Chapter 271: I Divorced Him a Long Time Ago
Chapter 271: I Divorced Him a Long Time Ago
Anran stares at Tang Siluo, then at the armed men behind her. Anger surges through her, her face flushing red and white as she demands, emphasizing each word:
"Who insulted me? Which eye of yours saw it happen?"
"I—"
Tang Siluo is about to say that He Xiaomei from Anran’s neighborhood spread the rumor, but before she can finish, Yun Tao steps in front of Anran. His presence shields her from the prying and mocking gazes of the surrounding men. He looks at Tang Siluo with a firm, unwavering expression and declares in a strong, commanding voice:
"I am a veteran. I follow discipline and order. When the apocalypse began, I admit I struggled for a time. But as for the person behind me, I swear on my dignity as a soldier—I have never even touched a single strand of her hair!"
Liar. Who was it that cut my long hair?
Anran, standing behind Yun Tao, lowers her head slightly, unable to stop herself from mentally retorting. But she understands the act they are putting on—both of them carry an expression that seems to say, A man can be killed but not humiliated.
After months of traveling together, their tacit understanding has only deepened.
Tang Siluo glances between Yun Tao, Little Mint, and Hengheng. She scoffs. "That sounds nice—better than a song." Then, after a brief pause, her tone becomes slightly calmer as she says to Anran, "In the end, this isn’t my business. I’m just helping Brother Lian. Anran, if you want to side with an outsider, that’s up to you. But I am taking Yun Tao away. Whatever your relationship with him is, you can explain it to Brother Lian yourself."
"Explain what? I divorced him a long time ago!"
Fuming, Anran steps out from behind Yun Tao and glares at Tang Siluo. Her tone is sharp, her words blunt. "If Tiesi Village doesn’t welcome us, then we won’t enter. I’ve already said there’s nothing between me and Brother Tao. You have no reason to take him away—it’s none of your business!"
At this point, both Yun Tao and Anran piece things together.
Tang Siluo is stirring up trouble because she thinks she’s avenging Zhan Lian. She assumes Yun Tao bullied Anran, but Zhan Lian himself hasn’t said a word.
Who is Tang Siluo to fight Zhan Lian’s battles?
Yes, Zhan Lian and Yun Tao fought earlier. But Yun Tao, as a trained fighter himself, knows Zhan Lian is leagues ahead of him in skill. If Zhan Lian had truly wanted to kill him, would he still be standing here?
Throughout their fight, Zhan Lian held back—a lot. The subtle restraint, the deliberate yielding in his movements, is something neither Anran nor Tang Siluo can perceive. It is an unspoken understanding between warriors, something words can’t fully explain.
Yun Tao sighs inwardly.
To prevent things from spiraling further, he turns and speaks to Anran.
"It’s fine. Go back and explain things clearly to your ex-husband. I’ll go with them first."
"Brother Tao, don’t go! We don’t have to enter Tiesi Village. We can just head north!"
Anran is baffled by Yun Tao’s words.
Explain things to Zhan Lian? Explain that she and Yun Tao are innocent?
For what?
Who does she need to prove her innocence to?
Why does she owe an ex-husband any kind of explanation?
But Tang Siluo, who has been listening nearby, flares up the moment Anran says she isn’t entering Tiesi Village. She stomps her foot, pointing at Anran in frustration.
"Anran! I’ve always respected you as my sister-in-law, but this—this is just heartless! Do you have any idea how long Brother Lian has been looking for you? How long he’s been worried? We’ve all seen it! And yet, you—you just turn around and forget his devotion, all because of this man?"
Anran clenches her jaw.
She has no intention of running away again.