The Hidden Truth About Dropping Out Two Years Ago

"Who could have known? What a pity for such a promising talent!"
The other teachers no longer wished to revisit the matter. Though they sympathized with Lu Chen, they were powerless, at most sighing a few times behind his back.
No one noticed Tang Zhi Hua standing by the door, his face terrifyingly grim. He hadn't expected that after so long, someone would still bring it up. Even more outrageous, they were still falsely accusing him, slandering him and Bai Hai Tang of having an affair before marriage.
Though he had long been fond of Bai Hai Tang, he had absolutely never crossed the line. He was a man of status and position; he could not do anything to demean himself. These people were all speaking nonsense!
Which bastard spread this rumor?
Tang Zhi Hua's face was heavy. He no longer went to the restroom, turning to leave. He wanted to go home and ask Bai Hai Tang what exactly happened that day at the Lu family's house.
Tang Zhi Hua vaguely felt that these rumors might be related to Lu Chen.
Two years ago, Lu Chen must still harbor resentment. A narrow-minded person like him could even falsely accuse his own biological mother.
The Tang family and the Lu family were not far apart, just one street away. The Tang family lived in a small two-story house, elegantly decorated with many paintings and calligraphy. Several pots of orchids were placed in the courtyard, everywhere reflecting the owner's refined taste.
Tang Zhi Hua rode his motorcycle home, his face very displeased. Bai Hai Tang was picking vegetables in the courtyard. Seeing him, she smiled gently, a beautiful smile that somewhat eased Tang Zhi Hua's anger.
"How is Xue Hai doing?"
Tang Zhi Hua stopped his motorcycle, asking about his son with concern.
"Much better. Tonight, I'll stew chicken soup to nourish him."
Bai Hai Tang stepped forward to take his briefcase, then fetched his slippers from the porch, bending down to place them before him. Like a Japanese woman, she served him with extreme thoughtfulness. Tang Zhi Hua's anger completely dissipated. He liked Bai Hai Tang's gentleness, attentiveness, and understanding. Of course, he was even more pleased with her beauty.
The first time he saw Bai Hai Tang, he was captivated. At that time, he had a wife, and Bai Hai Tang also had a husband. Fortunately, everything always unfolded favorably. His wife fell ill and passed away, and Bai Hai Tang's husband also went missing. They naturally came together.
Tang Xue Hai was reading in his room, his head wrapped in a bandage, looking like a seriously ill person. Tang Zhi Hua knocked and entered, seeing him engrossed in his book, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Don't read for too long, go out and rest a bit."
Though Tang Zhi Hua didn't have much affection for his deceased wife, he was satisfied with his son. He studied diligently, and his grades were quite good. Although the university he was attending wasn't prestigious, the prospects of a normal university weren't bad.
After graduation, returning to Fu Cheng, with his connections, he could certainly arrange for him to enter the number one high school, then be promoted to the education bureau, marry a leader's daughter, and his official career path would surely be smooth sailing.
Tang Zhi Hua had no interest in working in Hu Cheng. A big city only sounded good; it was not as free and easy as a small county. Moreover, his foundation was in Fu Cheng. If his son returned to his hometown, his connections would help his son's official career path. If he went to Hu Cheng, he would be helpless.
Tang Xue Hai obediently put down his book and went out with Tang Zhi Hua. In the courtyard, Bai Hai Tang was still washing vegetables. Seeing them, she smiled and said, "Dinner will be ready soon."
"Okay, Auntie Bai, you've worked hard."
Tang Xue Hai spoke sweetly, but his eyes were devoid of emotion. Bai Hai Tang, however, felt as if she had eaten honey, her eyes curving into a smile, only feeling that her stepson was thoughtful and understanding.
After Tang Xue Hai went out for a walk, Tang Zhi Hua asked Bai Hai Tang about that day's events.
"You went to Lu Chen's place, what did he say?"
Bai Hai Tang's face turned pale. Thinking of the disrespectful words Jiang Han Yan had spoken that day, she felt incredibly wronged, her eyes welled up with tears, and she stammered, "Nothing... nothing at all."
