Chapter 60: The Pitiful Female Supporting Character from a Patriarchal Family in the 2000s (7)

Ai Xiaoling told Ai Xiaofen to pretend nothing had happened when she went back.

No one in the Xu family was a decent person. Xu Zhi’s mother especially was shameless. Ai Xiaofen had a soft personality and wouldn’t be able to argue back. She might even be beaten or scolded. Speaking out wouldn’t do her any good.

Ai Xiaoling might not have many other abilities, but she had a straightforward personality and could manage in society. Simply put, she had a lot of friends.

With just a bit of asking around, she found out everything about Xu Zhi’s recent movements.

Lately, he had been fooling around in town with that widow, even trying to flirt with various women just to prove his charm.

When Ai Xiaoling heard about it, she laughed. He looked like a weasel with a pointy mouth, had no skills, and was full of schemes.

Some of the women he messed with made a living off exploiting men like him. They didn’t care if the guy was married or had kids. To them, he was just one fish in their pond. Everyone took what they needed.

Ai Xiaoling found one of them named Zhao Hui.

She had someone arrange a meeting with Zhao Hui after work and had Ye Zhou drive her there.

Before getting out of the car, Ai Xiaoling said to Ye Zhou, “Wait for me in the car. I’ll be quick.”

Ye Zhou nodded.

“Oh right,” Ai Xiaoling retracted her hand from the door handle.

“Mm?”

Ai Xiaoling looked at Ye Zhou for a while without saying anything.

Being stared at like that made Ye Zhou feel uncomfortable. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and his heart beat like a drum.

“Little boss,” she called out to him with a sweet smile.

“What is it?” Ye Zhou’s heart was still pounding. He had a feeling she was about to ask him for a favor.

Ai Xiaoling smiled flatteringly and asked, “Do you have money?”

“?”

“Lend me two thousand?” After she said that, she felt it was too much. After all, Ye Zhou didn’t even get a salary. So she corrected herself, “One thousand? Five hundred is fine too. But I’ll need a month or two to pay you back. I need to save some for meals.”

Ye Zhou had thought it was something serious. He casually opened the drawer in front of the car. Inside was a stack of red bills. He took out a handful and said, “Is two thousand enough?”

Ai Xiaoling looked at the stack of red bills in his hand, surprised they were just placed so casually in the car. She asked in surprise, “Is that payment money? Shouldn’t you tell Aunt Ye?”

He usually brought payment money back and gave it to her. How come he still had so much on hand?

“Not that. I earned it from part-time delivery jobs.” Ye Zhou handed her two thousand yuan. “Do you need more?”

Ai Xiaoling took it and immediately praised him. “You even do delivery part-time? No wonder you’re always out. You’re really a diligent and motivated little boss.”

No wonder he could start a successful business.

Ye Zhou accepted her compliment with a straight face. Only he knew that he actually liked hearing it.

“Thank you. You’re truly a great person.” Ai Xiaoling only took six hundred yuan and left the rest in the car.

Five minutes later, she met with Zhao Hui.

Zhao Hui was not very old, but her style was mature. She wore a revealing and sexy long dress. The strong scent of cheap perfume surrounded her. Her face was heavily made up, and she was smoking, barely paying attention to Ai Xiaoling.

After all, many wives had come to confront them. Rather than fighting, it was better to control your own man.

But Ai Xiaoling was not here to reason with her. She placed a stack of red bills on the table and smiled as she pushed it forward.

Zhao Hui’s smoking motion paused.

“This is a deposit. I’d like to ask you for a favor.” Ai Xiaoling spoke sincerely.

“What do you want me to do?” Zhao Hui sat up straight, her eyes fixed on the money.

“Help my sister act out a scene so she can get a divorce.”

Ai Xiaoling not only had a good attitude but also explained everything about Ai Xiaofen’s situation. There was no need to exaggerate. Zhao Hui already frowned and felt empathy as a fellow woman.

In the end, Zhao Hui stood up with the money and agreed readily. “No problem.”

Wasn’t it just lying about being pregnant?

They often did this. Every once in a while, they would fool the men in their fishponds.

Otherwise, how would they survive? And dealing with scumbags—was there even a need to talk about feelings? That was just laughable.

