Forced into a Secret Marriage with the Villain, We Now Have a Child - Chapter 44

The three of them returned to the school amidst laughter and chatter. Jian Chun remained silent throughout the walk, while Yi Xueyang found the student, Jin Ziye, quite amusing and chatted with him a bit more.

Seeing how the two of them seemed to have forgotten her entirely, Jian Chun felt incredibly depressed. She was still clutching the heavy thermal container. When they reached the second floor and Jin Ziye prepared to head back to his classroom, Jian Chun called him to a halt.

Jin Ziye put on a cheeky face. “Big Sis, what’s up? I’ve already memorized those formulas and theorems. Surely I don’t have to keep coming to your office to transcribe them…”

Jian Chun let out a cold snort. “Just you try skipping.”

For some reason, Jin Ziye felt a cold sweat break out. To be honest, he had almost forgotten the circumstances of their first meeting; he didn’t even know how he had ended up so thoroughly under her thumb.

Yi Xueyang, assuming Jian Chun was simply being a diligent new teacher, remarked, “A new broom sweeps clean. You’re incredibly attentive to your students.”

Jian Chun offered a small smile but said nothing. Yi Xueyang waved goodbye and headed into her own office.

The office was empty. He Yin usually avoided being in the same room as her, likely having memorized Jian Chun’s schedule just to ensure they never crossed paths. The other two older teachers lived nearby and usually went home for lunch.

Jian Chun motioned for Jin Ziye to sit and set down the thermal container. She opened the window and stirred the soup with a spoon. The aroma of meat and herbs wafted through the room, teasing the appetite of anyone nearby.

Jian Chun didn’t speak, leaving the room in a heavy silence. Jin Ziye’s attention was completely captured by the chicken soup. Despite having just eaten, he found himself swallowing hard.

“Big Sis, are you trying to eat this right in front of me to taunt me?” Jin Ziye joked, though his smile carried a hint of his usual rebellious mockery.

Jian Chun glanced at him, then lowered her head to take a sip of the savory broth. It was delicious.

“Regarding Yu Siyi and me,” Jian Chun said steadily, “you’d better keep your mouth shut.”

Here it comes, Jin Ziye thought, alarm bells ringing in his head. He knew he wouldn’t escape this ordeal unscathed. He had been acting as a “supervisor” for Yu Siyi, reporting on Jian Chun’s life at school.

“I’ve been framed, Big Sis! Am I really that kind of person? The Sishì (Master’s Wife) made me do it!”

Jian Chun’s head throbbed hearing him call Yu Siyi “Sishì.” She flicked her finger and said, “She has nothing to do with you, yet you call her that? I think you’re just trying to annoy me.”

Jin Ziye opened his mouth, staring at her. Her expression was shifting so fast it reminded him of Sichuan opera face-changing. “No, why won’t you believe me? I’m telling the truth!”

“You said you wouldn’t tell anyone, yet you expect me to trust you?” she countered.

“I did it to help the Sishì!” he argued weakly.

Jian Chun found it even more ridiculous. “What could she possibly need your help with? Are you more capable than her?”

Jin Ziye went silent. While Jian Chun’s beauty didn’t quite reach Yu Siyi’s level, she was still striking. At this moment, her usual gentle demeanor was gone, replaced by a sharp, cold elegance. Looking at her now, he wondered how he had ever thought she was an easy target.

He also had a moment of clarity: These two are a couple, so why am I the one caught in the middle? Abandoning his defense, he muttered, “Isn’t Ms. Yi your friend? She’ll keep your secret, won’t she?”

Jian Chun gave a cold laugh. “Actually, Yi Xueyang didn’t believe a word of it.”

After Jin Ziye left, Jian Chun finished the soup slowly. She was confused. Was Yu Siyi really playing such a “clumsy” hand using a student to spy on her?

She pulled up WeChat. She scrolled past the work groups until she found a contact labeled “That Person.” After some hesitation, she changed the contact name to “41”—the nickname Yu Siyi had used for herself before.

She typed: “Was it you?”

Minutes passed. Just as she was about to fall asleep at her desk, her phone buzzed. She startled, dropping the phone with a loud thwack. She picked it up and saw the reply.

41: “What?”

Jian Chun’s heart skipped a beat. So, it wasn’t her?

Jian Chun: “Are you free now?”

Without waiting for a reply, she initiated a video call. Yu Siyi picked up almost instantly. She looked exhausted, her eyes rimmed with red. Jian Chun immediately felt guilty for disturbing her.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Siyi’s voice was calm, and she wore her usual smile, but it looked forced.

“Are you okay? You look unwell,” Jian Chun asked.

“I’m fine, just busy with work,” Yu Siyi replied. “Did you have something urgent to ask?”

“Um…” Jian Chun couldn’t bring herself to interrogate her now. “You’re back at work? I didn’t see any updates on your schedule. Are you really that busy?”

Yu Siyi nodded. “Mhm.”

Jian Chun felt a slight sense of being brushed off. She bit her lip and blurted out, “You didn’t move out because of me, did you?”

The question was clear, but Yu Siyi only offered a soothing, “No, don’t overthink it.”

Meanwhile, at the Zhu residence, Yu Siyi was playing cards with Zhu Feifei and her mother. She had been losing consistently until Jian Chun’s message arrived.

After the call ended, Yu Siyi walked back to the table.

“Look at you, getting all giddy over a phone call,” Zhu Feifei teased. “Isn’t she still fighting with you?”

“Ah, the ignorance of the single life,” Yu Siyi sighed, her long lashes fluttering with mock pity. “This is called flirting.”

The next day was exam day at school. Jian Chun was busy monitoring the students. Just as the third session ended, her phone vibrated violently. It was Ms. Yuan, the kindergarten teacher.

“Ms. Jian, Niannian got into a fight with a classmate. They’re both injured. We’re at the hospital.”

Jian Chun’s heart plummeted. She immediately requested leave and rushed to the hospital, her mind a chaotic mess of guilt and fear. How had she missed that something was wrong with Niannian?

She rushed into the outpatient department, her vision blurred with tears. Then, she saw a figure standing in the crowd. Tall and elegant, even with a hat and mask, she was unmistakable.

The woman walked toward her.

“How is Niannian?” Jian Chun asked, her voice breaking. The tears finally fell.

Yu Siyi pulled her into a firm embrace, anchoring her. “It’s okay. I’m here.