Chapter 4. She is experiencing another kind of marriage, like...
Zhu Xu took a week off and spent three days lying in his suburban residence.
She wasn't driving that BMW, nor did she have her phone with her, so Liang Haiyang didn't know where she was.
The phone was still ringing. At first, Zhu Xu answered and told him that the case had been filed in court and that someone would contact him after it was accepted.
He panicked completely and started crying on the phone, bringing up their past relationship and the little things they did when they were dating, saying how much he loved her and begging her to soften her heart and give him one last chance.
Before he could finish listening, Zhu Xu hung up the phone and blocked his number and WeChat account.
But not long after, her father called again.
"You bastard, Haiyang said you want to divorce him? Don't you have any shame? You don't, but I do! What will my relatives and friends think of me? What will the neighbors say? I think you've had enough of a good life. Where are you? Get home right now!"
He spoke haltingly due to the aftereffects of his stroke, but Zhu Xu could sense his anger, and the mutterings of his stepmother, Shen Jun, could be faintly heard nearby.
She couldn't be bothered to listen closely, only feeling suffocated: "Do you know why I'm getting a divorce?"
Father Zhu Zhen didn't take it seriously: "Every family has its share of bickering and arguments. You're not a child anymore, don't always expect others to cater to you."
Liang Haiyang actually described domestic violence as minor squabbles.
Zhu Xu opened his mouth, but then heard his father say again, "Haiyang treats you well, he's kind and family-oriented. Where do you think you'll find someone else if you leave him? Are you going to pick up what others have left over? Besides, Haiyang's business is getting better and better, and he said he doesn't have to pay back the money he lent us..."
Hearing this, Zhu Xu knew that further discussion was pointless, so he moved the phone away and let Zhu Zhen shout on the other end.
She sat on the windowsill and opened the window to let in some fresh air.
It's almost the end of the year, but not a single snowflake has fallen.
The sky was overcast, making the world seem dull and lifeless.
On the fourth day, Liang Haiyang appeared at the door.
There are only a few familiar places in Lincheng, and he should have found them by now.
Through a security door with iron bars, Zhu Xu saw that he was unshaven, haggard, and his eyes were bloodshot as if he had been up for several nights.
"Wife, please open the door first, I have something to tell you." He pleaded.
Zhu Xu: "Let's just say that."
At this moment, Liang Haiyang was harmless and gentle, and his tone was humble: "Will you come home with me? I really know I was wrong this time. What will it take for you to forgive me? Can I write a letter of repentance? Or you can cut off my hands and feet, I'm willing to do anything."
He was adept at using tricks to soften women's hearts, but after doing it so many times, Zhu Xu had grown utterly disgusted with it.
There was nothing left to say about their relationship, and who was right or wrong no longer mattered; she just wanted to end it all as soon as possible.
Zhu Xu said, "You might need to provide photocopies of some documents. If you don't have time, I..."
"Do you really want a divorce?"
“Really,” Zhu Xu said. “The court is not a place for jokes.”
Liang Haiyang knelt down with a thud, ignoring the neighbors' stares and the gossip.
Zhu Xu glanced at him for two seconds, then closed the door.
The commotion outside continued for quite a while; I don't know when he left.
Two days later, the swelling on her face had mostly subsided, and she was finally able to show her face in public.
Jiang Rao brought a lot of things to see her, including vegetables and fruits, beef and mutton rolls, various meatballs, and a 6-inch raspberry crepe.
Jiang Rao carried the ingredients to the kitchen to wash them: "Do you have an electric cooker here?"
"In the second cabinet from the left."
"I bought the butter broth base. Or would you like the clear broth?"
"Buttery, the spicier the better."
Jiang Rao poked her head out of the kitchen, smiling broadly: "Hurry up and eat the cake. I specially went to your favorite store to buy it."
"It must be a long wait," Zhu Xucai said without mincing words, already unpacking the cake box.
"Luckily, I went this morning."
Zhu Xu asked, "Aren't you going to eat?"
"When have you ever seen me eat something like this?"
Zhu Xu carefully pulled out the cake, and a fresh creamy aroma wafted out. It was covered with a thick layer of raspberry jam, and one could already imagine its sweet and sour taste.
She cut off a slice, revealing distinct layers inside: the egg crepe was as thin as a cicada's wing, and the cream was fluffy and creamy.
Reluctant to eat it like that, Zhu Xu moved the cake to the windowsill, arranged it in a decorative way, and took a picture with his phone.
