Chapter 32: Let's Break Up

"He Yuzhu, are you simply toying with me? We have been together for so long; have you never once considered marrying me?" Yu Haitang’s voice was laced with anger and grievance.

"A relationship without the intent of marriage is nothing but hooliganism! I see now that your character is deeply flawed!" Her excitement grew as she spoke, her words becoming increasingly sharp.

"Is your heart still set on that widow, Qin Huairu? Is that why you keep delaying our wedding?" Her questioning was filled with suspicion and unease.

She was so focused on venting her dissatisfaction and rage that her words grew more and more excessive.

He Yuzhu remained silent. He knew well that arguing with a woman was futile and would only make matters worse.

However, when her insults crossed the line, he finally reached his limit and snapped.

"We truly do not know each other well enough. For instance, until today, I had never seen you act like this," He Yuzhu said. His words only fueled Yu Haitang’s fury further.

"Do you deep down think I am a shrew?" Yu Haitang’s eyes reddened, her voice trembling as she demanded an answer.

He Yuzhu looked at the agitated woman, momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond.

"He Yuzhu, if you think I am a shrew and you are unwilling to marry me, then what is left for us to talk about?" Yu Haitang’s emotions spiraled out of control, her words heavy with despair.

"Just go find Qin Huairu then. You are neighbors; you have known each other for a long time, and you must understand each other better." Her words were dripping with sarcasm and resignation.

"As for us, let’s stop wasting time trying to understand each other. Let’s just end this relationship." With that, she lowered her head, and tears began to fall silently.

Yu Haitang had only intended to use harsh words to make He Yuzhu nervous, hoping he would coax her.

However, to her absolute shock, He Yuzhu slowly nodded and softly uttered two words: "Very well."

These words struck like a sharp blade, instantly piercing Yu Haitang’s heart. She looked up at him in disbelief, as if looking at a total stranger.

"You... what did you say?" Her voice trembled; she could not believe her ears.

"Let’s... break up," He Yuzhu repeated, his tone firm and indifferent.

***

And so, the romance between He Yuzhu and Yu Haitang came to an end, and they returned to being single.

In the courtyard, secrets seemed to drift on the breeze, yet they always left a mark on everyone's mind.

Just like that, the news of He Yuzhu’s latest relationship failure spread through the courtyard like a gentle spring rain, quietly nourishing the after-dinner gossip of every neighbor.

The elderly women, having nothing better to do, loved to gather together—some knitting sweaters, others fanning themselves—chattering about domestic trifles.

Among them, Mrs. Jia was always the one to stir the pot. Her face usually wore an indescribable excitement, as if the misfortunes of others were the source of her joy.

"Hey, did you know? The He family must have had some incredible luck in their ancestral graves to produce such a troublesome young man as He Yuzhu," Mrs. Jia said, lowering her voice with feigned mystery, as if she held a world-shattering secret.

The surrounding neighbors instinctively leaned in, their ears pricked high, filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Seeing this, Mrs. Jia cleared her throat, intentionally stalling to build suspense before speaking slowly: "This story comes from Yushui and my daughter-in-law, Huairu. They witnessed the whole thing with their own eyes."

"He Yuzhu and that Yu Haitang had been seeing each other for a while. Logically, it was time for a result. The girl’s parents, being reasonable people, asked him what his plans were." Mrs. Jia said, glancing around to gauge the reactions.

"That’s a fair question! If you’re going to date, you have to give the girl a status eventually. Otherwise, what is it?" one aunt chimed in.

"Exactly. He Yuzhu should have taken the initiative. Making the parents speak up first—isn't that just showing his lack of maturity?" another older woman agreed.

"I think it’s because he had no one at home to teach him these manners, which is why he acts so tactlessly," another sighed.

Hearing this, Mrs. Jia grew even more energized. "Exactly! What He Yuzhu did was simply outrageous. Once the parents asked, he actually backtracked."

"In our common sense, once the parents bring it up, we should show respect and discuss it properly. But this He Yuzhu—he’s really not an ordinary person!" Mrs. Jia paused here, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.

"He actually told them that they didn't know each other well enough and that marriage was still far off! Do you hear that? Is that something a person says? Isn't that just blatantly playing with the girl? Just wanting to date without taking responsibility—a person like that should be rounded up and taught a lesson!" Mrs. Jia grew more and more agitated, her spit flying everywhere.

***

Just then, the Third Master appeared.

He had heard Mrs. Jia’s shouting from afar, and his brow furrowed.

"Old sister-in-law, I heard your passionate speech from quite a distance away," the Third Master said as he approached, his tone laced with reprimand. "I tell you, some words are not conducive to the harmony of our courtyard. It would be better for you to say less."

Without waiting to bicker further with Mrs. Jia, the Third Master walked straight toward He Yuzhu’s house.

Mrs. Jia watched his back, burning with anger.

"Bah! What a piece of work! And he’s supposed to be a teacher—not a shred of dignity in him!" Mrs. Jia shouted. The people around her quickly patted her shoulder, urging her to lower her voice.

But Mrs. Jia would not listen. She shook her shoulder and continued to rant: "People like the Third Master, they do shameful things themselves and are afraid of others talking. Seeing He Yuzhu living comfortably, he rushes to suck up to him, never looking at his own pathetic state!"

The Third Master sighed softly, his expression filled with helplessness. "The ancients said, 'Only women and small-minded men are difficult to deal with.' While it sounds harsh, if one ponders it carefully, it is not without truth."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Mrs. Jia jumped up as if her tail had been stepped on, her eyes wide and face full of rage.

"What do you mean by that? Do you think I’m deaf or blind? How dare you use the words of the ancients to insult me!"

Seeing this, the Third Master inwardly lamented. He had meant it as a casual remark, never imagining it would cause such trouble.

"Oh, Mrs. Jia, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t mean that. I just feel that sometimes, when people interact, it really requires patience and wisdom."