Chapter 75: You

Liu Wen Bin pushed his glasses, his tone a bit cold: "We've already bought it, what's the point of asking now? Just watch your words and actions later, and don't embarrass me."

The complaint in his words built a wall in Su Yanhua's heart.

"How could I embarrass you! I'm just trying to help you save face, aren't I?" she couldn't help retorting, "If I hadn't given you the idea, would you have this chance? Now you complain that I spent money?"

Here we go again. Liu Wen Bin, irritated, closed his book and stood up: "I'll go get a glass of water."

He didn't want to continue this topic.

The money was like a bottomless pit; every time it was brought up, his mood soured.

Watching Liu Wen Bin's departing back, Su Yanhua stamped her foot in anger, yet felt helpless.

She told herself she must appear dazzlingly at the city competition, so everyone could see that Su Yanhua deserved Liu Wen Bin's future glory!

A few days later, the city Youth Teacher Teaching Fundamentals Competition venue.

The competition was held in the City Education Bureau's grand hall, the audience filled with leaders, research staff, and competing teachers from various schools; the atmosphere was solemn and serious.

Liu Wen Bin drew a later slot; he and Su Yanhua sat in the front rows of the audience waiting.

Su Yanhua had specially dressed up today, wearing that dark‑green Dress, her hair meticulously styled, face powdered and lips painted.

She tried to straighten her back to appear dignified and graceful, but her eyes couldn't help scanning around, comparing other teachers' families' attire.

Frankly, her Skirt was indeed the most eye‑catching and distinctive among the women present.

From time to time, gazes fell on her, bearing admiration or curiosity.

This greatly satisfied her vanity; the earlier anxiety and the little friction with Liu Wen Bin were temporarily suppressed.

It was Liu Wen Bin's turn. He took a deep breath, adjusted his suit, and walked onto the podium.

It must be said, after Su Yanhua's prompts and his own careful preparation, the lesson was indeed commendable.

The interactive segment was cleverly designed, the language livelier than usual, and the judges in the audience nodded occasionally.

Su Yanhua watched from the audience, her palms slightly sweating from nerves.

When Liu Wen Bin smoothly finished the last point and announced the end, enthusiastic applause rang out.

She was so moved she almost stood up, a sense of pride welling up.

The competition ended, moving to scoring and award ceremony. Liu Wen Bin's overall score was good, earning a second‑place award.

Although not the top first prize, for his school and seniority it was already a very good result!

Liu Wen Bin stood on the stage, receiving a certificate and a small red envelope from a leader, his face finally showing a relieved yet barely contained excited smile.

Su Yanhua clapped furiously in the audience, her face flushed with excitement. She felt that her effort and that expensive Skirt were worth it!

After the award ceremony, there was free mingling and photo time.

Many people came to congratulate Liu Wen Bin, including several leaders from the City Education Bureau.

Liu Wen Bin, proud and satisfied, responded to each one. Su Yanhua stayed close beside him, wearing a smile she thought proper and elegant.

At that moment, a bespectacled, refined middle‑aged leader fixed his gaze on Su Yanhua and, smiling to Liu Wen Bin, said: "Liu Laoshi, who is this…?"

"Wang Zhuren, this is my spouse, Su Yanhua," Liu Wen Bin hurriedly introduced.

"Liu Laoshi, you're so fortunate," Wang Zhuren politely smiled, his gaze casually sweeping over Su Yanhua's Skirt, and offhandedly praised, "Your spouse's Skirt is very distinctive, made at Chongsu, right? My daughter also especially likes their clothes, always saying they're hard to get."

The remark was just offhand, with a hint of small‑talk.

However, to Su Yanhua's ears it sounded like a thunderclap!

Her smile froze instantly, as if blood surged to the top of her head!

How could Wang Zhuren know Su Ruan's shop?

And tell at a glance that her Skirt came from their store?!

She instinctively looked at Liu Wen Bin, seeing his smile also freeze, a barely perceptible flash of panic and embarrassment in his eyes.

The few nearby who also heard Wang Zhuren's words refocused their gazes on Su Yanhua's Skirt, but this time their eyes held something extra.

It seemed she could hear the silent murmurs around her:

"Oh, so it's from Chongsu, no wonder…"

"Liu Laoshi's spouse's Skirt isn't cheap, is it?"

"I heard that shop is…"

Liu Wen Bin forced a smile, vaguely responded to Wang Zhuren a few sentences, then pulled the almost‑petrified Su Yanhua and hurried away from the crowd.

Reaching a less‑crowded corner, Liu Wen Bin suddenly yanked Su Yanhua's hand away, his face so sullen it seemed water could drip from it. Lowering his voice, he gritted his teeth and said, "Look what you've done! Insisting on wearing that outfit, now look! Everyone knows we wasted money patronizing your dear sister's shop! My face has been completely ruined by you!"

Su Yanhua trembled from his shout, feeling aggrieved, angry, and embarrassed all at once, nearly breaking down, and retorted sharply, "How could I have known this would happen! You also agreed to buy it, didn't you! Now you blame me entirely?! If it weren't for me, could you have won this award?!"

"You shut up!"

Liu Wen Bin growled low, a vein bulging at his temple. Staring at the glaring green Skirt on Su Yanhua, he felt it was utterly ironic.

The recognition and glory he had been striving for were now tangled with the very person he despised most!

Liu Wen Bin's words landed like a slap on Su Yanhua's face, shattering the façade she barely kept in public and detonating all the pent‑up grievance, anger, and resentment inside her.

It seemed faint glances still swept over their corner, those gazes like needles, piercing her skin without mercy.

Wang Zhuren's offhand remark turned her most prized trophy into proof of her stupidity and humiliation.

"Fine, fine! Liu Wen Bin!" Su Yanhua trembled with anger, tears welling in her eyes yet stubbornly refusing to fall, "You think I'm embarrassing, right? I'm going to return this ruined Skirt! Get the money back! See if you're still embarrassed now!"

She almost screamed the words, then spun sharply, clutching the bag containing the certificate and envelope, while her other hand gripped the fabric of the dark‑green Skirt as if to tear it apart, stumbling wildly as she rushed out of the hall.

"Su Yanhua! Stop right there!"

Liu Wen Bin shouted angrily from behind, but Su Yanhua, now clouded by shame and fury, couldn't hear him and instead ran even faster.