You're my wife, don't doubt it!

"Medicine? This is the best medicine. A good drink can cure all your worries." Zhao Xiaomei flicked the beer bottle cap with her thumb, and it flew off. Then, she poured herself and Xiao Yao a full glass, raised her glass to Xiao Yao's, and drank it all in one gulp.

Getting drunk won't solve the problem.

Xiao Yao had intended to say that, but then he thought that rather than risk getting into trouble with such correct but useless words, he might as well just go with the flow.

So he didn't say anything, raised his glass and downed his drink, then picked up the bottle and refilled it for Zhao Xiaomei and himself.

“I’m so glad you understand,” Zhao Xiaomei said, slowly turning the wine glass on the table. “I’m used to getting into trouble even though I didn’t get to eat any fish.”

Xiao Yao remained silent, simply raising his glass to drink alongside her.

This time, Zhao Xiaomei didn't rush to pick up her glass. Instead, she asked quietly, "Was that fish delicious?"

...Fish, huh?

Some fish were eaten, some weren't completely eaten, and some weren't eaten at all. But now, the fact remains that they're covered in fishy smells.

"Where did you go that night at the boat resort instead of taking the bus?"

“I can’t tell you that,” Zhao Xiaomei pouted deliberately. “She’s a girl too, she has her own things to do. But if you let Xiaomei eat fish too, then I can tell you.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yao's fish stuck its head out to look.

"Forget it, let's just drink and eat wontons instead." Xiao Yao pulled down the hem of his clothes and changed the subject again while the waiter brought over the wontons.

"If I had a way to get both of us out of this mess, but it required the help of a trustworthy and manly person, would you help me?"

"You already know?" Xiao Yao asked tentatively.

"Your teacher, Ms. Song, is currently giving you and Yu Luying exam questions at school. It's all over the internet, so why are you asking a question you already know the answer to?"

"So, what brilliant idea does Miss Zhao have?" Xiao Yao swirled the wine in his glass, feeling helpless but also curious about what new tricks Zhao Xiaomei would come up with. Would she replace the beer with vodka and drink ten bottles?

“Let’s deal with Song Haijian,” Zhao Xiaomei suddenly said mysteriously, turning her head to the side.

"Ha!" Xiao Yao downed the glass of wine in one gulp, feeling a little amused.

What, you're going to deal with Song Haijian too?

"How do we solve this? Is it happening again?" Xiao Yao extended his right thumb and forefinger, made an "eight" gesture, and tapped Zhao Xiaomei's temple.

"Do I need your help?" Zhao Xiaomei dismissively brushed Xiao Yao's fingers aside, looking slightly drunk. "We all know that Song Haijian is targeting you not only because you cheated on the exam, but mainly because you've been having illicit relationships."

"I didn't cheat, and I didn't have any illicit relationships."

“It’s no use telling me.” Zhao Xiaomei’s expression turned serious again: “Xiao Yao, remember this: the rule of this world is that when they say you have weapons of mass destruction, you’d better actually have them.”

Before Xiao Yao could speak, the girl reached out and pinched his lips again: "Be good, don't talk back, let me finish. Since Song Haijian is targeting you from a moralistic standpoint, what do you think will happen if he himself exposes even more serious moral problems?"

"...Song Haijian doesn't have any incriminating evidence against him."

"So, what did we really do wrong?"

"..."

"That's why I say denial is useless in this world. People will always choose to believe what they want to believe, and people will always expect more complicated relationships and more outrageous plots—nobody really cares how many bowls of noodles you ate."

"Imagine if, tonight, in a deserted school during the holiday, our teacher Song Haijian were alone in a room with a disheveled girl, and if a passing hero took some sensational photos, who would people choose to believe?"

"What do you want to do!" Xiao Yao shouted.

The fact that he shouted that sentence meant he already knew what the other party wanted to do.

"No, no, no, absolutely not!" Xiao Yao shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum. "I don't agree!"

"Why don't you agree?" Zhao Xiaomei's body was almost pressed against Xiao Yao's. "Believe me, the most effective way to destroy a big news story is to create an even bigger one. Then, you, me, and we will all be freed from this damned nightmare." Zhao Xiaomei's expression was resolute, but her eyes were unfocused, as if a beautiful new world had already unfolded before her.

Xiao Yao didn't understand Zhao Xiaomei's logic. How could bringing down Song Haijian free you from your nightmare?

As for why he disagreed? Framing someone, entrapment... For Xiao Yao, he would rather go to the school and stab Song Haijian twice than do this; it would be more honorable and aboveboard.

However, he didn't want to judge the other person on moral grounds, especially since the other person was trying to help him.

“I disagree, not because of Song Haijian, but because of you.” Xiao Yao reached out and grabbed her wrist, emphasizing the word “you.”

"I knew you still care about him. But don't worry, Xiaomei won't let him touch a single hair on my head, as long as you... come quickly." Zhao Xiaomei giggled, brushed Xiao Yao's hand off her wrist, and stood up.

“I didn’t agree to join, and that’s not the point. Even if you don’t care about your reputation, I can’t.” Xiao Yao also stood up: “I’d rather escape from a nightmare than plunge you into an even deeper one? Why would you do that for me?”

The people in the shop noticed the couple and started whispering among themselves, making Xiao Yao's ears burn.

Zhao Xiaomei didn't care at all. Instead, she reached out and pushed Xiao Yao back onto the stool, then straddled one of Xiao Yao's thighs, stroking his face with her fingertips, and whispered, "Because I love you."

