Chapter 1: Chapter 1: We Are Getting Divorced Chapter 1: Chapter 1: We Are Getting Divorced “Youxi is back!”

At 10 p.m., as soon as Lu Youxi entered the house, Mrs. Lin greeted her with rare enthusiasm.

Upon closer inspection, the entire Lin Family was present.

Lu Youxi scoffed sarcastically, surely it wasn’t to celebrate her becoming the CEO of Lin Group that day?

She had met Lin Jingshen in college, and they had been married for 15 years now.

The Lin Family had always looked down on her for coming from a rural background, never showing her a pleasant face.

Now that an outsider had taken the CEO position at Lin Group, how could these people be happy?

The Lin Family had three sons, with Lin Jingshen being the youngest.

Unfortunately, all three sons were useless; they nearly bankrupted Lin Group, but she had saved it from collapsing.

Before Mr. Lin died, he made a will instructing Lu Youxi to be the CEO of Lin Group, on the condition that she not divorce Lin Jingshen, or she too would be kicked out of Lin’s.

Mr. Lin had a clever plan, enslaving her to work like an ox for the Lin Family, earning money to support them.

The Lin mother and sons still thought she had taken advantage of a great deal.

They always hung on to the notion that everything she had was given by the Lin Family.

Lu Youxi mocked with a laugh. Yet, with her capabilities, she could make a career at any company—why should she settle for the mere Lin’s?

In the vast Imperial Capital, Lin’s truly was insignificant.

“Elder sister-in-law, congratulations on finally getting your wish and becoming the CEO of Lin’s,” the eldest son of the Lin Family said with a veiled sting, even his smile thick with barely hidden schadenfreude.

“Elder sister-in-law, today is truly a double celebration for you!” the Second Son of Lin Family added.

Before Lu Youxi could react, Mrs. Lin gestured toward another direction, “Quick, bring the child over.”

Everyone watched for Lu Youxi’s reaction like they were watching a drama unfold. Lu Youxi turned and saw Lin Jingshen leading a boy who looked to be three or four years old.

The boy was not at all shy; he even looked arrogantly up at Lu Youxi.

“Youxi,” Lin Jingshen cautiously observed her expression, “This is our son.”

Lin Jingshen gently nudged the boy, “Say ‘mom’.”

The boy did not move or make a sound, mockingly watching Lu Youxi.

Mrs. Lin laughed it off, “He’s just too nervous, it’s fine, they’ll get along better over time.”

“How old is the child? Who did you have him with? I certainly haven’t had a child,” said Lu Youxi coldly.

“The child… is three years old,” Lin Jingshen explained cautiously, “Youxi, don’t worry, I’ve already broken up with his mother. I just wanted to have a child.”

“Yes, Youxi, and you see, up until now, you and Jingshen haven’t had children. You are 38 now, if you couldn’t have them when you were younger, then later it becomes even…” the elder sister-in-law of Lin Family said in a manner suggesting there was more to say, covering her mouth with a giggle, “Now Jingshen has brought back a son, saving you the pain of pregnancy and childbirth.”

“Youxi, don’t worry, from now on, there will only be one mom for this child, Jingshen promises to break it off with the other woman,” Mrs. Lin tried to persuade, her gaze glued on the child and a wide grin on her face.

“Lin Jingshen, let’s get a divorce,” Lu Youxi said coldly. “If you think I’ll accept this cuckold, you’re mistaken!”

“Lu Youxi, think carefully. If you divorce, you’ll lose everything in Lin’s!” the Second Son of Lin Family shouted, “You’ve just become the CEO of Lin’s! Everything you have now is given by the Lin Family!”

“Lu Youxi, Jingshen is your husband! You can’t have a child, and you won’t allow him to have one of his own? Do you want the Lin Family to die out happy?” Mrs. Lin accused Lu Youxi with a breakdown.

“How can the Lin Family not have a successor?” Lu Youxi said with a sneer. “The eldest and the second brother have plenty of children, not just those at home; the elder brother also has two sons and one daughter outside, and the second brother has a son and a daughter outside; there should be enough to continue the Lin Family lineage.”

The elder and second sister-in-law who were originally watching Lu Youxi with glee, were all stupefied.

