The Toxic Best Friend

My daughter-in-law's best friend was a troublemaker.

On the wedding day, she held my daughter-in-law back, not letting her get out of the car.

"This is your last chance to negotiate the bride price. Once you marry in, you'll have to swallow grievances for life."

"So you must let them know how formidable you are now!"

My daughter-in-law Xiao Rou hesitated.

I smiled and looked toward the car: "What's wrong, Xiao Rou? Why aren't you getting out of the car?"

But her best friend pushed my head back: "What business is it of yours? You're not the one she's marrying! Let your son come out and negotiate!"

1

My daughter-in-law's best friend Shen Huan pushed me, causing me to stumble.

In front of all the wedding guests, I fell hard on my backside.

Among the guests attending the wedding, subtle mocking sounds rose and fell.

But Shen Huan rolled her eyes dramatically at me.

"She's not even married in yet, and this vicious mother-in-law is rushing to meddle in other people's business."

"What are you so proud of? Scram! Let your son come out and negotiate!"

Her voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough for everyone around to hear.

I looked like a defeated old tortoise, almost doing a backward roll on the ground.

I endured the sharp pain in my coccyx and stood up shakily.

Shen Huan stuck her head out of the car and shouted fiercely at me: "We're not satisfied with the bride price and can't get out of the car. You must add more money now, or we're not getting married today!"

The moment she closed the car window, I saw my daughter-in-law Xiao Rou's anxious face.

I turned back to the courtyard and patted my son Jiang Chuan, who was waiting excitedly at the entrance.

"Jiang Chuan, come with Mom to the room first."

The joy on Jiang Chuan's face was instantly tinged with fear.

He and Xiao Rou had liked each other for a long time before getting together, and both cherished this relationship greatly.

Just as he was about to carry the bride out of the car, I called him away with a serious expression.

Anyone would panic in this situation.

He nervously followed me back to the room: "Mom, what's wrong?"

I raised my chin and pointed to his phone: "Turn on your car's dashcam."

Xiao Rou's family wasn't well off, so the wedding car was from our family.

My son frantically opened the dashcam.

Shen Huan's grating voice then came out.

【I'm telling you, Xiao Rou, Jiang Chuan's family is taking advantage of you! They want a daughter-in-law for just 88,000 in bride price? Keep dreaming! They must add another 100,000!】

My son's face darkened: "Mom, Xiao Rou isn't that kind of person..."

2

Of course, I knew what kind of person my daughter-in-law was.

That day I brought up giving a bride price, she couldn't sit still.

"Auntie, my family's financial situation isn't good, we have no dowry at all. I don't need a bride price..."

Seeing her sincere and pitiful expression, I immediately thought of the hardships I had endured.

I couldn't let her walk my old path.

For their marriage, our family provided the house, car, and decorations.

Logically speaking, not giving a bride price wasn't really a problem.

But she was a perfectly fine girl marrying into our family, having to endure my son's occasional bad habits.

Giving their little family some startup money wasn't unreasonable.

Which woman doesn't have to endure some frustration from her husband?

Even good men leave their smelly socks around, and I'm speaking from experience.

So I held her hand and said at the time: "Auntie isn't giving you much, just 88,000. First, I don't feel pressured, and second, you'll feel comfortable too. Take this money and buy whatever you want. You young people like buying bags and clothes, right? Just go buy them."

Xiao Rou nodded with tears in her eyes.

In that instant, I seemed to see my former self.

But no one expected that a matter we had already agreed upon would change at this moment.

We continued listening to the conversation coming from the dashcam.

Shen Huan: 【Xiao Rou, tell Jiang Chuan right now that the bride price is being raised to 188,000. Transfer it immediately, or he can marry whoever he wants!】

Xiao Rou: 【Huan Huan, isn't this inappropriate? Jiang Chuan and his mother have been very good to me. My family's situation...】

Shen Huan: 【What's this about your family's situation? I'm telling you, you're coming into this marriage with a uterus!】

Xiao Rou's voice clearly showed resistance: 【I'm marrying Jiang Chuan because I love him.】

Shen Huan continued to instigate: 【You're just foolish! Who's willing to have children these days? Girls like us who aren't DINK are rare! You must use this to earn money for yourself!】

Xiao Rou: 【Having children is something natural. Jiang Chuan and I don't want children for now.】

Shen Huan: 【I don't care about that. I'm doing this for your own good. The words are already out. If you want to get out of the car now, you're the one who'll lose face. Besides, your younger brother is waiting for your help. Your brother is the one who supports our family. Don't be so clueless.】

Xiao Rou's sigh made my heart ache.

