He let out a bitter laugh, his eyes full of malice. "Anyway, your niece's reputation is already damaged. You can't—"
"Slap—"
Before he could finish, another clear slap landed on his face, right on the fresh wound. The pain made his eyes fill with bloodshot streaks, stinging and swollen.
He slowly raised his head in disbelief.
Chang Xuyu had appeared from nowhere. Her hand was still suspended in the air from the slap. She trembled with anger, unable to hold back her tears. Her fingers quivered slightly as she took a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions.
She had once thought him a respectable superior—long ago, she had even idolized Jian Jiayue.
Now, she only felt disgust. From the first time he threatened her, her stomach churned; she couldn't bear it.
Jian Jiayue was stunned. He slowly turned his head to look at her, shock written all over his face.
Chang Shengnan closed her eyes briefly, then pulled Chang Xuyu behind her.
She knew everything, understood everything. Xuyu needed protection too much. She wouldn't let Xuyu suffer any more harm.
"Aren't you ashamed to say those words now?"
Chang Shengnan questioned him on behalf of Chang Xuyu.
Jian Jiayue was still dazed, staring at Chang Xuyu. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.
He had just squandered the last shred of dignity he had left in front of her.
He hadn't cared before, since there was no turning back after doing this. He had prepared to be hated by her for life—but on the condition that he could have her.
But things didn't go his way. In that careless moment, everything fell apart.
Now, facing her, he couldn't say a word in his defense.
"Xuyu... I didn't expect you to come see me in the hospital..."
He laughed bitterly, swallowed dryly, and found his throat parched. The air around him seemed to freeze for a moment, leaving him with only the urge to find a hole to hide in. All around was the amplified smell of disinfectant and the "tick-tock" of instruments, each beat striking his heart, unforgettable.
Chang Xuyu said nothing.
She quietly draped the coat over Chang Shengnan's shoulders.
"I didn't come to the hospital to see you, Teacher Jian. I'm resigning now, no matter how you threaten me," she said calmly.
She would definitely leave this institution. She had longed to come here when she graduated from the art academy, never expecting it to be a paradise that turned into hell, making her a lamb to the slaughter.
Once she passed the graduate entrance exam, she would consider whether to pursue further studies or plan her career.
With her aunt around, she wasn't afraid.
Chang Shengnan, comforted, held her hand, nodded gently, and smiled at her, signaling that she was Chang Xuyu's greatest support.
"We've worked together for a long time. There's something I've wanted to say for a while. At first, I was glad to be assigned to the vice principal's class after joining, meeting a group of lovely students. Your teaching skills truly impressed me, and I was happy, wanting to stay here forever."
Thinking of the students she had taught, tears suddenly welled up in Chang Xuyu's eyes.
She really loved this job.
She loved seeing improvement in her students' work after each demonstration; loved how after the art exams, the students excitedly told her they had guessed the prompts—color being a double-surface setup; loved how they hugged and cried together when the admission results came out.
This job made her feel the simple, genuine love and closeness between teacher and student.
That feeling surpassed everything. She was fortunate to have met those young people and grateful to have walked step by step to their side.
Now, all of it had turned to bubbles.
She wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks, sniffled, and forced a smile.
"Threats won't last. I'll go find Xu Jia and expose your past misdeeds. Since we've already left this field, what else can you use to threaten us?"
Xu Jia was portrayed by him as a despicable villain. But after working with Xu Jia for so long, she knew her as just a straightforward, competitive colleague.
Because Xu Jia often asked her why, despite being so dedicated in teaching, her students' grades never improved, and they openly disliked her.
If Xu Jia were truly evil at heart, she wouldn't care about the teacher-student bond.
The reason Xu Jia impulsively became Jian Jiayue's pawn was that she was hurt. She had secretly helped Chang Xuyu many times, so why did she and the vice principal have to team up against her?
Thus, she resented it.
The worst thing in misunderstandings is to gloss over them without clarity—it makes people feel disrespected, and any genuine feelings are wasted.
Chang Xuyu was not one to easily abandon a relationship.
At least, she would clarify things...
Once again, she solemnly told Jian Jiayue she wasn't afraid and would handle the matter properly.
"Also, you deserved that slap," she said suddenly, pausing to look back at him with utter disgust. "In fact, my husband was right. Even if we divorce, I would never fancy someone like you."
Jian Jiayue was stunned.
Then, Chang Xuyu took her aunt's hand and strode out without another glance.