Volume 1, Chapter 8: The Marriage Had Long Since Been Fractured

Song Wanxi hurriedly moved her phone away, unwilling to listen to the scolding any longer.

She had heard these words thousands of times.

Whenever they couldn’t get money, they would dredge up old grievances to morally shame her.

She was born in a very poor mountain village; her parents were illiterate, and a few acres of farmland were the family’s sole income.

Her parents were deeply biased towards sons.

They had at least ten daughters, keeping only the eldest and selling the rest.

She and her brother were fraternal twins, the youngest in the family, with over a decade’s age difference from the eldest sister.

Because the family was poor and the eldest sister had married poorly and rarely cared for the family, when she was six, their parents planned to send her away in exchange for money. It was her brother who clung to her, refusing to let anyone take her away.

Her brother’s academic performance was average.

But she was gifted and excelled in her studies.

In middle school, her brother dropped out and left home to work in the city to support her education.

Their parents strongly opposed her continuing to study, but her brother steadfastly defended her, working to pay for her schooling.

The phrase he said most was, “Little sister, you must study hard, make something of yourself, and leave this mountain. No matter how hard it gets, I will support you through college.”

He adored her in every way.

A few years ago, when she earned some money, she helped her brother buy a house and get married, and invested in a fruit shop for him, though the business was always disappointing.

Her parents believed that without her, her brother’s future would have been bright.

They blamed her for her brother’s failure to complete his studies, for not becoming wealthy, and for their inability to live comfortably in old age.

——

On the other end of the phone, the scolding finally ceased.

Song Wanxi slowly brought the phone back to her ear and said, “Mom, I still have a few hundred yuan. I’ll transfer it to your WeChat now. When next month’s payment comes in, I’ll add more for the household expenses.”

“I really don’t know what kind of man you married,” her mother sneered sharply, her voice growing more venomous. “He seems rich but never supports your family. Giving you money is like squeezing toothpaste. If he’s so unwilling to help your family, just divorce him and find another. You’re so young and beautiful, educated too. Finding a wealthy man is easy, and you can get a bigger bride price for us.”

Song Wanxi couldn’t bear it anymore and hung up directly.

A wave of sorrow surged over her, leaving her unable to calm down as she transferred the last few hundred yuan in her account to her mother.

If she divorced, her parents would be eager to push her into another marriage just to get the bride price again.

At the thought, she gave a bitter smile, tossed down the phone, and felt utterly lost, trapped with no way out.

——

Early morning, no sunlight, the sky heavy and gray—a sign of impending spring rain.

The north wind was dry and restless, stirring the curtains.

Song Wanxi sat quietly at the dining table, waiting.

The clock on the wall showed 9:45.

The door opened, and You Jin came out of the room.

He approached the kitchen, paused when he saw Song Wanxi, stared blankly for two seconds, then glanced at the clock.

His eyes darkened slightly as he continued into the kitchen and brought out a glass of iced water.

Something was different.

There was no breakfast on the table for him.

He sat down opposite Song Wanxi, gazed at her, and took a slow sip of the iced water, his tone calm, “Waiting for me?”

Song Wanxi lifted her eyes to meet his.

No matter how many years passed, she could always be captivated by this man’s handsome face.

Those deep, dark phoenix-shaped eyes looked at even a dog with tenderness, always giving her illusions.

A simple white long-sleeve shirt paired with black trousers accentuated his steady, refined, and noble temperament—a natural elegance.

Song Wanxi had thought about it all night. Over two years of marriage, despite his many scandals outside and no intimacy at home, she loved this man deeply and had endured everything, just wanting to live peacefully with him.

Partly because she was busy and had no time to fuss over love.

Partly because she was uncompetitive by nature, traditional in thought, reserved, hoping for only one marriage in her life, devoted and steadfast.

Now, she felt it was necessary to sit down and talk seriously.

“You Jin, why do we have to live like this?” Song Wanxi spoke with earnestness.

You Jin remained motionless, his gaze darkening as he stared directly at her, without a word.

This was the first time she had seriously and solemnly discussed their marriage with him.

His silence made her uneasy.

Her hand under the table clenched involuntarily. “Our marriage has long been troubled. Could it be that you…”

“Your brother’s suggestion has tempted you?” You Jin interrupted coldly, leaning back in his seat.