“Clang—” Cheng Yixin slammed the noodle bowl down on the stove, yanked the towel from the iron wire, wiped her hands hard, and then stormed back into her room, slamming the door behind her.
Jiang Nan continued with her plan, waiting left and right, but no money arrived. She didn’t need to guess—clearly the heroine intended to stall until her brother came home, then hand over the money in front of him just for show.
Jiang Nan wasn’t about to indulge that habit. She braced herself, stood up, and decided to go ask for it herself. Slowly she walked to the doorway, just in time to see Mother Cheng finishing up. She opened the door and pushed her three whining children outside, coaxing and scolding them in turns, demanding they go tell their friends that the isolation scheme from a few days ago no longer counted.
The three kids were obviously unwilling, their lips pouted so far they could hang an oil bottle. When they saw Jiang Nan, they seemed to know she was the one who tattled. They dared to glare at her. The twins were a little better—at least they knew she was their aunt, an elder, so they didn’t dare show it too openly. But the roast-pork son was brazen, sticking out his tongue at her with his chin raised: “Snitch!”
Jiang Nan didn’t get angry. She just looked at him with a blank face, which was enough to make him shrink his neck in fear.
Mother Cheng, anxious and protective, couldn’t bear to see her daughter-in-law scold her eldest grandson. She kept pushing them out the door: “Go on, once you’ve said it you can come back. Grandma will make cookies with milk powder for you.”
Only then did the three reluctantly leave.
Even after they were gone, Mother Cheng craned her neck at the doorway, desperate to supervise them herself, afraid they’d miss someone or fail to deliver the message properly. She only relaxed when she saw them enter a household in the distance. Turning back, she found Jiang Nan leaning against the doorframe, watching her. Mother Cheng’s temper flared, and she muttered under her breath: “If you’d stopped them earlier, none of this would’ve happened!”
Jiang Nan found it amusing. Even if she hadn’t stopped them, those little brats could never have pulled it off.
After all, Director Zhou’s rank was what it was. Adults understood social niceties, but children didn’t. Once they slipped up and parents found out, or if the kids themselves were sharp little schemers, they’d never join in such nonsense.
That’s why Jiang Nan hadn’t bothered. As for whether this might damage the Cheng family’s or Cheng Denglin’s reputation—what did that matter to someone already planning divorce?
“Why are you up?” Mother Cheng frowned again.
At mealtimes she acted like a pampered young lady, waiting for food to be carried into her room. Other than going to the toilet, she hardly left her bed. And now—why was she up?
Jiang Nan chuckled at the remark. “I’m going to ask little sister for the money.”
Mother Cheng’s face darkened further. “Xiao Nan, must you draw such hard lines within one family? Do you have to make things so cold and distant?”
Jiang Nan was speechless. “Mom, so when little sister brings her two children to eat and drink off us for free, that’s not called distant. But when her brother and I are short on cash, and I ask her to contribute her rightful share, to shoulder a bit of the burden—that’s suddenly called distant?”
Mother Cheng wanted to argue back. She remembered clearly the promise she’d once made to subsidize her daughter. Though her son had been the one giving the money, her daughter-in-law hadn’t known. But now, meeting her daughter-in-law’s pitch-black eyes and that half-smiling, half-sarcastic expression, the words stuck in her throat. Her daughter-in-law knew.
Bang! The bedroom door of Father and Mother Cheng was yanked open, slamming against the wall with a heavy crash.
Father Cheng stood there, face full of fury. “Xiao Jiang, what do you mean by ‘eat and drink for free’? This is Yixin’s mother’s home. Denglin is Yixin’s own brother. It is only right that he cares for his widowed sister and her fatherless children. You have no place to criticize!”
Jiang Nan looked at the man who, in the original host’s memory, had always been “silent and fair.” She laughed. “Dad, if little sister were underage, or unemployed, without the ability to support herself, then of course she should eat and drink at home—I’d have no objection. But is that the case?”