“Is she telling the truth?” the eldest sister-in-law glared at the eldest brother, appearing ready to fight.

“Lin Jingming, clarify this for me now!” the second sister-in-law screamed hysterically at the second brother.

By then, the elder sister-in-law was already grappling with the eldest brother.

“Stop! All of you stop!” Mrs. Lin stomped her feet and screamed until her voice was hoarse, but nobody listened to her.

Seeing the situation degenerate further into chaos, Mrs. Lin bitterly accused Lu Youxi, “Lu Youxi, are you that pleased to see our family in disarray? If you’d just willingly accept this child, none of this would have happened!”

Lu Youxi sneered and ignored her, only telling Lin Jingshen, “Tomorrow, my attorney will discuss the divorce with you.”

After saying that, Lu Youxi left the noisy villa and returned to her own place, situated near the company.

She was busy with work, often working overnight. To make it convenient, she spent most of the year living here.

Once at home, Lu Youxi changed into sportswear.

After a long day at work, and after being disturbed by the Lin Family till 10 p.m., she was physically and mentally drained.

At these times, she relied on exercising to vent.

She started on the treadmill, gradually increasing the speed, and as she ran, she suddenly felt a wave of palpitations so painful she couldn’t move and fell off the treadmill.

A sharp pain radiated from her heart, halting her breath momentarily.

Lu Youxi felt her body lighten and float above the room, observing her body lying on the floor.

She watched the night pass and the sun rise, saw her assistant enter the room with the property manager and the police.

She saw the hospital issue her a death notice.

Then the scene shifted; she saw her younger brother, whom she hadn’t seen in years, limping and hobbling into the Lin Family’s gate.

She saw Lin Jingshen welcoming his lover and the three-year-old boy into the house, a harmonious family scene.

Youxue, with red eyes, charged at Lin Jingshen, knocked him down to the ground, beating him brutally before being thrown out of the villa by the security.

Lu Youxi recalled how, in her family home, her grandparents favored males over females, never treating her as part of the family.

The best food, drink, and items were always reserved for her cousins and brother, never even considering her.

This made Lu Youxi increasingly detest her biological family, and by extension, her brother, whom she hadn’t contacted since marrying Lin Jingshen.

She remembered that her brother had been very affectionate towards her as a child, and it was her repeated cold treatment that pushed him away.

The image of her brother’s young, disappointed face became especially vivid now.

She had thought her brother would hate her, the sister who had never treated him well.

But unexpectedly, after her death, it was still her brother who fought for her rights, who cried for her.

Lu Youxi curled up in midair, heart aching, reliving the palpitations she felt just before her death.

Following that, she was swallowed by darkness once again.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Reliving Life Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Reliving Life “Get up, you lazy girl! I have never seen a girl as lazy as you in any other family! It’s all because your mother spoils you!” In the darkness, Lu Youxi heard a series of familiar yet strange scoldings.

With a loud “bang,” the door was rudely pushed open, and within a few seconds, she was yanked out of bed by someone pulling off her quilt.

Lu Youxi now completely woke up, opened her eyes, and saw Old Madam Lu’s face, every wrinkle filled with disgust, confronting her own.

“Get up and cook already! You do nothing to help out during your days off, just sleep in! Are we raising you for nothing?” Old Madam Lu let go of Lu Youxi and scolded, “You’re so lazy, I don’t see who would want to marry you. Get up this instant!”

With that, Old Madam Lu strode out the door.

Lu Youxi stood there stunned, watching Old Madam Lu’s retreating figure.

Wasn’t she dead?

She had died suddenly from overwork followed by exercise.

And Old Madam Lu had been dead for many years too.

But now…

Lu Youxi looked at her hands, coarse from too much labor, not at all resembling those of a young girl.

Her hands at the age of 38 had been much more delicate than they were now.

Looking around at the environment, it was the shabby village house.

When Lu Youxue was still young, she used to share a room with him. Later, as Lu Youxue grew up and she became an adult woman, even though they were siblings, it wasn’t appropriate for them to share a room.

It was only then that her grandparents cleaned out a storage room for her to use as a bedroom.

The room was dark and damp, with patches of moisture on the wall plaster.