Today is a rare sunny day, and with just a simple filter, the image takes on a soft, warm yellow hue.
Zhu Xu was somewhat lost in thought, forgetting how long it had been since he had recorded his life like this.
Soon, the coffee table was filled with food, and the spicy aroma of the hot pot filled the room.
This house doesn't have a dining room; the only place to eat is a small round table in front of the sofa. There's not enough space for the vegetable basket and condiments, so they're placed on the floor next to it.
The two were sitting on cushions. Jiang Rao leaned against the sofa and took out a bottle of Wuliangye liquor from a bag behind her.
Zhu Xu put potatoes and winter melon into the pot: "You even brought liquor?"
"I brought this back from the class reunion. Such good wine shouldn't be wasted on those people." Jiang Rao studied how to open it: "It's called He...He something..."
Jiang Rao racked her brains for a long time but couldn't remember the name.
Zhu Xu knew his name was He Yanzhou. Originally, she didn't remember him well, but she had introduced him to Liang Haiyang before, and after going through it again, she remembered the name very well now.
Zhu Xu got up to get the cup.
Jiang Rao poured half a glass for herself and half a glass for her.
Before the meal, the two clinked glasses in a ceremonial manner.
This liquor, at 52 proof, felt fiery the moment it slid down my throat, the aroma bursting from my nose, the spiciness lingering in my mouth. But after a short while, my stomach felt increasingly warm and comfortable.
The potatoes and winter melon in the pot were cooked through and soaked in chili oil, making them even more appetizing.
Zhu Xu added a few pieces of crumbly potato to Jiang Rao's bowl; it was her favorite.
Jiang Rao also cooked a slice of fatty beef for her: "Eat meat, eat meat, we must eat to our hearts' content today."
The two stopped greeting each other and focused on eating.
After several rounds of drinks, when Zhu Xu was slightly tipsy, she finally had the courage to tell her friend about her relationship with Liang Haiyang.
She put down her chopsticks, paused for a moment, and then said, "Liang Haiyang, he..."
Jiang Rao suddenly shushed her, stopping her.
Zhu Xu was slightly taken aback.
Jiang Rao smiled and said, "You don't need to tell me anything. If you don't want to confide in me, I don't have to listen."
When I first heard the news that Zhu Xu was getting a divorce, I planned to talk to her and ask her about it, but then I thought it wasn't necessary. Even among friends, there should be boundaries; knowing when to restrain one's curiosity can avoid awkwardness and perhaps make the other person feel more comfortable.
Zhu Xu breathed a sigh of relief and gratefully shook her hand.
Jiang Rao held her hand tightly: "If you want a divorce, you must have a reason why you can't hold on any longer. I will support you." In this society, not encouraging people to get married and have children, nor hindering people from getting divorced, is already an act of kindness.
"Thank you." Zhu Xu leaned over and hugged her, uttering these three words with a soft sigh.
The alcohol had a strong aftereffect; the tables, chairs, and cabinets in front of me seemed to have grown legs and kept moving around without stopping.
Jiang Rao picked up a piece of tofu and put it in her bowl: "Tell me, what does marriage really bring to women?" She blew on the hot tofu and ate as she spoke: "You only realize after marriage that you lose your freedom, waste your youth, and have endless housework and worries every day. If you go out to work, people say you neglect your family, that you come home to a cold house. If you stay home full-time, he says you expect to be waited on hand and foot. You worry about your figure and appearance every day, afraid he'll have affairs or cheat on you. It's better not to have children; having them makes you even more heartbroken. He won't care how much pain you're going through with contractions and episiotomy, so he won't hold back in arguments. He's not around while you're taking care of the child day and night, but if the child gets hurt, he's the first one to jump out."
Jiang Rao's mouth was dry from talking, so she drank some water and added, "To sum it up, you can be a wife, a mother, a daughter-in-law, a haggard housewife, a shrew, or a resentful woman, but you are never yourself."
Zhu Xu became the listener instead. The description above is not entirely hers, but she is experiencing another kind of marriage, like the torture of hell.
Zhu Xu was completely relaxed at this moment, and leaned against her with a smile: "You can go and compile a textbook on fear of marriage."