Thinking of my younger self, I had also had many such toxic friends.

People who couldn't bear to see others do well, yet secretly caused trouble under the banner of looking out for you.

But at that time, there was a strange sense of panic, as if losing this friend would mean the sky would fall.

Shen Huan: 【Quick, give me your phone. I'll help you send the message. Look at your cowardly self—you'll definitely be bullied by that vicious mother-in-law!】

3

Soon, my son received a message from Xiao Rou.

【I demand the bride price be raised to 188,000. Transfer it to my card immediately! Otherwise, I'm not getting married today.】

My son looked to me questioningly.

I smiled: "Weren't you planning to give your saved 100,000 to Xiao Rou anyway? Transfer it together. It's a joyous day; it's better to avoid trouble."

My son nodded: "Mom, you're not angry with Xiao Rou?"

"It has nothing to do with her."

We transferred the money to Xiao Rou's card.

Then we heard her say happily: 【Huan Huan, look, Jiang Chuan really transferred 188,000 to me. I told you they're not stingy people.】

Shen Huan was silent for a moment. While Xiao Rou was busy arranging her wedding dress, I heard her muttering something.

【Strange, they agreed to this?】

It seemed this Shen Huan was just as I had expected.

She was a troublemaker who simply couldn't bear to see those around her doing better than herself.

My son and I went out together to pick up Xiao Rou.

My son, blushing, opened the back seat door.

But Shen Huan in the front seat locked the car door.

She stuck her head out and said maliciously: "Where's the red envelope for 'pressing the car'? Do you think I'm working for free?"

My son laughed: "Oh, right, right, right. I was so happy I forgot."

He took out a 500 yuan red envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.

But she took the red envelope and, in front of everyone, took out the money.

Then she waved five 100-yuan bills and said: "Just this? Do you really look down on people that much?"

After saying this, she closed the car window again.

We couldn't hear what was being said inside.

After a while, she opened the car window again.

Xiao Rou's voice came out. She anxiously pushed Shen Huan's shoulder: "Huan Huan, forget it. Let's finish the wedding first, and we can talk about other things later."

"No! I'm standing up for you!"

She waved her hand, signaling my son to come closer, and whispered something in his ear.

My son frowned, and his body visibly shrank.

He turned and pulled me: "Mom, I have something to tell you..."

I suspiciously looked toward the car.

Shen Huan looked victorious as she raised her head and raised an eyebrow at me.

4

My son and I returned to the room again.

I asked him with concern: "What's wrong? I saw Xiao Rou wanted to get out of the car."

My son clasped his hands together, as if something was difficult to say.

I had him turn on the dashcam first to see what new trouble was brewing in the car.

Shen Huan: 【I'm telling you, when looking for a man, you must want something from him. Either money or looks. Look at what Jiang Chuan has—he looks like a kappa and is so stingy.】

Xiao Rou: 【He's good to me. Besides, my family is poor, and I'm not that beautiful. What right do I have to demand so much from him?】

Shen Huan roared angrily: 【How many times do I need to tell you? You have a uterus and he doesn't! Just watch, he won't give the money this time!】

I looked at my son worriedly: "What money does she want this time?"

My son's hands trembled as he said to me: "Mom... I've made a mistake..."

My heart immediately jumped to my throat.

Could this rotten boy have cheated, found prostitutes, or kissed someone?

I angrily grabbed his wrist: "What have you done?!"

He slowly raised his head: "I... I..."

I gave his chest a light poke: "What about you? Hurry up and say it!"

"I... I got Xiao Rou pregnant..."

This damn boy! How could he do such a wicked thing behind my back!

I really wanted to slap him twice, but I didn't want to ruin today's festive atmosphere.

"Sigh!" I sighed deeply.

