Ma Xiangyang cared most about Ma Xiaojun. The moment he heard what had happened, his eyes filled with rage.

He had planned to give Comrade Jiang Manyue one last chance. If she obediently handed over the money and apologized, he’d forgive her.

He didn’t expect her to grow even more brazen. He swallowed his anger and asked, “Jiang Manyue, did you really do that?”

Without even glancing his way, Comrade Jiang Manyue finished her last bite of noodles, set the bowl down, and said coldly, “I did.”

Ma Xiangyang was stunned. She admitted it so easily, as though it were nothing.

She used to be all about respecting the elderly and loving the young, always putting up with everything.

When had she become this fierce, this unreasonable, like a shrew?

Comrade Jiang Manyue wiped her mouth and looked at Ma Xiangyang with open disdain.

His once-handsome face was now marred by scars, his right leg in a plaster cast, and he sat in a hospital-rented wheelchair.

What deputy factory director? Now he was just a disfigured cripple.

He had wanted to question why she didn’t come to the hospital to pay the fees, but the cold look in her eyes unsettled him.

Was it just his imagination, or did her gaze drip with disgust and contempt, as though he was nothing more than filth?

Now Comrade Jiang Manyue looked at everyone the same, like they were dirt under her feet.

“Xiaojun!” Bai Wanrou hugged her son, tears flowing like they cost nothing.

“Manyue, Xiaojun’s just a child. How could you treat him like that?”

“Now you’ve even turned on Father. If you’re taking it out on my family because you hate me, then I’ll just leave.”

She wept and trembled as she led her son to pack up.

“Don’t worry, I won’t stay here and stand in the way of your marriage.”

“Mom!” Ma Xiaojun held onto Bai Wanrou, his little eyes glaring murderously at Comrade Jiang Manyue. “Why should we be the ones to leave?”

“You can’t kick my mom out. This is my home!”

Ma Hongxia stepped forward, scolding, “Sister-in-law, don’t go! If anyone’s leaving, it’s her.”

Comrade Jiang Manyue watched the performance coldly. In her past life, Bai Wanrou had done the same.

A few tears, some sobbing, and the whole family would rally around her.

Seeing that, Comrade Jiang Manyue would break down, cry, and fight with Bai Wanrou, losing her dignity.

Every time, Ma Xiangyang would side with Bai Wanrou, loathing her more and more.

Eventually, crying didn’t work anymore. She’d swallow her pride, lower herself, and apologize.

Bai Wanrou stood there with tears hanging from her lashes, pretending to leave, but her feet never moved.

She was waiting for Comrade Jiang Manyue to crack, to snap like before and start clawing at her.

But instead, Comrade Jiang Manyue sneered, “If you want to leave, then hurry up. Don’t stand here pretending.”

Everyone thought she’d fly into a rage. Instead, she turned and walked back to her room.

Bai Wanrou froze. What was going on? Why wasn’t she reacting?

Then Ma Xiangyang grabbed her wrist, fuming. “You hit Xiaojun and Hongxia, tried to drive Wanrou away, now where do you think you’re going?”

“Jiang Manyue, apologize!” His voice dropped low when he was truly furious.

“I rescued Wanrou during our wedding. You were angry, but wasn’t it you who asked me to go?”

“You’ve vented your anger plenty. What more do you want?”

“This is your last chance to apologize, or I’ll only hate you more.”

Bai Wanrou smirked. She knew Ma Xiangyang would always protect her.

“Xiangyang, don’t talk to her like that. Xiaojun and I can just move out.”

She cried harder, confident that Jiang Manyue would finally snap.

Instead, Comrade Jiang Manyue looked at them, all fuming with rage, and laughed out loud.

Where did his confidence come from? Was it Liang Jingru who gave it to him?

“Apologize? If you’re unhappy, you and Bai Wanrou can move out together.”

“What?” Ma Xiangyang’s face froze. He thought he’d misheard. “You—you want me to move out?”

“What, is your hearing shot along with your face and leg?”

She looked down at him, her eyes empty of emotion—just cold hatred.

Ma Xiangyang’s breath caught. He didn’t recognize this woman anymore.

Liu Cuihua snapped, “Jiang Manyue, this is my home. Who are you to kick us out?”

“Your home?” Comrade Jiang Manyue laughed.

“Liu Cuihua, have you lived here so long you forgot who actually owns this place?”

“This is my house. My parents left it to me. When did it become yours?”

“I’ll do whatever I want here. If you don’t like it, then get out!”

Liu Cuihua’s face turned ashen, as if she’d only just remembered that fact.

She fumed but couldn’t form words. “You—you dare…”

Bai Wanrou looked like she’d swallowed a fly, too shocked to even cry.

All these years, Comrade Jiang Manyue had fed and served them all, even letting them live in her house.

She flung Ma Xiangyang’s hand away and wiped her palm with a handkerchief, as if his touch left filth on her.

That blatant disgust stung him deeply.

She soon returned carrying a suitcase, then locked her bedroom door tight with a padlock.

Ma Xiangyang watched helplessly, his anger burning hotter. Seeing his clothes piled up on the balcony, his fury boiled over.

“Jiang Manyue, what do you think you’re doing?”

He only just realized the master bedroom had been locked. “Why did you lock my room?”

Comrade Jiang Manyue’s voice was cold. “Ma Xiangyang, I let you borrow the master bedroom. When did it become yours?”

“Before I get back tonight, I suggest you and your whole family move out of my house.”

Leaving everyone stunned, she carried her bag and walked out.

Crash! A glass shattered inside.

Ma Xiangyang had slammed it to the floor in a fit of rage.

“Son, what’s wrong with Jiang Manyue? She actually wants us to move out?”

Liu Cuihua paced angrily. “Where are we supposed to go now?”

“I’m not moving!” Ma Hongxia yelled. “Second Brother’s apartment is just a tiny one-bedroom. How would we all live there?”

“No, absolutely not!” Bai Wanrou cried, panic-stricken.

She’d already promised that place to her brother for his wedding. If they really got kicked out, they’d be homeless.

“Shut up!” Ma Xiangyang clenched his fists, recalling the determination in Comrade Jiang Manyue’s eyes.

This wasn’t just a tantrum. She wasn’t playing around this time.

“Sister, it’s your fault!” Ma Hongxia snapped. “If you hadn’t insisted on leaving, she wouldn’t have told us to move out.”

“I’m sorry,” Bai Wanrou said weakly, her nails digging into her palms.

That wretched woman must be playing hard to get, using this to threaten Ma Xiangyang.

Liu Cuihua’s eyes darted. “Son, why don’t you coax her? She still has the money and the IOUs.”

“Women just need a little sweet talk. She’s crazy about you.”

Ma Xiangyang took a deep breath, calming his tone. “Don’t worry, she’s just mad at me.”

He didn’t believe that Comrade Jiang Manyue didn’t love him anymore. That woman had always been obsessed with him.

All it would take was a little kindness from him, and she’d come crawling back.