Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s
Chapter 18 - 017 is just a petty person

Chapter 18: 017 is just a petty person

City dwellers and scholars? No matter how you look at him, he doesn’t fit the image. Right now, his face wears a smile, but there’s a malicious glint in his eyes. That nasty look of his—he’s nothing more than a mean-spirited little man. And the things he says? They couldn’t be more revolting. Is this something a teacher should say?

"I’m telling you, watch out! You’re so fat; be careful you don’t dig yourself right into the ground."

Zhou Zheng utterly despised Tian Sangsang. Transferred to this godforsaken mountain village as a teacher, only to encounter someone as repulsive—looking like a pile of filth—as Tian Sangsang. Before, he barely had any interaction with her. But later, when he received a love letter from her, he realized she liked him. He felt deeply humiliated. Someone like her? How dare she like him? His dark side was triggered, so he went ahead and asked Tian Sangsang to meet him at the back of the mountain. The rest, everyone knew well enough.

"Such a dignified Teacher Zhou—please step aside," Tian Sangsang straightened her back, resting one hand on the handle of the hoe. Her face grew cold as she spoke bluntly, "This hoe of mine doesn’t have eyes. Be careful, or it might dig you into my basket."

Before this, no one had ever heard Tian Sangsang talk much. Who’d have thought she could be so sharp-tongued? Zhou Zheng wasn’t angry; instead, he chuckled, "Tian Sangsang, honestly, sometimes I really admire you. Looking like that—worse than a pig—and yet you still have the courage to live? Why don’t you clean yourself up, pack your things, and get lost? If I were you, I’d find a rope and hang myself already. What’s the point of sticking around? Isn’t it just embarrassing? I beg you, show some mercy and spare the villagers here, will you?"

Since no one else was around, Zhou Zheng spoke without restraint, brazenly watching the expressions on Tian Sangsang’s face. He realized his joy came from trying to make her cry. As for her son, he was just a snot-nosed little brat. Zhou Zheng wasn’t worried about him overhearing. Besides, when the boy wanted to attend school in the future, he’d inevitably end up in Zhou Zheng’s hands. He could put him in his place just the same. Such a pity—despite being an adorable child, he had the misfortune of having a mother like her. A glance told Zhou Zheng the kid had no future.

"Oh well, I’ve got a big face." Self-deprecation? It’s practically trendy in modern times. Plus, she truly had a dark complexion. Tian Sangsang scoffed coldly and retorted, "You’re right, Teacher Zhou. If I were you, I’d find a rope and hang myself too. With a personality like yours—throwing around ’get lost’ and ’kill yourself’—do you seriously think you’re someone special? Even my son has more class and dignity than you. The way you act is an insult to the title of ’people’s teacher.’ I despise you."

"You!" Zhou Zheng’s chest heaved with rage as he spat out, "I refuse to stoop to the level of an uncivilized village woman like you!"

His eyes flicked to a group not far off—two women and a man walking over. An idea popped into his head, and his expression turned taunting: "Look at your poor reputation in the village. You even have a bastard child with you. Let me offer some advice—move away sooner rather than later."

A surge of fierce anger rose within Tian Sangsang, her eyes reddening. She bent down, grabbed a handful of small stones from the ground, and threw them at him without hesitation, yelling, "Are you insane? YOU are the bastard!"

Zhou Zheng stumbled back with a loud "ow," clutching his chest as he retreated a few steps.

The nearby youths witnessed this and immediately ran over.

"Brother Zhou!" Chen Ying rushed forward in concern. She patted the small stain on Zhou Zheng’s clothes caused by the stones, inspecting him repeatedly before asking, distressed, "Brother Zhou, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I’m fine." Taking advantage of the moment, Zhou Zheng grasped her hand and reassured her gently, "Don’t worry, Yingzi, it’s just a couple of little stones. I’m alright."

The warmth of his touch startled Chen Ying. Her body trembled, and her face flushed with embarrassment, showing the coy demeanor of a young woman. Right here in public, her hand was being held.

Suppressing the sweetness swelling in her heart, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she looked up and scolded, "Why were you standing there, Brother Zhou? You could’ve moved away! What if that fat woman really hurt you? She’s so heavy; if she pushed you around, you’d surely get the worst of it."

"I was just talking to Tian Sangsang, that’s all," Zhou Zheng shrugged.

"What’s there to talk about with her? What’s worth saying?" Chen Ying, protective of her love interest, stomped her foot and gave Tian Sangsang a disdainful glance before adding, "We all know what kind of person she is. Just yesterday, she went around gossiping in front of everyone about how you and Tian Tian were making out on the back mountain. Honestly, she’ll say anything."

"Yingzi, I have a clear conscience. I’m not afraid of rumors," Zhou Zheng replied.

Standing nearby, Tian Tian furrowed her delicate brows. In a soft, apologetic voice, she said, "Yingzi, don’t misunderstand me. I have no idea why Sangsang would say something like that. There’s absolutely nothing improper between Teacher Zhou and me."

"I know." Chen Ying frowned, "Of course, I trust Brother Zhou’s character." She didn’t like Tian Tian, nor did she like Tian Sangsang, but she was willing to believe Zhou Zheng. After all, Zhou Zheng was only the second man to make her heart flutter, after Meng Shuyan’s father five years ago. An educated man—completely different from the villagers—polished, clean, and courteous. She was utterly captivated.

"You’re the best, Yingzi." Zhou Zheng smiled at her.

Chen Ming’s thick brows knit tightly together, and his fists clenched, joints cracking loudly. This was his future brother-in-law. Now he’d been attacked. And yesterday, Tian Sangsang was spreading rumors about his brother-in-law and the girl he secretly admired—Tian Tian. Same family, yet such a stark difference between the two sisters. That petty woman was downright vicious!

Tian Sangsang glared coldly at the group. Suddenly, a shadow flickered before her eyes. Before she could react, someone pushed her hard on the shoulder. She stumbled backward, her hoe falling along with her. The sharp end of the hoe’s handle scraped against her palm, sending a stinging pain through her body. She cried out in pain as she hit the ground, blood beading from her hand.

Right above her, Chen Ming berated loudly, "Tian Sangsang! Why is your heart so wicked? What did Teacher Zhou ever do to you that you’d retaliate against him like this? And your cousin Tian Tian—such a sweet girl. Do you even realize the damage your nonsense could cause her? It’s a good thing no one believed you, so your nasty scheme didn’t succeed."

"Mommy!" Meng Shuyan’s tears streamed down his cheeks as he stared at the blood oozing from her hand. The sight of black and red was striking.

"Bad people! You’re all bad people!" The small boy wiped his tears, like an enraged little lion, and started rushing toward Chen Ming.

"Yanyan!" Tian Sangsang, disregarding her injury, immediately hugged him and held him back, gently stroking his back. "It’s okay, it’s okay. Mommy’s fine. Don’t be afraid, Yanyan."

"But Mommy is bleeding!" The little one cried endlessly, soaking her clothes with tears as he mumbled, "They’re all bad guys. They’re bullying Mommy..."

Chen Ming froze. He didn’t like Tian Sangsang, but he had nothing against her son. Watching the child cry so heartbreakingly—a boy barely older than three—he felt like he’d just bullied a kid. Then he looked at Tian Sangsang, with blood trickling down her hand. His impulse had taken over earlier, and he’d pushed her too hard...

Mother and son clung to each other, crying uncontrollably. The sight made it seem as if they truly were the ones being bullied and outnumbered.