25
All Tough People: Strong Action Ability
The answer was no.
Although in the movie The Herdsman, the male lead obtained a marriage certificate without showing up, that scenario had its prerequisites.
In the provincial capital of 1990, for employed individuals with formal work units, obtaining a marriage certificate required first applying for official documentation from their respective workplaces.
This process couldn’t be bypassed or delegated. Work units maintained strict scrutiny, and no one would risk creating complications in such matters.
Fabricating stories would mean smearing her workplace’s reputation. Having painstakingly built her image as a healthy, proactive elite professional, she couldn’t let it crumble at this critical juncture.
Realizing this, Wang Xiao promptly shut her mouth, avoiding further self-humiliation.
Fearing she might continue spouting nonsense, Ruan Rui threatened: “You even enlisted your high school classmate to process our marriage certificate. Surely you won’t deny that now? They’ve been diligent in their work – don’t ruin someone’s career with your careless words.”
Chen Yanqiu had turned deathly pale, clutching her chest speechlessly.
Terrified, Wang Xiao rushed to pat her mother’s back, snapping at Ruan Rui: “Stop shouting! Who are you trying to intimidate? Even if I was temporarily deceived into getting this certificate, I’ve now seen the light. I want a divorce!”
Chen Yanqiu finally caught her breath.
Seeing her daughter’s marriage certificate earlier had plunged her into despair. For a moment, she’d even suspected her daughter’s “runaway bride” act was merely strategic, that she’d never truly given up on Ruan Rui.
But now Xiao Xiao’s declaration and divorce demand proved that however foolish she’d been, she’d finally come to her senses.
Yet this wretched girl remained utterly thoughtless – how could she conceal something as significant as a marriage certificate, leaving their entire family vulnerable to manipulation?
No wonder Ruan Rui had been so bold, publicly threatening they’d regret not proceeding with the wedding. Of course he could afford such arrogance – obtaining the certificate without even a wedding ceremony, leaving the bride to slink shamefaced into the groom’s household, forever disgraced.
What a perfect laughingstock!
Dowry expectations? Forget it.
Everyone would know the woman’s family was desperate to marry her off, fearful she might be rejected.
This thought alone made Chen Yanqiu feel suffocated.
Divorce – it must happen immediately. They must cut their losses before children complicated matters.
This was modern society, not feudal times. No one expected women to remain loyal to unworthy husbands. When you’ve fallen into a fire pit, you scramble out immediately.
“Divorce. Get divorced right now,” Chen Yanqiu glared venomously at Ruan Rui. “If you’re any kind of man, stop tormenting people.”
Ruan Rui didn’t even glance at his nominal mother-in-law. He’d never respected the Wang couple, because Wang Xiao herself showed them no regard.
Had she truly cared about her parents, she wouldn’t have dragged him to secretly obtain the certificate despite their vehement opposition.
His attention remained fixed on Wang Xiao, his tone icy: “You really want divorce? No regrets? Who was it that insisted on getting this certificate anyway?”
He’d never intended to marry formally. Had he not needed someone to care for his child, he wouldn’t have considered settling down in this provincial capital.
How could sparrows understand the ambition of swans? He’d already ascended to higher realms – what could these provincial commoners possibly offer him?
He really shouldn’t have softened in that moment, seeing her pitiful tears, and agreed to get the marriage certificate.
Later, he certainly didn’t indulge her.
Running away on the wedding day, thinking she could manipulate him and force him to beg?
Dream on!
How dare she!
He turned around and left, saving the wedding banquet expenses anyway. A cheap woman throwing herself at him like that didn’t deserve a single cent from him.
Hiding outside for half a month after jilting him, thinking he’d search everywhere and lower his head to her?
She really overestimates herself. Soon enough, she’ll come crawling back to beg him.
This drama works out fine—it keeps her so-called parents from actually believing they raised some precious daughter, treating her like a treasure.