"You should have told your parents when it happened. We're experienced and know how to take care of Xiao Rou. Keeping something like this hidden could cause irreversible harm to Xiao Rou's body if something goes wrong, do you understand?"

Seeing that I hadn't hit him, my son nodded repeatedly: "I know, I know, Mom. That month I took good care of her. Now I genuinely want to marry her, and I'll be more careful in the future."

I frowned: "So Shen Huan knows about this and is threatening you for money?"

My son nodded: "She said if we don't add another 100,000 to the bride price, she'll tell all the guests about this today."

"Give it to her. This money should be given." I took out my phone. "Mom will give it."

I immediately transferred the money to Xiao Rou's card.

But my son looked even more troubled: "But Mom, Shen Huan also wants 10,000 as hush money."

5

What? She wants money too?

Isn't this blatant extortion?

I could call the police to arrest her right now!

I was so angry my head buzzed, and my lips trembled with rage.

Shen Huan's voice came from the phone again.

【You were quick to give money, 100,000 here and there. I know so many of your secrets, and you're not willing to part with 10,000? Why haven't you transferred it yet?】

I stood up and took my son's hand.

"Let's go! Let's pick up the bride!"

My son hesitated: "But Mom, Shen Huan locked the car and is threatening me with that matter."

My eyes were sharp: "If she dares to cause trouble, I dare call the police! Bring your car key and open the door directly."

My son nodded and took the spare key from the bedroom.

We walked to the car and directly opened the back door.

Xiao Rou, as if redeemed, held out her hand to my son with tears in her eyes and a smile.

But Shen Huan rushed from the passenger seat in panic and stood between them.

"What are you doing? Kidnapping the bride? You haven't done what you promised me, and you dare to be so arrogant?"

I angrily strode forward, ready to pull her away.

But she withdrew her arm, and her expression instantly softened: "Look at you, getting upset just from a little teasing. What wedding doesn't have some playful trouble?"

I was wondering what was happening until my handsome nephew Jiang Zhuo's voice came from behind me.

"Auntie, I thought I was late. Is there anything I can help with?"

Shen Huan's face grew more and more shy.

Jiang Zhuo strode forward: "Hey? You haven't carried your sister-in-law in yet? Let me help!"

The watching young people laughed and pushed him away.

"You're really something else, daring to cause trouble even at your cousin's wedding?"

"That's right, get lost, don't touch your little sister-in-law!"

My son carried Xiao Rou and walked into the courtyard.

I patted Jiang Zhuo's arm: "Help your auntie take care of the guests."

Then I followed my son into the courtyard.

I heard Shen Huan muttering softly: "Sigh, she finally got out of the car. Xiao Rou really had to make me help her act and demand more bride price at the last minute."

Jiang Zhuo laughed and joined in: "Oh? Is the new sister-in-law so formidable? My brother will have his hands full in the future."

Shen Huan said coyly: "Yes, after being friends with me for so long, she still hasn't learned to be considerate of men, sigh."

Hmph.

You're good at adapting to circumstances.

But you little schemer, you'll never realize that there's someone even more formidable than you waiting to take you down.

6

I originally thought the latter half of the wedding would proceed smoothly.

But I discovered that Shen Huan, as the bridesmaid, wasn't staying by Xiao Rou's side but was clinging to Jiang Zhuo instead.

I suddenly remembered her earlier words: when looking for a man, you must want something from him, either money or looks.

A bad premonition arose.

The wedding banquet was held at a small hotel five hundred meters away.

During the toast to the guests, my son, feeling sorry for Xiao Rou, kept blocking drinks for her.

The young people loved to stir up trouble and wouldn't let up.

This gave Shen Huan a great opportunity to show off.

She stepped forward and blocked Xiao Rou: "Don't bully my best friend. She just had an abortion and can't drink. If you've got guts, come at me!"

Xiao Rou behind her instantly turned deathly pale.

My son also frowned, looking like he was about to lose control.

I stepped forward and held my son back, whispering in his ear: "Don't get angry on this joyous day."

My son gripped the wine cup tightly.

But the guests, hearing this, began to whisper among themselves.

I took Xiao Rou's hand and smiled to smooth things over: "What abortion? We wanted that child. It's just that preparing for the wedding exhausted Xiao Rou, and the pregnancy didn't stick."

