After leaving the police station, Feng Tianqi and Chen Caohua walked ahead. Watching their retreating figures, Lin Ning couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Even she could see through Chen Caohua’s lies. Could it be that Feng Tianqi hadn’t noticed anything?

If he had figured it out yet remained so calm, it only proved how calculating and patient he was—a man not easy to dealt with.

When Feng Tianqi and Chen Caohua returned home, they recounted the results of Huang Shitao’s case. Ge Jinhua and Feng Fugui breathed a sigh of relief.

“Good. Sending him to prison will stop him from ruining our reputation,” Ge Jinhua said.

With the matter seemingly resolved, Feng Fugui asked, “Tianqi, it’s not yet the time for visiting family. Why are you back?”

“Dad, Mom, I’ve retired from the army.”

“What? You were doing so well. Why retire now?”

It turned out that the country had begun a major military downsizing, planning to cut 1 million personnel. Hearing the news, Feng Tianqi quickly calculated his options. At 32 years old, he was at an intermediate rank with little room for advancement and was likely to be on the chopping block. Instead of waiting, he opted for an early discharge, ensuring a generous severance package and relocation allowance. If he waited, those benefits would likely be reduced.

Ge Jinhua was visibly disappointed. Her son’s military status had brought her significant pride. Without it, her social standing would suffer.

“Tianqi, did the organization assign you a new job?”

“They did, but I declined.”

“Why? A stable job could earn you dozens of yuan a month!”

Ambitious as ever, Feng Tianqi scoffed at the idea of a meager salary. “Dad, Mom, the country is now encouraging private enterprise and market liberalization. I don’t want to work for a pittance; I want to start my own business.”

“Business? Tianqi, no! That’s capitalism. You’ll get arrested!” Ge Jinhua exclaimed in horror.

Feng Tianqi frowned. His parents were always so cautious, constantly dousing his ambitions with cold water.

Chen Caohua interjected, “Mom, Tianqi is right. Nowadays, the government allows private businesses, small shops, and street vendors. No one talks about ‘cutting capitalist tails’ anymore!”

Her support visibly brightened Feng Tianqi’s mood. “Caohua is right. Policies have changed. It’s not like before.”

Ge Jinhua remained skeptical. “That may be true, but how much can you earn selling things on the street? Can it compare to a stable job? With your background, how could you stoop so low?”

“Mom, don’t underestimate street vendors. They earn a lot. Take Lin Ning, for example—she sells bath scrubbers door-to-door and makes dozens of yuan a day!”

“What?”

“Dozens! That’s equivalent to a whole month’s salary for some people!”

Ge Jinhua slapped her thigh in amazement. “Who would’ve thought that little girl could earn so much!”

Chen Caohua instantly regretted using Lin Ning as an example. It only made Lin Ning look good. She glanced nervously at Feng Tianqi, afraid he might develop an interest in Lin Ning.

Indeed, Feng Tianqi’s interest was piqued, though not romantically. “So the market in Dong’an County is this active?”

“Yes! You can open small shops, become self-employed, or even sell door-to-door without fear of being arrested.”

Feng Tianqi nodded, his confidence growing.

Ge Jinhua sighed. “Lin Ning’s ability to earn money puts you to shame. All you do is ask for money, never make it yourself!”

Chen Caohua seethed with anger. This wretched old woman couldn’t resist taking a jab at her. She cursed inwardly, I heard she died of breast cancer in my past life. Heaven, please make it happen again soon!

Still, Chen Caohua had a countermeasure. “Mom, I have three kids to look after. I barely have time to eat, let alone work. If you help me with the kids, I can go out and earn money too.”

Sensing another argument brewing, Feng Tianqi quickly intervened. “Enough! No more fighting.”

Both women fell silent. After a pause, Ge Jinhua asked, “Tianqi, how much did you get in severance and relocation allowances?”

All three pairs of eyes fixed on him, hungry for the answer. Feng Tianqi hesitated before replying, “Four thousand yuan.”

The truth was, he had received eight thousand yuan. But after learning about Chen Caohua’s betrayal, he decided to hide his true assets.

Even so, four thousand yuan was a considerable amount. The family’s excitement was palpable. After some discussion, they agreed to invest half in a business and save the rest for daily expenses.

The happiest of all was Chen Caohua. If Feng Tianqi was starting a business, it meant she could soon become the wife of a wealthy man.

Humming a tune, she meticulously cleaned herself up, ready to seduce Feng Tianqi. In my last life, I mastered these tricks. There’s no way I can’t handle a man like him in this life.

But she forgot that her experience was hard-earned—and without practice during Feng Tianqi’s absence, she was out of her depth.

That night, as she approached Feng Tianqi, he immediately sensed something was off. When had Chen Caohua become so flirtatious?

He didn’t react, prompting her to try harder. Her exaggerated attempts only confirmed what he had suspected: Huang Shitao’s claims were true. Chen Caohua had indeed betrayed him.

His eyes darkened with fury. Taking deep breaths, he suddenly pinned her down, venting his rage with rough, unrelenting force. Chen Caohua cried out in pain, but he ignored her, focused solely on his own release.

Late into the night, Chen Caohua fell into an exhausted sleep, while Feng Tianqi remained wide awake.

He had made up his mind. Chen Caohua’s infidelity was unforgivable. He would divorce her—but not yet. If he left her immediately, people would accuse him of ingratitude after she had waited years for his return. He would wait until the children were older and no longer needed her before kicking her out.

The next morning, during a rare moment of calm, Chen Caohua said, “Tianqi, I’ve been short on money lately. Can you give me some?”

“Sure,” Feng Tianqi replied, pulling out a one-yuan bill. “You’ll get one yuan a day. Use it for groceries and cooking. If it’s not enough, let me know.”

One yuan?

Chen Caohua’s smile froze. This stingy bastard! He has four thousand yuan and gives me one yuan? Am I a beggar?

Though furious, she remained silent.

“Forget it, I’ll give it to mom so she can buy groceries.”

When Feng Tianqi reached to take back the money, she quickly snatched it. “I’ll take it.”

One yuan a day, thirty a month—it’s not much, but I can save some for myself.

At that moment, Chen Caohua realized the truth: just like in her past life, Feng Tianqi didn’t trust her. If she wanted anything, she’d have to rely on herself.

If he becomes wealthy but still treats me like this, what’s the point of staying with him?

Knowing the future trends, she decided she might as well take the four thousand yuan to start her own business. Being a wealthy woman was far better than being a rich man’s wife.

When the time comes, I’ll give Feng Tianqi one yuan a day and watch him squirm!

And so, the couple began a cautious dance, each guarding their secrets and plotting how to outmaneuver the other. Both were ready to sever ties the moment the opportunity arose.