Zhao Yan was surprised. Had Shen Mingyou really just called him “brother”? It had been over ten years since he’d heard that!

Zhao Yan’s eyes were a bit misty. He had longed for this word “brother.” It seemed like Shen Mingyou still saw him as her brother. Since there were guests, she called him “brother” to show their good relationship.

Excited, Zhao Yan went to hug Shen Mingyou, but she walked past him and went to Shen Mingzhang instead.

Shen Mingzhang opened his arms and hugged Shen Mingyou, saying, “Youyou, long time no see.”

Zhao Yan was left confused, his arms still open.

Jiang Chen, who was watching, found Shen Mingyou’s playful behavior amusing. It seemed like only Shen Mingyou could make his brother-in-law look foolish.

Zhao Yan, feeling a bit awkward, picked up his niece Jiang Niannian and saw Shen Mingyou talking happily with Shen Mingzhang.

Jiang Niannian suddenly reached out for Shen Mingzhang, saying cheerfully, “Uncle, hold me.”

Zhao Yan, who felt a bit left out, was surprised. Shen Mingzhang took Nian Nian and commented on how she had grown.

Zhao Yan realized that Shen Mingyou and Shen Mingzhang had known each other for a while. Two months ago, Shen Mingzhang had flown abroad to tell Shen Mingyou about Zhao Zhenhai and Fang Jiqin’s marriage.

Although Shen Mingzhang was older and could call Shen Mingyou “brother,” Zhao Yan felt uneasy hearing it.

Zhao Zhenhai, the head of the Zhao family, was happy to see everyone together. He encouraged the family to support each other and proposed a toast.

Fang Jiqin, who is five years younger than Zhao Zhenhai, looked very youthful. She served Shen Mingyou a special dish she made herself.

“Thank you, Aunt Qin,” Shen Mingyou said, offering Fang Jiqin some food in return.

Zhao Zhenhai was pleased to see his daughter so grown up. He used to worry about her not getting along with his second wife and her career choice in acting, which she pursued despite his objections. 

Seeing Shen Mingyou happy and friendly with his new wife made him feel better. He decided to let her live her life as she wished.

Shen Mingyou served Zhao Zhenhai some food and she mentioned she made him favorite dish, Four Happiness Meatballs^[1]is a traditional Chinese dish made with meatballs, often served during special occasions., specially for him. 

“Nian Nian, eat more. Grandpa will teach you chess later,” Zhao Zhenhai said, making Nian Nian excited.

“Brother, eat too,” Shen Mingyou said, serving Shen Mingzhang.

Shen Mingzhang commented that Shen Mingyou’s Four Happiness Meatballs tasted as good as Zhao Zhenhai’s. Zhao Zhenhai was impressed and surprised she could make them too.

Zhao Yan, sitting across from Shen Mingyou, took the last Four Happiness Meatball from the plate and put it in his bowl.

He had never tasted the food cooked by Shen Mingyou. Shen Mingzhang, her brother, really knows how to take advantage of others.

Jiang Chen, who was sitting next to Shen Mingyou, got a text from Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan: [What’s wrong with your wife? Is she upset with me? Did she come back just to annoy me?]

The questions showed how angry Zhao Yan was. Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan could only act like an elder brother-in-law around him, his brother-in-law. He didn’t even dare to speak up in front of Shen Mingyou.

Jiang Chen didn’t know why Shen Mingyou was unhappy, so he didn’t worry about Zhao Yan.

Besides him, Zhao Yan was also ignored by Shen Mingyou.

“It’s hard to say who is more pitiful—him or Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan looked clearly annoyed every time Shen Mingyou called him ‘brother.'”

Jiang Chen put his phone away and used chopsticks to serve some lobster to Shen Mingzhang: “Brother-in-law, try this lobster. It’s very fresh.”

Zhao Yan’s face showed clear annoyance as he immediately looked over and said, “Who’s your brother-in-law?”

Shen Mingzhang, who was being served, ignored the tension at the table and ate well.