Only then did the guests raise their eyebrows, looking as if they had just understood.

Xiao Rou gratefully hugged my arm.

Shen Huan turned back and glared at me: "Auntie is so clever. Our Xiao Rou is such a naive girl. Don't you bully her after she marries in."

I pretended not to hear and waved at Jiang Zhuo in the distance: "Zhuo, your cousin and sister-in-law can't handle it. Come help quickly."

Jiang Zhuo, hearing there was excitement, rushed over like a gust of wind.

"Cousin and sister-in-law can't handle it either? Can't even handle this little bit of alcohol?"

Hearing this, Shen Huan clung to his arm and said suggestively: "Indeed, we need to help them both."

The guests egged them on: "If you drink for them, it has to be double!"

Shen Huan, eager to show off in front of Jiang Zhuo, waved her hand grandly: "You haven't seen what this lady can do. One and a half jin of strong liquor, and beer by the gallon!"

This shout got everyone excited.

The two of them really didn't drink lightly.

Their bodies also got closer and closer.

Shen Huan, whether really drunk or pretending, kept snuggling into Jiang Zhuo's arms.

Jiang Zhuo also extended a hand and directly put his arm around her waist.

I found it disgusting, and my son also told me that if they continued being so intimate, something would happen.

So I thought, I might as well send Jiang Zhuo away. Better to avoid trouble.

So I tugged at Jiang Zhuo and whispered in his ear: "Go to your cousin's new room later and help your auntie get the three gold pieces I bought for your sister-in-law. Here's the key."

Jiang Zhuo agreed absentmindedly, smiling dazedly.

7

Jiang Zhuo, aside from having a handsome face, was good for nothing.

Exactly like his father—expert in eating, drinking, prostitution, and gambling.

If it weren't for my poor sister's sake, I would have cut ties with him long ago.

My son hadn't been without other girlfriends before.

But he had been about to marry one when Jiang Zhuo sweet-talked her away.

My son was heartbroken for a long time over this.

My sister was beaten by her husband until she was paralyzed. Although the husband went to prison, her life was ruined.

So Jiang Zhuo couldn't find a wife at all.

He was also deeply in debt outside and didn't have a proper job.

Whoever was with him was unlucky.

Ten minutes later, Jiang Zhuo staggered out.

I quickly looked around for Shen Huan and saw her standing by Xiao Rou's side.

Only then did I relax.

The guests had eaten and drunk their fill, and a few familiar old sisters helped me pack up the remaining things.

We filled a large bag with melon seeds and peanuts.

One clever old sister had an idea: "Your daughter-in-law just lost the child. Let's go sprinkle some peanuts on her new bed for good luck, what do you think?"

The others also said this was a good omen.

So the group, carrying the peanut bag, walked toward my house.

Arriving at the doorstep, I suddenly remembered asking Jiang Zhuo to get the three gold pieces.

Why hasn't he come back after so long?

I thought more carefully and realized I hadn't seen Shen Huan's shadow for a while either.

My heart jumped to my throat.

I quickly pulled everyone: "Hey, the tobacco and alcohol from the banquet haven't been collected yet. Let's pack those up first, then come back to sprinkle peanuts."

But the old sister laughed: "We're already here, and you want to go back?"

"That's right, would there be any tobacco and alcohol left? That group probably already took it all home."

Someone behind me gently pushed me: "Come on, hurry up and sprinkle peanuts for the two children. We're already at the doorstep."

But no matter how I tried to refuse, everyone smiled and pushed me forward.

The gate wasn't locked.

The group crowded to the door of the new room.

The bedroom door was ajar, with the red light of the bedsheets shining through.

The old sister pushed open the door and shouted: "Scattering peanuts!"

A shocking scene instantly appeared before everyone's eyes.

8

That's right, Shen Huan indeed appeared completely naked in public.

Lying beside her was my irresponsible nephew, Jiang Zhuo.

The old sister was so scared she fell to the ground: "Oh my! This, this, this... How shameful!"

The others were also terrified.

But more than that, it was everyone's curses.

Someone rushed forward and pulled the sleeping Shen Huan up: "Have you no shame? Get up!"

