The Venomous Wife Let Me Go - Chapter 27.1

The place Bai Hong wanted to visit was a primary school in a certain mountain village.

Since her car accident, Bai Jun hadn’t dared to drive much, so Xu Tu took the wheel and followed the navigation. Once in the car, Bai Hong appeared even weaker, her lips as pale as paper.

She seemed to sense Bai Jun’s concerns and looked at her with pleading eyes. “Sister Jun-jun, I’ll only go this one time. I won’t go again after this. Just this once.”

Bai Jun found it impossible to refuse her.

Bai Hong was the cousin she had watched grow up. Since they were small, Bai Hong had been clingy; as long as Bai Jun asked for something, Bai Hong would give it to her without hesitation. The two were as close as biological sisters. Since Bai Hong had made such a rare request, Bai Jun pursed her lips and silently agreed.

Xu Tu, naturally taciturn, seemed still bothered by Bai Hong’s earlier joke about her illness. While driving, she couldn’t help but speak up.

“Miss Bai Hong, our relationship is currently antagonistic. I suggest you contact your mother first and have her send people to help you. Otherwise, if something happens to you, neither President Bai nor I will be able to answer to your mother.”

Her intention to keep their distance was obvious.

However, Bai Hong had always possessed a gentle, yielding temperament. When they were kids and someone mocked her for not knowing who her father was, calling her a “bastard,” Bai Jun would be furious and ready to fight for justice, yet Bai Hong wouldn’t get angry at all. She would simply say the person wasn’t wrong, and that she probably shouldn’t have been born in the first place.

Xu Tu’s stiff words were like a punch landing on a pile of cotton.

Bai Hong stole a glance at Xu Tu and apologized softly, “I’m sorry.”

“Aunt Wang is already waiting for me at our destination. I just wanted to come with Sister Jun-jun, so I pestered you both.”

Aunt Wang was Bai Hong’s lifelong caregiver. Knowing she was at the destination, Bai Jun felt a sense of relief. As Bai Hong spoke, she took some medicine from her bag, then leaned closer to Bai Jun, studying her expression before cautiously resting her head on Bai Jun’s shoulder.

“Sister Jun-jun, I’ll be fine after a little rest,” she said, trying to please.

Bai Hong closed her eyes. The smile at the corner of her mouth looked satisfied, but her eyelashes were slightly red; she looked like a pathetic little animal.

Bai Jun felt a pang of sadness in her heart. Bai Hong had always been like this. In front of Bai Jun, she was always cautious, observing her from the shadows like a curious little creature. If Bai Jun showed even a sliver of kindness, Bai Hong would react with a mixture of awe, joy, and panic, like a startled bird.

Bai Jun figured this was because Bai Hong’s illness had deprived her of playmates as a child, making her treasure the company of others excessively. But over the years, as her relationship with her aunt soured, she realized she and Bai Hong likely hadn’t spent much time together; otherwise, Bai Hong wouldn’t act this way.

Bai Jun lowered her shoulder slightly to make it more comfortable for her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Bai Hong secretly wiping away a tear.

That was Bai Hong, constantly moved to tears by the slightest bit of goodwill. Her personality was too weak, especially when it came to Bai Jun.

Since childhood, Bai Jun had constantly worried about her, fearing she’d be cheated. She had once secretly vowed to become strong enough to protect this younger sister. Now that she had reached the adulthood she once dreamed of, she and Bai Hong were stuck in an incredibly awkward position due to the power struggle with her aunt.

The adult world was a mess. It felt like a dark joke.

Bai Jun kept her eyes half-closed, her mind in turmoil, growing more disgusted with the chaos surrounding her. Even after today, she still didn’t know what kind of attitude she should adopt toward Bai Hong.

Suddenly, the video call ringtone broke the silence. The word “Wife” flashed prominently on the screen.

Fearing she would wake Bai Hong, Bai Jun hung up almost instantly. Knowing Lin Song’s personality, that she would just call back if there was no response, Bai Jun tentatively sent a text back.

“Xu Tu took me to see Bai Hong.”

What would Lin Song think? Would she feel panicked knowing her “imprisoned prey” had gone out to meet someone without a word? Would she be furious and try every means to get her back?

Lin Song’s reply came almost immediately.

“Okay. There’s a lot of flu going around lately; remember to wear a mask.”

That was it? She didn’t care that she was out?

Bai Jun’s eyes widened. She couldn’t read the wicked woman’s thoughts at all. She sent another testing message.

“Bai Hong brought me to City C.”

Lin Song’s reply was still swift.

“The flu is coming from City C. Make sure to wear your mask and protect yourself.”

After a moment, Bai Jun replied with a simple “Mm.” She knit her brows, unable to understand. She had left without a word, and Lin Song only cared about her wearing a mask? What was Lin Song up to?

It wasn’t until they arrived at their destination and Xu Tu handed her a mask that Bai Jun realized Xu Tu was likely one of Lin Song’s people too.

Whoever she met, Xu Tu probably reported it to Lin Song immediately. No wonder Lin Song wasn’t surprised. Lin Song was truly capable, having conquered everyone around her one by one.

Bai Jun pursed her lips, tempted to rebel by not wearing the mask. But a waking Bai Hong rubbed her eyes and looked at her. “Sister Jun-jun, remember to wear your mask.”

