Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Coming to the Door Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Coming to the Door Bai Xiao was washing dishes while An Zhiyuan had already wiped all the tables and chairs clean with a cloth, neatly stacking them. They didn’t know whose house these items were borrowed from, so they could only leave them here until Bai Xiao could return them later.

An Zhiyuan had already taken a cloth to help Bai Xiao with the dishes.

His student had taken a carrying pole to fetch water for Bai Xiao, having enjoyed the delicious meal provided, despite having come empty-handed. Everything was bought by the instructor himself, and he felt quite guilty, believing it inappropriate not to help with some chores as it seemed like taking advantage of the situation.

“Look at this, you come over to warm up the stove for me and even bring gifts, yet I end up having you do chores,” Bai Xiao felt quite apologetic.

An Zhiyuan watched the student’s disappearing figure and smiled, “This kid is quite perceptive. Don’t talk like that, I was just fortunate to save you back then; it was fate, otherwise I wouldn’t have met such a talented and thoughtful girl like you.”

Bai Xiao laughed, “Instructor An, I really don’t deserve such praise. By the way, I’ve washed and packed the hot water bottle and the clothes you left behind last time you saved me. You should take them back later so it doesn’t inconvenience you.”

An Zhiyuan nodded, “Okay, I’ll take them later. How is your health now? If it really isn’t better, you should go to the hospital for a checkup. The medical facilities in the village aren’t great, and since you’re still young, you really shouldn’t neglect your health. It would be troublesome if it led to something serious.” He still remembered how Bai Xiao had shivered with lips turning purple that day.

Bai Xiao washed the last of the dishes and sprinkled the leftover water in the yard, bringing a cool relief to the scorching afternoon.

“My health is much better, don’t worry. Since childhood I’ve had a condition that leaves me cold and my limbs very cool, but it’s really nothing serious.”

An Zhiyuan shook his head in disagreement, “You still shouldn’t take it lightly.”

“Yes, Comrade Instructor!” Bai Xiao teased him.

An Zhiyuan resignedly arranged the pile of dishes.

“Oh, Xiao, do you have guests at your place?” a harsh tone broke out.

Bai Xiao looked up to see Bai Zhuang and Bai Mei at the front gate.

It was Bai Mei who spoke, her eyes sizing up An Zhiyuan with increasing warmth, emitting a steaming heat.

“Bai Xiao, who is this comrade? You should introduce him to us. I’m Bai Mei, Bai Xiao’s sister! And this is my big brother Bai Zhuang, Bai Xiao’s elder brother!” Bai Mei stepped forward enthusiastically, introducing herself to An Zhiyuan.

An Zhiyuan discreetly stepped back a bit—these must be Bai Xiao’s uncle’s older siblings?

Although he hadn’t heard much about Bai Xiao’s family, putting together all the information from the past few days, he knew that Bai Xiao’s real elder brother had joined the army and definitely wouldn’t be this burly village lad with fiery eyes.

“Hello, I’m An Zhiyuan.”

“Oh, you are the Instructor An who saved Bai Xiao and kissed her?”

At this, both Bai Xiao and An Zhiyuan’s faces darkened.

Does this person know how to speak?

Bai Xiao glared, and An Zhiyuan’s approachability faded away as a sharp seriousness began to emerge.

“Comrade Bai Mei, you must be responsible for what you say. That was CPR, done in an emergency to save a life. At that moment, Comrade Bai Xiao had already stopped breathing. If I hadn’t saved her, your grandmother might have been charged with manslaughter, which is punishable by imprisonment. I didn’t save her for gratitude from others.

However, I at least expect not to be falsely accused. The whole village can testify to what happened, along with the students who were with me; I was clearly saving a life. If you continue to describe that day’s events with such vulgar language, I will have no choice but to report you to the senior officials for slander and defamation of my character and reputation.”

Bai Mei was startled. Whenever it came to Bai Xiao, even if she intended to speak normally, her words would become twisted,
misinterpreted, distorted. Just to make matters more confusing.

She hadn’t expected the officer to actually pursue the matter. She knew the seriousness of the accusation; she had heard that in a neighboring village, a woman who had insulted her soldier brother-in-law and spread malicious rumors ended up having her case taken up by the authorities. The local police directly intervened, charging her with defamation and slander, and she was detained for three months for reformation before being released.

She definitely did not want to be locked up!

Hastily, she put on a smile and said, “Officer An, I’m not well-educated and don’t use fancy words. What I said was meant kindly but came out wrong. Please don’t hold it against me, and I promise to watch my words from now on. Besides, I am Bai Xiao’s sister; I would never harm her!”

An Zhiyuan snorted coldly. His students had already returned with water, and An Zhiyuan took his leave.

“Then we’ll be leaving. Thank you very much, Comrade Bai Xiao, for the warm hospitality and meal. I won’t say goodbye to the village chief; please thank him for today’s hospitality.” He provided Bai Xiao with a way out while also shutting up the siblings.

Bai Xiao now felt uncomfortable to even go inside to get clothes and a hot water bottle, for fear of what unpleasant things Bai Mei and Bai Zhuang might say.

“Alright then, Officer An, take care.”

An Zhiyuan and his students swiftly left.

Bai Mei felt displeased. Officer An might look dignified, but she hadn’t expected him to be so unfeeling. Such a man deserved to stay unmarried.

Once they were gone, Bai Zhuang quickly stepped forward, “Bai Xiao, how did you upset Xiaoyue today?”

Bai Xiao then realized they had come specifically to confront her. She nearly burst out laughing from the absurdity. Her bullying Wu Xiaoyue was an international joke. Her few words had upset Wu Xiaoyue, who surely had a tougher resilience than that.

“I didn’t bully her. We just exchanged a few words on the road today. If she felt bullied, bring her here and we can confront each other face to face to see if I really did bully her.”

Bai Zhuang glared, “Bai Xiao, you’re growing too bold. Even if your siblings have contributed money, you should not forget your roots. After all, it was Grandma and my father who raised you. It’s not a simple issue that can be resolved with money nor can it be dismissed with a payment. It’s about familial bonds.”

Bai Xiao laughed, “Bai Zhuang, I didn’t expect you to be so eloquent. Truly, appearances are deceiving! Since you also know it’s not something money can resolve, speaking of familial bonds, who among you ever discussed familial bonds with me? Did you think of familial bonds when I hadn’t eaten a bite in the kitchen? Did you consider our familial bonds when I was working, while Bai Mei could sleep till the sun was high and I had to get up before dawn to chop pig feed, carry water, and cook? You never talked to me about familial bonds then.

When Grandma was close to beating me to death, did you consider our familial bonds then? Now you come lecturing me about familial bonds; isn’t it disgusting? Have you no shame saying that, when I can barely stand to listen? Your family treats me like a fool, thinking I won’t fight back or speak up. But don’t push a person too far; even a cornered rabbit will bite. And don’t think I’m just anybody.

Go back and tell your Wu Xiaoyue, if she has no business with me, don’t provoke me. We don’t interfere with each other’s affairs. But if she crosses me, she can’t blame me for not being nice.”