Zhao Hui acted quickly. They were indeed skilled at sweet-talking men. No one knew what she said to Xu Zhi, but Ai Xiaofen told Ai Xiaoling that Xu Zhi had become increasingly disgusted with her lately.

He even lost his temper over small things and demanded a divorce.

Mother Xu was a little hesitant. After all, Ai Xiaofen was easy to manipulate and looked good. Divorcing her didn’t guarantee finding another, and marrying again would cost money, so she pretended to mediate.

Later, Xu Zhi told Mother Xu that Zhao Hui was pregnant, and Mother Xu’s attitude changed immediately.

The whole family pressured Ai Xiaofen to divorce.

Following Ai Xiaoling’s instructions, Ai Xiaofen stubbornly refused and even begged Xu Zhi to save money with her to go to the city for IVF. Xu Zhi was furious.

He could make a woman pregnant. Why would he spend tens of thousands going to the city with Ai Xiaofen for IVF?

Divorce.

He had to get a divorce.

Xu Zhi even began threatening Ai Xiaofen with a knife, demanding a divorce.

The matter reached the Ai family. When Mother Ai heard that Ai Xiaofen was getting divorced, she rushed to the Xu house. Unfortunately, she was too late. Xu Zhi had already taken Ai Xiaofen to the civil affairs bureau.

The divorce certificate was already issued.

“Hurry and take your daughter home. She’s been married for two years and still hasn’t gotten pregnant. What, does she want to cut off our bloodline?” Mother Xu stood at the door with hands on hips and scolded Mother Ai.

Ai Xiaofen collapsed to the side, crying bitterly, lying on the ground unable to get up.

Everyone thought she was too heartbroken after being abandoned. In fact, she was crying over her inhuman life during the past two years and felt finally freed.

No longer needing to live in fear, constantly abused by Xu Zhi and insulted by Mother Xu, unable to sleep peacefully.

Seeing her like this, Mother Xu thought her son was truly capable and acted even more smugly. She threw all of Ai Xiaofen’s belongings out and looked down on the Ai family. She said to Mother Ai, “The divorce is done. What are you still doing in my house? Hurry and get out!”

She didn’t want anyone interfering with bringing the “pregnant” woman home.

The Xu family already had it planned. Zhao Hui was “pregnant,” so they had her under control. No need to formally marry her. Just bring her over to live and wait to have the baby.

Ai Xiaofen had nowhere to go and could only follow Mother Ai back home.

During this time, Ai Xiaofen secretly used the home phone to call Ai Xiaoling. On the call, she said, “Xiaoling, how’s the job you’re helping me find? Dad and Mom are very displeased about the divorce. I need to start working and earning money quickly.”

Just like Ai Xiaoling, Ai Xiaofen hoped to earn money soon and change their parents’ opinion of her.

Mother Ai mocked and ridiculed her, saying she had embarrassed the family. Ai Xiaofen had only been home for a day and already couldn’t stand it.

Ai Xiaoling was handing a completed delivery slip to Ye Zhou. Her expression didn’t change, but her tone was anxious and helpless. “This afternoon, I have to go with the boss lady to the neighboring city. I’ll be back in a few days. When I return, I’ll come pick you up. The job is already set. They said to start at the beginning of next month. For now, come live with me at the shop, okay?”

Ye Zhou raised his brows slightly when he heard this.

Ai Xiaofen didn’t want to trouble her. “Then never mind. I’ll stay home until next month. I can’t inconvenience you.”

“It’s fine. I’ll come pick you up when I get back. The boss lady is easy to talk to.” Ai Xiaoling reassured her. “I’ll be back to get you right away.”

After hanging up, Ai Xiaoling met Ye Zhou’s questioning gaze and looked him straight in the eye. “What?”

Ye Zhou deliberately asked her, “You’re going to the neighboring city this afternoon? How come I didn’t know?”

“There are a lot of things you don’t know.” Ai Xiaoling slightly glared at him, then handed him another slip. “Hurry and go deliver this. The customer is urging.”

Ye Zhou: “…..”

After speaking, she handed him five yuan and smiled with her eyes. “When you come back later, buy me some liangfen? I’ll treat you to a bowl too.”

