Chapter 16: Who’s the Shameless One, Really?

In the kitchen, Lu Zhixing and Zhou Xinyue were cooking together. They stood so close that, under the soft light, Xie Yunshu could clearly see the gentle look on Lu Zhixing’s face. Anyone who didn’t know better would think this was a happy, loving couple — a perfect little family.

From the kitchen, Zhou Xinyue’s delighted voice rang out:
“Zhixing-ge, you still remember I don’t like cilantro?!”

Lu Zhixing’s mother, Ying Yuxiang, chuckled from the living room:
“Xinyue practically grew up eating at our house. Of course he remembers what she likes.”

As she turned around with a smile, she suddenly spotted Xie Yunshu standing at the doorway.

“What are you doing here?”

The warmth on Ying Yuxiang’s face disappeared in an instant, her tone becoming cold and dismissive:
“I thought you ran off to your mother’s place in a huff? Why are you back?”

In the kitchen, Lu Zhixing paused. He set down the vegetables, removed his apron, and walked out naturally, as if nothing had happened.
“You came by this late? Have you eaten?” he asked.

Sitting beside Xiao Wei, Lu Xueting curled her lips and muttered snidely:
“Must’ve heard Xinyue-jie was here and couldn’t wait to rush over. So much for that pride of yours.”

Xie Yunshu first glanced at Lu Zhixing, then slowly swept her eyes across the entire room with a half-smile. From the very beginning, his family had believed she had married up. The younger sister and mother had always made their disdain clear — she wasn’t good enough for Lu Zhixing. The father never said much, but his silence was always distant.

She might’ve come from a poor family, but she’d been loved and cherished by her parents. After marrying Lu Zhixing, she had swallowed so many grievances — all for him.

But now? She didn’t want this man anymore. So why should she keep swallowing her pride?

Lu Zhixing, noticing her cold expression, frowned.
“Whatever it is, let’s talk later. Come in, wash your hands, and eat first. It’s rare for my parents to be here.”

Xie Yunshu bypassed everyone and walked over to the table. Standing before it, she glanced at the large soup bowl in the center and smiled faintly:
“That chicken looks familiar. Don’t tell me it’s the one I bought with my own salary and left out to thaw?”

Zhou Xinyue came out of the kitchen, drying her hands, and smiled apologetically:
“I saw it was already cut and marinated, so I just went ahead and made soup. Yunshu, come try it and see how it tastes?”

Anyone watching would think she was the mistress of the house.

Lu Xueting slammed her chopsticks down.
“You came here just to stir up trouble, didn’t you? That chicken was in my brother’s house. If Xinyue-jie wants to eat it, she can!”

Lu Zhixing sighed and said sternly:
“Xueting, don’t speak to your sister-in-law like that.”

Well, wasn’t that quite the act?

Xie Yunshu remained unbothered. Under the shocked eyes of everyone present, she directly picked up the bowl of chicken.
“Sorry, but I bought this with my own money. If I say no one eats it, then no one eats it.”

Lu Xueting, spoiled and rude, immediately stood up and pointed at Xie Yunshu.
“You live in my brother’s house and still dare to say you bought it? How much do you even make in a month? Probably all goes to your mom’s place! You’re still living off my brother and acting like you’re something!”

Living off him?

Xie Yunshu sneered and looked at Lu Zhixing.
“Dr. Lu, I’m living off you? Who’s really shameless here?”

Lu Zhixing’s brows furrowed. This version of Xie Yunshu felt unfamiliar — stubborn, unyielding, almost terrifying in her confidence.
“Yunshu, must you cause such a scene? Xinyue’s here tonight because we’re discussing something with my parents! Don’t drag outsiders into our issues.”

Xie Yunshu smiled coldly and began speaking slowly and clearly, eyeing the whole Lu family:
“Since we got married, you earn seventy yuan a month, but only give me ten. Tell me, Dr. Lu — is ten yuan enough for you to eat and buy clothes? Between the two of us, who’s supporting who?”

Lu Zhixing sighed helplessly.
“I told you, once Xinyue gets settled in her job, I’ll give you my full salary.”

Zhou Xinyue spoke gently:
“Yunshu, please don’t be mad over money. Once I start working, I’ll pay you back little by little.”

“Pay what back?”

Ying Yuxiang suddenly snapped. Her voice dripped with contempt:
“Xinyue’s father did our family a great kindness. Helping her now is our duty! And you — living in Zhixing’s house while fussing over a bit of money — really disgrace the Lu family! So petty, like someone who’s never seen good things in her life!”

Xie Yunshu shot back with equal venom:
“Wow, the Lu family is really something. Repaying a debt by throwing your daughter-in-law under the bus? As for this ‘house’ — so marrying into your family comes with a rent bill too? What a real eye-opener!”

Lu Zhixing closed his eyes. He had never seen her like this — fierce, sharp, unrelenting. Even when she had slapped Zhou Xinyue in the hospital, she had only cried and begged him for an explanation.

But now? She didn’t care anymore. Not about this home. Not about him.

Bang!

Lu Jianshe, who had stayed silent the whole time, set down his chopsticks. He was a vice-ministerial level cadre, rarely speaking at home, but no one in the family dared defy him.
“Yunshu, Zhixing was wrong. He’s at fault here.”

Lu Xueting’s face turned red, but she didn’t dare speak. She only glared daggers at Xie Yunshu.

But Xie Yunshu stood firm, her spine straight and proud:
“Whatever you plan to do is your business. Maybe Zhixing has told you, or maybe not — but I’ll say it again now: I want a divorce.”

“Yunshu!”

Lu Zhixing suddenly cut her off. His usually composed face showed rare anger.
“Can we talk after my parents leave? I’ll explain everything, in full. But don’t say things like this right now!”

Didn’t she know that saying such things in front of his parents left no room for reconciliation? He had helped Zhou Xinyue because he pitied her, not because of anything improper!

Even when she had run off to her mother’s house after hitting Zhou Xinyue, even then — he had never once considered divorce!

Ying Yuxiang stood up, her face icy.
“Clearly, there’s no eating dinner tonight. Xinyue, Xiao Wei, come with me back to the Lu family home. We have plenty of chicken and fish there. Imagine getting so worked up over a single chicken — really shows your small-town roots. Must’ve never seen anything nice before. Petty down to the last cent!”