Marrying him was the greatest fortune she could’ve obtained in eight lifetimes.
If not for understanding this, would a young virgin cling to him so desperately?
Isn’t it precisely because, given her circumstances (she couldn’t even get into a prestigious university, proving her brain’s no good), she could never find a man better than him?
He looked down on Wang Xiao and was happy to delay her entry into the family.
This way, he could control her entire family, making them recognize their place and stop deluding themselves about having a say in his affairs.
This time, Ruan Rui condescended to actively seek out the Wang family’s door purely because his daughter needed care, and his mother complained about being too old to handle everything alone, insisting the daughter-in-law hurry up and enter the household to serve the whole family’s meals.
Besides, after his demotion to high school librarian, his income had plummeted, and the family was struggling financially.
Now that winter had arrived, since she’d married into the Ruan family, she ought to show filial respect to his parents and help with the child—at the very least, she should provide winter clothes.
With her low intelligence, marrying him—a master’s graduate from a prestigious university, a proper young scholar—was a reach, so she definitely needed to contribute money.
In ancient times, when merchant-class women married up, didn’t they bring hefty dowries too?
This is the most basic principle of human interaction.
Coincidentally, Wang Xiao’s act of bravery had been televised, and his high school colleagues were extremely envious, saying she’d likely receive at least a thousand yuan in rewards from the province.
He wasn’t being mercenary, fixated on those measly sums.
He was considering Wang Xiao’s interests.
Running off without a word, staying away for so long, causing such a scene—his family was very displeased.
He was giving Wang Xiao a chance to make amends in front of his family, to earn their forgiveness.
Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all things. After all, they’d already gotten the marriage certificate, and he didn’t want constant turmoil at home.
That’s why he condescended to visit the Wang residence.
But no one answered the door—did they expect him to wait foolishly outside?
He couldn’t bear that humiliation, so of course he let himself in.
Rude! They really were uncouth brutes, beating him without even asking for an explanation.
He figured she was terrified of not being disliked enough by her in-laws.
Fortunately, Wang Xiao couldn’t read minds. If she could decipher Ruan Rui’s thought process, she’d have sent him straight to a mental hospital.
What level of brain damage—probably every cell paralyzed—would produce such bizarre thinking?
Forcing his way into living off others to this extent truly made him a capital-T Talent.
She sneered at Ruan Rui, “What, can’t bear to divorce? Figures. Someone like you—a pewter spearhead, the patriarch of freeloaders—what can you do besides swindle and cheat? Useless coward, a whole family of impoverished-hearted ingrates. The sight of you makes me sick! Not even a matrilocal marriage would take you in.”
Ruan Rui’s face flushed the color of liver.
He prided himself as a distinguished son from a humble background, aloof and above worldly concerns—how could he possibly endure such humiliation?
“Fine, don’t you regret this!” His eyes blazing with fury, he pointed viciously at Wang Xiao. “We’ll get the divorce certificate tomorrow! Whoever backs out is a grandson! Even if you strip naked and kowtow begging on your knees, I won’t give you another glance.”
Wang Xiao sneered, “Deal! Whoever doesn’t show up is a turtle-spawned bastard, with eight generations of turtle ancestors!”
The factory security guard was stunned.
The steel plant was like one big family, and he’d watched Wang Xiao grow up since childhood.
She used to be such a quiet girl—how had she become like this?
It seemed the saying “A woman fears marrying the wrong man” held true. Once a woman married poorly, she’d surely go mad.
He hurried to mediate, “Alright, alright, since it’s settled, hurry home now.”
“No way!” Ruan Rui immediately jumped up in protest. “Don’t think you can brush me off like this.”
Wang Xiao chuckled mockingly, “Oh, can’t wait to be a turtle-grandson already? I’ve never eaten a single meal at your family’s expense—what else are you trying to extort?”
Ruan Rui wished he could strangle this woman. Pointing at his bruised and swollen face, he roared, “You colluded with your pretty-boy lover to beat me up like this! You owe me compensation!”
