The entire Wen family was dominated by Madam Wen, who maintained a distant and rigid demeanor with everyone. Zhao Lifang was quite afraid of her.
Upon hearing her questioning, Zhao Lifang instinctively waved her hands and explained, "No, no, my friend just came over..."
"Your son is truly a treasure, acting like a petty emperor. We can't even inquire about his whereabouts. Did our Lifang marry to live with him, or with you two in-laws? What will happen when you are both gone? Will she remain a widow?"
Zhao Lifang's eyes sparkled as she watched her mother-in-law, stunned into silence by Cheng You's sharp words.
"Lifang, why don't you come back to your mother's home? Your mother said she can support you, and this child will take the Zhao surname!"
Madam Wen's face instantly changed. "How can you speak like that!"
If it weren't for the child, she wouldn't have looked favorably upon Zhao Lifang.
Cheng You leisurely picked up her belongings and grabbed her bicycle.
"Lifang, what are you waiting for? Let's go! When you get back, if your mother asks, tell her that Wen Jiahao wasn't home on his wedding night, and he's been out carousing for days. Who knows if he's keeping another woman."
Old Master Wen finally spoke, "Young lady, you mustn't spout such nonsense!"
Cheng You scoffed, "Indeed, it might not be a woman."
As she spoke, Madam Wen's face turned ashen.
There had been such rumors in the village before, but she and Old Master Wen had never believed them.
Until Wen Jiahao admitted it himself a while ago!
At that moment, she wished she could die.
She had desperately found a wife for Wen Jiahao, not to have him live a stable life, but only to secure an heir for the Wen family.
Now, with Cheng You's words, she couldn't help but suspect if Cheng You knew something.
"I'll have your father call someone right away to bring Jiahao back."
With Madam Wen's words, Zhao Lifang visibly brightened and warmly pulled Cheng You into the house.
"You'll stay here these few days. It's alright, quite spacious."
After closing the door, Zhao Lifang gave Cheng You a thumbs-up.
"You're truly amazing, you silenced your mother-in-law."
Cheng You looked at her strangely, "Why are you so happy?"
Zhao Lifang blinked, "What other reaction should I have?"
"Looking at your in-laws' reactions, Wen Jiahao definitely likes men. You should make plans."
Hearing this, Zhao Lifang's face fell.
She had initially hoped she might not have to divorce.
Divorce wasn't a good reputation to have.
"What if he doesn't?" Zhao Lifang bit her lip.
Cheng You rolled her eyes, "Who wishes he does?"
It's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage.
Zhao Lifang divorcing would bring her no benefit.
By evening, Wen Jiahao did return, but with an impatient air.
Zhao Lifang shot him a reproachful glance, "You do know how to come back."
Wen Jiahao showed none of the tenderness and affection from before their marriage. He seemed like a different person, his face showing impatience whenever he looked at her.
She endured until after dinner, when Wen Jiahao returned to his room and lay down on the bed.
Zhao Lifang followed him into the room, unable to hold back any longer, and nudged him.
"What do you mean by this? Look at yourself now, do you seem like a married man?"
Wen Jiahao waved his hand dismissively, pushing her away.
"Say one more word, and I'll beat you."
Zhao Lifang stumbled, almost falling.
Her face was filled with disbelief, and she stared at him blankly.
She couldn't even believe the person before her was Wen Jiahao.
"What do you mean? I'm pregnant, and you dare push me?"
Wen Jiahao was a scoundrel. He had put on a good act before marriage; that was enough.
Now that they were married, he naturally wouldn't indulge her anymore.
"Who cares about the child in your belly? Get out."
Zhao Lifang stepped forward and grabbed his ear, demanding fiercely, "Say that again!"
Wen Jiahao yelped in pain and flung her hand away.
"I told you to get out!"
Zhao Lifang was so angry her eyes welled up with tears. Just as she was about to argue with him, Madam Wen pushed open the door.
She didn't scold Wen Jiahao. Instead, she reprimanded Zhao Lifang, "You were the one who insisted on calling him back, and now that I've called him, you're arguing again. What exactly do you want? Are you trying to make our household unstable?"
Zhao Lifang was tongue-tied, too angry to even retort.
They had just gotten married; wasn't it natural for Wen Jiahao to come home?
"He... he just pushed me!"
Madam Wen carefully covered Wen Jiahao with a blanket, letting him sleep.
She then turned and glared at Zhao Lifang with an unfriendly expression, "If you hadn't argued with him, would he have pushed you? You're already our Wen family's daughter-in-law. Since you married into our family, have I made you do any chores? Have I mistreated you? What more are you not satisfied with?"
Zhao Lifang wanted to argue but found no words.
But she had married Wen Jiahao; she only wanted him to come home, was that too much to ask?
Cheng You lay in her room, listening to the commotion outside, and let out a soft chuckle.
Zhao Lifang still held a sliver of hope for the old Wen family. She needed to suffer a bit to give up.
That night, no matter how Zhao Lifang struggled, Cheng You didn't go out to watch. She slept soundly.
Until the next morning, when she opened her door, she saw Zhao Lifang standing outside with dark circles under her eyes.
Cheng You was startled. "What are you doing!"
"I want a divorce!" she gritted her teeth.
Cheng You said, "Oh? Reasons? Divorcing so soon after marriage, you must have a reason."
"He's not good to me."
"It's normal for couples to have minor quarrels. If you divorce just for this, your mother would have to send you back."
Zhao Lifang's face crumpled. "Why are you saying this? Didn't you want me to divorce him?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Whether to divorce or not is your own choice. What do you mean I want you to divorce?"
Cheng You wouldn't take the blame.
Zhao Lifang stomped her foot forcefully. "Then what do I do now!"
Cheng You glanced outside and noticed that Wen Jiahao's parents were gone.
"Where's Wen Jiahao?"
"He left early this morning!"
Cheng You slowly walked into the kitchen, preparing to make something to eat, not treating herself as an outsider at all.
"Then why didn't you follow him?"
Zhao Lifang scoffed, full of disdain.
"Who cares to follow him."
Cheng You countered, "If you don't follow him, how will you catch him in the act and get a divorce?"
Zhao Lifang thought this made sense. If she had proof, she would have more confidence even if she divorced.
"But I'm pregnant, how can I follow him?"
This was indeed a problem. Cheng You frowned.
She herself wasn't good at tailing people, let alone Zhao Lifang.
"Cheng You, you've already helped. Please help me a little more."
Cheng You smiled slightly. "Zhao Lifang, have you heard a saying, 'catch the thief with evidence,' what's the next part?"
"Catch..." Zhao Lifang hesitated, understanding Cheng You's meaning.
"This is too much."
If things were blown up, the Wen family would lose all face.
Cheng You snorted, "When Wen Jiahao married you, he didn't consider what your future would be like. And you still sympathize with him?"