei and his mistress were in for it!
So what? Xie Qian had no sympathy for cheating men.
“Thanks. I’ll handle the rest.”
Wen Ying thanked him. Xie Qian nodded, “Your aunt probably needs your comfort.”
Across the street, Chen Li clung to her sons, sobbing in disarray. Wen Ying had no mood for small talk. She wasn’t about to bash Deng Shangwei’s head or settle scores with Pan Li yet—her priority was supporting Chen Li. This mess unraveling so ugly wasn’t what she’d wanted.
Had she not listened to Deng Shangwei’s plea for two more days to show evidence and instead confessed to her aunt last night, Chen Li wouldn’t have been blindsided by Pan Li.
Even if Pan Li and Deng Shangwei were involved, stirring trouble in front of Deng Jie and Deng Hao showed her ruthless intent!
Wen Ying crossed the street. Deng Jie, fists clenched and trying to look tough, called, “Sister Ying,” his face smeared with snotty tears. Wen Ying crouched, wiping his face with a tissue, “You’re a little man now. Protect your mom and brother, okay? Don’t cry. Whoever bullies you, Sister Ying will deal with them!”