Wang Xiao denied without hesitation, “I never laid a finger on you. If you’re going to fake injuries, at least open your eyes wider.”
The guard rubbed his temples, “Enough, wasn’t it already clarified as a misunderstanding? You have a mouth—why didn’t you speak up at the time?”
“Exactly,” Wang Xiao chimed in. “You trespassed into private property—of course everyone assumed you were a thief.”
Ruan Rui was nearly insane with rage, “Stop playing dumb! You’re the one who had the key copied for me!”
He waved their marriage certificate before the guard, “Look carefully! We’re legally married—she’s the one who gave me the key.”
The guard grew hesitant. With the marriage certificate, this became a domestic dispute—likely the key wasn’t illegally copied after all.
But Wang Xiao stood firm, “So what if we’re married? Uncle, let me ask you—do you have a key to your mother-in-law’s house?”
Huh? The guard, suddenly addressed, paused before instinctively shaking his head.
Of course not.
If he had his mother-in-law’s house key, his brother-in-law would be deeply offended—whose family would that belong to anyway?
Wang Xiao felt vindicated.
She knew it. Why did people say “marrying out” and “marrying in”? Never mind sons-in-law—even married women rarely kept keys to their parental homes.
She clung stubbornly to this argument, while Ruan Rui couldn’t produce evidence proving she’d indeed copied the key for him. Outnumbered on her turf, he could only retreat in bitter defeat.
As the group exited the security office, Wang Xiao taunted, “Remember the deal! Whoever doesn’t show up tomorrow is a turtle-grandson!”
Ruan Rui, nearly bursting with fury, spat, “I must’ve been cursed for eight lifetimes to end up with a bitch like you!”
Chen Yanqiu trembled with rage, ready to strike, but Wang Xiao pulled her back, smirking scornfully at Ruan Rui, “Great! Go find your high-class woman then. The sooner you leave, the better.”
The faster he disappeared, the less trouble he’d cause.
She couldn’t bear seeing his disgusting face anymore.
She only doubted he had what it took—who’d want worthless trash anyway?
The two parties went their separate ways, returning to their respective homes.
Chen Yanqiu opened and closed her mouth several times beside them, wanting to curse her daughter for such audacious stupidity, but fearing to provoke rebellion, she forcibly swallowed her words, choking back waves of bitterness and rage.
This is the sorrow of a mother who only has her children’s best interests at heart—she doesn’t even dare to lose her temper.
Wang Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly slipped back to her room upon returning home. She had no intention of enduring another round of scolding on behalf of the original owner.
Apart from being patient when it came to making money, her temper was far from pleasant at other times.
Forget it, forget it. Better to get a divorce quickly and make a clean break, rather than continue entangled in the original storyline.
It was too much of a hindrance to her money-making plans.
Little did she know that while her thoughts were well-intentioned, reality had other plans. Ruan Rui, who had been shouting yesterday that anyone who didn’t divorce was a coward, had completely changed after a night’s sleep. He refused to show his face and adamantly declined to divorce.
Chen Yanqiu was nearly driven mad with anger.
“You foolish girl! How could you steal the household register to get a marriage certificate? Now you understand the consequences, don’t you? It’s easy for a woman to lose her head, but getting a divorce is harder than climbing to the sky!”
Was Ruan Rui refusing to divorce because he couldn’t bear to part with their daughter?
Nonsense! He was determined to bleed their family dry, to take everything they had until nothing remained!
The more Chen Yanqiu thought about it, the angrier she became. She turned to her husband and said, “Don’t you have several brothers? If it comes to it, we can adopt one of their sons. Let’s see if that Ruan fellow can still devour our family’s legacy!”
Without any benefits, given how he looked down on their daughter, he probably wouldn’t even bother putting on a half-minute act.
Wang Xiao quickly intervened.