The weather was so hot. Without something cold, it was unbearable.

Ye Zhou didn’t take the money and turned to leave.

“Little boss—” Ai Xiaoling quickly came out from behind the counter, ran after him, and grabbed his shirt. “Don’t be so stingy. Buy me some liangfen, okay? I’m so thirsty. Even the plain water has warmed up. I can’t drink it.”

Ye Zhou stopped in his tracks but didn’t turn around. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift.

“A bowl of liangfen and a slice of watermelon.” Ai Xiaoling stuffed the money into his hand and was afraid he wouldn’t accept it, so she wrapped her hand around his. “Please! I’ll be waiting for you to come back!”

He had a car. Not to mention she could not leave the store, even if she could, she did not want to walk under the scorching sun to buy it.

Seeing that he had taken the money, Ai Xiaoling started making requests. “Make the jelly a bit sweeter.”

Ye Zhou said, “Too sweet won’t quench thirst.”

Her stomach was not good, so she should eat less sweet stuff.

After speaking, he did not wait for Ai Xiaoling to retort and turned to leave.

*

Ai Xiaoling had actually already found a job for Ai Xiaofen and it really did start at the beginning of the month.

She did not have any plan to go to the neighboring city and could have picked Ai Xiaofen up earlier, but she deliberately let Ai Xiaofen stay at home.

If one does not experience despair and abandonment, how could they possibly wake up?

Ai Xiaoling did not wait until the beginning of the month. She just delayed for a week before asking for leave and went back to pick up Ai Xiaofen.

Ye Zhou offered to send her, but she refused.

Ai Xiaoling took the bus to the intersection and walked the rest of the way home.

She had not yet arrived at the Ai house when she heard Mother Ai’s constant scolding. Her voice was sharp and unpleasant. “I raised you to adulthood, and now I have to support you for life? You can’t even have children, who would want you? I think marrying you off to a fool would be better than staying at home eating for free!”

Ai Xiaofen was wearing a straw hat, standing under the blazing sun drying rice.

Mother Ai’s scolding continued. “You’ve already shamed me completely. Not even married for two years and already divorced. When Dejun talks about finding a wife, you’re a stain that will drag him down. What hope can I place in you?”

“Might as well find someone to marry again. Staying at home is an eyesore and brings bad luck!”

These past few days, Mother Ai kept deliberately bringing up examples of whose daughter got divorced and came back, bringing misfortune to the family.

Or someone who refused to remarry and stayed at home, making it difficult for her brother to find a wife.

In Mother Ai’s view, daughters were a loss. Staying too long at their parents’ home meant bad luck and would bring misfortune to the family.

Getting old without marrying was bad luck. Getting divorced and coming home was bad luck. Bringing a child back to eat the family’s food was the worst and utterly unfilial kind of bad luck.

Before, when Ai Xiaofen came back to help with chores, she never stayed for meals. Occasionally, she even brought food back, and still, she was despised as useless and not helpful to the family.

Now she was divorced and back home, eating and staying. The villagers gossiped endlessly. One could imagine how harsh Mother Ai’s scolding would be.

When Ai Xiaofen saw Ai Xiaoling had returned, she looked up at her and realized she could not even cry anymore.

Perhaps her heart was dead. Her tears were dried up. Her voice was hoarse. “Xiaoling, you’re back?”

Ai Xiaoling felt a bit cruel but still gritted her teeth and pretended to be in a hurry to pack for her. “Sister, I’ll take you to live with me.”

When Mother Ai saw Ai Xiaoling, she originally wanted to ask about her salary, but Ai Xiaoling spoke first and cried poor. “Business at the shop isn’t good. The boss lady only lets me work half a day now. I still owe her three thousand yuan and need time to pay it off.”

After saying that, she looked at Ai Xiaofen. “Mom, if you have any money, give some to Sister. She needs time to find a job, and I really have no money on hand.”

“Where would I have money to give her?” Mother Ai widened her eyes and scolded Ai Xiaofen again. “She couldn’t even hold on to a man, can’t even lay an egg, deserves to be abandoned. I gave birth to her and still have to be burdened by her!”

“If you don’t give her money, how will she live?” Ai Xiaoling looked troubled.

