Chapter 2: Dreaming

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If it weren’t for the four large characters “Nancheng Prison” looming not far behind them, no one would guess that Shen Zhiyi had just been released from there as a female labor reform inmate.

An outsider might even think she had just come out of some important, influential place.

Lu Yusheng was so angered by Shen Zhiyi’s audacity that he sneered coldly, “Shen Zhiyi, I think you must be dreaming.”

“Three years in labor reform, and you still don’t understand your place, huh? You—a labor reform inmate—actually act superior?”

He could hardly believe his ears.

Shen Zhiyi actually expected him to kneel and beg her?

On what grounds did he think he could demand anything from her?

“Shen Zhiyi, it’s not too late to regret this. Otherwise, if the whole city finds out, you won’t just be unable to stay in the village. I doubt you’ll find a place to stand anywhere in Nancheng.”

“Is that so? I’d really like to see how, from now on, every corner of Nancheng won’t have a place for me, Shen Zhiyi.” She looked fearless, as if nothing in the world could intimidate her.

“Hmph, Shen Zhiyi, keep talking big,” Lu Yusheng snorted, completely dismissing the recently released woman before him.

“Ruochu, let’s go.” He was fuming, caring little about propriety or public perception, grabbing Jiang Ruochu and preparing to ride off again.

Shen Zhiyi had truly lost it—she dared demand that he kneel and beg her to sign a divorce?

He wanted to see, in the end, who would really beg whom.

Jiang Ruochu wanted to reason with Shen Zhiyi, but seeing Lu Yusheng so angry and Shen Zhiyi so stubborn, she knew words would be useless.

Before getting on the bike, Jiang Ruochu looked to Zhou Muxuan for help. “Officer Zhou, could you please persuade Zhiyi? Let her part on good terms with Brother Yusheng. It’s better for everyone.”

“….”

Shen Zhiyi raised a brow—Jiang Ruochu actually wanted Zhou Muxuan to persuade her?

“Ruochu, stop. Let her decide herself. Let’s go.”

This time, Lu Yusheng made no pretense. He helped Jiang Ruochu onto the front of the bike, letting her sit in his lap as they rode back to Lu Village.

Deliberately rubbing it in Shen Zhiyi’s face.

Shen Zhiyi merely sneered. The original Shen Zhiyi’s heart had already died. As for her—the outsider inhabiting this body—seeing Lu Yusheng act shamelessly with Jiang Ruochu right before her eyes was nothing more than an eyesore. She felt no other emotion toward him.

“Shen Zhiyi, sorry, I didn’t expect the two of them to come together.” Zhou Muxuan looked apologetic.

“No need to apologize, Officer Zhou. What you didn’t expect might be more than just this,” Shen Zhiyi said, her words layered. Without proof, she wouldn’t speak too clearly—otherwise, she could be accused of slander.

“Shen Zhiyi, I owe Dr. Lu a favor. Half a year ago, he performed an appendectomy on my father. My whole family is grateful. Today, I’m delivering this divorce agreement on his behalf, repaying that debt.”

Zhou Muxuan explained why he was here delivering the divorce papers.

But he wasn’t here solely for Lu Yusheng. He had promised Shen Zhiyi’s mother that he would personally escort her back to her family.

The Lu family and Lu Village didn’t welcome her, but her maternal home in Lihua Village did.

“Anything else, Officer Zhou? If not, I’ll be going,” Shen Zhiyi said, unfazed. She didn’t see why Zhou Muxuan, an outsider, should meddle in her affairs with Lu Yusheng.

“Shen Zhiyi.” Zhou Muxuan called her again. “If you truly want to overturn your case, I can help.”

Shen Zhiyi froze.

The sunlight glinted off the badge on his shoulder, cold and sharp.

The same man who had put her in prison now wanted to personally help her reclaim justice?

Did he know what overturning the case could mean?

If she succeeded, his ironclad job could be at risk.

And—

He might even be forced to take off his gleaming uniform, the symbol of personal and family honor.

The sincerity reflected in Zhou Muxuan’s dark eyes made Shen Zhiyi no longer resist him.

Once she got on the motorcycle, they headed toward Lu Village. Shen Zhiyi gripped the military-style water bottle Zhou Muxuan had handed her.

He had intended to take her straight home, but Shen Zhiyi insisted on stopping by Lu Village first.

“Don’t get too impulsive when we reach Lu Village,” Zhou Muxuan said, one hand on the handlebars, the sleeves of his uniform rolled up to the elbows, revealing strong forearms.

Shen Zhiyi smiled faintly. “Officer Zhou, are you worried I’ll get hurt, or that I’ll cause trouble for you?”

“The Lu family is holding a banquet today in the village. Since Dr. Lu started working at the town clinic, their family’s prestige in Lu Village has risen quite a bit.”

“….”

Shen Zhiyi understood. Zhou Muxuan was worried that if a labor reform inmate returned to Lu Village now, the entire village would make things difficult for her, all for Lu Yusheng.

A banquet, huh?

Perfect—time to stir things up in advance.

The tricycle turned into the village entrance—

Wow! What a display!

Over twenty Eight Immortals tables were set up outside the Lu family courtyard, the whole village crowded with people of all ages. Smoke rose from cooking fires, the air thick with the bustle of daily life.

Most eye-catching was the central table, covered with a red cloth, topped with rare Maotai liquor and braised pork.

During her wedding, the Lu family had claimed poverty. Even the liquor for guests had been provided by her mother.

Now, for a child’s first birthday, they were serving such expensive liquor? And putting on such a spectacle?

Shen Zhiyi’s chest heaved violently, a mix of irritation and disbelief rising in her.

Lu Yusheng, in a brand-new Zhongshan suit, weaved through the crowd, serving tea to guests.

Jiang Ruochu held Tongtong at his side, perfectly fitting the image of the family’s daughter-in-law, while the gold necklace around her neck gleamed under the sunlight—the original Shen Zhiyi’s necklace.

“Oh my! Isn’t this the labor reform inmate come back?” Aunt Li, munching sunflower seeds at the gate, was the first to shout.

The entire gathering went silent.

All eyes swept to Shen Zhiyi and Zhou Muxuan.

Lu Yusheng’s mother squinted. Seeing that it really was Shen Zhiyi, the labor reform inmate, she slammed her teacup down. “What unlucky thing dragged itself here?”

She rolled her eyes, full of disdain.

Shen Zhiyi slowly stepped down, brushing the nonexistent dirt off her gray pants. “I’m not divorced from Lu Yusheng. Why can’t I come back?”

She stared coldly at her mother-in-law. The original’s cruel mother-in-law—if Shen Zhiyi weren’t here to fulfill the original’s wishes, did she think she would willingly come to such a filthy place?

Since the day she married into this family, that old woman had never given her a good look, always acting like a traditional, oppressive mother-in-law—just short of a daily morning-and-evening inspection.

Unlike now, facing Jiang Ruochu, her face was as red and bright as peach blossoms in March.