"That's right! People's newlywed house, and you defile it like this!"

The red blanket slipped from Shen Huan's body, revealing that she was wearing the gold necklace I had bought for Xiao Rou.

The gold bracelet was also on her wrist, and there was even a gold ring on her finger.

A weak voice came from behind me: "What happened? Why is everyone gathered here?"

We turned around and saw Xiao Rou and my son, escorted by a group of young people, coming to disturb the bridal chamber.

Everyone squeezed us into the room.

The half-asleep, naked Shen Huan slowly opened her eyes, exclaimed in shock, and dove back under the covers!

"Fuck!"

Another voice suddenly came from the door of the en-suite bathroom.

Everyone looked over—there was actually another naked young man standing at the door.

Everyone looked horrified. Xiao Rou cried angrily: "You... how could you be in my bridal chamber..."

Just as my son was about to rush forward to drive them away, another young man's voice came from the bathroom.

"The bridesmaid is awake? Come, come, let's go another round!"

Everyone was stunned.

What on earth was happening here?

My son angrily rushed forward first and pulled Jiang Zhuo up: "Get up! Get the fuck up, you!"

Xiao Rou sobbed: "Huan Huan, you've gone too far! How could you do this, how could you..."

I put my arm around Xiao Rou's shoulders, telling her not to look at this vulgar scene.

Then I had the old sister take her back to my room.

Shen Huan refused to come out, trembling under the covers.

Jiang Zhuo and the other two men hurriedly got dressed.

I asked through the blanket: "Auntie asks you, were you voluntary, or were you forced?"

Jiang Zhuo, buttoning his shirt, said to me: "Auntie, what do you take us for?"

"Shut up!" I slapped him across the face.

The other two men muttered: "It was her who suggested it..."

My blood instantly ran cold, my vision went white, and I fainted dead away.

9

When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital ward.

Xiao Rou was by my side: "Mom, you're awake?"

They said that day Shen Huan lost all face.

She said she had drunk too much and didn't know what happened.

But when everyone suggested calling the police for her, she blocked them and disagreed.

Such a major matter was left unresolved like this.

I felt sick just thinking about that room, so I prepared another moderately sized room for Xiao Rou and my son on the second floor.

For them to live in.

We found a construction team and directly converted that room into a storage room.

To store things we don't usually use and old furniture.

The blanket and bedding Shen Huan had used, one evening we took them to the back mountain and burned them all.

What bad luck!

We also took the three gold pieces to the mall and exchanged them for a new set.

I thought this matter was over and we could live peacefully from now on.

But a month later, Shen Huan came again!

She was pregnant.

The scary thing was, we had no idea whose child it was.

"Xiao Rou, we're best friends. You must take responsibility for this."

This was my daughter-in-law's matter, so I couldn't interfere too much.

Xiao Rou looked at Shen Huan, full of resentment: "You had affairs with them yourself. Why should I take responsibility?"

Shen Huan stubbornly lifted her chin: "If you hadn't asked me to be your bridesmaid, if I hadn't been blocking drinks for you, could this have happened?"

Xiao Rou was left speechless by her anger.

I could only step forward to help her: "So how do you want Xiao Rou to take responsibility?"

She shook her head and said: "The child in my belly can already have a paternity test. I demand you have those three men come here so I can find the child's father."

I laughed: "What? You still want to marry in?"

Her eyes widened: "So what? I'm carrying his child, so naturally I'll marry him!"

Fine, fine, fine.

I called Jiang Zhuo and asked him to bring the other two men to cooperate with Shen Huan.

Actually, I was also curious about whose child she was carrying.

Jiang Zhuo sent photos of the other two men.

Let her identify if they were the two.

The moment she saw the photos, she jumped up happily!

"Yes, yes, yes! It's them! Xiao Rou, look, all three men are so handsome, so handsome!"

10

Xiao Rou frowned: "Huan Huan, I always feel this isn't right. Why don't you consider not keeping this baby?"

Shen Huan panicked and kicked a small stool flying.

"What nonsense are you talking? Are you jealous I found such handsome men, three at once?"

I pulled Xiao Rou away and said coldly to Shen Huan: "Do as you please. You're always right. Do whatever you want. Hurry up and find your baby's father. I wish you happiness!"

