"That's right. How old is Shen Erming? Doesn't he want a child? If he didn't want a child, why would he stay at home for three months after getting married? Isn't he just eager to have a child? They've been inseparable for three months and still haven't had a child, so Shen Erming went out to earn money."

"It's really unlucky for the Shen family. They spent a lot of money and all that trouble, only to end up with a wife who can't have children."

Duan's mother's tone was quite gloating.

People will always have a resentment towards the rich.

People tend to gloat when someone who is better than you, more capable than you, or better off than you falls on hard times.

However, when they're face to face, I'll still pretend to say, "Oh, that's such a pity."

That's human nature.

"Then what should I do, I..."

Duan Xiaohong was immediately conflicted.

She married Erlang mainly for the sake of the Shen family.

Even though they couldn't get their younger brother in right now, their parents discussed repairing their relationship first and then gradually asking for benefits later, without rushing things.

But who could have imagined that such a well-thought-out plan would be disrupted because Zhao Di was unable to have children?

"Tell me, how can she be so useless? So many women in the world can have children, but she can't. The Shen family must be furious with her. What do you mean by giving her benefits? Dream on."

Duan Xiaohong was furious.

At the time, she wasn't without other options; she just thought Erlang was quite handsome, someone she liked, and the Mei family and the Shen family were related by marriage, so she chose Erlang. But who knew...

"No, if the Shen family divorces Zhaodi, then you should also quickly divorce that Erlang. There's no reason to waste our time on him."

"That's what Mr. Duan said decisively."

Even though it failed, we need to cut our losses in time.

While my daughter is still young, I need to find another place quickly.

"Huh? But..."

Duan Xiaohong hesitated.

She was still somewhat reluctant to part with Erlang.

"If you don't want a divorce, do you really want to stay with him for the rest of your life? With their family's circumstances, do you want to be poor your whole life?"

Mr. Duan stared at his daughter in disbelief.

His daughter doesn't seem like the type to endure hardship.

Or did they develop feelings for each other in just a few days?

ridiculous.

Upon hearing the word "poor," Duan Xiaohong immediately shook her head: "No, I don't want to live a hard life."

She doesn't want to work; she wants to reap the benefits without sowing.

She doesn't want to make money; she wants a windfall, the kind that falls right into her lap.

Therefore, she did not want to continue the impoverished life of the Mei family.

"Then..."

"Her father, wait a minute." Duan's mother suddenly interrupted Duan's father, and said hesitantly, "I think it's better not to divorce the Mei family yet. Let's see if our daughter can find someone better. If she can, then it's not too late to divorce."

Being with the Mei family now at least gives us a way out.

If we separate from the Mei family before we've decided on another family, wouldn't it be easy to end up with nothing?

This concern is valid, but Mr. Duan also has his own considerations.

"If they don't get a divorce, she'll be a married woman. What decent family would want to be with her? What matchmaker would dare to introduce her to someone?"

Isn't this a joke?

Duan's mother was speechless.

That's true.

But she was really worried that giving up on the Mei family would result in losing everything.

"You're overthinking it. No matter what, our daughter's worst option is the Mei family."

"Yes, at worst I can become a concubine for a rich man. I won't have to give birth myself or suffer, and I'll just eat and drink well every day. Isn't that great?"

Duan Xiaohong said with great longing.

This was the kind of life she had always wanted.

Unfortunately, the conditions were not met.

Before the marriage, there was a wealthy man who was willing to marry her, but he was almost forty years old, so she did not agree.

She thought she was better suited to be with the young man.

With the Mei family and the Shen family becoming in-laws, she figured she could at least get some benefits out of it.

She got married.

Who knew it would end up like this?

"Yes, our daughter is right. If she marries a rich man, our family will be able to live a good life too. I think that rich man isn't married yet, is he?"

"Yes, after our daughter refused, that rich man never went through with the match either."

"Then let's get a divorce from the Mei family!"

Mr. Duan made the decision immediately.

Even after making the decision, Duan Xiaohong was still a little reluctant: "He and I... Erlang has been very good to me..."

After the young man got married, they became exceptionally affectionate.

The two were remarkably harmonious in bed, which led Duan Xiaohong to abandon Erlang and marry an older man nearing forty...

Duan Xiaohong was somewhat worried that she would never experience pleasure in that area again.

However, Duan Xiaohong couldn't tell her parents about these worries, which troubled her.

"Why are you thinking so much? Once you're rich, everyone will treat you well. After you outlive that rich man, you can take the money and find a young man, right? Who knows, you might even be able to find Erlang again."

Mr. Duan said with a hearty laugh.

What's there to worry about?

What people fear most is not losing someone, but being broke.

Because if you don't have money, you can't do anything.

"Father, what you said... actually makes a lot of sense."

Duan Xiaohong thought about how she was in her thirties or forties and could still find a young man in his teens or twenties to serve her. Tsk tsk, just thinking about it made her feel wonderful.

If I follow Erlang, by the time I'm in my thirties or forties, Erlang will also be in his thirties or forties. Will it still be possible to manage then?

Not necessarily.

No matter what, she can't compare to a twenty-year-old.

Just like how the rich man nowadays certainly can't compare to Erlang in this respect.

Duan's mother was speechless: "You two are thinking way too far ahead. You should think about the present first. It's easy to divorce the Mei family, but I'm afraid the Mei family will want the bride price back."

They've only been married for such a short time, the Mei family definitely won't acknowledge them.

Especially the bride price, which was most of the Mei family's savings.

If it were them, they definitely wouldn't accept it either.

"Why should we give it to them? No way! Are we going to let them sleep with our daughter for free?" In his agitation, Mr. Duan uttered vulgar and offensive words.

Duan Xiaohong stomped her foot relentlessly: "Dad, how can you talk like that? I'm your own daughter!"

Who talks about their own daughter like that?

Mr. Duan waved his hand: "That's the gist of it, why are you taking it so seriously?"

Duan's mother looked worried: "I think in the end, some of the bride price should be returned. As for how much to return, that will be a long story."

But they didn't want to argue.

If things get too big and ugly, the wealthy man might mind.

Duan's father and Duan Xiaohong also thought of this, and the two of them fell silent.

But it's really hard to give back money you've already earned.

"Alright, alright, think about the future, it's worth it now." Duan's mother was more open-minded than the father and son.

Duan Xiaohong nodded.

Mr. Duan said, "Then let's go to the Mei family now and make things clear. If we return some of the betrothal gifts, we'll naturally have to make them promise not to go around spreading rumors and ruin Xiaohong's reputation."