“Oh, my dear mother, please calm down. It’s easy to invite trouble in, but hard to send it away. If you really adopt a son, it would be like letting a wolf into the house. You’ll have plenty of reasons to cry later.”
“Now you’re being wise after the event? If you had any brains, you wouldn’t have stolen the household register to get that marriage certificate!”
Wang Xiao was also frustrated.
In 1990, there was no mandatory cooling-off period for divorce, but adhering to the principle of voluntary marriage, if the husband refused to sign, it would be endlessly troublesome.
Her eyes lit up with an idea, and she tried to console her furious mother: “Don’t worry, I’ll find someone to make him agree.”
Who could she find?
To untie the bell, the one who tied it must be found.
Of course, she would go to the factory district’s kindergarten to find the original owner’s “good friend,” Zhang Yan.
To be honest, she hadn’t originally planned to trouble Zhang Yan. After all, her life goal was to make money, not to seek revenge for the original owner.
She owed nothing to the original owner. Being transmigrated into a book was hardly her choice—it was like waking up and finding herself back in the pre-liberation era.
Even if Zhang Yan were to be abandoned by everyone and live a miserable life, Wang Xiao would, at most, watch the spectacle. The pleasure derived from others’ tragedies could never compare to the joy of earning a million yuan.
She’d rather spend her time figuring out how to make money.
Moreover, as a woman herself, she understood all too well that in matters between men and women, women were naturally at a disadvantage. No matter what, it was always the woman who suffered.
Using such matters to attack a woman was simply beneath her.
Given all these considerations, did that mean she wouldn’t trouble Zhang Yan?
How could that be!
Although she presented herself as righteous and noble, she was far from being a saint.
In business warfare, there was no distinction between high and low tactics. Whatever achieved the goal, even if it meant unplugging someone’s internet cable, was the highest form of strategy.
Since it was Zhang Yan who had introduced the original owner to the Zhongshan wolf, it was now her responsibility to make Ruan Rui sign the divorce papers.
“Impossible,” Zhang Yan flatly refused. “Why would he listen to me? This is your problem, it has nothing to do with me.”
As the original owner’s close friend, she was well aware that the two had obtained their marriage certificate early. She had assumed they had already finalized the divorce, never expecting that they were still legally married.
Wang Xiao sneered, “No problem? Are you sure? Do I have to remind you what you’ve done, or help spread the word for you? That love letter of yours was quite well-written—I can’t bear to throw it away.”
Zhang Yan couldn’t help but tense up, putting on a bold front despite her fear: “Don’t you dare cause trouble!” Then she softened her tone, “What can I do? I can’t fix this.”
“Just marry him and be done with it. After all, he’s looking for another wife, and you love him so much.”
“No!” Zhang Yan’s voice instinctively shot up an octave, “Have I lost my mind to go be a stepmother?”
Well, well, finally the truth comes out. No more pretending to be all loving and emphasizing how noble it is to be a stepmother. Tsk, tsk, how did she manage to fool the original protagonist back then?
Realizing she’d slipped up, Zhang Yan said awkwardly, “I can’t compare to you. You’re capable, able to stand up to your parents. I can’t do that.”
Wang Xiao’s face darkened: “Zhang Yan, have I been too polite to you, making you take it for granted? I’m not asking you now—I’m demanding that you get Ruan Rui to sign the divorce papers. … What’s that look for? Who are you making faces at? Are my words going in one ear and out the other? Do I have to take your love letter to the factory, the Education Bureau, and the Industrial Bureau to demand an explanation from the leaders? What do you call your behavior of wrecking someone else’s marriage? Home-wrecking, hooliganism! Have you forgotten the crackdown so soon? Do you need to see the inside of a prison or taste a bullet to remember?”
Zhang Yan shuddered all over, forcing herself to stand straight: “You… who are you trying to scare? What have I done? How could they possibly arrest me?”