Lu Youxi climbed out of bed and went over to the calendar hanging on the wall.

She truly had returned, returned to twenty years ago.

Lu Youxi could not believe all this, even pinching herself hard.

The real pain reminded her that all of this was true.

“Lu Youxi, what are you dawdling for!” Old Madam Lu’s loud voice came from outside the door again.

Lu Youxi quickly got ready and went to the kitchen.

In reality, it had not been long since dawn had broken.

Upon entering the kitchen, she saw her mother, Liu Yushu, adding firewood to the stove.

“Mom,” Lu Youxi’s voice was hoarse, somewhat difficult to speak.

“Eh!” Liu Yushu pulled Lu Youxi in and secretly handed her a boiled egg, “Eat this first, you don’t need to do any chores. When your grandma comes in a bit, just get up and pretend you’re busy.”

The Lu Family’s elders were severe in their preference for sons over daughters, but Liu Yushu still cherished her daughter.

She had no authority in the household, unable to stand up for herself, but she couldn’t just watch her daughter suffer.

Lu Youxi looked down at the egg in her hand, still hot. She also didn’t overlook her mother’s rough hands, bearing wounds from work.

In her previous life, she resented her grandparents for favoring males over females, resented her father for his foolish filial piety, resented her mother for her weakness, allowing her to be bullied, resented her brother for taking everything from her.

So, when her mother secretly gave her something or treated her kindly, she was even more annoyed.

Being children of the same family, why did everything good have to be done in secret for her?

Why did she have to eat an egg like a thief?

As if she was eating something from the house illicitly, as if she weren’t entitled to eat it at all.

So, every time her mother secretly gave her something, she would throw it back, refusing it.

She still remembered one time, her mother also secretly gave her an egg to eat and told her not to tell anyone; she just turned her face away, said she didn’t want it, and left.

Lu Youxi closed her eyes, to soothe her reddened, sore eyes.

After a while, she looked up only to collide with Liu Yushu’s nervous face, fearing she would refuse again.

Lu Youxi sniffed and nodded with a smile, “Okay.”

Lu Youxi carefully peeled the eggshell as if it were a treasure.

Liu Yushu watched her movements, feeling even more upset.

If the family hadn’t treated Lu Youxi poorly, why would she need to treat a mere egg with such treasured delight as if she had obtained some precious gem?

Lu Youxi threw the peeled eggshells into the fire to destroy the evidence, lest Old Madam Lu see it and create a commotion.

She got up and saw Liu Yushu busy chopping vegetables.

Lu Youxi then broke the egg in two, walked over to Liu Yushu’s side, “Mom, you eat too.”

“I don’t…” Liu Yushu was about to refuse since she had specially saved it for Lu Youxi, not being able to bear to eat it herself.

In this family, only Old Master Lu, Lu Youxi’s dad, and Lu Youxue could have an egg every day.

No one expected Liu Yushu or even Lu Youxi to have any, not even Old Madam Lu.

But Lu Youxi took advantage of the moment Liu Yushu opened her mouth to decline, and promptly stuffed half of the egg into her mother’s mouth.

She also stuffed the other half into her own mouth and ate while watching Liu Yushu with a smile.

Liu Yushu smiled helplessly yet joyfully, looking down and cutting vegetables as she cherished and slowly swallowed down the half egg.

Lu Youxi washed her hands, rolled up her sleeves, and went over to help.

“Aren’t you supposed to rest?” Liu Yushu hurriedly said.

“It’s okay, I’ll help you. If we work together, it’ll be faster and you’ll have an easier time,” Lu Youxi said with a smile.

In her past life, Liu Yushu didn’t want her to work, only to pretend. But Lu Youxi harbored resentment, and if Old Madam Lu caught her, she would be beaten.

So, she thought Liu Yushu, clearly unable to protect her, always gave her bad advice.

Every time, she would work reluctantly, filled with resentment, making a loud clamor.

Liu Yushu was startled for a moment, then bowed her head and used her sleeve to wipe her eyes.

“It’s my fault, I am useless…” “Mom.” Lu Youxi interrupted Liu Yushu’s words. She used to hate when Liu Yushu blamed herself while being unable to change anything, sounding like a perpetual, plaintive mantra. But now, hearing these words, Lu Youxi only felt closeness and heartache. Yet, being tough all her life, she didn’t know how to comfort her mother and could only change the subject to distract Liu Yushu, “Has Youxue left yet?”

