With Cai Tiangui finally gone, Cheng You felt a sense of quiet return to her ears.
"Now that we live so close, he'll probably visit me often."
Cheng You found it a bit troublesome. She realized how vexing it must have been for Chen Qin to handle such matters on a daily basis.
Qi Chengyan gently stroked her hair. Compared to Cai Tiangui, it was Cai Xiaochen, who had his eye on Cheng You, that made him more wary.
In late March, Sun Xiaowan’s child was safely born – a son.
Cheng You specifically brought gifts to the hospital to see her first godson.
The newborn baby was wrinkled and, to be honest, not cute at all.
But Sun Xiaowan, having just given birth, radiated a maternal glow, her eyes filled with love as she gazed at her child.
"Even though giving birth was agonizing, seeing him now makes it all worth it. Women are truly strange."
No wonder so many people rushed into childbirth despite the pain.
Cheng You said, "Liping sent a letter saying the gift she bought is difficult to bring back, so she asked me to wrap a red envelope for her."
Sun Xiaowan was a little disappointed. "I thought she'd be back before I gave birth."
She was supposed to be gone for half a year, but it was already March and there was still no sign of her.
What Cheng You didn't say was that Duan Liping likely wouldn't be returning anytime soon.
"She'll come back eventually, it's just a matter of time. Take care of yourself and don't worry too much. There can be many lingering issues after childbirth, so you need to be well-maintained."
Speaking of which, Sun Xiaowan's small face furrowed.
"What I'm most concerned about now is my loose, flabby stomach and the stretch marks. Can you help me concoct a medicine to get rid of them?"
Everything else was fine, but her stomach looked so unsightly.
Cheng You smiled and comforted her, "I'll try. I'll prepare it and bring it to you later."
Sun Xiaowan was still weak and wanted to sleep after talking for a while.
Cheng You didn't disturb her any further and got up to leave.
The drizzling rain in April made travel inconvenient.
By mid-April, Feng Yaojun had completed his surgery and was preparing to return home to recuperate.
A few days later, he couldn't help but visit the military compound to see the Fengs' elderly parents.
Illness recedes slowly, like drawing silk thread. He was emaciated, his condition looking very poor.
He had thought being in the hospital was torture, but upon being discharged, he discovered that the living conditions at home were even worse.
The housekeeper’s wages couldn’t be paid, so she was dismissed.
However, Zhu Yan was utterly inept, unable to do anything without help. Once the housekeeper left, she couldn’t manage.
He had to do everything himself, but he overestimated his own health and abilities.
In the past few days, the house had become so chaotic that he could no longer bear it.
"Mom, I've been unfilial in the past, failing to serve you and Dad. After falling ill, I’ve come to my senses. Zhu Yan and I have decided to move in and take care of you."
The calculations he was making were so obvious, even the ancestors buried underground could hear them.
The old lady snorted, gracefully picked up her teacup, and took a sip.
"I had Feng Xue inform you before to divorce Zhu Yan and have that woman kicked out of the Feng family. Whether you want money or to move in, I will agree."
Feng Yaojun’s face showed difficulty, his thin back stooped.
He had come to garner sympathy today, but he hadn't expected the old lady to be unmoved.
"Mom, Zhu Yan has been with me for decades. She even gave birth to such an excellent grandson for you. If she hasn't earned merit, she's at least put in the effort, right?"
The old lady looked at him coldly. "She only gave birth, not raised him. She certainly put in effort, but having enjoyed so many years of comfort after marrying into the Feng family, isn't that enough to offset it? If she hadn't married you, Zhu Yan would probably be working in a field somewhere by now."
She wasn't a harsh mother-in-law, but Zhu Yan's marriage to Feng Yaojun was truly disreputable, making it difficult for the old lady to view her without prejudice.
"In any case, you decide for yourself. Whether you divorce her or continue living this difficult life."
Feng Yaojun clutched his head in distress. "Mom, why do you have to force me!"
The old man came downstairs and said sternly, "This is not just your mother's wish, but mine as well. If you want us to accept you, you cannot keep Zhu Yan as your wife!"
At this point, Feng Yaojun became rather defiant, refusing to utter a single conciliatory word or consider divorcing Zhu Yan.
If he were to abandon his wife for money, what kind of person would he be?
Cheng You spoke up, "Uncle, since you have no intention of divorcing, then please leave. Don't make Grandpa and Grandma angry here."
Feng Yaojun walked out of the military compound. Zhu Yan and Feng Xue were already waiting at the entrance.
They hadn't followed him inside, fearing they would further displease the Fengs' elderly parents.
"How did it go?"
Feng Yaojun's pale face shook his head, disappointing them.
Feng Xue, in particular, felt that the life she was living now was worse than when she was with Ruan Tianyang.
It was too difficult to endure.
This was like a tug-of-war. Feng Yaojun gambled that his parents wouldn't be heartless enough to abandon him.
The Fengs' elderly parents, on the other hand, gambled that Feng Yaojun couldn't stand this kind of life and would eventually compromise.
It all depended on who had more patience.
Feng Yaojun had made up his mind this time. To abandon his wife at this juncture would make him a beast.
Knowing that the house was getting more and more chaotic, with garbage piled high, he felt a trace of regret.
He started going out for walks every day, watching the old men play chess in the park, unwilling to return to his dirty home.
Until one day, due to the rain, he returned home early.
As soon as he entered the house, he heard voices from a room.
At first, he thought it was Feng Xue and Zhu Yan talking, but as he approached the door, he heard a man's voice.
"Sis, bringing me to the house, is it okay?"
Zhu Yan chuckled, "What could happen? That old man goes out to play chess every day and doesn't come back until dinner. At this hour, he's probably in some park. Having it in my and his bed, isn't that more exciting?"
The man chuckled, "That's true. It's just that I'm a bit short on cash lately. I wonder..."
Zhu Yan: "I just gave you two thousand last time. That amount is enough for an ordinary family for several years, and you've already spent it?"
Feng Yaojun's veins bulged on his forehead in anger. So, Zhu Yan had been using the money from his savings account to support her lovers!
He could no longer stand it and kicked the door with all his might.
"Zhu Yan, open the door! You slut, spending my money on a wild man, do you think I'm a cuckold!"
Zhu Yan inside dared not open the door and hurriedly put on her clothes.
Seeing that the man was about to leave through the main door, she quickly grabbed him. "Are you crazy! Jump from here, or he'll kill you."
The man climbed onto the window, his legs trembling with fear.
"Sis, this is the third floor."
Zhu Yan glared at him. "The third floor isn't high, at least you won't die. If you go out the main door, you'll leave lying down. Hurry and jump!"
Seeing that the man was hesitating to jump, Zhu Yan reached out and pushed him.
Without the time to see what happened to the man, she quickly closed the window.