Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s Ⅱ

Part 274 It's really poisonous

Teacher XU's words grew more offensive, completely unaware that the alley she had entered was deserted.

Zhou Zedong's face darkened as he said, "You don't deserve to be a teacher. Your mouth smells worse than dung."

Teacher XU was taken aback—Zhou Zedong, who had always been quiet and obedient, dared to speak this way. Her rage flared, and she raised her hand to slap him. "Has your mother never taught you to respect your elders? Today, I'll teach you some manners on behalf of your family!"

But before her hand could land on Zhou Zedong's face, everything went dark.

Zhou Zedong's expression remained cold as he watched Teacher XU, now her head covered by a piece of cloth, and glanced at the three men, their eyes full of complex emotions. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

Behind him, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the empty alley.

"Police officers, they're over there," Zhou Zedong said, pulling two police officers toward the alley, where Teacher XU lay on the ground, looking like a beaten dog.

Teacher XU, bruised and battered, her teeth missing two, felt her head ringing, disoriented and unable to comprehend what had just happened. One moment, she had been ready to strike Zhou Zedong, and the next, she had been pummeled by a series of heavy punches. The pain was so intense that she almost lost consciousness.

The two police officers rushed over, helping her up.

"Comrade, are you okay?"

"Teacher XU, are you alright?"

Zhou Zedong's voice rang out with feigned concern.

It was as if Teacher XU snapped back to reality. She shot a glaring look at him.

Zhou Zedong's face briefly flickered with a smile, just enough for her to catch a glimpse, as though he had deliberately allowed her to see it.

Teacher XU couldn't help but feel suspicious. She lived in this area, so how could Zhou Zedong possibly know she'd be here? And to appear in this very alley—could it be that she had unknowingly become the target of someone's revenge? Despite the doubt, she was boiling with anger, her voice trembling as she pointed at Zhou Zedong, "It's you, isn't it?"

Zhou Zedong feigned shock, hiding behind one of the police officers.

"Comrade, what are you talking about?" the officer asked, clearly confused.

Teacher XU quickly pointed at Zhou Zedong. "Officer, this child is involved! He came to find me just now, and out of nowhere, I was attacked. I suspect he hired someone to get back at me!"

The officers exchanged startled glances, now looking at Zhou Zedong, a mere ten-year-old boy.

Zhou Zedong's face was full of feigned fear. "I didn't do anything, officer! I just came to ask Ms. Xu to stop hitting my little brother. I never expected someone would attack her."

The officer was momentarily at a loss, instinctively asking, "Why would she hit your little brother?"

Zhou Zedong glanced nervously at Teacher XU, his voice trembling as he spoke softly, "Because we're from the countryside, and Teacher XU is from the city, she doesn't like us. She says we're dirty. So she made me stand in class and hit my little brother with a book."

"My dad is away, and my mom is very weak. She would be heartbroken if she knew we were being beaten, so I just wanted to come and ask Teacher XU not to hit my little brother. If she has to punish someone, I would rather it be me..."

His voice choked as his eyes reddened, and tears began to fall down his cheeks.

The two police officers, hearing his story, looked at Teacher XU with a mixture of disbelief and sympathy for the boy. They hadn't expected to hear such a heartbreaking tale. In that moment, their hearts went out to the child.