Chapter 11: The Mad Lord and Mad Lady

On the way back to Han Family Village from the police station, Qiao Xi walked slowly. Qi Huan stayed by her side.

The bright moonlight bathed the earth, casting their shadows on the quiet country dirt road—one tall, one short, yet perfectly harmonious.

“Qi Huan, what am I supposed to do?”

As they neared the village entrance, Qiao Xi suddenly stopped and grabbed Qi Huan’s arm.

After everything that happened, her reputation in Han Family Village was completely ruined. Even her own family probably wouldn’t accept her anymore.

At this moment, Qiao Xi despised Shen Zhiyu with all her heart.

She had already confided her deepest secret to her, opened up completely—how could she still be so cruel?

Truly, malicious people never appreciate kindness, no matter how much you give.

“I’m here for you!”

“If Zhou Yuhuai treats you badly, I’ll stand by your side!”

“No matter when, I’m always here!”

Qi Huan looked at the woman he had cared for all these years. He wanted to hold her just like he did at the police station, but he knew he couldn’t.

She was still a married woman; he couldn’t let her reputation suffer any further.

Perhaps reassured by Qi Huan’s promise, or realizing some things couldn’t be avoided, Qiao Xi stopped lingering and strode into the village.

But when she reached the yard of the Zhou family, she saw the gate firmly shut, with a pile of tattered clothes tossed outside—her clothes, even the most intimate ones, thrown out by the very in-laws she once dutifully cared for.

If it were just that, it might have been bearable.

The real cruelty was that the clothes were soaked in dirty water and shredded by the village dogs until they were in tatters.

Seeing this, Qiao Xi’s pent-up grievances exploded.

Tears streamed down uncontrollably.

For whom had she done all of this?

If Zhou Yuhuai hadn’t given her so little money, if it weren’t for taking care of this household, would she have dared to intercept Shen Zhiyu’s family letter?

Ungrateful.

Heartless.

Qiao Xi felt everyone might blame her, but never her in-laws.

“Don’t cry,” Qi Huan said gently.

“Come rest at my place first. We’ll sort this out tomorrow.”

Seeing his beloved so heartbroken, Qi Huan couldn’t hold back and pulled her into his arms.

That stirred quite a commotion.

In the heat of summer, villagers didn’t sleep early and had long gathered, eager for entertainment.

Seeing this scene, their wish was granted.

“Qi Huan, this isn’t right!”

“How can you be hugging the Zhou family’s daughter-in-law?”

“Qi Huan, are you blind? Your wife is being bullied, and instead of comforting her, you hug the one who bullied her. Are you out of your mind?”

The onlookers voiced their opinions, not against Qiao Xi but directed at Qi Huan.

Qi Huan was envied by many in Han Family Village.

Educated, working in the county town, and married to the most beautiful educated youth—many envied such a life.

Once envy reaches a certain point, it turns into jealousy.

Now, seeing Qi Huan make a misstep, a crowd naturally pounced.

But they didn’t know the depth of Qi Huan’s feelings for Qiao Xi.

Despite the public scorn, Qi Huan remained unfazed, steadfastly shielding Qiao Xi as they approached the yard where Shen Zhiyu currently stayed.

A loud knocking interrupted Shen Zhiyu’s actions.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me, open the door!”

Qi Huan’s voice came from outside.

Hearing this, Shen Zhiyu rolled her eyes. “Comrade Qi Huan, we’re already divorced. Please don’t bother me.”

Qi Huan was stunned.

He wondered if he had heard wrong.

This yard belonged to him!

Even if divorced, Shen Zhiyu was the one who should leave.

Yet now, as the owner, he wasn’t allowed inside.

“Shen Zhiyu, I’m not coming in. I just want you to take Qiao Xi in. She has nowhere else to go!”

Frustrated, Qi Huan patiently explained.

Shen Zhiyu burst out laughing at his words, amused beyond measure.

“Qi Huan, are you crazy?”

“I hate Qiao Xi with all my heart. You want me to take her in?”

“If your brain’s useless, feed it to the village dogs!”

“Crazy!”

“Insane!”

“Get lost!”

Shen Zhiyu unleashed a verbal tirade.

Qi Huan hadn’t expected Shen Zhiyu to turn her back so quickly. Just moments ago, things seemed fine, but she was ruthless as ever.

The villagers watching burst into laughter, chattering endlessly.

In the end, Qi Huan could only take Qiao Xi back to his parents’ home.

This time, they weren’t turned away.

Surprisingly, Zhou Cuihua, upon seeing Qiao Xi’s ruined reputation, did not get angry; instead, she welcomed her with joy.

“What’s going on?”

“Zhou Cuihua isn’t making a fuss?”

“Oh my, this is serious!”

The villagers who followed Qi Huan and Qiao Xi, hoping for a spectacle at the Qi family as well, were dumbfounded. They expected drama but found none—it was truly beyond belief.

“Aunt—”

Seeing Zhou Cuihua, Qiao Xi’s bottled-up grievances burst forth as she cried into her embrace.

“Good child, cry all you want. It’s okay to let it out.”

“Those scoundrels will get their comeuppance sooner or later!”

Zhou Cuihua gently patted Qiao Xi’s back, comforting her broken heart.

Qi Huan was also baffled. He had worried his mother would make things difficult for Qiao Xi, but her attitude was unexpectedly warm.

Had he known this, he wouldn’t have gone to Shen Zhiyu’s and endured her scolding, nor given the villagers a chance to mock him.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhiyu was unaware that Qi Huan had taken Qiao Xi to the Zhou family home. After venting her anger at both, she felt refreshed.

She quickly packed what she needed for leaving tomorrow and sorted items to give away.

Once she left, the house would be completely empty—no one could just move in with their bags.

“Finally packed up!”

“Hopefully, I never have to see those two lunatics again!”

If only Shen Zhiyu knew some curse rituals—she might have dealt with them thoroughly.

After a simple wash, she went to bed.

She slept soundly until dawn, feeling at ease and comfortable.

When she woke, it was already bright outside.

She got up and cooked eggs left in the cupboard, frying them, and used the little oil she had to make two flatbreads.

Satisfied and full, Shen Zhiyu opened the gate.

To her surprise, outside her yard, a crowd had gathered, bustling about with exaggerated busyness—clearly ready for another spectacle.