Chapter 37: Humiliated

Xu Muzhou had returned to Beijing.

Having spent so much time together recently, Xiao Qingru found his absence unsettling. She thought of him more and more often.

One night, he even appeared in her dreams.

Unlike Xu Muzhou’s first encounter with her, Xiao Qingru’s first memory of him was in her own home.

In the dream, the scene was nearly identical to her memory except that Jiang Chuan wasn’t there.

And she didn’t avoid Xu Muzhou.

When she woke, Xiao Qingru wondered what life would be like now if she hadn’t chosen Jiang Chuan back then.

The thought surprised her; she had always believed she’d never regret her early love choices.

As her friend Song Yuan put it, she had “fallen hard.”

Her relationship with Xu Muzhou had ended prematurely because of Jiang Chuan’s presence.

It was precisely because she had fallen for Xu Muzhou that she felt regret.

Looking back, there was truth in that idea.

She did like Xu Muzhou!

Understanding this, Xiao Qingru found herself eagerly waiting for Xu Muzhou to return. This time, she wouldn’t avoid him or hesitate.

On New Year’s Eve, Xiao Qingru performed her first solo dance, with her family invited to watch.

Her mother was more nervous than she was, nearly squeezing her father’s arm blue.

“Why hasn’t Qingru come out yet?”

“They save the best for last. Just wait,” he replied.

“Really? I thought opening acts were the most important.”

Her father just smiled.

“Just be patient, it’ll be soon.”

Backstage, the dance captain found Xiao Qingru.

“Qingru, ready? You’re up next.”

“Ready.”

“Give it your best.”

“I will.”

Adjusting her costume in the mirror, Xiao Qingru took a deep breath. She couldn’t make any mistakes today she had to live up to her leaders’ trust.

The announcer’s voice was strong and clear. When Xiao Qingru’s name was called, the atmosphere reached its peak.

She was known as the most beautiful woman in the performance troupe, and people said her dancing was top notch. This was a rare treat.

Thanks to her father in law’s influence, Du Wanqiu was also in attendance.

Listening to the cheers around her, Du Wanqiu felt a surge of jealousy, her face twisted in frustration.

There were plenty of dancers in the troupe why was Xiao Qingru so highly praised? It was only due to her father’s connections, after all.

A glance at Jiang Chuan beside her showed that his eyes hadn’t left the stage.

When Xiao Qingru appeared, Jiang Chuan’s eyes lit up, and he clapped along with the crowd.

Du Wanqiu’s resentment showed on her face, while everyone else was smiling.

“Don’t embarrass us,” her mother in law scolded.

“I’m just not feeling well, that’s all.”

Her mother in law rolled her eyes. “How convenient feeling unwell just when Qingru is performing. You really think we’re all fools?”

“Seeing Qingru perform is a privilege. Don’t take it for granted.”

Du Wanqiu dug her nails into her palm, resisting the urge to argue.

She bitterly thought that no matter how much they praised Xiao Qingru, she would never be a daughter in law of the Jiang family.

The Xiao family wasn’t about to reconcile with the Jiang family just because of this performance, Xiao Qingru’s mother hadn’t even acknowledged them.

“What’s with that sour face? You’re making us look bad. If you didn’t want to watch, you could’ve stayed home. We didn’t force you to come.”

“Mother, I didn’t mean it.”

Seeing the tears well up in Du Wanqiu’s eyes, her mother in law only grew more annoyed.

“What’s the big deal? I’m not a man I won’t fall for your act. You might not mind making a scene, but I do.”

Though her words were drowned out by cheers and music, Du Wanqiu felt as if everyone around had heard.

The looks they gave her felt like they were enjoying her misery, mocking her.

The atmosphere was lively, but Du Wanqiu felt a chill.

She tugged on Jiang Chuan’s sleeve. “I want to go home.”

But Jiang Chuan was still lost in Xiao Qingru’s performance, her graceful movements occupying his mind.

Pulled back to reality by Du Wanqiu, his eyes flashed with irritation.

“If you didn’t want to watch, why did you come? Wouldn’t staying home to watch the kids have been better, saving trouble for Mrs. Wang?”

For the first time, Jiang Chuan’s voice was impatient, making it clear he was displeased.

If his mother’s words had made Du Wanqiu uncomfortable, Jiang Chuan’s impatience was like a knife to her heart.

He hadn’t always been like this.

She looked at him accusingly, as if he were a heartless man.

“There are people here could you stop crying?”

As soon as Jiang Chuan said this, Du Wanqiu’s tears fell.

She had married Jiang Chuan for a better life, not to be treated as a scapegoat.

Still stubborn, she asked, “Can we go home now?”

“If you want to leave, go by yourself.”

Jiang Chuan quickly turned his attention back to the stage, but Xiao Qingru’s dance was almost over. He only caught the final pose.

As Xiao Qingru bowed, the applause erupted like thunder.

Even if Du Wanqiu had avoided looking at her, she could feel the overwhelming success of the performance.

In that moment, everyone’s eyes were on Xiao Qingru including her husband, Jiang Chuan.

The stage lights illuminated Xiao Qingru, making her shine.

Even from a distance, Du Wanqiu could see her smile, the curve of her lips almost mocking. She might have Jiang Chuan’s body, but she didn’t have his heart.

Du Wanqiu left the show crying, ignoring the Jiang family’s reputation.

The temporary peace had shattered. Jiang Chuan’s mother was shaking with rage. “Look at the person you insisted on marrying. She’s such a disgrace.”

“Whoever married her is truly unfortunate. I thought bringing her here would broaden her horizons.”

“From now on, keep her at home. We can’t afford the embarrassment.”

For once, Jiang Chuan didn’t argue with his mother.

In his heart, he regretted missing the most beautiful part of Xiao Qingru’s dance.

In just a few months, Qingru’s skills had improved even further.

She belonged on stage her presence alone was dazzling.

Jiang Chuan felt both happy and sad for Xiao Qingru.

If they hadn’t broken up, he could’ve gone backstage to give her a gift a book or a pen something simple that would make her happy.

She had always been easy to please.

But now, he no longer had that privilege.