"Don't cover for him anymore. Did Lu Chen say that you and I were together very early on? And that Xue Hai is your son?"
Tang Zhi Hua understood immediately upon seeing his wife's expression. He gritted his teeth. This child Lu Chen was too narrow-minded. Even if he hated him, he shouldn't falsely accuse his own biological mother, should he?
Bai Hai Tang's face was ashen, her lips trembled, tears streamed down, and she said worriedly, "It was Jiang Han Yan who said it. Her words were very unpleasant. I couldn't talk to her at all, Old Tang, I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
"Lu Chen's wife?"
Tang Zhi Hua frowned tightly. He had met Jiang Han Yan once or twice. She looked beautiful, but her eyes were flirtatious; she wasn't a woman who knew her place. His son used to be very close to this woman. Lu Chen marrying her was actually a good thing.
"It was her. Overbearing and unreasonable. I don't know what Xiao Chen told her. Old Tang, how about I go find Xiao Chen tomorrow and ask him to apologize to Xue Hai?" Bai Hai Tang asked cautiously.
She thought Tang Zhi Hua was still angry, so she thought that if Lu Chen came to apologize, her husband's anger would subside.
She used to do the same. Lu Chen initially refused, but as long as she knelt and begged for a while, he would agree.
It was fine for her to suffer a little. She just wanted a harmonious family and didn't want anyone to ruin it.
"Forget it, don't look for him anymore."
Tang Zhi Hua didn't want to see Lu Chen. Every time he saw that child, he felt uncomfortable, remembering what happened two years ago.
Bai Hai Tang breathed a sigh of relief. She also didn't want to go find her son; it always took effort and she had to humble herself, which wasn't easy for her either.
Tang Zhi Hua was too lazy to care about outside rumors; they would eventually disappear with time. Moreover, the stepson theory was impossible. Xue Hai and Lu Chen were only two months apart. How could Bai Hai Tang give birth to two sons in the same year?
Indeed, as he predicted, these rumors quickly vanished, replaced by new scandalous gossip.
Lu Chen had been coming home to sleep every night lately. In the eyes of outsiders, the couple was deeply affectionate, unwilling to be apart even for a day. Jiang Han Yan's complexion also improved day by day. She read three fortunes every day, and her reputation completely surpassed Meng Ban Xian.
Ten days swiftly passed. Jiang Mu came looking for money early in the morning and was sent away by Jiang Han Yan, who told her to come back in the evening.
"Will the money be alright?" Jiang Mu was anxious and uneasy, feeling that something was wrong.
"How would I know? My money is also with that person. What are you rushing for? Lu Chen only comes back in the evening."
Jiang Han Yan rolled her eyes, not giving her a good look. Anyway, there would be no money in the evening.
Jiang Mu had to go home first, feeling more and more uneasy. As soon as night fell, Jiang Fu drove her on a motorcycle. Jiang Han Yan and they were still eating dinner. Today's dishes were very rich, with Wang Ji's braised beef, boiled pig ears, and a large pot of milky white tofu fish head soup.
Because Song Cheng Gong's first course of treatment had ended, his "root" had undergone miraculous changes like an antique car. The entire Song family prostrated themselves before Jiang Han Yan, revering her like a deity. To show their sincerity, Song Mu personally came to thank her, stuffing a thick red envelope into Jiang Han Yan's hand.
Inside were five hundred yuan.
With money, of course, they had to eat well. Jiang Han Yan laid out a table full of delicacies, but she didn't drink alcohol. She was afraid she would "get into trouble" tonight.
Dou Dou opened the door. Jiang Mu anxiously rushed into the house, "Han Yan, have you gotten the money back yet?"
Jiang Fu followed, grim-faced, fiercely glaring at Jiang Han Yan, who was sitting still. His paternal authority was challenged like never before. This rebellious daughter refused to admit her mistakes, didn't even come home, and even used his name to swindle people outside. She was truly as if possessed by a ghost.
If not for his deference to Lu Chen, Jiang Fu would have long since rushed up to teach this rebellious daughter a lesson. He gloomily swept his gaze around. There were no empty chairs in the living room, so he had to stand, his stomach full of anger.