Wang Hao was preparing to go to City A to find Lin Wanyi and Wang Keke.
But before he even bought a ticket, he received a document from the court.
Lin Wanyi had really sued him.
Holding the papers, anger surged through his heart.
She actually sued him?
Lin Wanyi really had no sense of mercy left?
Eight years of marriage, and now they were going to settle things in court?
Wasn’t there any other way to talk things through?
Liu Chunlan saw the document too.
She tossed aside the broom in her hand and said,
“She’s crazy. Has Lin Wanyi really lost her mind? Bringing our family’s petty matters all the way to court?”
“If she’s not ashamed, then I’m the one who should be ashamed.”
“Ever since she started acting so erratic every day, the whole village has been laughing at me.”
“Son, don’t mind her. I refuse to believe she can end this marriage all by herself.”
Wang Hao thought the same.
Without hesitation, he flicked his lighter and set the papers ablaze.
Lawyers, courts—none of it mattered.
Divorce wouldn’t happen without his consent.
If he didn’t give in, Lin Wanyi could forget about it forever.
Meanwhile, Liu Renzhi messaged Lin Wanyi:
“The divorce lawsuit has been filed. I’ll keep you updated.”
“You can also get in touch with Lawyer Chen.”
Lin Wanyi sent back a simple thank you, saying no more.
Liu Renzhi stared at the chat window for a long time, then shook his head and went back to work.
Liu Siyue wanted to be discharged from the hospital, and the doctor said there was nothing wrong.
Su Jing couldn’t refuse her and ended up taking her home.
Lin Wanyi kept thinking about Liu Siyue.
She brought some fruit to Liu’s house to visit her.
But in the yard, she ran into Zhou Chenyu.
Lin Wanyi didn’t think much of it and greeted with a smile, “Secretary Zhou.”
But Zhou Chenyu didn’t smile back. Instead, she frowned and said,
“What are you doing here?”
Lin Wanyi answered honestly,
“Siyue’s been sick. I came to see her.”
Zhou Chenyu twisted the corner of her mouth, her tone unfriendly.
“Lin Wanyi, since we’ve met today, there are some things I want to make clear to you.”
Lin Wanyi didn’t know what she wanted to say, but she politely listened.
Zhou Chenyu glanced around.
“It’s not convenient here. Let’s go somewhere else.”
Lin Wanyi hesitated.
“I want to see Siyue first.”
Zhou Chenyu took the fruit from her hands and handed it to a servant.
“Yueyue is sleeping now. Don’t disturb her.”
“Let me say a few words first.”
Lin Wanyi had heard from Liu Siyue that Zhou Chenyu was not only Liu Renzhi’s secretary but also someone who had grown up with him.
Or perhaps, a childhood sweetheart.
She understood Zhou Chenyu’s standing in the Liu family and didn’t insist anymore.
Turning around, she followed Zhou Chenyu out of the Liu residence.
At a café.
Zhou Chenyu stirred her coffee while scrutinizing Lin Wanyi.
No makeup, bare-faced.
Though her skin looked decent, she was obviously a woman who had given birth.
Dirty!
Zhou Chenyu was resentful. How on earth was Lin Wanyi better than her?
Looking at Lin Wanyi’s cheap clothes and a handbag worth barely a hundred yuan—
Not a single thing on her matched Liu Renzhi’s status.
What right did she have to be close to Liu Renzhi?
It was only because of Liu Siyue.
Only because of that so-called favor she did.
Lin Wanyi felt the hostility in Zhou Chenyu’s gaze but didn’t understand what she wanted to say alone.
So she asked straightforwardly:
“Secretary Zhou, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”
Finally, Zhou Chenyu spoke up:
“Lin Wanyi, I’ll be straightforward.
“You and the eldest brother, you’re not suitable for each other.”
Lin Wanyi’s hand trembled as she held her coffee.
Just as she thought.
It was because of Liu Renzhi.
She had heard from Liu Siyue that Zhou Chenyu had always liked Liu Renzhi.
Quickly, she said, “Secretary Zhou, you must be mistaken. The eldest brother and I are just ordinary friends.
