Chapter 9: I Filed for Divorce

After getting the money, Shen Yuchu bought a game console and game cards for her younger brother, Shen Yulong, to stabilize his emotions. She took him to a barber shop for a haircut to make him look more presentable. Then, she took him to a photo studio to have his picture taken in new clothes and shoes. She told him the photo was for a “leader” and to look energetic, not like he’d been playing video games all day.

Shen Yulong was surprisingly obedient, thanks to the game console and cards. He did everything she asked.

After taking the photos, Shen Yuchu decided to buy new clothes for Lü Chunhuan, her sister-in-law. She thought Lü Chunhuan was gullible.

Holding the new clothes, Shen Yuchu said to Shen Yulong, “I’ll take your photo for your blind date. Take these new clothes home and give them to Mom. Tell her they’re from me, and that she’s a city-dwelling mother-in-law now, so she shouldn’t embarrass herself. Take this passbook too. Here’s 15 yuan for the bus fare home.”

Shen Yulong happily accepted everything. Holding his game console and wearing his new clothes, he felt like the coolest kid in the village. Getting on the bus, he waved and cheerfully shouted, “Sister, don’t worry, I remember!”

At that moment, Shen Yuchu realized her brother wasn’t as annoying as she thought. He’d never called her “sister” before and had always bossed her around. She concluded it was the power of money.

After sending Shen Yulong off, Shen Yuchu gave 1000 yuan to Mrs. Wu, Lin Hui’s mother-in-law, saying, “This is the money my sister gave me as a dowry. Take it and stop giving my sister-in-law a hard time.”

Mrs. Wu was speechless; she stayed quiet because of the money.

Shen Yuchu then turned to Shen Chunfen, her mother-in-law: “This is the money I owe you for the three years I lived in your house. 1500 yuan – fair enough?”

Shen Chunfen didn’t dare take the money and looked at her son, Lin Xuan.

“Take it,” Shen Yuchu said. “We’ll settle everything when I divorce your son.”

Shen Chunfen stammered, “We’re family. And this money…it’s yours and your husband’s. Mom doesn’t need it.”

Shen Yuchu retorted, “I didn’t bear any children in three years, but I ate your food, so I should pay you!”

Lin Xuan stopped her, “Shen Yuchu, don’t say that.”

“Don’t pretend to be good. My mother-in-law is terrible, I admit. But now, I’m getting my money back. Let’s settle the score for how she and you treated me.”

Shen Yuchu then addressed Lin Hui, her sister-in-law: “Stop bringing things from your parents’ house to your husband’s. You ate and drank from your parents’ house, and now you’re married, you still take things? Your child has the Wu surname, not Lin! Every time you come home empty-handed and leave with bags and bags of stuff, are you escaping poverty or are you a bandit? Either bring things to your parents or act like you’re dead and stay out of family matters! You sit there and criticize me. I pour your water, and you complain it’s too hot or too cold. Why should I serve you? Next time, bring money or things, or shut up!”

Lin Hui: “Are you crazy today?”

Shen Yuchu threatened, “Say another word, and I’ll keep the money.”

Lin Hui and Mrs. Wu fell silent.

Shen Yuchu sneered, “A married daughter is like spilled water; it doesn’t flow back.”

Lin Hui looked at her mother-in-law.

Shen Yuchu continued, addressing Mrs. Wu: “Your family runs a cannery, yet you never give us any canned goods! For this 1000 yuan dowry, my sister-in-law suffered a lot in your house!”

Shen Yuchu gave them 9 yuan for bus fare. “Go back and mind your own business. Don’t interfere in Lin family matters.”

Lin Hui, carrying her child, left with Mrs. Wu.

Shen Chunfen looked at Shen Yuchu, sensing something was different. Shen Yuchu’s eyes were no longer weak and timid, but cold, fierce, and even hateful. Shen Chunfen was scared.

Shen Yuchu, equally displeased with her mother-in-law, said with contempt, “We need to settle our accounts. I have no feelings for your son; if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t deal with you. Lin Xuan, let’s go to the village office. I’m filing for divorce!”

Lin Xuan was shocked, “You…when did you learn to read?”