Xiao Yao was also wearing shorts today, and Zhao Xiaomei's stockinged legs were pressed against his thighs, making him instantly...

The scent of citrus and lilies enveloped him, and the warm, moist aroma brushed against his burning ears. The boy's face flushed red to the roots of his neck, and he couldn't utter a single word.

"If you date me, I'll do whatever you say. I'm even willing to be your second or third, right? Xiaomei, aren't you reasonable enough?"

"No...no...it won't do..."

Zhao Xiaomei seemed to have anticipated Xiao Yao's reaction, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "If you're not going to be my man, then don't try to boss me around. There are plenty of trustworthy and manly men out there. I'm not here to discuss this, nor to invite you, but to give you a heads-up. The heads-up is: 7 p.m. tonight, outside the school gate. No waiting after that."

After saying that, Zhao Xiaomei lowered her head and planted a light kiss on Xiao Yao's cheek. She then stood up and left the wonton shop without hesitation.

Xiao Yao got up and chased after her, but was stopped by the shop owner who demanded payment. By the time he paid for both of them, Zhao Xiaomei had already vanished without a trace.

"What are you trying to do!" Xiao Yao stomped his feet and shouted at the air from the side of the road.

--split line--

When Xiao Yao returned home, Shen Jie and Shen Tianyun were both there, and the three of them had lunch together.

"What exactly did you do all morning?" Shen Jie asked him. "I told Brother Bo that we're leaving tomorrow at noon because he has something to do later today. Also, Brother Bo told me to read Don Quixote more often, think about his deeds, and imagine yourself as Don Quixote."

"Okay." Xiao Yao said casually as he ate his rice.

"Is something on your mind?" Shen Jie was very perceptive.

"No—yes, isn't it about Song Haijian?" Xiao Yao said.

"Oh, don't think too much about it. Things will work themselves out." Shen Jie picked up a piece of green bean with her chopsticks and put it on his plate. "Don't just eat meat, eat some vegetables too."

"I'm full," Xiao Yao said with a bitter face.

"You're full after just a few bites? What are you doing eating out alone?"

"Oh, I just ate some wontons."

After lunch, while Shen Jie and Shen Tianyun were taking a nap, Xiao Yao went back to 2004 and called Zhao Xiaomei several times, but no one answered. So he made several more calls before realizing that no one knew Zhao Xiaomei's home address or landline number.

The family information registered by the school is probably kept in the teaching and research group office, which is Song Haijian's office, so it will be a little difficult to find it now.

There were only a few hours left until 7 p.m., and Xiao Yao didn't know whether he should talk to Shen Jie or Yu Luying. Reporting it to the school directly would be too unethical, and after all, Zhao Xiaomei was helping him. Doing so would be seen as betraying his partner.

Or should we just leave it alone and wait and see?

First of all, I have no reason to protect Song Haijian, from any angle.

Song Haijian's downfall not only did not harm me, but actually benefited me—he was my enemy.

Secondly, as long as you don't get involved, you won't get your hands dirty.

No, that's not right, it still won't work.

Self-deception is useless; the starry sky above and the moral court within will watch over everything.

Whether Song Haijian deserves to die is debatable, but even if he is truly guilty beyond redemption, framing him violates procedural justice.

How is this any different from killing his shadow?

Today it's Song Haijian who's being framed, tomorrow it could be Xiao Yao, and the day after tomorrow it could be any man.

Once Xiao Yao realized how powerful and effortless a woman's ability to frame a man was, he felt a chill run down his spine and a sense of unease.

The problem is, Song Haijian is the biggest threat now. Have I focused on the wrong thing? Am I biting the hand that feeds me, ungrateful for someone's kindness?

After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Yao finally decided to call the adult who understood him best: Yu Bo, Father Yu.

"What exactly is your relationship with this Zhao Xiaomei? Xiao Yao, you'd better tell the truth." Yu Bo sounded like he was making a suggestive remark.

"I really have no relationship with her at all. At most, she's a new friend, and we've only known each other for a few days," Xiao Yao replied indignantly, holding the microphone in one hand and holding his head in the other.

"Her behavior is completely illogical, do I need to emphasize that to you?"

"I know, just two months ago I was universally disliked. Zhao Xiaomei's attitude is definitely not because I'm handsome."

"Good, you haven't lost your mind. How do you plan to handle your relationship with her?"

"I have no idea."

"I understand. I thought you just couldn't say no to others, but now it seems you might not want to."

“I have rejected her many times. But somehow, the more I reject her, the more she clings to me.”

"I just find this really strange," Yu Bo's voice faded into the distance, then drew closer again: "Wouldn't you block her number? Wouldn't you hang up as soon as you hear her on the phone? Wouldn't you refuse to talk to her? Wouldn't you stop her from coming into the house? Wouldn't you tell the teacher? Wouldn't you call the police? Wouldn't you let your wife handle it? Is that what you call refusing? I don't even want to talk to you—"

“Brother Bo,” Xiao Yao said seriously, “I used to like some girls and pursue some girls.”

"uh-huh?"

"The way they treated me was just like you just said, so when you ask me if I can do it, of course I can."

"..."

"But I used to think, even if we can't be boyfriend and girlfriend, why can't we be friends? Why treat me like this? Just because I like someone, do I deserve to be treated like this by the person I like?"

"..."