Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Previously, I never understood how my mother-in-law, who appeared so plain and unassuming, could come up with such twisted, yandere-style plot points like ‘eating apple peels’ or ‘biting fingers’ in her writing.

Later, I realized the source was actually my father-in-law.

Even after retiring, Li Huaishan remained very busy.

Aside from frequently appearing as a guest on various programs, students studying opera would often come to the house for his guidance before competitions or arts entrance exams.

That afternoon, I suddenly remembered that I still had surveillance cameras installed at home.

Since I hadn’t been able to catch any solid evidence of an affair between Shen Yumei and Li Muzhou, I figured I might as well dismantle them sooner rather than later.

With that thought in mind, I casually opened the feed and saw my father-in-law rehearsing a play with a young girl at home.

The girl was quite tall-even a bit taller than my father-in-law-and her movements were lively and agile.

Judging by her posture and footwork, she was performing an excerpt from the Huangmei opera, ‘Enjoying the Lanterns.’

At first, everything seemed normal. Li Huaishan would occasionally interrupt the girl’s performance to help her adjust her steps and positioning.

However, when they reached the ‘Counting the Lanterns’ segment, the requirements for hand gestures became more demanding. It required coordination between the hands, eyes, body, and steps to express a young woman’s joy and excitement while viewing the lanterns.

For every lantern counted, the gesture was different.

Li Huaishan began manipulating the girl’s fingers one by one. How to extend the orchid fingers, how to twist the palms, what specific arc the ring finger should bend into…

Suddenly, Li Huaishan lowered his head and took the girl’s hand in his…

The girl reacted instinctively, slapping Li Huaishan across the face.

That slap was pure reflex.

After hitting him, she seemed frightened by her own actions, frantically rubbing her hand against her clothes.

The camera was far away and there was background music playing in the room, so I couldn’t hear their conversation clearly.

I don’t know what Li Huaishan said to her, but he slightly hunched his back, adopting a posture of dejection. He sat down shakily in a Taishi chair, occasionally glancing up at the portrait of his late wife hanging on the wall.

The girl stood frozen in place for a moment before slowly inching toward the Taishi chair and reaching out her hand.

The spring afternoon sun cast slanted shadows across the walls and floor. Suddenly, the Taishi chair jerked backward, receding into the shadows.

Li Huaishan was on his knees at the girl’s feet, clutching her hand.

Suppressing a wave of intense nausea, I called the property management office, claiming a water pipe had burst at home and I needed emergency assistance immediately!

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang incessantly.

The girl sprang away from Li Huaishan as if she’d been electrocuted.

She grabbed her bag and bolted out the door.

I covered my mouth and rushed to the restroom at my workplace, vomiting until I was dizzy and depleted.