Chapter 3

I looked at the innocent, bewildered little girl beside me, then swung the baseball bat straight at that animal.

“I'm here to deal with you, you bastard!”

He fled my blows, finally hiding behind the principal, who had rushed over.

“Principal, I don't even know what's happening. This parent came in and attacked me!”

I sneered at his playing the victim.

“You don't know why?

“Abusing children? Get ready for prison!”

I handed the principal the entire recording.

Both their expressions changed.

Mr. Liu gritted his teeth and kept arguing.

“This proves nothing.

“I asked Lu Xue to undress because she'd fallen. I only wanted to check for injuries.

“Ask her if you don't believe me. I even gave her candy.”

The little girl understood none of it. Only the mention of candy drew a response.

The principal quietly slipped the listening device into his pocket.

“Lu Xue's guardian, this is one of the city's leading kindergartens.

“Our teachers undergo rigorous selection. Their character is beyond doubt.”

I laughed in fury.

“So you intend to cover for this animal?”

He kept smiling.

“Mr. Liu has always been an outstanding teacher. Please don't make reckless accusations and damage our reputation.

“Otherwise, I can't guarantee Lu Xue will be able to continue studying here.”

Seeing me at a disadvantage, Mr. Liu gave me a provocative smile.

I carried Lu Xue out.

She seemed to sense something. Burying her face against my neck, she asked sadly, “Did... did I do something wrong?”

I held her tightly.

“No.”

That animal was the one at fault.

I put her in the car and was about to return when I spotted a furtive figure.

I caught him and narrowed my eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

Lu Wang looked awkward.

“Taking a walk.”

Bullshit.

I exposed him mercilessly.

“You were worried I'd sell her, weren't you?”

After all, I'd never taken Lu Xue to school before.

He said nothing.

I couldn't be bothered to argue. Instead, I sent him to find a few things for me.

He wasn't enthusiastic, but under my oppressive rule, he obeyed.

Bat in hand, I patiently waited for that animal to finish work.

On the route he had to take, I knocked him down, pulled a sack over him, and dragged him into an alley.

Lu Wang whispered in shock, “Are you insane?”

I ignored him, and the cries for help from the sack.

Blow after blow.

Only when the man was completely unconscious did I take the phone from his pocket.

I sent the photos of his abuse of little girls to all the parent groups.

The chats exploded.

I patted the shoulder of Lu Wang, who was nervously keeping watch.

“Let's go.”

After we'd walked a little way, he asked, “What did he do to you?”

I told him the truth.

His face darkened. He turned to go back.

I caught him.

“What are you going to do?”

“Kill him.”

“Don't worry. I've taught him a lesson he'll never forget.”

It took a villain to deal with a villain.

And I lacked neither strength nor methods.

Whatever he'd done to Lu Third-Girl, I'd return in kind.

Best not let Lu Wang see anything unsuitable for children.

Under my “instruction,” the little beans grew steadily more obedient.

Even Lu Wang had submitted completely to my “authority.”

My vicious methods that day must have terrified him.

I lay on the sofa, enjoying one child massaging my shoulders, another my legs, and a third serving tea.

I was so delighted I couldn't stop laughing.

The butler had grown used to it.

“Madam, a visitor.”

I perked up.

“Who?”

Was the male lead finally home?

“Second Aunt.”

Oh.

Didn't know her.

I sank back in disappointment.

Then I caught the little beans' expressions from the corner of my eye. Interesting.

“You don't like her?”

Lu Dog-Egg said nothing.

Lu Iron-Pillar said unhappily, “Whenever she visits, she takes my model planes for her eldest grandson.”

Lu Third-Girl nodded obediently.

“My dresses too.

“She says I'll marry someday anyway, so school is useless.”

Not understanding, she asked me, “Mom, what's getting married?”

I pinched her soft little cheek.

“Something very frightening.

“It means suffering and suffering and suffering and suffering for the rest of your life.”

Then I looked at the butler.

“Tell her to get lost.”

So what if she was an elder?

I was still the wicked stepmother!

Unfortunately, the male lead remained absent. My wicked-stepmother campaign couldn't stop yet.

So I began “tormenting” the little beans more outrageously.

Every morning, I made each drink a glass of the world's foulest beverage: milk.

Then Lu Wang had to peel a hundred shrimp for me in ten minutes.

Lu Zhou had to set a cup of tea, precisely fifty-five degrees Celsius, beside my hand.

Lu Xue massaged my back and wasn't allowed to stop until I said so.

As I enjoyed this peaceful life, a sudden jumble of footsteps sounded outside.

At first, none of us paid attention.

Then the steps grew clearer, and an unfamiliar, slightly puzzled voice asked, “What... are you doing?”

I opened my eyes.

And met the gaze of a tall, handsome man.

While I stared, Lu Wang turned from his shrimp.

“Dad, you're home.”

The man nodded.

What?

Lu Dog-Egg, who did you just call Dad?

I looked excitedly at Lu Jinghan.

After countless calls, the System finally appeared.

“Host, that's the male lead.

“Once he learns your wicked deeds and throws you out, your mission is complete!”

Still bewildered by the scene, Lu Jinghan asked his eldest again.

“Lu Wang, what are you... doing?”

“Peeling shrimp. For Mom.”

Lu Wang answered calmly, his hands never stopping.

Then, apparently finding his father's presence an eyesore, he frowned.

“Dad, don't just stand around. Go make Mom's bed.”

Lu Jinghan: “?”

Me: “?”

Wait.

Was this right?

Stranger still, after staring for two seconds, he actually went upstairs to find sheets.

I pondered this bizarre development.

Why weren't the little beans running into Daddy's arms, crying and denouncing me?

Eventually, I decided it was because I was there.

They feared brutal retaliation from their wicked stepmother if they accused me to my face.

I'd have to work on Lu Jinghan.

Decision made, I ran upstairs.

“Honeeey!”

He glanced at me while spreading a sheet.

“What?”

“Well... have you noticed anything different at home?”

“Yes.”

Under my expectant gaze, he slowly continued, “A lot of things have disappeared. It's rather empty. Were we burgled?”

I fell silent.

My fault.

When packing, I hadn't overlooked even a comb.

Who could blame me? Each of his combs cost over ten thousand yuan!

But that wasn't important.

I persevered.

“Actually, while you were away, the children missed you most.

“Especially Lu Wang. He has a lot on his mind to tell you.”

Lu Jinghan was silent for a moment.

“Does he?”