After speaking, she quickly changed the subject, "There shouldn't be any water left in the teapot. I'll go boil some."
Watching her hurried departure, Zhang Tieshan knew she was guilty. His expression grew even more somber. He slammed his fist on his leg, only to wince in pain the next moment. He hated, but didn't know who to blame.
Zhang Tiehua, having left her brother's room, felt increasingly uneasy the more she thought about his expression. After all, he was the one who betrayed their relationship and chose to marry Gao Feixue. She, on the other hand, had simply found someone who loved her back. How had she endured all those years?
Although she still cared for her brother, she didn't know when it started, but she found him somewhat annoying, having an urge to get rid of him.
She had been a pampered young lady when she was little, and hadn't cooked or done chores for many years. But lately? She served him daily, and he was still full of complaints. She also longed for a life where servants attended to her. Li Dongjia could provide that. Regardless, he had a talent for business and could earn money. What was her brother good at? Only the Gao family's winemaking technique, but even that skill brought him disaster. Even if they opened a small wine shop together, wouldn't she still have to do the work herself?
Her brother said he would do something crazy, but Zhang Tiehua wasn't particularly worried. If she and Li Dongjia really got together, she could spend some money to find someone to drive him out of town, or perhaps arrange for him to meet a girl from a slightly better-off family. In her eyes, separating them would lead to a better future.
The next day, when she met Li Dongjia, Zhang Tiehua quickly presented the sachet she had embroidered all night. She said a little shyly, "You gave me a hairpin yesterday, and I didn't know what to give you in return. So, I worked on this sachet last night. I hope you don't dislike it."
When Li Dongjia heard this, he was overjoyed. He quickly took it and hung it on his waist, saying happily, "I don't dislike it, how could I? I like anything you make."
Zhang Tiehua immediately lowered her head shyly, a happy smile on her face. Li Dongjia looked at her dotingly, and it seemed like pink bubbles were floating in the air.
"Well, you've found a new partner so quickly. How do you plan to seize their family's wealth this time? Poison or hired murder?" Just as both of them felt their hearts race, a discordant voice rang out. Wu Caiwei walked out from a corner, a half-smile on her lips, looking at them maliciously.
Hearing her voice, Zhang Tiehua's heart sank to the bottom, her body turning cold. How could she be so persistent? Feigning calmness, she turned around, "Madam, you must have mistaken me for someone else."
"Denying it so quickly? That's understandable. With your lover standing right there, how could you let him know about the things you've done? Just a month ago, you were still calling me sister-in-law," Wu Caiwei said, her arms crossed, watching Li Dongjia's expression change with amusement.
Zhang Tiehua naturally noticed his change and quickly explained to him, "Don't listen to her nonsense. She's my former sister-in-law. She was promiscuous and had affairs outside. When it was exposed, she pushed all the blame onto my brother. They've already divorced and have no connection. She can't stand seeing us happy, so she's making trouble for me everywhere. Don't fall for her tricks."
Li Dongjia's expression softened a bit upon hearing this, and he nodded.
"We are both businessmen, Li Dongjia. You should have the ability to judge right from wrong. I've given my warning. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. If you insist on jumping into her pit, I can't help you. You'll have to wait until your family is ruined."
Wu Caiwei's words were not an exaggeration. She didn't believe they could live peacefully. She had actually inquired about Li Dongjia's character and knew he was a decent gentleman. She didn't want to see him get swindled, so she came to warn him. Of course, if he didn't listen, she couldn't be blamed. They were all adults and had to be responsible for their own actions.
In fact, Li Dongjia wasn't entirely unconvinced. He just felt he couldn't believe one person's word and should investigate thoroughly. Although he cherished Zhang Tiehua, he wasn't blinded by love. If someone told him she was problematic, he should understand the situation before making a decision.
Before Li Dongjia could react, Zhang Tiehua, as if swatting away a fly, said with displeasure, "Are you done yet? Are you planning to follow us forever? What good would it do you if I'm not happy?"
Wu Caiwei twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and sneered, "You harmed me so badly, tried to take my life, and even sold my family's recipe. Do you think I'd let you off so easily? As for benefits, as long as you're unhappy, I'm happy."
"You... you... what nonsense are you talking about? If I really wanted to kill you, why haven't you reported it to the authorities?" Zhang Tiehua pointed at her, trembling.
"What's the point of reporting it? You failed in harming me; at most, you'd get a year or two in prison and then live happily elsewhere. Aren't you and Zhang Tieshan childhood sweethearts? Watching you two fight amongst yourselves is more amusing."
Zhang Tiehua was utterly speechless. If she could, she would have spent money to find someone to beat Wu Caiwei soundly. But the previous incident had shown her that Wu Caiwei was not to be trifled with. Moreover, they were new to this town. If they alarmed the authorities, they would be the ones to suffer. If she had known Wu Caiwei was so troublesome, she should have dealt with her earlier, nipped in the bud.
She could only angrily grab Li Dongjia's sleeve and hurry away. Only when they reached a deserted corner did she let go of him, her eyes welling up with tears. "Actually, what I said about delaying my youth because of mourning was a lie. My brother and I lost our parents when we were young and relied on each other to survive. It hasn't been easy to grow this old. And my former sister-in-law always looked down on me and spread rumors about me outside, which is why I'm still unmarried at this age. Alas, this is my fate. I see you've believed her words. From now on, let's go our separate ways and wish each other well."
Li Dongjia watched her leave. He wanted to stop her but didn't know what to say. He was deeply conflicted and sad, but his reason told him that one shouldn't judge solely by appearances.
Zhang Tiehua ran for a while and looked back, only to find that he hadn't followed. Extremely disappointed, tears began to stream down her face. She muttered to herself, "He said he liked me, but it turns out it was all fake."
After walking a stretch, she kicked the numerous pebbles on the ground furiously as if to vent her frustration. Only when she was exhausted did she stop, feeling a bit better.
However, thinking about how her long efforts were ruined by Wu Caiwei's interference, she harbored intense resentment.