Her gaze swept over the self-righteous couple until their eyes began to flicker away. Then she continued: “Little sister has a job, a salary, ration coupons. These past two or three years, neither I nor Cheng Denglin have taken a single penny from her. As for Xiaoxiao and Mingsheng—aside from the clothes on their backs, every candy, snack, milk powder, and bottle of milk has come from Cheng Hao’s share. When it wasn’t enough, Mom would secretly use the living expenses we handed over to buy more. When even that wasn’t enough, she’d go ask Denglin. Did I ever say a word?”
She sneered. “Don’t blame me for speaking bluntly. If Cheng Yixin calls me ‘Mom,’ I’ve earned it. Walk around the whole family compound—how many mothers-in-law can compare to me, letting their daughters bring children to live here and eat for free for two or three years?”
“You… what nonsense are you spouting!”
The little tricks they thought were well hidden had been laid bare without warning. Mother Cheng flushed red with shame and anger, gasping as though she couldn’t breathe. Father Cheng was much the same. Jiang Nan ignored them. Their health was fine—they’d live into their eighties. A bit of anger wouldn’t kill them. She turned her head toward Cheng Yixin’s door. Even with all this commotion, she hadn’t come out to look.
Jiang Nan smirked. That was the heroine’s way—whatever she wanted, someone else would fight for her. She herself just sat back and enjoyed the benefits. The villains were always others. She only had to act torn and helpless, then later pour out her “sincere feelings,” talk about her difficulties, thank her helpers, and she’d still come out looking soft-hearted and kind.
Unfortunately, in this story, Jiang Nan was the “villain.” She straightened up, walked directly to the door, and knocked. “Little sister, have you finished counting the money? Or is it that you can’t break the bills? No problem—just bring it out; I’ve got change.”
Inside, there was no response for a long time, so Jiang Nan kept knocking.
Mother Cheng was furious, her voice trembling. “Xiao Nan, must you force your sister like this?”
Jiang Nan looked genuinely puzzled. “Mom, how am I the one forcing her…?”
“That’s enough! How much is it? I’ll give it to you!” Father Cheng finally lost patience, unwilling to watch the farce drag on.
Jiang Nan raised her brows and smiled. “Seventy‑two yuan and twenty‑five cents. Thank you, Dad.” As long as the money reached her hand, it didn’t matter who paid. Children were always their parents’ debt, after all.
Seeing Father Cheng turn back into the room to fetch the money, Jiang Nan couldn’t help sighing. Truly, they were the heroine’s parents. To be fair, Father Cheng and Mother Cheng treated Cheng Yixin with boundless love, doting on her to the bone. To be born their daughter was a blessing. But for the daughter‑in‑law being drained dry, it was far less friendly.
Jiang Nan immediately tossed aside that fleeting bit of sentiment.
Before long, Father Cheng returned, standing at the doorway and handing the money toward Mother Cheng. She reluctantly took it, then even more reluctantly passed it to Jiang Nan.
Jiang Nan accepted cheerfully, counted it on the spot, and only after confirming it was correct did she say: “Thank you, Dad and Mom. Little sister is truly fortunate to have parents like you!”
But— If they were this generous, they were perfect targets for debt collection.
So Jiang Nan called out toward Father Cheng, who had already gone back inside: “By the way, Dad, you just said it’s only natural for Denglin to care for his sister, and I have no right to interfere. I agree. But as a sister‑in‑law, in reason and in feeling, I have no obligation to support my husband’s younger sister, do I? Then why don’t you reimburse me for all the extra living expenses I’ve covered these past years?”
Her voice rang clear and crisp, pounding in Mother Cheng and Father Cheng’s ears until they felt dizzy.
This was the very definition of “pressing the snake with a stick.”
Mother Cheng let out a wail and burst into tears, loud enough to alarm the neighbors. “Xiao Nan, what are you trying to do today? Must you tear this family apart before you’re satisfied?”
