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Zhao Yumei had just found out today about Su Ying’s job transfer. She’d been seething with rage all afternoon. The moment she got off work, she headed straight for Chen Shuyun’s house. Though she hadn’t deliberately dressed up, she wore a blue suit, leather shoes, and carried a small handbag—believing herself far more refined than the rural woman before her. Her tone naturally became condescending.
“You’re Chen Shuyun, right? I need to talk to you. May I come in?”
Chen Shuyun quickly stepped aside to let her in, looking uneasy.
“You are… here to see me about something?”
She assumed this woman was from Su Ying’s husband’s family and grew anxious that something might have happened. Though nervous, she asked eagerly.
Zhao Yumei entered with her handbag and looked around the house, her heart filled with resentment.
“Fresh out of the countryside and already living in such a nice home—you really ought to thank me.”
Chen Shuyun hurriedly nodded.
“Yes, thank you all for helping us find a place. Where’s my Yingying? When will she come back? Back in our hometown, we have a tradition of returning home three days after marriage. It’s been three days now, so she should be coming.”
As she spoke, she pulled a teacup from the tray to pour her guest some water.
“You must be mistaken. I have no idea when your daughter plans to come home. I’m Su Jianshe’s wife. I’m here today to ask you—when exactly are you planning to go with him to finalize the divorce?”
CRASH!
The cup slipped from Chen Shuyun’s hand and shattered on the floor. She was still holding the kettle, staring at Zhao Yumei in disbelief.
“What… what did you say? Who are you again?”
Seeing her panic, Zhao Yumei smiled smugly and sat down without asking.
“My name is Zhao Yumei. I’m Su Jianshe’s wife. I know you still exist, but let’s not kid ourselves—you know exactly how you and Su Jianshe got married. He never loved you.”
Chen Shuyun put down the kettle, her hands trembling.
She hadn’t looked closely earlier, but now she studied Zhao Yumei carefully—she was attractive, well-dressed, carrying a designer-looking bag and wearing sleek leather shoes. They were worlds apart.
Chen Shuyun had never seen much of the world. She instinctively felt timid around city women, even though she knew she shouldn’t be. She was the legal wife. She and Su Jianshe had a marriage certificate, had registered with the village committee—he couldn’t deny their marriage.
She bit her lip and held her breath.
“We have a child. And a marriage certificate. Why… why are you here?”
If Zhao Yumei had been worried earlier that Su Jianshe’s rural wife and daughter might be hard to deal with, that worry vanished now.
This woman was timid and easy to manipulate. Zhao Yumei relished the superiority she felt, watching Chen Shuyun struggle to form a full sentence.
“We have a child too. And our daughter is far more outstanding. Su Jianshe likes our daughter. Your daughter? She just married a paralyzed ex-soldier, didn’t she? What future do you think she has?”
“What did you say? Paralyzed?”
Chen Shuyun was clearly shocked. Zhao Yumei paused, then laughed.
“So you didn’t know? Your daughter married a cripple who could die any day. She’s just there to serve him. Otherwise, do you really think a military veteran with a government job would marry a rural girl? He even solved your household registration issue.”
Zhao Yumei’s expression turned hateful as she spoke.
She’d originally just wanted to get rid of Su Jianshe’s rural wife and daughter, and maybe get some support for him to solidify his position as factory director. Who knew that slut Su Ying would take the opportunity to demand a Jiangcheng residence registration?
“Chen Shuyun, I won’t waste more time. If you still care at all about Su Jianshe, you should go finalize the divorce right away. Take your daughter and her paralyzed husband back to the countryside. You staying here just makes everyone uncomfortable.”
Chen Shuyun’s mind was a mess, but despite her timid nature, she wasn’t stupid.
“Why should I be the one who’s unhappy? You stole my husband, and now you’re telling me to go back to the countryside? This is just bullying.”
Zhao Yumei gave her a scornful look.
“What’s the use of clinging to the title of ‘wife’? In Jiangcheng, at the factory—everyone knows I’m the real Mrs. Su. Just look at yourself. You’re nothing but an embarrassment to him.”
Chen Shuyun lowered her head, fingers tightly gripping her clothes.
“I want to see Su Jianshe. Let him tell me himself.”
“He’s busy. You think he’s like those idle country men you know? He’s a factory director—he’s got tons of responsibilities. Besides, my words are his words. Just pick a date and get the divorce over with. He doesn’t love you. What’s the point of holding onto a title?”
But Chen Shuyun stubbornly insisted that Su Jianshe come in person. No matter what Zhao Yumei said after that, she stayed silent.
Until Zhao Yumei brought up Su Ying again.
“How did you know Yingying got married?”
Zhao Yumei smirked.
“I was the one who arranged it. You think she could’ve met a military man on her own? Honestly, you two should be grateful to me.”
“You? It was you?!”
Chen Shuyun’s voice turned hoarse as she clenched her fists. If she weren’t holding back, she would have lunged at Zhao Yumei and yanked her hair—like how women fought in the village.
But she’d never fought anyone before. So even when faced with such an arrogant mistress, she didn’t dare lay a hand on her.
“Why would you do that? What did Yingying ever do to you? Why marry her off to a paralyzed man?”
Zhao Yumei frowned, looking at her with contempt.
“Are you stupid? If she didn’t marry him, how would you be living in this nice house now? How would you have a Jiangcheng hukou? How else could we shut you up? Honestly, you should be thanking me, not acting all righteous. You’re her mother, right? If you didn’t agree at the time, why didn’t you stop her? Weren’t you also tempted by the benefits?”
Chen Shuyun was speechless. She didn’t know how to explain herself. But deep down, she wasn’t like that. She hadn’t cared about the benefits. She just wanted a good life for Yingying, a future where her daughter could afford medicine and treatment.
She hadn’t known the groom was paralyzed. If she had… if she had known…
She might not have been able to stop it anyway. Su Ying had always had a strong will. Even as a child, she rarely listened to her. Back in the village, she’d told Su Ying not to stir trouble at the education bureau, but Su Ying insisted—and look how that turned out.
This marriage had also been Su Ying’s own decision. Her persuasion hadn’t mattered.
“What? Got nothing to say now?” Zhao Yumei sneered. “Chen Shuyun, don’t delay any longer. Tomorrow, meet Su Jianshe at the Civil Affairs Bureau and get that divorce finalized. Stop interfering in our lives.”
Zhao Yumei didn’t care whether she agreed or not. She stood up, glanced at the broken glass cup on the floor, frowned, and muttered about how stepping on the shards might ruin her shoes.