Lu Youxue attended school in the town, and since it was quite far away, he left every day before dawn.

“Yes, I packed him a bun and an egg, plus a bag of milk to eat on the way,” Liu Yushu said, then suddenly stopped, regretting mentioning it.

Lu Youxi knew it was because of the milk.

Liu Yushu could secretly give Lu Youxi an egg, but she dared not give her milk.

The milk was bought from the town; one box was bought at a time. The two adult men in the family, plus Lu Youxue, accounted for the days’ consumption.

A missing bag would be noticed by Old Madam Lu.

“Mom,” said Lu Youxi softly, “You don’t have to be so cautious. Before, I was immature and couldn’t understand your difficulties, but I’ve grown up now. I am an adult; I can’t act capriciously like before.”

Since heaven had given her a second chance, she would definitely live differently.

She would no longer be involved with Lin Jingshen, nor have any connections with the Lin Family.

She would also lead her parents and brother to a better life, repaying what she owed them.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Asking for Money Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Asking for Money “Okay,” Liu Yushu nodded incessantly, “You… Once you go off to university, it’ll be fine. It’ll be good once you pass the entrance exams.”

Lu Youxi bowed her head to cook the noodles, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

She had never heard Liu Yushu say such a thing in her past life.

After preparing breakfast, the family went out to work in the fields together in the morning.

By the time it was almost lunch, Liu Yushu and Lu Youxi went back home early to prepare lunch.

Old Master Lu and Lu Zhenguo continued to stay in the fields.

When lunch was nearly ready, Old Master Lu and Lu Zhenguo returned home.

They had just arrived when they heard Ge Guifen, the Second Aunt, shouting at the door, “Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Sister-in-law!”

Following her voice was that of Lu Zhenjia, the Second Uncle.

Liu Yushu and Lu Youxi were in the kitchen; the dishes had just been served.

Lu Youxi, hearing Ge Guifen’s voice, curled her lips in derision, “They really do come sniffing around when they smell food.”

Liu Yushu paused, feeling that Lu Youxi’s words were somewhat off.

As if… they were describing a dog?

Sniffing around and then coming over.

“Shh!” Liu Yushu, who was timid, quickly hushed Lu Youxi, “Don’t let anyone hear you.”

“They won’t hear,” Lu Youxi said with a smile, knowing that Liu Yushu’s timidity wasn’t developed overnight, nor could it change so quickly.

Lu Youxi wasn’t in a hurry; she would take her time.

She and Liu Yushu carried the dishes into the dining hall, where Lu Zhenguo and Ge Guifen were already waiting at the table for their meal, quite consciously.

The lunch was simple: steamed buns with three stir-fried dishes, and a bowl of pickles to accompany the buns.

Ge Guifen nudged Lu Zhenjia with her elbow.

Lu Zhenguo, who was honest and straightforward, seeing Lu Zhenjia and Ge Guifen hesitate to speak, was about to ask.

Lu Youxi, seeing these two, knew they didn’t come with good intentions; they never visited unless there was a reason.

As she noticed Lu Zhenguo about to speak, Lu Youxi said, “Dad, Grandpa, you’ve been working hard in the fields all morning. You must be tired. I’ll go get some white liquor; Uncle and Auntie have come, too. We can all have a drink together.”

Lu Zhenjia had a liking for liquor, and upon hearing Lu Youxi’s proposal, he couldn’t say anything to object.

Old Madam Lu saw it was for her two sons and therefore had no objections.

Old Master Lu nodded his head, feeling that his granddaughter seemed to be acting sensible today.

“Where did we put the liquor again, Dad?” Lu Youxi asked, concerned that Lu Zhenguo might bring it up again if she were not there, pulling Lu Zhenguo along with her.

Lu Zhenguo didn’t think too much about it and stood up to get the liquor with Lu Youxi.

“You Big Girl, make sure to remember the place, so you don’t always have to trouble your dad,” Old Madam Lu couldn’t bear to see her son doing housework.

Lu Youxi pretended not to hear and returned with the liquor, pouring some for the three men at the table.