“Yes,” Jiang Nan replied casually, then added, “I don’t want to live like this anymore.”
Mother Cheng’s sobs cut off abruptly. Her face streaked with tears, her expression twisted.
Cheng Yixin, who had just heard her father take out money and was about to come comfort her mother, froze in shock. What had that woman just said?
Jiang Nan ignored the mother and daughter. Calm and composed, she moved to the bench by the dining table and sat down. She had originally planned to wait until after her confinement month to bring up divorce. But today, with money disputes piling on top of words, the moment had arrived sooner than expected. Better to say it now than waste energy every day dealing with that mother and daughter—petty and exhausting.
“Only once the property is divided clearly can we divorce properly.”
“Di… divorce?” Mother Cheng’s voice shook. How had things come to this? In an instant she shook her head. Impossible! Her daughter‑in‑law had no grounds for divorce. Leaving aside her predatory natal family, she herself was barren and remarried—what man would take her? Surely she was just using divorce as a threat to squeeze money out of them.
Thinking this, Mother Cheng calmed herself and resumed crying with practiced composure. “Xiao Nan, tell Mom what I did wrong. How can you talk about divorce? Are you still brooding over the money Yixin got from selling her job?”
Her voice grew louder, and soon neighbors gathered at the doorway, whispering, “What’s going on?”
Mother Cheng cried harder. “Xiao Nan, we let Yixin keep the money from selling her job because we thought—poor family, rich road. If she fell ill or ran into trouble outside, she’d have something for emergencies. How can you even begrudge that…”
“What happened to Auntie Cheng? Do you need help?” a nosy man called from outside, knocking on the door, his tone lazy and loud—clearly eager to come in and watch the drama.
“It’s nothing,” Mother Cheng replied, her voice choked and aggrieved, which only fueled speculation.
Meanwhile Jiang Nan stuffed her ears, half‑closing one eye, looking for all the world like she was watching a show and finding Mother Cheng’s wailing shrill.
The odd expression—something the original host had never worn—stunned Cheng Yixin. *Was this really my sister‑in‑law, the one who only ever worked silently?*
It also enraged Mother Cheng. Her act collapsed. Pointing at Jiang Nan, trembling with anger, she shouted: “Xiao Nan, what kind of attitude is that!”
“The attitude of divorce, Mom. Someone like me, unwilling to sacrifice endlessly for little sister, how could I be worthy of being your Cheng family’s daughter‑in‑law? Isn’t it better we part early, so you can find a daughter‑in‑law who suits you?”
“Did she just say divorce?”
Jiang Nan’s voice was loud enough to stir gossip outside. She found it amusing. Mother Cheng’s trick was clever—never daring to let people know the heroine lived off the family for free, yet always trying to tarnish Jiang Nan’s reputation. She’d lure neighbors to overhear fragments, then half‑conceal, half‑mislead afterward, using both soft and hard tactics to control the original host and ruin her name. The original host had suffered plenty from this.
But since they wanted to put on a show, Jiang Nan was happy to play along. The bigger the scene, the better—she was looking for a way to make divorce easier anyway.
On the side, Cheng Yixin clenched her teeth. She knew she had to step in. If people misunderstood that her brother and sister‑in‑law were divorcing because of her, the image she had cultivated for years would be destroyed. So she decisively turned back into her room, deliberately making a racket of rummaging through drawers, then hurried out holding a thick wad of cash.
“Sister‑in‑law, don’t say such angry words. How could things have reached the point of divorce!” She placed the money on the dining table.
She spoke while holding her mother close, looking deeply moved, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Dad, Mom only let me keep the money from selling my job because they worried I might struggle outside. Don’t blame them. And these past two years, it’s thanks to my brother and sister‑in‑law that I’ve been cared for.” After saying this to Jiang Nan, she turned to Mother Cheng with a “relieved” smile. “Mom, this money should really go to my brother and sister‑in‑law.”
