Shen Juan started crying as she spoke, as though she wanted to pour out all the grievances she had endured over these years in this very mont.
Luo Qiao gently patted her back, feeling heartbroken: "Do your parents know about all this?"
Shen Juan shook her head and then nodded, taking quite a while to reply: "They didn’t know before, but they’ve only found out recently."
Miao Shuang asked next: "Then why did you co to Capital City this ti? Did sothing happen?"
Shen Juan paused her crying, stayed silent for a while, and then finally spoke: "A while ago, my elder sister-in-law’s kid ca over and pushed my son, who hit his head on the steps in the courtyard, and blood started coming out imdiately.
I was inside the house at the ti, but I happened to see the whole thing. The things the kids were saying in the courtyard were so childish that I found them funny, and after folding clothes, I took a glance outside.
When my son fell and started crying loudly, I was furious and shoved my elder sister-in-law’s kid. He was caught off guard and stumbled back a few steps before sitting on the ground.
Just then, my elder sister-in-law ca in from outside and saw this scene. No matter how much I explained, she wouldn’t listen. At the ti, I thought about how my son’s forehead was bleeding, so I decided to stop the blood first and deal with it all later.
But my elder sister-in-law wouldn’t let up, demanding an explanation in front of the neighbors. She even said I had a malicious heart and that the Fang Family bringing into their household was the unluckiest thing that could ever happen.
At that mont, Fang Ziqiang and my parents-in-law arrived. They didn’t listen to my explanations either, although my father-in-law focused on taking care of his grandson, carrying him from my arms and rushing him to the hospital for treatnt.
But Fang Ziqiang coldly told he was very disappointed in and that I even dared to lay hands on a child, while my mother-in-law berated viciously in front of the neighbors.
At that mont, my head felt like it was about to explode, and all I could think about was escaping that place.
So, without looking back, I ran straight to my parents’ house. After they questioned repeatedly, I told them about everything I had endured these past few years.
I wanted so peace and quiet. My parents didn’t want to forgive the Fang Family easily either, so they bought a train ticket in the middle of the night and sent off.
For a while, the four people in the private room fell into silence.
Finally, Luo Qiao broke the silence: "What are your thoughts now?"
Shen Juan’s eyes flashed with reluctance and hesitation: "Qiaoqiao, if I get divorced, I’m afraid I’ll never see my son again. But if I don’t divorce, I’m really scared I might get depressed living in that kind of household. I just can’t take it anymore."
Luo Qiao sighed: "We can’t make this decision for you, but if you want to, if you’ve figured it out and made up your mind, we’ll support you anyti and have your back."
Ji Lin, feeling furious, said indignantly: "I really don’t get you—how could you stay with a man like that for so many years? If it were , I’d have left him ages ago."
Miao Shuang glanced disapprovingly at Ji Lin: "Alright, Shen Juan has her own concerns."
Then she turned to Shen Juan: "I agree with Qiaoqiao. No matter what decision you make, we’ll support you. Having your back is a given."
Shen Juan was a bit moved: "Thank you, guys."
Ji Lin, her temper now cald, said, "I was impulsive earlier because I couldn’t hold back my anger. I’m with them—when it’s ti to act, don’t leave out."
Though tears still lingered in Shen Juan’s eyes, she smiled at Ji Lin’s words: "It’s so good to have you all."
Luo Qiao patted her shoulder: "Don’t worry, everything will pass. Believe that tomorrow will be better."
Miao Shuang, wanting to lighten the mood, looked at Ji Lin and changed the subject: "So is your mom still helping take care of the kids?"
Ji Lin’s face lit up with a smile as soon as the kids were ntioned: "Yes! My mom is still handling everything. She’s too worried to leave them to anyone else. Ji Wei was concerned she’d get too tired, so he hired a nanny to take care of the cleaning and cooking at ho."
Miao Shuang picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks: "Ji Wei’s pretty considerate like that."
Ji Lin replied matter-of-factly: "My mom just reached retirent age. Her workplace even wanted to rehire her, but she politely declined. Everything she does is for us, so isn’t it his job to handle these things?"
Luo Qiao smiled faintly: "Exactly. It’s why they say children are debts. You and your husband need to treat your mom and dad well."
Ji Lin raised her chin: "Of course! My mom and dad have worried themselves sick over . We definitely have to take good care of them going forward."
Shen Juan might have co to terms with things now. Her mindset seed to have shifted, and she started talking more, smiling faintly: "I envy you."
Everyone knew what she ant. Miao Shuang said: "You also have parents and brothers who care about you, not to ntion us as your friends. Whether or not you’re happy, whether or not you want happiness, has always been in your hands."
Shen Juan nodded and raised her drink: "Co on, let’s toast—for our reunion, for our friendship, and for a better tomorrow."
The four of them exchanged smiles and raised their glasses: "Cheers—to a better tomorrow!"
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