Xiao Rou was so angry she cried.

"If she marries in, they'll look down on her too. Seeing it's a pit of fire, why insist on jumping in?"

I stroked Xiao Rou's hair and spoke the truth I hadn't understood when I was young.

"Everyone pursues different things. You see her jumping into a pit of fire, but perhaps she enjoys the feeling of being in the fire."

Xiao Rou seemed to understand but not completely.

I waved my hand: "Some people are crazy. You can't think about being friends with her, nor can you think about crushing her."

"So what should I do?"

"Stay far away."

Half a month later, Shen Huan's test results came back.

As luck would have it, the child was Jiang Zhuo's.

The hairs on my body stood up.

When that child was born, he would call me grand-aunt.

For a moment, I actually felt a bit soft-hearted.

Shen Huan was overjoyed and came to my house to show off again.

"Xiao Rou, Jiang Zhuo proposed to me. It's wonderful! Ah, we're like best friends marrying into the same family, right?"

Xiao Rou could only wish her well: "Yes, I suppose so. You must live well from now on and stop scheming about unnecessary things."

"What unnecessary things? You're the one who's clueless. My husband is so handsome. I feel great every morning when I wake up. Look at your husband—just looking at him makes me want to vomit."

Xiao Rou said nothing more.

After all, married life, its warmth and coldness, only the couple knows.

There's no need to loudly proclaim your happiness, and no one can rescue your suffering.

In an adult's world, you can only bear it yourself.

Shen Huan and Jiang Zhuo had a grand wedding.

She had no idea that Jiang Zhuo had borrowed from loan sharks to satisfy her demands.

Three gold pieces weren't enough for her—she wanted five. The bride price had to be higher than Xiao Rou's.

On the wedding day, she played her old tricks again.

Refusing to get out of the car, insisting on increasing the bride price.

"Xiao Rou, watch me. I'll ask for 200,000 more, and my husband won't hesitate to transfer it over in minutes."

11

Naturally, Jiang Zhuo had borrowed a million from loan sharks.

Even if she asked for 500,000 more, it would be transferred in minutes.

Shen Huan was extremely happy that day.

She didn't care that she was three months pregnant, and started drinking heavily.

She said she had a naturally pregnancy-favored constitution and could drink as much as she wanted, and the child would be safely born.

And it would definitely be a boy.

"Whoever marries me is truly blessed! No need to worry about carrying on the family line."

The guests praised her abilities to her face, but privately they were all gossiping about her disgusting behavior at Xiao Rou's wedding.

The day after the wedding, Shen Huan was stunned.

Jiang Zhuo had deceived her, saying the family had a house, car, and several million in savings.

But in reality, there was nothing.

Only a paralyzed mother-in-law who needed care.

The house was rented, and they were half a year behind on rent.

Most terrifying of all, the morning after the wedding, Jiang Zhuo took all the gold jewelry and savings and ran away.

Shen Huan, her makeup not even removed, came crying to my house.

"Auntie, please, help me find Jiang Zhuo! He's gone, he left me and ran away!"

I acted as if nothing was wrong and hung laundry to dry with Xiao Rou.

"I told you to consider carefully before marrying. You insisted on wading into muddy waters."

Xiao Rou also shook her head: "He's your husband. Where are we supposed to find him for you?"

But Shen Huan exploded in anger, stomping her feet and screaming crazily: "It's all your fault! All your fault! If you hadn't gotten married, I wouldn't have met Jiang Zhuo! If I hadn't met Jiang Zhuo, my uterus would still be intact and valuable! It's all your fault!"

Xiao Rou sighed deeply: "Huan Huan, you can't blame others. You should find a good job now, have the baby, and be a good mother..."

But before Xiao Rou could finish, Shen Huan violently overturned the table.

"What nonsense are you talking? My husband ran away, creditors are chasing me to my home, and you want me to have his baby? You just can't stand to see me do well!"

I grabbed Shen Huan: "What are you doing? Have the baby, and I'll help you raise it. I'll also bring your mother-in-law to our home to care for her together. You find a job. We're family now; there's nothing we can't solve together."

She spat in my face: "Bah! Stop trying to scheme against me! I'm going to have an abortion right now. With my young uterus, finding a good man won't be difficult at all!"