Was the flu really that serious? Bai Jun hadn’t seen many people wearing masks at the teahouse earlier. After some thought, she finally put it on. She wasn’t afraid of the flu for her own sake, but because Bai Hong’s health was so poor; she was afraid of catching it and passing it to her.

The three of them got out of the car. Aunt Wang was already waiting by the roadside. Seeing the car, she let out a sigh of relief and walked over nervously to help Bai Hong into her wheelchair.

Aunt Wang was elderly and not very agile. Despite her earlier claims of wanting to draw a clear line, Xu Tu frowned and stepped forward to help lift Bai Hong into the chair. When Bai Hong thanked her, Xu Tu kept her head down and said nothing, as if she hadn’t heard.

Bai Hong didn’t mind. She seemed in high spirits, her eyes filled with smiles as she looked up at Bai Jun.

“Sister Jun-jun, come with me!”

In front of them was a three-story school. The building was new, appearing recently constructed. Surrounded by flowers, trees, and a pond, the air was fresh and the environment beautiful.

“Who are you all?” An old man weeding near the entrance looked at them curiously. His gaze landed on the masked Bai Hong, and his eyes widened. He slapped his thigh and began shouting toward the school.

“Everyone, come quick! Xiao Hong is here!”

This school had been established through Bai Hong’s donations. Before she built it, the children in the village had to cross three mountains to get to the township school, which was incredibly inconvenient.

Bai Hong’s decision to build the school here wasn’t a coincidence. Years ago, when her health was slightly better, she had surveyed the area and found the terrain excellent. She bought land in the village and hired locals to plant flowers and spices as a source for perfume essence extraction.

After a few years, the flower fields were profitable, and the school could support itself. Bai Hong also hired people to look out for children from impoverished families in surrounding villages, bringing them to this school for free. During harvest seasons, the children could even work part-time in the flower fields to help support their families.

The people here were clearly very familiar with Bai Hong, calling her “Xiao Hong” affectionately. Here, Bai Hong shed her usual timidness and appeared relaxed and at ease.

Bai Jun and Bai Hong met with the principal, a woman in her late forties named Huang. Seeing Bai Hong in a wheelchair, the principal immediately knelt down, asking about her health with eyes full of concern. When Bai Hong asked about the school, the principal sighed.

“The school has enough money, and the benefits for the staff are much better than before. But we are just too remote; it’s hard to keep teachers. One resigned just a few days ago.”

But the principal quickly smiled to comfort Bai Hong. “Don’t you worry about it. Just focus on your health. We’ll be fine in a few years. Several of the kids who went off to university came back to see me, saying they want to return and develop their hometown after graduation.”

The principal insisted they stay for a meal. When Bai Hong agreed, she smiled broadly and hurried off to catch a chicken and pick peppers, saying she would cook personally.

While the meal was being prepared, Bai Hong took Bai Jun to the flower fields. The land was vast, stretching as far as the eye could see. The fields were in full bloom with various flowers, like a colorful ocean. Flower farmers moved through the rows, pruning leaves and chatting, creating a scene of pure harmony.

Bai Jun liked the place almost instantly. Perhaps she was too relaxed, but everything around her felt faintly familiar, as if she had dreamed of this before. Here, it seemed everyone could shed their exhaustion and instinctively feel close to nature.

The fragrant scent of various flowers was pleasant; her body and soul felt extremely relaxed. Away from the world’s intrusions, self-sufficient, in an environment like this, she could surely develop the best perfume!

“I didn’t expect you to do so much in secret!” Walking back to the school, Bai Jun looked at the village and couldn’t help but marvel. “You are much more capable than I imagined.”

Despite the mask, Bai Jun could tell Bai Hong’s face was flushed red.

“If it were you, Sister Jun-jun, you would have done even better,” Bai Hong said with a smile. She was always like this, showing a strange sense of deference and admiration toward Bai Jun.

“Sister Jun-jun,” Bai Hong gazed lingeringly at her surroundings before her eyes landed on Bai Jun. Her voice turned a bit somber. “I’ve wanted to bring you here for a long time. Fortunately, it’s not too late.”

“I brought you here because I want to ask a favor. With my body like this, I might not be able to come here for a long time.” Bai Hong’s eyes once again held that familiar pleading look. “Could I ask you to come here every once in a while to look after the village for me?”

So this was Bai Hong’s true intention. If it were the old Bai Jun, who was constantly busy with a thousand tasks, she obviously couldn’t have agreed. But the current Bai Jun had nothing to handle.

“My mother doesn’t know about this place,” Bai Hong added softly, as if sensing Bai Jun’s worry. “You don’t have to fear her disturbing you.”

Bai Jun really loved everything here. After a moment of hesitation, she agreed.

They returned to the school, where the principal had finished cooking and opened the door to a building in the back. “Xiao Hong, even though you don’t come to stay often, we keep your house very clean. Since there are many of us today, why don’t we eat in there?”

Bai Jun hadn’t expected Bai Hong to have a house here, located not far behind the school. From the house, one could clearly see the children playing. The building had two floors. The first was a large living room, more than enough for the group. Because the wheelchair made it difficult for Bai Hong to go upstairs, she insisted that Bai Jun go up and take a look.

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