Wang Xiao smiled and nodded: “Hmm, in a society ruled by law, we shouldn’t arrest people arbitrarily. But someone as morally corrupt as you—are you fit to be a teacher? You’ll corrupt the flowers of our nation. I’d like to see if you can keep your teaching job! Fine, as long as I haven’t gotten the divorce papers, I’ll openly report you, this home-wrecking scum! You’ve destroyed the marriage of an advanced producer—your crime is unforgivable!”
Zhang Yan turned pale with fright, pleading repeatedly: “Don’t, Xiao Xiao, we’re best friends…”
“Enough, you’re not worthy.” Disgusted, Wang Xiao added fuel to the fire, “Don’t think I’m setting you up. Think about it—in your current situation, what good prospects can you find? Or are you still hoping Xiang Dong will come back to you?”
That was impossible.
After the fiasco in mid-October, no matter how much she begged, Xiang Dong ignored her. His family even sent people to take back the Narcissus washing machine and Wanbao refrigerator they’d given her family.
Her parents couldn’t stop them and beat her so badly she didn’t dare show her face for three days, yet Xiang Dong didn’t feel the slightest bit sorry for her.
Damn country bumpkin from some rural backwater. If it weren’t for his money, would she have looked twice at him? Being able to marry a city girl with a stable teaching job—his ancestors must have been burning incense.
She hadn’t even minded becoming a “half-household” with him, and now he had the nerve to reject her? He never truly loved her. If he had, he would have tolerated her like in those romance novels.
Wang Xiao had no time to wait for her to finish her daydreams and directly cut off her nonsense: “So, right now, Ruan Rui is your best option. Even if we set that aside, isn’t he partly responsible for this mess? If he hadn’t given you the wrong idea, would you have written him that love letter?”
These words truly hit the mark for Zhang Yan, who considered herself an idealistic and ambitious woman of the new era.
Wang Xiao continued her earnest persuasion, feeling no psychological burden about misleading others: “Besides, he’s at least a senior intellectual and even worked as a university lecturer in Beijing. Who knows when he might get transferred back there? Then you’d be living in Beijing as a family—what prestige that would bring.”
Zhang Yan’s heart raced wildly. Beijing—that was Beijing! Provincial cities might seem impressive to country folk, but how could they compare to the capital?
“Many administrative staff at our university are professors’ wives. Ruan Rui is a talented young scholar with an outstanding academic reputation. When he returns to a Beijing university, the institution will surely arrange employment for family members. Then you’d go from being a kindergarten teacher to a university staff member.”
Zhang Yan’s heart nearly leaped out of her throat, yet her wariness remained intact: “If it’s so wonderful, why are you insisting on divorce?”
Wang Xiao sighed with feigned helplessness: “I can’t handle his Jiaojiao. That girl hates me so much, and Ruan Rui dotes on his daughter—I could never win against that little brat. When the whole family gangs up against me, what could I possibly do?”
No sooner had she spoken than a short, stout figure came charging into the classroom.
After Jiaojiao and her father Ruan Rui had been transferred back to their hometown from Beijing, connections had secured her enrollment in the factory-affiliated kindergarten. This was how Zhang Yan, as a kindergarten teacher, came to play matchmaker.
Now, the little girl glared at Wang Xiao with her chin raised so high it seemed her neck might snap, her tone unbearably arrogant: “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be my mom anymore? Why are you still pestering my dad? Grandma was right—you’re just shameless, can’t even sleep without a man.”
Wang Xiao couldn’t be bothered with the child, simply spreading her hands toward Zhang Yan: “See? I can’t control her at all. Not like you could.”
She glanced down at the stout little figure with a mocking smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t be your stepmother. You like Teacher YanYan, don’t you? Tell your dad—ask him to make Teacher YanYan your new mom! Your dad loves you most—he’ll definitely listen to you.”
Unexpectedly, the short little devil proved cunning despite her youth, immediately shrieking: “No! I only want my own mom! I don’t want anyone else! You wicked woman!”
