Everyone, of course, knew who he was referring to and cast teasing glances at Tang Qiulu. The previous sniping women also quieted down, giggling in agreement.
"Oh my, who says it's not true? This is what they call a lady's body with a maid's fate—"
"Hahaha, truly pitiable!"
"Speaking of which, shouldn't we thank Su Changfeng? Thank him for eliminating a competitor for us!"
Tang Qiulu kept her head deeply bowed, her face covered by strands of hair, flushed red.
Meanwhile, Su Changfeng in the corner was staring indifferently at the doorway where the messenger had vanished, ignoring the women's taunts, his face thoughtful.
Interesting, very interesting.
He knew precisely who sent these things. Was it an attempt at alliance and goodwill, or compensation? But could these things make up for his three years of suffering?
He didn't need them!
"Alright, that's enough noise."
Old Madam Tang cleared her throat, stopping her children and grandchildren from making more racket: "I'll keep the gifts first, and once the main person shows up and names a person, they can come to me to collect their betrothal gifts."
The Old Madam had spoken, and everyone nodded in agreement.
The commotion quickly settled down, and the family feast continued. After dinner, Tang Qiulu's family didn't give Su Changfeng a glance and drove off directly. The disgrace at the dining table had stripped them of their dignity, and they didn't want to stay a second longer.
Back when Su Changfeng married Tang Qiulu, he moved in as a live-in son-in-law, without even paying a dime for the betrothal gifts. This matter had always stuck in Tang Qiulu's parents' hearts and today's incident only aggravated them. Who could swallow such humiliation?
"What a mess!"
Watching her daughter lock herself in her bedroom the moment she entered the house, Sun Mei, Tang Qiulu's mother, was livid, yelling at her husband Tang Zhenhua: "Shameful! It's all your fault for being so useless. Otherwise, why would Old Master Tang choose Qiulu among all the Tang daughters?"
"Tang Family may count as a noble family, but why do they get to live in villas and drive luxury cars, while I, your wife, can only live with you, a coward, in this rundown neighborhood? Heaven help me, I was blinded by pig grease when I picked you. Since marrying into the family, I haven't had a single good day! Counting on you, a worthless husband, I guess I won't even get half a penny of the family estate later!"
Tang Zhenhua, being scolded by his wife, nodded submissively, not daring to retort. He was always easily swayed and lacked ambition, so he dared not show any temper in the face of the domineering Sun Mei.
"A divorce, Qiulu must divorce that coward!"
Sun Mei slapped the table, shrieking: "I don't care about the noble family reputation, you're hopeless, only if Qiulu marries well can I enjoy the good life!"
"That won't work..."
Tang Zhenhua mustered up the courage to retort softly: "Dad said back then that Qiulu and Chang Feng should live well together. Besides, all of Hai City knows about their marriage. If they divorce now, won't people laugh at us behind our backs..."
"I don't care!"
Sun Mei sat on the floor, crying hysterically: "Tang Zhenhua, are you even a man? Is Tang Family's face really that precious? Look at the kind of life Qiulu is leading now, a young lady working on construction sites, being ordered around by Tang family relatives! Boohoo, I committed a sin marrying you, can't you at least care for your biological daughter!"
Indeed, because of Tang Zhenhua's weak and unsuccessful nature, their family was always at the bottom of the house hierarchy, looked down upon by other relatives. Tang Family's business was mainly in construction materials, and those dirty and hard tasks fell on Tang Qiulu, mostly due to their low status in the family.
Listening to his wife's lamentations, Tang Zhenhua sighed heavily and buried his head in anguish. He knew he was useless, otherwise, Old Master Tang wouldn't have forced such a worthless son-in-law as Su Changfeng into their family.
But no matter how unfair or resentful, how could they just divorce? With Old Madam Tang now holding family power, Tang Zhenhua was well aware that she valued the family's reputation the most.
When Tang Family accepted Su Changfeng back then, they had already been laughed at once. After three years hoping the clamor would die down, if Tang Qiulu divorced Su Changfeng now, Tang Family would certainly become Hai City's laughingstock again! Old Madam Tang would never allow such a thing!
...
Outside the door, Su Changfeng leaned against the wall, extinguishing the cigarette butt that had burned to its end.
The crying inside continued uninterrupted, and his gaze was utterly cold.
"I won't divorce."
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached his ears, causing Su Changfeng to be stunned.
It was Tang Qiulu!
"Are you crazy!"
Inside, Sun Mei looked at her daughter incredulously: "He's just a coward! How long do you want to be dragged down by him?"
"I'm very clear-headed."
Tang Qiulu said firmly: "For these three years, which of the dirty and hard tasks wasn't done by Su Changfeng? Yes, I look down on him for being cowardly, but I won't hate him because of it. It was Grandpa who decided, and this isn't Su Changfeng's fault. People have empathy, and even if Su Changfeng hasn't accomplished much in three years, his hard work must count for something?"
Time sure is miraculous.
Su Changfeng slightly curled his lips, only now realizing that he was more than just labeled as "trouble" and "detestable" in Tang Qiulu's heart; she actually had these sentiments towards him.
"I truly am a disappointing fool..."
As Tang Qiulu spoke, her eyes grew red: "I thought I wouldn't catch feelings..."
Yes, she often thought about divorcing Su Changfeng after being wronged. But when it was really brought up, Tang Qiulu realized she couldn't let go of Su Changfeng.
Clearly, she had always deliberately kept her distance from him, clearly always treated him coldly, clearly... Su Changfeng had been sleeping on the bedroom floor for these three years, yet his existence somehow became an unshakeable habit for Tang Qiulu, impossible to erase.
The door opened, and the man walked in silently, reached out to wipe away Tang Qiulu's tears but ultimately stood a meter away from her, not approaching further.
"Su Changfeng, didn't you ask me before if I want to see the changed you?"
Stepping forward, Tang Qiulu gently pulled on the man's sleeve: "My answer is, yes! I don't want to be bullied by the Tang family anymore, I want to see you live with dignity!"
"Alright, I promise you."
...
Golden City Hotel, VIP rooftop seat.
"Chang Feng, you've arrived!"
The noblewoman sitting on the leather sofa was elegantly made up, wearing a luxurious dress suit. Her well-maintained skin made it hard to determine her real age.
As soon as she saw Su Changfeng appear from afar, the woman beckoned happily, a look of joy on her face.
However, Su Changfeng coldly sat opposite her, without even lifting his eyelids.
Despite this noblewoman being his mother, whom he hadn't seen in three years.
"Chang Feng..."