The dinner was pleasant, except for Zhao Yan who felt out of place and Zhao Qi who tried to stay unnoticed.

Zhao Qi clenched her hands under the table. She felt completely unnecessary. Everyone at the table was family, and she was the only outsider.

Even though Zhao Zhenhai took care of his mother when she was ill, he quickly remarried three months after her death. Zhao Qi felt it was unfair to her mother and to herself.

When her mother died, her father said she would always be the Zhao family’s daughter. But now, with Shen Mingyou back, it seemed like only Shen Mingyou mattered to Zhao Zhenhai.

And Zhao Yan, who did nothing wrong, always acted like he owed Shen Mingyou something, trying to please her.

If her mother hadn’t died and Shen Mingyou hadn’t come back, everything would still belong to her—the love of her father and brother, and the position of the eldest daughter of the Zhao family. She had these things for fifteen years, but now, with Shen Mingyou back, they were slipping away from her grasp.

Why did Shen Mingyou return? The first time she came back, she took Jiang Chen away. If Shen Mingyou hadn’t returned, Zhao Qi would have married Jiang Chen, become the boss lady of Lingyu Capital, and a good wife to him. But Shen Mingyou came back and took what was hers.

Now that she is back for the second time, what will she take this time? Her brother and father’s love, or the position of the eldest daughter of the Zhao Group?

It would be better if she never came back.

Zhao Qi’s hands tightened and loosened again. She forced a smile and said to everyone at the table, “I’m full. You all eat at your own pace.”

She set down her bowl and chopsticks, avoiding the others’ eyes, and left.

After dinner, Nian Nian was taken away by Zhao Zhenhai, his wife, and Shen Mingzhang to learn chess. Zhao Yan should have comforted his sister, but Shen Mingyou and Jiang Chen went for a walk in the garden.

As they walked, Jiang Chen suddenly said, “I’ve never eaten food you cooked.”

Shen Mingzhang mentioned earlier that he had eaten Shen Mingyou’s cooking, but Jiang Chen had never had it in their five years of marriage.

“Really? I remember calling you often when we first got married, asking you to come home for dinner,” Shen Mingyou said, tucking her hair behind her ear, “but you never came.”

Jiang Chen stopped and asked, “Did you make all those meals yourself?”

Shen Mingyou didn’t answer and kept walking.

Jiang Chen looked at her. He recalled that when they first married, Shen Mingyou often called him. At that time, Lingyu Capital was expanding overseas, making it a busy period. He didn’t take Shen Mingyou’s calls seriously. It was quicker to eat at the company than to go home.

Later, Shen Mingyou’s calls asking him to come home for dinner became less frequent, and then stopped completely.

Jiang Chen never realized that Shen Mingyou had been cooking for him.

Shen Mingyou was thinking that Jiang Chen was a good marriage partner. He was loyal, generous, and supportive. However, she wanted more.

Her greed made her want more.

Shen Mingyou knew Jiang Chen didn’t understand feelings or didn’t really care about her. She tried hard in the first year of their marriage, cooking and trying to fit into his life, but he was indifferent. It wasn’t until she had Nian Nian that she learned to compromise.

Compromise and just be a good wife.

But Shen Mingyou now felt her compromises were predetermined by her role in the book. Her compromises with Jiang Chen, Zhao Yan, Zhao Zhenhai… all these had changed “Shen Mingyou” in the story.

Now, Shen Mingyou has decided not to compromise anymore. She wants to reclaim everything that belongs to her.

The divorce was just a chance to end her dull marriage with Jiang Chen.

If Jiang Chen doesn’t make an effort and agree to the divorce quickly, she will leave, taking Nian Nian and a share of Jiang Chen’s property with her. She would then live however she wants.

But if Jiang Chen wants to save the marriage and is willing to work on it, Shen Mingyou will give him a chance.

Without breaking things down, nothing new can be built.

Maybe tearing things apart first will allow for something new to be created.

At least now, the once-proud and confident Jiang Chen knows he needs to reflect on himself.

From now on, the control of this marriage will be in her hands.