“Please don’t read too much into it.”
“Is that so?” Zhou Chenyu pressed on relentlessly, “If you’re just friends, then why did you go to the Liu family today?
“And if you’re just friends, why do you call him ‘Brother Liu’ instead of ‘President Liu Renzhi’?
“Lin Wanyi, I’m telling you honestly, you have no sense of boundaries.
“You and the eldest brother come from completely different worlds. By all rights, you shouldn’t even have the privilege to step foot inside the Liu family’s doorstep.”
Her words were harsh.
Lin Wanyi wanted to retort.
But then she thought it over.
Zhou Chenyu wasn’t wrong. If it weren’t for being with Liu Siyue in Wangjia Village, she probably wouldn’t have had any connection with Liu Renzhi or the Liu family at all.
It was understandable that Zhou Chenyu would be hostile toward her.
Seeing her silence, Zhou Chenyu grew even more certain that Lin Wanyi was feeling guilty.
She was definitely hiding something.
Determined to fan the flames and completely push her away from Liu Renzhi, she continued:
“I know the eldest brother and the entire Liu family are grateful to you because you reported to the police for Siyue.
“But from what I understand, Auntie has already given your brother a house, along with hundreds of thousands in cash.
“Lin Wanyi, don’t be greedy. That money is something you’ll never earn in a lifetime. Take what’s rightfully yours, get what you deserve.
“But don’t go dreaming about things that aren’t yours—especially not the eldest brother.
“Lin Wanyi, be careful or you’ll end up losing everything.”
After Zhou Chenyu left, Lin Wanyi stared out the window, lost in thought for a long time.
Maybe Zhou Chenyu was right.
She needed to draw a clear line.
Just as she returned home, Zhao Yulan came again.
This time, she showed Lin Wanyi a photo of her eldest nephew, Zhao Delin:
“Wanyi, look, this is my eldest nephew. Handsome, isn’t he?
“His son is very obedient and does well in school. If you marry into our family, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
“Should I add you on WeChat?”
Lin Wanyi still refused, but Zhao Yulan had already sent her a friend request.
“You two should chat. My eldest nephew is in animal husbandry—he makes a good income every year.
“Let me tell you, those kinds of men who just dropped you off the other day?
“They may look sharp in suits and polished on the outside, but really, they’re just pretty faces.
“They might have flashy jobs, but when it comes to making money, my nephew earns way more.”
Lin Wanyi didn’t say much and was about to go inside.
Suddenly, Tang Guixiang came running from outside the yard and, without hesitation, slapped Lin Wanyi hard across the face.
As she slapped, she cursed:
“You wretched woman, Lin Wanyi, you bring nothing but bad luck.
“You’re divorced, so just go die! Why come back to snatch your sister-in-law’s property?”
Her cheek burned fiercely as Lin Wanyi covered her face:
“Auntie, why are you hitting me? When did I ever try to take Huizi’s property?”
“You still say you didn’t?”
Tang Guixiang spat out her words furiously:
“I’ve already found out everything. That new apartment Lin Jiajun bought earlier—is it you who’s renovating it now?
“Lin Jiajun wants to give the apartment to you, doesn’t he?
“Lin Wanyi, do you have any shame? I’m asking you straight—do you have any shame?
“A married daughter is like water spilled—once you’re married off, you have no claim to any of the Lin family’s property.
“What right do you have to live in that apartment?”
At last, Lin Wanyi understood—it was all because of that apartment.
When Lin Jiajun said she could live there, she thought she couldn’t just stay for free, so she paid for the renovations.
Besides, she was only living there; she never asked for ownership of the property.
She originally thought that since Lin Jiajun agreed, and Chen Hui agreed, everything would be fine.
But unexpectedly, Chen Hui’s mother disagreed.
Zhao Yulan watched Lin Wanyi being beaten. She didn’t help at all; instead, she took several steps back.
“Beat her. She deserves it.”
They wanted Lin Wanyi to be unable to stay in the Lin family anymore—only then could she remarry.
Only then would Zhao Yulan’s eldest nephew have a chance.