Mother Ai wished Ai Xiaofen would leave immediately. “Let her live however she wants. If nothing works, go be someone’s stepmother!”

Ai Xiaoling knew Mother Ai cared about her reputation and feared others pointing fingers at them. So she said, “If Sister can’t find a job then—”

“Even if she can’t find a job, don’t come back and embarrass us. A person should have backbone. Even if you die, die outside!” Mother Ai interrupted immediately.

In her view, a woman who was divorced and could not have children was good for nothing except being pointed at if she returned home and eating for free. She might as well never come back.

This was exactly what Ai Xiaoling had been waiting for. She glanced at Ai Xiaofen out of the corner of her eye and saw her body sway. Her heart was completely broken.

“Xiaoling, let’s go.” Ai Xiaofen barely packed anything, just grabbed a few clothes and left with Ai Xiaoling.

Ai Xiaofen never looked back once the entire time.

Ai Xiaoling watched all this coldly. She only wanted to sneer. Mother Ai had beaten and scolded the sisters since they were young, thinking that no matter how she treated them, they would not hold a grudge and would still be filial. But she never thought that at the most difficult time in Ai Xiaofen’s life, she had given her a fatal blow.

They walked out of the village. Not far from the entrance, a delivery truck drove toward them.

Ai Xiaoling had not paid attention until Ye Zhou stopped the car and honked. Only then did she see clearly it was him.

“I happened to be delivering goods to town and thought I’d stop by to ask if you were coming back,” Ye Zhou said.

Ai Xiaoling did not think much, opened the door, and let Ai Xiaofen get in first. “Sister, let’s head back.”

“Okay.” After getting in the car, Ai Xiaofen looked out the window and stayed silent, lost in thought.

Ai Xiaoling and Ye Zhou also remained quiet.

When they got to the building materials store, Ai Xiaoling had already spoken to Mother Ye in advance, asking to let her sister stay for a few days. Mother Ye had no objections.

Ai Xiaofen had a soft personality and did not talk much. She was afraid of causing trouble for Ai Xiaoling and did not know how to sell anything, so she cleaned every day and did chores.

She worked from morning to night and never slacked off.

Mother Ye noticed and even praised Ai Xiaofen a few times, saying, “If I didn’t already have enough help at the shop, I’d want to keep you on to work.”

“I’m no good.” Ai Xiaofen knew herself well. “I’m not good with words. I can’t do this kind of work.”

She was not as good at talking as Ai Xiaoling. If customers asked a few more questions, she would freeze and break into a nervous sweat.

“Everyone has their own strengths.” Mother Ye smiled and comforted her. “Getting divorced is no big deal. I’m divorced too. It was even harder back then, with a child and no job opportunities. But didn’t I make it through? I’m doing well now.”

Ai Xiaofen looked at Mother Ye with envy.

“Listen to your aunt. It’s really not a big deal. Just a small bump in life,” Mother Ye said with a smile. “Don’t worry. If I hear of any good young men in the future, I’ll introduce one to you. He’ll be a hundred times better than that last one!”

Ai Xiaofen shook her head, looked at Ai Xiaoling, and said softly, “Don’t trouble yourself over me. If there’s someone good, introduce them to Xiaoling instead. Marrying far away is still too far after all.”

She had told Mother Ye about how Mother Ai wanted Ai Xiaoling to marry far away.

“That’s for sure!” Mother Ye responded with certainty and pointed at Ai Xiaoling. “I originally wanted her to be my daughter-in-law. The two of them weren’t suitable, so it didn’t work out. But I’ve been keeping an eye out for better young men. I’ll definitely find a good one for Xiaoling! Someone who loves her and cherishes her!”

After speaking, Mother Ye turned to Ai Xiaoling and said, “It’s just meeting someone. Maybe he’ll be the right one. Isn’t that right, Xiaoling?”

Ai Xiaoling thought the same. It was just a meeting after all, so she nodded. “If there’s someone good, please also help keep an eye out for my sister.”

The best way to forget a past relationship was to start a new one.

From a distance, Ye Zhou tightly clenched the delivery slip in his hand. His brows furrowed into a knot. “?!”

When did he ever say they weren’t suitable?