Gao Rouer's voice trembled with desperation as she clung to Jiang Chenyu's sleeve, her words slurring as she begged him not to send her away. "I won't leave. Chenyu, let's run away together. Let's escape this place. Why, why did you marry her?"
Her emotional exhaustion finally caught up to her, and she collapsed into a daze, her sobs quieting as her strength gave out.
When the Gao family arrived, they found her in a pitiful state, still unwilling to leave on her own. Jiang Chenyu had no choice but to lift her gently and carry her out to the waiting car. As he handed her over, he instructed the family, "Take good care of her."
The evening left Jiang Chenyu with a throbbing headache. Once he was alone, he retreated to his study, his mind spinning with frustration and confusion. He rifled through the stack of documents his father had given him, each page a stark reminder of why this marriage had happened in the first place.
"Was it worth it?" he thought to himself, his fingers absentmindedly flipping through the papers. Marrying a woman he neither knew nor loved just for the sake of some strategic information felt hollow. His thoughts echoed in the silence of the room.
"It's just mutual use," he told himself, trying to ease the knot of unease tightening in his chest. As the words settled in his mind, the entanglement in his heart lessened, and for the first time since the wedding, he felt a semblance of clarity.
The next morning, Gu Nuannuan rose early, hoping to avoid any more tension in the house. She quietly made her way to the dining table, her stomach growling softly in protest. As she sat down, someone handed her a basin of water, but she hesitated, not knowing what it was for.
Wei Aihua, watching from across the room, sneered. "It's so obvious you come from a small family. Don't even know the simplest customs, do you? Haven't you ever watched TV? Or do you think you're too good for it?"
The cruel mockery stung, and Gu Nuannuan clenched her fists under the table, reminding herself to endure. She had known that this marriage would come with its share of difficulties, but she hadn't anticipated being treated like an outsider so quickly.
Swallowing her pride, she closely observed Wei Aihua's every move, carefully mimicking her actions as she tried to understand the rituals expected of her. The condescension in Wei Aihua's gaze didn't go unnoticed.
"Compared to Rou'er," Wei Aihua muttered just loud enough for the room to hear, "she's not even close. How could anyone think this was a good match?"
Mayor Jiang, noticing the rising tension, coughed to interrupt. "Nuannuan doesn't know these things yet. You're her sister-in-law, Aihua. Instead of comparing, why not teach her?"
Wei Aihua rolled her eyes, her irritation evident. "Comparison is only natural. If someone brought home a woman like her for my son, I would rather die in front of him."
The sharpness in her tone cut through the room like a blade, and even Mayor Jiang had reached his limit. "Enough!" he snapped, slamming his hand on the table. "You're only Chenyu's sister-in-law. You have no right to interfere in his marriage."
Just then, Jiang Lao entered the room, his mood lighter after a good night's rest. He sensed the tension immediately and looked around with furrowed brows. "What's all this noise about so early in the morning?"
Mayor Jiang was quick to deflect. "Nothing, Father."
Jiang Lao's gaze softened as he noticed Gu Nuannuan sitting quietly at the table, looking lost. "Nuannuan, where is Chenyu? Go fetch him for breakfast."
Gu Nuannuan's heart raced. How could she possibly explain that Jiang Chenyu hadn't returned home? She hesitated, but before she could answer, the housekeeper stepped in to save her from the awkward moment. "Second Young Master wasn't at home last night. He may have gone to the company early this morning."
"What?!" Jiang Lao's voice boomed in the dining hall. "Didn't I make it clear that he was to stay home last night? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
His frustration was palpable, and the entire household fell silent under the weight of his anger.
Wei Aihua couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, if a man doesn't like the woman lying next to him, he'll find reasons to stay away, won't he?"
Her biting comment was met with Mayor Jiang's immediate fury. "Shut up!" he barked, unable to bear her scornful attitude any longer. He couldn't stand by and watch his wife humiliate Gu Nuannuan any further. The poor girl had been married into the family for less than two days, and already she was being torn apart.
Realizing that things had gone too far, Mayor Jiang pulled Wei Aihua away from the table. "Enough is enough, Aihua. You have no right to treat her this way."
Jiang Lao, still fuming, slammed his fist onto the table. "Call Chenyu back now! He's been too lawless for too long, and it ends today."
"Yes, Master," the housekeeper responded, hurrying off to carry out the order.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jiang dragged Wei Aihua back to their bedroom, his face a mix of frustration and disappointment. He pointed at her, his voice low but fierce. "Don't think I don't know what's going on in that head of yours. You're dissatisfied, but let me remind you, you're just Chenyu's sister-in-law. You don't get to control his marriage."
Wei Aihua's eyes flashed with anger. "What do you mean by that? After twenty years of marriage, you think I'm nothing compared to Gu Nuannuan, don't you?"
Her voice rose with each word, her emotions spiraling out of control. "Do you like her that much? Is that what this is?"
"Bullshit!" Mayor Jiang's patience snapped, his hand raised instinctively. He stopped himself just before it made contact with her face, his chest heaving with frustration.