Chapter 57: That Shouldn't Be the Case, Right?

"Hey, do you think when Pighead goes home tomorrow, he'll get beaten up?"

"Impossible. Isn't Pighead the one in charge at home? He already told me, his wife listens to him."

"True, he told me as well. Whatever he tells his wife to do, she does it. She wouldn't dare say no."

The banter between Yang Hao and Yao Cheng echoed through the live stream, and the audience began to sense something was off.

"Ah, I think I'm starting to understand."

"Those two, Brother Bluff and Brother Cannon, are too wicked. Poor Pighead!"

"I feel like Pighead's going to have to kneel on a washboard when he gets back."

"So shameless! But I love it!"

"Hahaha, cheers! As a single dog, I suddenly feel relieved."

"Pfft, now that’s true brotherhood—when they set a trap, they make sure it’s deadly."

Those viewers who grasped Yang Hao and Yao Cheng’s intentions were briefly stunned, then burst into laughter.

How utterly despicable!

Adding fuel to the fire—that’s exactly these two...

A part of the crowd began to mourn for Zhu Ziyuan.

Of course, another part applauded Yang Hao and Yao Cheng’s antics and cheered them on with wild enthusiasm.

The bigger the spectacle, the better!

Meanwhile, sitting at her computer, listening to Yang Hao and Yao Cheng’s voices, Lin Zijin suddenly burst out laughing.

After that brief laugh, Lin Zijin quickly quieted herself, though the smile lingered on her lips.

Involuntarily, she recalled Yang Hao's playful antics in front of her.

The amusement in her eyes spread...

...

In the internet café.

Listening to the voices coming through his headphones and seeing Xie Qingzhu’s cloudy expression, Zhu Ziyuan couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.

Those two scoundrels!

Thinking of Yang Hao and Yao Cheng on the other side of the computer, Zhu Ziyuan gritted his teeth in hatred.

Caught off guard...

He thought all he had to do was withstand Xie Qingzhu’s frontal assault, but now he had two brothers stabbing him in the back. At this moment, Zhu Ziyuan was besieged on all sides.

A poor choice in friends!

Zhu Ziyuan sighed inwardly.

He suddenly realized how badly he’d failed at life!

How did he end up with these brothers?

Ah!

Helpless!

Pitiful, lamentable...

Life!

With a desolate heart, Zhu Ziyuan began silently drawing circles to "curse" those two disloyal fools.

Turning around, Zhu Ziyuan explained to Xie Qingzhu, "Don’t listen to those two kicking me while I’m down. As soon as I finish this game, I’m planning to go back and apologize to you."

Knowing he was at fault, Zhu Ziyuan willingly lowered his stance.

He might not have been talkative before, but his emotional intelligence was hardly low—especially after meeting Xie Qingzhu, it was as if a door had opened inside him, and he became much more talkative.

Still, in front of strangers or in certain situations, Zhu Ziyuan remained reticent, but with Yang Hao and the others, he was relaxed.

That’s why he spoke so little during the live stream just now.

Hearing Zhu Ziyuan’s words, Xie Qingzhu’s expression softened.

Yet at that moment, Yang Hao and Yao Cheng suddenly changed their tone.

"Uh, Sister Qingzhu, you’re here too?"

"Ahem, sis, don’t misunderstand. Pighead was worried you’d be anxious, so he’s getting ready to head home!"

"That’s right, Pighead just said he’d kneel on the keyboard for two hours and apologize to you."

"No, no, two hours isn’t enough! The household chores for the next week—Pighead’s got them covered."

"A week? You must have misheard. It’s definitely a month!"

In the live stream, the argument between Yang Hao and Yao Cheng broke out, and feeling their malicious glee, the audience dissolved in laughter once more.

If they hadn’t explained, it would’ve been fine, but now Zhu Ziyuan was panicking.

Looking at those two in the game, wanting to hit them but unable to, Zhu Ziyuan was nearly sick with frustration.

Hearing Yang Hao and Yao Cheng again, Xie Qingzhu smiled gently. Noticing many people waiting for a spectacle, she suddenly took Zhu Ziyuan’s hand.

"It’s Hao and Yao! My Pighead’s stomach isn’t feeling well; I’m taking him to the infirmary. Next time he’ll play with you guys, but I’m taking him away for now." She spoke softly into the headset, then left with a terrified Zhu Ziyuan on her arm.

The crowd was dumbfounded.

Not only them, but a wave of viewers waiting for drama in the live stream were stunned as well.

"What the—just left like that?"

"Where’s the promised domestic violence?"

"Hello, is this emergency services? Someone’s about to get beaten… Oh, never mind..."

"Did Brother Pighead just escape disaster?"

"Shot themselves in the foot—Brother Bluff and the Car God miscalculated."

As Zhu Ziyuan and Xie Qingzhu departed, many felt a pang of disappointment.

They’d been looking forward to seeing Pighead get a beating—just the thought was exhilarating.

...

At the same time, hearing Xie Qingzhu’s voice, Yang Hao and Yao Cheng couldn’t help but laugh.

Escape disaster? Not likely!

Others might not know, but Yang Hao and Yao Cheng certainly did.

Zhu Ziyuan wouldn’t get off easy tonight.

The calmer Xie Qingzhu was just now, the worse Zhu Ziyuan’s fate would be when he got home.

She refrained from exploding in public—clearly out of consideration for his dignity.

At home, she could torment her husband as much as she liked, but outside, in any situation, she always gave him face.

That’s how a woman, no matter how strong-willed, wins a man’s heart.

Xie Qingzhu respected Zhu Ziyuan.

She was strong, sometimes even domineering, but never acted unreasonably without cause.

That was Yang Hao’s understanding of her.

Come to think of it, Xie Qingzhu's personality resembled Lin Zijin’s a bit, though they were also quite different.

Lin Zijin was persistent, proud, with a heart as strong as any man’s.

She had dreams and the courage to pursue them!

She appeared indifferent to Yang Hao, but whenever something happened to him, she was more anxious than anyone.

She just never showed it.

After leaving home, Lin Zijin truly regretted it—afraid her impulsiveness and willfulness had hurt Yang Hao.

So, during that time, not only did Yang Hao keep an eye on her, Lin Zijin was always watching for his updates.

When she learned Yang Hao hadn’t been affected, she was relieved, but the guilt grew heavier.

Perhaps even she didn’t realize—every bit of love came with an equal measure of guilt.

"Praying for Pighead—may he survive till tomorrow!"

"I doubt it."

In the game, two voices sounded with gleeful malice.

"Don’t be so smug. Wait till you get married—let’s see if you fare any better." Yao Cheng suddenly changed tack, as if hinting at something.

Hearing the obvious ill intent in Yao Cheng’s voice, Yang Hao paused, then glanced at Lin Zijin in the game and replied uncertainly,

"I don’t think so..."