“I’m telling you the truth, don’t let the seemingly harmonious relationship between Liu Chuang and me fool you, my emotional journey has been incredibly difficult,” Jiang Rao said. “Luckily, you don’t have children yet, otherwise the custody battle would be fierce. You probably don’t fully understand maternal love yet, but it’s something you truly can’t let go of. Anyway, if anyone tries to take my child from me, I’ll fight them to the death.” These words sent a chill down Zhu Xu’s spine.
If they have a child, and if she doesn't win custody, for the sake of the child, should she still compromise and go back to that home? Should she continue to endure his torment and live out her life in darkness?
Fortunately
Zhu Xu closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to relax.
Jiang Rao didn't leave that night.
Liu Chuang made several phone calls, asking how many milliliters of milk the child wanted and where the bedtime reading material was kept.
The weather warmed up a bit the next day, which was unusual.
After breakfast, the two decided to go shopping for some necessities. Zhu Xu hadn't returned since leaving that day, and he also needed to buy some new clothes.
Coincidentally, we were discussing our marital relationship last night, and today we encountered a fatal problem on the street.
Jiang Rao squinted and pointed across the street, pulling Zhu Xu over to help her look: "Isn't that my Liu Chuang? There's a woman with him."
Zhu Xu examined it for a while and said, "It seems so."
“Absolutely, I’d recognize him even if he were ashes.” Jiang Rao, her fur practically standing on end like a fighting rooster, said, “They’re in the car, let’s go with them.”
"Don't worry, they didn't do anything intimate. Maybe they're just friends..."
"Look at the way he's smiling." Jiang Rao reached out and flagged down a taxi.
Zhu Xu had no choice but to get into the car.
Finally, the car in front stopped in front of an office building. This was the commercial center of the city, surrounded by tall buildings, and most of the people passing by were dressed formally, their eyes fixed straight ahead, hurrying along.
Jiang Rao looked closely this time and said in surprise, "That woman looks like Yang Xiaotong."
Zhu Xu paid the fare: "Who?"
"Yang Xiaotong".
Zhu Xu looked over and saw that the woman was wearing a white, belted cashmere coat and a black long skirt. Her hair was simply tied up, and she turned her head and smiled. It was Yang Xiaotong, who had sat to her left at the class reunion a few days ago.
Jiang Rao pulled her across the street quickly, following the pace of the office workers as they rushed into the building entrance.
From a distance, I saw Liu Chuang standing outside the turnstile making a phone call. The call was very short, and then he took Yang Xiaotong to sit in the lobby rest area, seemingly waiting for someone.
Jiang Rao hid behind a green plant like a thief, carefully observing the situation over there.
As Zhu Xu watched Jiang Rao's retreating figure, he suddenly recalled her words from last night, about those identities, which seemed to be reflected in his friend. He couldn't help but wonder, is marriage really that terrible, capable of obscuring all the shining qualities in a woman? And what kind of mess am I now?
"Don't just stand there like an idiot, come closer." Jiang Rao tugged at her.
Zhu Xu snapped out of his daze and took half a step further inside: "What are you trying to see hiding here?"
"Let's see if they're having an affair."
Zhu Xu was speechless: "Who would have an affair in the office? They should go to a hotel."
Jiang Rao was taken aback: "Oh, right."
"Let's go."
But as he turned around, a slightly deep male voice came from behind: "Where are you going? Do you need any help?"
He spoke in the same tone as the night he changed the tire.
Zhu Xu turned around and, sure enough, saw a face that was both familiar and unfamiliar. Familiar because they had recently interacted, unfamiliar because they couldn't even be considered friends.
His gaze fell on Zhu Xu, presumably because his question was directed at her.
So Zhu Xu spoke first, saying, "Hello, Mr. He."
"Hello." He Yanzhou smiled slightly.
He had just come in from outside, still carrying the chill of the outside air. He was wearing a dark gray plaid overcoat over a pure black suit, and his hair was parted slightly to the side. He looked refreshed and energetic.
He pointed towards the elevator: "Here on business?"
Zhu Xu recalled the company sign he had inadvertently glimpsed when he entered, and said with a forced smile, "Xinchen Technology, I've come to get a document."
He Yanzhou nodded knowingly, "All taken?"
Zhu Xu, feeling guilty, replied, "Yes."
She and Jiang Rao hid behind the greenery, one looking like a thief and the other like a cover-up; they didn't look like they were there to do anything legitimate.
But he didn't seem to care whether she was lying or not. He just rolled up his sleeve to check the time and glanced at the lobby lounge area: "I happen to have an appointment with a friend. We all know each other. Shall we go over and sit down?"
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