Chapter Ten: Change

Back home.

Liu Yueyu had not yet returned from work.

Shen Guodong bought some nice ingredients and personally prepared a large table full of delicious dishes.

Half an hour later.

When Liu Yueyu came home and saw the feast laid out on the table, she was startled.

Had this man truly changed his ways?

He used to act like a tyrant—never cooked, and more often than not, berated or beat her, constantly asking her for money. Now, seeing him do something like this, she could hardly believe it; she felt both surprised and flattered.

After dinner, Liu Yueyu prepared to wash the dishes. Even though she was already exhausted, she considered these chores her responsibility. At heart, Liu Yueyu was a deeply traditional woman.

Her beliefs were rooted in obedience and virtue, supporting her husband and raising their child.

“Let me do it,” Shen Guodong said.

He could see she was weary after a full day of teaching. Housework wasn’t solely a woman’s duty; as a man, he could share the burden with his wife.

“No need, just go and rest,” Liu Yueyu replied, her eyes shimmering with tears of gratitude. She shook her head, refusing his help.

But Shen Guodong ignored her protests, picked up the dishes, and headed toward the kitchen.

“I can see how tired you are. Go take a bath and rest. I have something I want to talk to you about.”

At this, her emotional defenses collapsed completely. Watching Shen Guodong’s retreating back, Liu Yueyu covered her mouth to stifle any sound.

She hurried to the bathroom, crouched on the floor, and her shoulders trembled. In the past, Shen Guodong had only ever hit or scolded her, never sought her out unless it was for money—hardly a couple, more like debtor and collector!

But now, everything had changed so suddenly that she felt lost. Realizing Shen Guodong’s behavior wasn't an act, she could no longer contain her emotions. She broke down in tears.

He had changed. This man had truly changed—could you believe it?

Gently, she pinched her thigh, yelping from the pain. It wasn’t a dream; this was real!

Suddenly, she realized someone was there.

She looked up to see Shen Guodong standing before her, holding a towel and smiling.

Her cheeks flushed instantly.

“What are you doing? I’m in the bathroom!”

“I heard someone crying, so I came to check,” Shen Guodong replied with a half-smile. “Here, wipe your face—you’re crying so much you look like a little kitten.”

A slight giggle escaped her lips. “You’re the one crying, not me! Don’t say nonsense,” Liu Yueyu pouted, displeased by his words.

Shen Guodong only smiled and said nothing more. Some things were best left unsaid. He knew Liu Yueyu had endured too much in the past. Of all the people he had wronged in his previous life, she was the one he regretted hurting the most.

Now, having been given a second chance, he was determined to make amends for past regrets.

Especially for this woman who had suffered her whole life—he was going to give her a good one.

“I’ll go boil some water. You can gather your clothes and get ready for a bath,” he said.

A water heater was a luxury they couldn’t afford—taking a bath usually meant heating water in a bucket and mixing it until it was just right.

Luckily, the weather was warm; winter baths were far less comfortable.

Soon, Liu Yueyu finished her bath and lay on the bed, lost in thought. Everything that had happened tonight had traces leading back to yesterday—she had already noticed Shen Guodong behaving differently.

At first, she thought it was just her imagination. She hadn’t expected it to be real.

When Shen Guodong came in, freshly washed, she hurried to compose herself.

“You said you wanted to talk—what is it? If it’s about money, that’s another matter. I just got paid, but after paying off debts there’s not much left. Besides, there were a lot of weddings and funerals this month, so I had to give gifts at all those gatherings,” she said cautiously.

Shen Guodong never cared about anything except having money for gambling and entertainment. Her salary was never enough, and he always took hers too.

No wonder Liu Yueyu was so anxious.

“No, I won’t ask you for money anymore. I wanted to tell you about something at the factory. There was an issue recently, but I solved it and saved the factory a huge loss. So, the director is organizing a commendation ceremony for me—there will probably be a lot of rewards, and I’ll be named an outstanding employee. I want you to come with me,” Shen Guodong explained.

Liu Yueyu’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, her expression growing more astonished.

Could this be true?

It was almost unbelievable.

Shen Guodong had helped the factory resolve a crisis, and they were holding a ceremony in his honor. That only happened for truly significant events—otherwise, it was out of the question.

Impossible!

But soon, suspicion crept into Liu Yueyu’s gaze. This wasn’t like him at all. If he were really being honored, he would have burst in, shouting the news, not quietly cooked dinner and waited for her.

“Are you making all this up to make me happy and lower my guard?” she asked anxiously. Shen Guodong had played this trick on her too many times before.

The boy who cried wolf—she was a teacher, after all, and she knew the story well.

She’d believed him once, maybe twice, but never a third time. Especially since Shen Guodong was a repeat offender.

She’d heard it all too many times.

This time, she swore she wouldn’t be fooled.

Shen Guodong smiled wryly. “What could I possibly be up to? There really is a commendation ceremony. It’ll be in a few days—I’ll talk to the director and try to schedule it after you finish work so it doesn’t interfere with your classes.”

His sincerity finally convinced her, just barely.

But in her heart, she promised herself this would be the last time. If Shen Guodong deceived her again, she would never believe a word he said.

Little did she know, she’d made this vow before—yet time and again, she had fallen for his sweet words, her heart left battered and bruised.

But this time, Shen Guodong truly had changed.

He was no longer the man he once was.

There was no doubt about it.

As he held Liu Yueyu, for the first time she felt warmth and safety—a feeling she’d never known with him before.

That night, Liu Yueyu slept soundly. When she awoke the next morning, she found herself nestled in Shen Guodong’s arms, his hand resting somewhere it shouldn’t have been.

Her cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly got up to wash and prepare breakfast.

At eight o’clock, both of them set off for work.