Xu Xing had always believed Jiang Yu was the traditional type—the virtuous wife and good mother figure.
She worked tirelessly in the Shen household, gentle and considerate toward Shen Chengyan, almost obedient to the point of unquestioning compliance.
Every time Xu Xing saw her, Jiang Yu acted like a diligent housewife—reserved in speech, careful in everything she did.
She had even once seen her crouching down to help Shen Chengyan change his shoes.
Back then, Xu Xing had even complained to her own mother that Jiang Yu was like a Japanese-style wife—just one step away from kneeling service.
But today, she realized Jiang Yu was actually quite… unconventional.
The more Xu Xing talked with her, the more they clicked.
“Big sis-in-law, let me say something fair,” Xu Xing said. “My cousin is already extremely outstanding in our second-generation circle. Don’t do anything silly like giving him up.”
A man like that would still be highly sought after even after divorce.
And Jiang Yu might not necessarily find someone better than him later.
She was only advising her out of goodwill—especially since she had received a free luxury bag from her.
Jiang Yu smiled faintly. “I know he’s excellent. Otherwise I wouldn’t have spent five years with him.”
That sounded a little off.
Xu Xing deliberately said, “Exactly. If I had a husband like that, I’d never divorce him. Not even for money.”
Jiang Yu took a sip of coffee. The bitter taste spread across her tongue as she spoke slowly.
“Were you there two years ago during New Year? Do you remember the game you guys made him play, and what he said when he lost?”
Xu Xing thought for a moment and nodded.
“Oh, you mean Truth or Dare? Of course I remember. The classic question—if your wife and your mother fell into the water, who would you save first. I still remember my cousin’s answer.”
That New Year’s Eve, the wind was strong and snow was falling heavily.
The elders had forbidden them from going out, so the younger generation stayed indoors playing games and watching the Spring Festival Gala.
Shen Chengyan had joined them for a couple of rounds.
But his luck was terrible—he lost both rounds.
The first round, he chose Dare and was forced to eat a mouthful of wasabi.
The second round, he immediately chose Truth.
Everyone had expected him to be put on the spot, but he answered calmly:
“My wife can swim. She won’t just wait for me to save her.”
The one who asked the question, Shen Ping, immediately added, “Then change it—what if all three of you can’t swim?”
Shen Chengyan looked at him like he was asking something stupid.
“If I also can’t swim, why would I jump in to save anyone? I would shout for help, or find a branch, or call emergency services. There are plenty of options. Why must I jump in and die for nothing? Is it because families must always die together?”
Shen Ping got anxious. “What if you can’t shout? There are no branches, and your phone is dead—you must jump in!”
Xu Xing laughed just remembering it.
“My cousin looked like he was about to curse, but he still answered politely. He said the question was meaningless and stupid, but if he had to give an answer, he would save his mother.”
Jiang Yu shrugged.
Xu Xing glanced at her. “Big sis-in-law, do you think that answer was too much?”
Jiang Yu shook her head. “No. But a partner is still allowed to feel hurt.”
Xu Xing smiled. “But he actually had another answer.”
Jiang Yu paused. “Another?”
“Yes,” Xu Xing said. “He said his mother mattered, but his wife mattered too. Out of duty, he would save his mother. But out of love, he would choose to sink into the water with his wife. If they couldn’t be born in the same year, month, and day, then they would die together.”
Jiang Yu went silent for a long time.
Xu Xing ate a spoonful of chocolate mousse, eyes narrowing in satisfaction as it melted in her mouth.
“At that moment, my hopeless-romantic self thought it was super romantic.”
Because sometimes, what women care about isn’t the answer itself—
but the attitude behind it.
Jiang Yu rested her chin on her hand, stirring her coffee slowly. “But I only heard that he said his mother comes first.”
Xu Xing widened her eyes. “So that’s why you want to divorce him?”
Jiang Yu curled her lips. “Not really. Back then I was hurt. But now I want a divorce simply because I’m sick of him. I can’t live like this anymore.”
……
After finishing coffee, Jiang Yu had no mood for shopping.
She said goodbye to Xu Xing and drove back to the villa.
On the way, she briefly considered going to Shen Chengyan’s apartment.
If he disappeared for months like he sometimes did before their marriage, how would she even discuss divorce?
But she gave up the idea.
If he wasn’t at the apartment, it would be pointless.
When she got home, she saw a message from Xu Xing:
“Big sis-in-law, I don’t mind second-hand luxury bags. If you don’t want them, you can give them to me~”
Jiang Yu: “……”
Before going to bed, she called Shen Chengyan again.
Still unreachable.
Irritation built up in her chest.
Thinking of what Xu Xing said earlier, she grew even more annoyed.
She pulled up his photo on her phone and punched the screen hard a few times.
“Block me again, block me again! I’ll show you what blocking me means!”
“You shameless bastard! I’m going to live to a hundred—who would sink into the ocean of love with you!”
After that, her hand even hurt.
The irritation didn’t fade the next day either.
She didn’t want to wait passively like she had before, day after day.
So this time, she didn’t hesitate.
She drove straight to Shen Group.
At the front desk, she said she wanted to see President Shen.
The receptionist smiled politely. “Do you have an appointment?”
Jiang Yu took off her sunglasses. “Do I look familiar to you?”
The receptionist blinked. “Not really…”
“Look closer. I usually keep a low profile.”
“I’m sorry… I still don’t recognize you.”
“I’m here for the first time, you might not know me yet. I’m President Shen’s wife.”
The receptionist: “……”
Whether or not she was the President’s wife aside—
she said it was her first time here, so how could anyone recognize her?!
The receptionist, clearly an experienced employee, replied carefully.
“Sorry, we have procedures. Without an appointment, we can’t let you in. Could you please call President Shen to confirm your identity?”
Jiang Yu looked like she was about to break down.
“I would if I could. He’s had me blocked for days.”
The receptionist: “……”
Seeing the receptionist’s expression cracking, Jiang Yu gave up.
“Forget it. I’ll wait in the lounge. He should be off work soon.”
But what she ended up waiting for wasn’t Shen Chengyan—
it was Hu Youyue.