Seeing her daughter so considerate, Mother Cheng’s heart ached even more. She snatched the money back and stuffed it into Cheng Yixin’s hands. “Keep it. We’re still alive—we don’t need you to give it away!”
Jiang Nan watched the scene unfold, amused at this performance—whether sincere or staged—and let out two dry chuckles. “Mom, little sister, don’t rush to shove it back and forth. I said I don’t want the money from selling her job, and I mean it…”
“You heard your sister‑in‑law. Hurry and put it away,” Mother Cheng sighed in relief, tapping her daughter’s forehead. *This foolish girl—how could she take the money out!*
But Jiang Nan continued: “What I want is the extra living expenses I’ve paid these past two years.”
The mother and daughter froze, staring at her stiffly.
Jiang Nan ignored them and went on: “Before little sister came back, Denglin and I handed over thirty yuan a month for household expenses—not including Cheng Hao’s milk, snacks, clothes. After she returned, for the first four months we still paid thirty. But after that, fifty, sixty, even seventy at times. And that’s not counting the milk powder, cookies, malted milk I bought for Cheng Hao. To keep him from sneaking food, I gave it all to you to hold. You know very well how much actually went into his stomach. It’s impossible to tally every item now, so let’s take an average—fifty‑five yuan per month. That’s twenty‑five yuan extra each month. Denglin and I split it half and half. Whether he wants to reclaim his share is his business. But my share must be returned. Two years and three months—three hundred thirty‑seven yuan and fifty cents in total.”
She finished her calculation and held out her hand. “Either of you can pay it. Just hand it over.”
The mother and daughter remained frozen.
“Call Denglin back right now, let him see what kind of wife he married!” Father Cheng had reappeared at the doorway, clutching the back of his neck, looking as though his blood pressure was about to explode.
Jiang Nan only laughed, pretending not to hear, and fixed her gaze on the heroine. “Little sister?”
“You could toss six hundred fifty yuan from selling your job in my face without blinking. I’m only asking for three hundred‑plus in living expenses. Surely you won’t begrudge that?” As she spoke, she reached out as if to take the money from Cheng Yixin’s hands herself.
Cheng Yixin reacted instinctively, clutching the cash tight and stepping back, her face wary. Then she realized what she had done, and her cheeks flushed crimson.
Seeing this, Jiang Nan finally burst out laughing, pressing lightly against her own belly as she laughed. She hadn’t fully recovered yet, and the tug hurt a little.
The Cheng family, hearing her mocking laughter, were nearly driven mad with rage—especially Cheng Yixin, who felt as if her very skin had been ripped off and thrown to the ground to be trampled. Her ears burned unbearably.
“What are you waiting for? Go make the call!” Father Cheng roared at Mother Cheng, his face flushed red.
Jiang Nan jumped at the outburst, then felt relieved. At least this family prided themselves on being city folk, cultured people who cared about appearances. They wouldn’t, like other mothers‑in‑law or sisters‑in‑law, lose control and start clawing at her. Otherwise, with her frail, sickly body, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
Mother Cheng hesitated for a few seconds, then went, determined to teach her unruly daughter‑in‑law a lesson.
Seeing both parents leave, Jiang Nan had no intention of letting the heroine wait until her husband came back to settle things. “Little sister, three hundred thirty‑seven yuan and fifty cents. Count it.”
“Sister‑in‑law, do you really want a divorce?” The words were a threat, not a question.
Cheng Yixin’s face was cold, her eyes flashing with hatred—rarely did she show her true feelings in front of others.
“Of course. Truer than pearls,” Jiang Nan shot back provocatively.
Cheng Yixin drew a deep breath, then threw down thirty‑four big bills before slamming the door and retreating to her room.
Left alone, Jiang Nan sighed with mock reflection. “Today I really am vicious and sharp‑tongued. I’ve got the flavor down perfectly!”