Unfortunately, while she had stopped Lu Zhenguo from speaking up, she hadn’t managed to stop Old Master Lu.

“What brings you two over today?” Old Master Lu asked.

Lu Zhenjia quickly took his chance to speak up, “Dad… It’s time for Youbang to pay tuition fees and his living expenses for the next two months; we really can’t come up with the money.”

Old Master Lu pondered for a long while before speaking, “Zhenguo…”

“Uncle, demanding that our family pays for cousin’s tuition and living expenses isn’t appropriate, is it?” Lu Youxi said coldly.

Lu Zhenjia slammed his chopsticks down hard on the table, “Men are speaking; what place does a girl like you have to interject?”

Old Master Lu also scowled, scolding Lu Youxi, “The elders are still here, since when does this family allow you to talk?”

“You may not want to hear it, but I have to say it. Our family has strained its resources to send our cousin to university; we’ve done more than enough,” Lu Youxi said loudly. “Hasn’t my mom and dad contributed enough money? To support my cousin through university, Youxue has to go to the town before dawn every day, and how far is that from our village! He can’t even afford to eat at the school cafeteria at noon and has to come back home for food, then rush back to school, sacrificing his rest time. If it weren’t for funding my cousin, Youxue could at least eat lunch at school and rest properly at noon, to better focus on studying in the afternoon. My cousin needs to study; doesn’t Youxue need to study as well?”

Hearing this, Lu Zhenguo fell silent.

He was honest and willing to help his nephew, but he could distinguish between kith and kin.

Youxue was his son; his loyalty was due to Youxue.

Lu Youxi had not realized, and honestly, he himself hadn’t seen how hard Youxue had been working.

“The money for my cousin comes from scrimping on what Youxue eats. My cousin is over twenty, a university student; is it so hard for him to work part-time and study? Does he have to pinch pennies from the mouth of a twelve-year-old child to support himself?” Lu Youxi declared emphatically.

“Big Girl, that’s going too far. It sounds like we owe Youxue,” Ge Guifen couldn’t take it any longer. “Is Youbang attending an ordinary university? He is at Jing University – the top institution in Hua Country! Youbang isn’t just the first university student from our village; he’s the first to attend the nation’s premier institution! Youxi, when you get to university, Youbang will even tutor you for free! You don’t realize how much Jing University’s talents charge for private tutoring. But he’d be available to tutor Youxue at no cost.”

“What are you implying, Auntie? That my cousin had also planned to ask Youxue for money? If he needs tutoring, I can tutor Youxue as well,” Lu Youxi countered coldly.

“You’re not a university student,” sneered Lu Zhenjia.

“I’ve just finished the college entrance exams and will be attending university soon. And I’m confident I will be admitted,” Lu Youxi responded. “Besides, I’ve always been at the top of my class. Forget the university; I am perfectly capable of tutoring Youxue.”

Lu Zhenjia had no comeback for that.

Regardless of anything else, Lu Youxi’s academic achievements were indeed outstanding.

“Besides, since it’s so profitable to tutor as a student of Jing University, my cousin must have made a fair amount, right? Why is he still asking for money for tuition and living expenses? Is it that he can’t earn it through tutoring? Even if he can’t earn tuition, isn’t it possible to make enough for his own living expenses?” Lu Youxi challenged.

Ge Guifen was dumbstruck by Lu Youxi’s questioning.

Lu Zhenjia was quicker to react, immediately justifying, “Your cousin has a heavy study load; where does he have the time to tutor others? He’s only willing to sacrifice his time to teach Youxue, who is our own family, and doesn’t even charge for it!”

“Exactly! Besides, we’re asking mom and dad for a loan, not a handout, and certainly not asking for anything from you,” Ge Guifen yelled, her voice growing louder.

“The grandparents live with us, and the daily expenses are all covered by our family without using the grandparents’ money. In addition to the daily expenses, we also provide them with extra retirement money. The grandparents say they’re saving it for their old age. How did they manage to save their retirement fund? It’s because we support them, and they don’t spend the money they save. Moreover, that retirement money? It’s what our family manages to give the grandparents every month. When you ask the grandparents for money, remember that it’s also coming from us.”