She even shoved Zhang Yan, who had been about to hug her, then rolled out of the classroom like an angry ball.
Staggering from the push, Zhang Yan’s face darkened as she cursed through gritted teeth: “Little bastard!”
Wang Xiao smiled lightly: “Out of sight, out of mind. I’m leaving now—we have an agreement about this matter. I need an answer within the week. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what my mouth or feet might do.”
Zhang Yan’s face contorted before she forced composure: “But you saw for yourself, that child…”
“You’ll definitely find a way,” Wang Xiao replied smoothly. “You’re so clever—you’ll figure it out.”
Zhang Yan reluctantly saw her guest out the kindergarten gate. Turning back, she spotted Jiaojiao swinging on the playground and inwardly cursed: Little bastard!
That’s right—how could an adult like her fail to handle a mere child? Out of sight, out of mind. Eventually, she’d send both the brat and that wretched old woman to the countryside. Then she and Ruan Rui would have a son of their own.
Hmph! Once a man has a son, why would he still care about the daughter his ex-wife abandoned?
When Ruan Rui got transferred back to Beijing, naturally they’d enjoy their perfect life as a family of three.
Just wait, you little bitch born from an old whore.
After setting the trap for someone, Wang Xiao left without the slightest psychological burden.
She had no time to waste; she still had to continue with her business.
What kind of business? Of course, it’s the hotel six small items. Since they’ve already realized the need to upgrade services by providing free scented soap to travelers, items like combs, toothpaste, and toothbrushes naturally must also be supplied.
This province has a well-developed light industry, and Xin County has everything you could need—besides the soap factory, there are toothpaste factories, comb factories, and more. It’s a classic case of “small but complete.”
So, following the principle of proximity, they decided to handle everything right in Xin County.
With a supply source and ready-made sales channels, if she didn’t seize this opportunity to make money, she wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
Wang Xiao happily went to the braised food shop to buy Mao Roast Duck, bringing it home to add to dinner.
Wang Tiejun was already home and had also brought back a portion of chestnut braised chicken from the cafeteria. Perfect—now all they needed was to cook a cabbage and egg soup and prepare rice, and dinner would be settled.
But by the time the rice was ready, the sky outside had already darkened, and Doctor Chen Yanqiu still hadn’t returned home.
Wang Tiejun, worried that the Mao Roast Duck would lose its flavor if it got cold, muttered under his breath, “That old woman must be gossiping with someone again, forgetting to come home.”
Just as Wang Xiao was about to stand up and offer to go with her father to find her mother, the door opened.
Ms. Chen Yanqiu burst in, her face flushed with excitement: “Old Wang, come on, hurry up, let’s go catch them in the act at the kindergarten.”
Wang Tiejun was utterly confused: “Kindergarten? Good heavens, it’s late at night—aren’t you going to eat? Why meddle in other people’s business?”
“What do you mean, other people’s business? It’s our business! That bastard surnamed Ruan and that little slut Zhang Yan.”
She had stayed late at work to treat a young worker who injured his hand on a machine.
On her way home, she happened to see Zhang Yan and Ruan Rui with their arms around each other. Instead of going home, the adulterous pair actually went to the kindergarten.
Sensing something was off, she followed them inside and hid outside the window to watch.
Good heavens, they were already taking their clothes off.
How could she miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
Without another word, Doctor Chen rushed home to gather reinforcements.
Wang Tiejun was so furious that the veins on his temples bulged, roaring like thunder: “Let’s go! Call Old Zhang and Old Tang—if I don’t beat that bastard to death today, I won’t be surnamed Wang!”
He had always looked down on that guy surnamed Ruan, but for him to openly carry on with someone before even divorcing his daughter—that was a direct slap in the face.
Some things are simply intolerable.
Wang Xiao stood there, stunned and speechless.
Goodness gracious, you really can’t underestimate people in 1990. They move fast—Zhang Yan wasted no time making her move.