"Hello?" Gong Li'an answered casually, his tone distant and slightly impatient. He glanced at me and then turned away, as if to shield the conversation from me.
I lowered my gaze, pretending not to notice, and continued to play with Gong Jue.
However, Xie Weihuan's furious voice was so loud that I could hear every word clearly, even without the speakerphone on.
"You and Gong Jue spent the night out? And now you're out on a trip with another woman, even daring to post it on social media?
Do you realize how embarrassing it was when my friends sent it to me? Delete that post right away!
Who is that woman? Is it Shuang Shuang? I've already fired her. You're not allowed to mess around with her anymore. Come back immediately!"
Listening to Xie Weihuan's enraged voice filled me with a dark satisfaction. Didn't you want Gong Jue to come home with me? Now, your own son and beloved husband are both here with me, playing house.
Is it humiliating? Does it hurt? Soon, the whole social circle will know about it, that Mrs. Gong is being neglected while her husband and son grow closer to another woman.
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For someone as proud as you, being the subject of gossip must be incredibly painful.
But it's still not enough, not even a fraction of the pain my sister endured.
Gong Li'an hung up the phone with a blank expression, then awkwardly spoke up, seeing me silent and downcast.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine, Mr. Gong. Madam is right, I've been fired. I'll leave now, and you should head back early."
I smiled faintly, stood up, gently patted Gong Jue's head, gave Gong Li'an a slight bow, and then decisively turned to leave.
Ignoring Gong Jue's heart-wrenching cries and Gong Li'an's hesitation, I wondered to what extent Gong Li'an would go for me.
By evening, I suddenly received a message from Gong Li'an, "You will start work as usual tomorrow."
I knew it; I had won the bet. I wasn't insignificant.
Even against Xie Weihuan's wishes, he chose to keep me. Xie Weihuan must be seething by now.
The next second, Xie Weihuan's call came in. I was in a good mood, letting her wait for a bit before picking up at the last second, her voice loud enough to pierce my eardrums.
"What did you do? Aren't all tutors the same? Why does Gong Li'an insist on choosing you?"
"Exactly, Madam, all tutors are the same. I haven't done anything special; I don't know why Mr. Gong insists on choosing me."
My laughter was malicious, yet my tone was innocent and harmless, filled with sincere confusion.
Xie Weihuan's anger suddenly calmed down.
"Just come to work tomorrow."
She hung up quickly, leaving me slightly wanting more, not yet satisfied with her outburst.
I turned on the surveillance camera, ready to witness the unfolding drama.