“You want to continue using a toothbrush that was used to brush the toilet bowl to brush your teeth. I admire your tolerance and unhygienic habits. Once a man is unfaithful, he can’t be trusted anymore. If there was still room for negotiation with your man, he should have returned to your side honestly and broken off all connections with that woman outside once you had doubts, regardless if it was for the family or for the relationship between the two of you.”
Xu Shengnan nodded. Indeed, it should be like this.
“Then, take a look next if your man does this. Senior Xu, you’re usually so strong and smart. I thought you… I didn’t expect you to be so silly and confused with regard to this and could tolerate so well. Do you believe that if it was Senior Zou Wenxuan who encountered this matter instead, as soon as she grabbed hold of the other party’s evidence, she would immediately get a divorce, find a new man who treats her well, and remarry?”
In this lifetime, Xu Shengnan’s biggest competitor was Zou Wenxuan. Until now, Xu Shengnan didn’t let go of any thoughts to compete with Zou Wenxuan. Although Xu Shengnan stayed in the capital, Zou Wenxuan wasn’t any worse. She actually found a good job in a multinational corporation in Mo Du.
Xu Shengnan had a house in the capital. Zou Wenxuan had a house in Mo Du. Similarly, both of their houses weren’t rented.
Until now, both competitors were at neck-and-neck. What was different was that Xu Shengnan had taken into account Qiao Nan’s opinion, while Zou Wenxuan’s relative had helped her a little.
The more well matched they were in strength, the more unsettled Xu Shengnan felt toward Zou Wenxuan. Qiao Nan used Zou Wenxuan as an analogy at this time. It was obvious she targeted her Achilles’ heel.
Qiao Nan indeed had this intention. If she didn’t target Xu Shengnan’s Achilles’ heel, she was afraid that she wouldn’t have any reaction. Thus, it was either she didn’t mention it at all, or if she did, she had to come up with a more ruthless example.
Xu Shengnan clenched her fists. “Qiao Nan, I understand what you mean. I… I will consider again and observe my husband to see what he does. If he really doesn’t want this family anymore, my efforts alone would just to waste.”
“Senior Xu, regardless if you will listen to these or not, I have to remind you first. I’m not worried about others. However, your husband is even asking you for money now. So, you must take note of this. Don’t think that it’s tacky to talk about money. Do you still remember how hard it was for you to earn money in the capital? As such, you have to make sure that you don’t lose both money and your man. You can always find another man again if he’s gone. Perhaps you can earn money back if it’s gone. However, you must remember you’re not alone. If you don’t have money, what will your parents, your daughter, and even you eat, drink, and spend?”
Qiao Nan had no choice but to highlight the seriousness of this situation to Xu Shengnan. Such a ruthless man really existed. Otherwise, when Xu Shengnan first raised her doubts, Qiao Nan’s first question wouldn’t be if she was still paying for the mortgage.
“I… I understand.” Perhaps life these few years had been too good and smooth-sailing for Xu Shengnan that she forgot how fearful, anxious, and agitated she felt when she first came to the capital to pursue her studies. Especially after her sophomore year, she was often worried if she would continue staying in the north or return to her old home upon graduation.
She had really forgotten the uneasiness she felt back then after leading so many years of a comfortable lifestyle. Xu Shengnan naively felt that relationships were more important than money. If she was capable, she could slowly earn back the money. However, it wasn’t so easy to find relationships.
In a place like the capital, if she wanted to survive, it would definitely not work if she only had relationships and not money. She could bear the ordeal herself. However, she couldn’t let her parents and her young daughter, whom she fetched over to the capital, suffer as well. Her parents were old. If they fell ill, a lot of money would be spent on hospital bills.
Her daughter was still attending school and a lot of tuition classes and activities organized by the school. Not only did all of these cost money, but the amount to be spent each time wasn’t small either.
As she thought of this, Xu Shengnan realized in shock that it was perhaps just a moment of pain if she lost her marriage. However, if she couldn’t keep her money, not only would she have to be in a sorry plight for a while, but she wouldn’t even have the ability to respond if something happened to her relatives. After all, no other methods were required to deal with such situations, as long as Xu Shengnan produced a lot of banknotes.
The pale Xu Shengnan became sober from the pain of being betrayed by a man. “Qiao Nan, don’t worry. I really understand what you mean this time around. I have built this family bit by bit after going through hardship for so many years and working so much overtime. These are all my hard work and efforts. I will definitely not let another woman take all of these away.”
Sometimes, people had to be realistic.
She had actually completely forgotten the principles she understood when she was studying after stepping into society and leading a good life of more than ten years. She couldn’t even compare herself to back when she was in university. Xu Shengnan really wanted to knock her head and ask herself what was going on.
“Sure. Since you’re like this, I shan’t say anything else.” Qiao Nan heaved a sigh of relief. She was really afraid that the usually strong Xu Shengnan would play the fool in front of her now and that she would rather live with false happiness than to be liberated after going through a moment of pain. Thankfully, the Xu Shengnan from that year was still around. She didn’t admit defeat and understood reality and wouldn’t have too many unrealistic thoughts.
Xu Shengnan came and left in a hurry.
Once money was mentioned, Xu Shengnan had to perk herself up. She had registered a summer camp for her daughter and needed to spend about 8,000 yuan. Next year, she would have to go for a summer camp overseas and that would cost more than 16,000 yuan.
All of these were money. She could sacrifice herself if she lacked money, but she couldn’t sacrifice her daughter.
Her man was heartless to have spent money on another woman outside but not a single cent on their daughter. She was different. Her daughter was her precious. If they really got a divorce, she must take her daughter away. Oh, right. She had to consider this issue as well. She had to think of ways for her daughter to follow her after the divorce.
It was either Xu Shengnan wasn’t enlightened, or once she was, she would immediately plan for the worst. She would also think about what thing she should hold onto tightly, aside from this man.
