Jinhu Group.
Zou Weijun fell silent.
For a long time, Zou Weijun had never thought about property matters.
Her husband’s years-long affair, resulting in a son and daughter with his mistress, had completely shattered Zou Weijun’s pride and self-esteem.
What use was money, when her marriage was such a failure? The betrayal by the man she shared her bed with was a hundred times more painful than poverty.
Though the Zou family wasn’t immensely wealthy, Zou Weijun had never tasted poverty growing up. Even in their toughest years, Professor Zou would personally teach his children, ensuring Zou Weijun’s spirit remained rich.
So when Xie Jinghu became successful and gifted Zou Weijun a villa, she accepted it calmly. To her, a villa was no different from a bouquet of flowers or a piece of clothing, just a gift from husband to wife.
In the days before his success, when workers blocked their door demanding debts during the New Year, Zou Weijun never lost her temper. Having married Xie Jinghu, she was mentally prepared to share life’s burdens with him.
When Xie Jinghu’s affair came to light, Zou Weijun was emotionally devastated, burying her head in the sand like an ostrich. Faced with betrayal and pain, she chose escape over fighting!
Did that mean others wouldn’t hurt her?
No.
A man whose heart had already strayed wouldn’t pity his wife. He would scorn her weakness, even plotting to strip their shared assets while she was ill.
Zou Weijun hadn’t valued family wealth before, able to live well whether rich or poor. Now, it was the same, her salary at Chengdu Publishing Group was enough for daily expenses with some to spare.
But if she didn’t want that money, and Xie Qian did, it should go to him!
From the day she returned to Chengdu from Hainan, Zou Weijun had quietly resolved to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Xie Qian. These past few days, she had been pondering where to start, and now Xie Qian’s mention of wanting Jiaxin Film gave her a clear direction.
Like the land near Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport, if Xie Qian wanted it, Zou Weijun would ensure he got it. This was a mother’s duty to secure her child’s rightful interests.
That man, Xie Jinghu, if he disagreed, then they could divorce and split the assets!
At this moment, Zou Weijun’s mind was clearer than it had been in years, pondering one question: Did Xie Jinghu want a divorce?
Definitely not.
After his affair was exposed, the most shameless thing Xie Jinghu said was to ask her to turn a blind eye and accept the existence of the woman and her children abroad, never mentioning “divorce.”
Back then, Zou Weijun was in agony.
If he cherished their family, why have a son and daughter with another woman?
Was she inferior to the woman abroad, or was Xie Qian less than the illegitimate children?
Emotions had clouded Zou Weijun’s reason, she hadn’t even considered why Xie Jinghu avoided divorce!
Now, she realized he didn’t mention divorce because he knew it would mean splitting Jinhu Group’s shares and their other joint assets, halving his wealth instantly and earning the scorn of the entire Xie family.
After all, the woman surnamed Zhuo had been his mistress for years and could continue as such.
Unable to cut ties with his mistress yet unwilling to lose half his wealth, maintaining the status quo was Xie Jinghu’s best option.
A woman blinded by emotions saw only love, caring for nothing else.
But once clear-headed, she was adept at weighing pros and cons.
Though thinking of “Xie Jinghu” still made Zou Weijun’s heart ache and limbs cold, she had taken the first step. She could suppress the pain and think rationally, a huge progress for her!
Xie Qian didn’t know his mother’s shifting thoughts, but he saw the glass in her hand trembling slightly.
His mother was shaking.
It seemed she still couldn’t face her failed marriage or mention “Xie Jinghu.”
Xie Qian felt both disappointment and heartache, about to change the topic, when Zou Weijun suddenly looked up, “You’ll get Jiaxin. Whatever you want, your mother will help you!”
Her voice trembled, yet carried its own resolve.
Xie Qian was stunned.
Zou Weijun pressed the glass into his hand, emphasizing again, “Jiaxin or anything else, I can give up everything, but I won’t let it fall into others’ hands.”
With that, Zou Weijun turned and went downstairs.
Divorce?
Emotionally, this marriage had lost all meaning.
But in other ways, the war over this marriage seemed just beginning.
Zou Weijun went downstairs.
She took a deep breath in the courtyard.
The February night breeze brushed her cheeks, making her exceptionally clear-headed.
She took out her phone and made two calls.
The first was to her mother-in-law, Old Madam Xie. Since moving to Chengdu, Zou Weijun had never initiated contact with the Xie family. As a patient, she wasn’t blamed for this, but reaching out would surely make them happier.
As expected, Old Madam Xie was both surprised and delighted to receive the call.
Before the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the New Year wasn’t over, so Old Madam Xie took this as a belated New Year’s greeting from her daughter-in-law.
Facing Zou Weijun, Old Madam Xie felt guilty. After all, her son’s infidelity had torn apart a happy family of three!
So, speaking with Zou Weijun, Old Madam Xie was cautious, “Weijun, what did the doctor say about your health?”
She was probing, hopeful.
A family of three living apart long-term wasn’t sustainable. Whether Zou Weijun returned to the capital or Xie Jinghu came to Chengdu, they needed to be together to mend their relationship.
Arguing or throwing things wasn’t scary, what was scary was no fights, no communication at all.
Zou Weijun and Xie Jinghu had been separated for nearly two years, and Old Madam Xie wondered if she could nudge them, giving Zou Weijun a way back.
Zou Weijun caught the hint, instantly feeling nauseated.
Live with Xie Jinghu again?
The mere thought made her want to vomit!
“Thank you for your concern, the doctor says I still need to recover. Chengdu’s pace is slow, I’m happy living and working here, Xie Qian likes his school, and as his mother, I need to stay in Chengdu to care for him.”
When calm, Zou Weijun spoke with poise, declining Old Madam Xie’s offer gracefully, leaving her no room to object.
Then Zou Weijun brought up not returning to the capital for New Year, mentioning she visited her mother in Hainan. This made Old Madam Xie even more awkward.
With Xie Jinghu’s affair, Old Madam Xie felt too ashamed to face the Zou family!
Zou Weijun’s call wasn’t to vent to her mother-in-law, she didn’t even mention Xie Jinghu, only saying she didn’t attend New Year’s Eve in the capital this year but would definitely return next year.
“Good, good, good!”
Old Madam Xie’s emotions were entirely led by Zou Weijun, swinging between joy and guilt like a rollercoaster.
She interpreted Zou Weijun’s promise to return as a sign she might reconcile with Xie Jinghu in a year, hopeful for her son and daughter-in-law.
Zou Weijun didn’t clarify, exchanging a few pleasantries before ending the call amid Old Madam Xie’s reluctance.
The second call was to Xie Yuping.
Unlike the tact needed with Old Madam Xie, Zou Weijun was direct with Xie Yuping, “Big Brother, I no longer want to continue my marriage with Xie Jinghu!”