Shen Huan wouldn't listen to any advice and ran off after shaking me off.

I never could understand—what charms did she have?

Where did she get the confidence to believe she could definitely land a man and live a good life?

12

I brought my sister back to my home.

Xiao Rou and my son had no complaints.

Over these years, I had saved quite a bit of money.

Most of it I had given to Xiao Rou to manage.

Now I basically just take care of my sister, cook, and do housework. Life is stable and comfortable.

Xiao Rou and my son both work outside, and our family reunion is warm and happy.

One evening, we decided to have dinner in the courtyard.

But just as we set up the round table, a piece of meat suddenly fell from the sky.

Someone had deliberately thrown it in from outside.

It landed right on the table.

It was a bloody mess.

We looked closely—it was a horrifying and bizarre sight.

Shen Huan's voice came from outside the gate, laughing: "Haha! Serves you right for scheming against me! I'm giving you some bad luck. Let's see how you can eat your dinner now!"

So Shen Huan had aborted her three-month-old baby.

It already had hands and feet, a fully formed baby.

She just threw it into my courtyard like that.

My sister immediately broke down crying.

That was her grandchild. What karma had she created in this life to endure such suffering?

No one had any appetite for dinner anymore.

Shen Huan swaggered into my courtyard, tilting her head triumphantly: "Scheming against me, continue scheming against me. I'm telling you, you must find Jiang Zhuo for me. I want a divorce! Otherwise, you'll have a hard time from now on!"

We found a small cardboard box and put it inside.

Then we buried it with proper rites.

After knowing Shen Huan for so long, I shed tears for the first time.

A little life.

She truly deserved a terrible death.

My dislike for her escalated directly to hatred!

You can choose not to give birth, but if you choose to give birth, then please respect life.

Not giving birth is a responsibility, but giving birth is an even greater commitment.

I told my son: "You must find Jiang Zhuo. Let them divorce. Let them!"

13

My son took a long leave and searched for a month, and finally found Jiang Zhuo.

But rather than saying we found him, it was more that Jiang Zhuo appeared himself.

This guy had some luck.

He had accidentally bought a lottery ticket and won a big prize. Before he could cash it in, my son ran into him.

When Shen Huan saw him, she went crazy and started hitting and punching him.

"You scumbag! Scumbag! I want a divorce from you! See this? Your son is gone! Are you angry? Are you angry?"

Jiang Zhuo had originally planned to apologize to her properly and beg her forgiveness this one time.

Promising to live well with her in the future.

But hearing the words "your son is gone," Jiang Zhuo became enraged.

"Divorce! Damn you for doing something so wicked! I'm definitely divorcing you!"

The two of them got their divorce certificate that very day.

Shen Huan happily waved her single status certificate: "Xiao Rou, you watch. My good days are coming. I'll find an even more handsome and richer man."

Jiang Zhuo sneered: "You? I don't believe any man can be richer than me now. This lottery ticket of mine is worth thirty million."

Shen Huan was stunned: "What thirty million?"

Jiang Zhuo tilted his head: "I won the lottery. Bought it with your bride price money. Too bad we're divorced now. This money—none of it is yours!"

"I'll sue you! I'll sue you!" Shen Huan bared her teeth and claws, "That money must be split with me!"

"Phooey!" Jiang Zhuo spat on her fiercely, "I already gave this lottery ticket to my auntie. She takes care of my mom. She deserves it!"

Jiang Zhuo secretly cashed in the prize.

He did send me quite a bit of money.

He asked me to take good care of his mother.

Then he took the money and spent his days in pleasure—either with women or out having fun.

Shen Huan wasn't to be outdone either. She went out and caroused for a year.

In the end, she didn't find a single man.

And she contracted all sorts of diseases herself.

They both appeared at my doorstep at the same time.

By then, Xiao Rou was already seven months pregnant.

When Shen Huan saw her, her eyes blood-red, she dragged herself over to Xiao Rou.

"Xiao Rou, you can't have this baby."

"Huan Huan, what nonsense are you talking? In another two months, I'll be giving birth."

"You can't have it! I'm telling you, once you have a child, you'll be controlled by your husband's family for life! They'll bully you to death!"

14

Xiao Rou, supporting her waist, sat down.

"Huan Huan, where did you hear all these things?"

Shen Huan's brows furrowed tighter: "Xiao Rou, don't you go online? Haven't you seen so many people online complaining about the miseries of marriage? That having children makes you ugly, and mothers-in-law bully people?"

Xiao Rou laughed: "Has no one ever said they're happy?"

Shen Huan tilted her head: "Those are all lies. Who's truly happy? Marriage is a grave. Women must earn more money."

Xiao Rou shook her head: "Women should earn more money, be self-reliant, depend on themselves—but it means relying on ability, not on your body. When you objectify yourself, you've already gone astray."

"Phooey! If heaven gives me natural advantages, not using them would be a waste."

Xiao Rou seemed to have grown up overnight.

She supported her waist and stood up.

She looked coldly back at her former best friend: "Huan Huan, you're right. I'm tired and need to go rest. I wish you happiness."

Shen Huan triumphantly raised her head.

She probably would never understand in her lifetime that she lacked a certain ability.

She didn't know how to distinguish right from wrong.

She believed everything.

Whether it was what people said online or what her parents said, as long as she thought it was beneficial to her, she accepted it all without question.

Worshipping it like a god.

She wouldn't distinguish between right and wrong.

She even less thought about long-term planning or preparing for rainy days.

She was lazy, blindly confident, setting traps for those stronger than her, and mocking those weaker than her.

She lived too tired a life.

Jiang Zhuo took out a large gold bracelet from his pocket and put it on his mother's wrist.

"Mom, I haven't spent much time with you. I bought this to show my respect."

My sister remained unmoved.

Neither排斥 nor accepting.

She just kept looking up at the sky.

Shen Huan stepped forward: "Husband, let's remarry. I can still have children."

Jiang Zhuo stood up and patted the dust off his body: "You can have children with whoever you want. I don't want you."

"But husband, I only love you!"

Jiang Zhuo smiled slyly: "Really?"

Shen Huan grabbed onto this lifeline and nodded repeatedly.

What I didn't expect was that they really did remarry.

And that large gold bracelet was Jiang Zhuo's last property.

15

He didn't have a single penny left in his pocket.

Shen Huan, like a unlucky person, precisely missed every good day Jiang Zhuo had.

She never got pregnant again.

Jiang Zhuo also saw through it. On a full moon night, he confronted Shen Huan.

"As long as I'm with you, I'm a pauper, heh heh."

It was that night that Shen Huan went mad.

She cried all night, then pulled the covers over her head and slept.

When she got up again, she had become a seven or eight-year-old child.

Jiang Zhuo sent her to my home.

Xiao Rou, holding her newborn baby, cried her eyes out.

She wasn't crying for Shen Huan herself, but for the happy times they once had.

Shen Huan finally found her calling in life.

She diligently took care of my sister, her mother-in-law, every day.

And she enjoyed it.

Jiang Zhuo disappeared completely.

Leaving his mad wife and paralyzed mother to depend on each other.

I suddenly discovered that some women really do live more comfortably and happily without men.

Perhaps one day Shen Huan would miraculously recover.

But if she recovered, she might lose her current happiness.

She was now our family's capable worker.

Obedient, well-behaved, and competent.

But one day, her parents and younger brother suddenly appeared.

I had never seen them before.

Her father spoke first: "We've come to take our daughter home."

I smiled: "Why so suddenly?"

He didn't hide it either: "My son has had a child. I heard my daughter is very capable now. I'm taking her back to raise."

See, someone who knows how to avoid trouble and seek advantage.

Just as Xiao Rou was about to speak, I stopped her.

"Father-in-law, Huan Huan is capable and obedient now, but she has an illness. You can take her, but the medicine costs three to five thousand a month. Don't forget to get her medicine."

Shen Huan's parents' faces darkened, and they found an excuse and ran.

Xiao Rou asked me: "Mom, why did you lie?"

I waved my hand: "A woman who has lost her ability to protect herself, no matter how capable, faces nothing but endless abyss before her."

I looked up at the sky.

This world can never be fair.

And when will the people of this world realize that fairness simply doesn't exist.

(The End)