Chapter 65: A Lifetime of Happiness Away from Men

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"Zhou Jiayan, you're my daughter. What good does it do you to bring me down? Listen to me, let your mother return home; matters between us elders should be settled among ourselves."

Zhou Jiayan refused, "Dad, you're also Grandpa's son, a member of the Zhou family. What good does it do you to bring the Zhou family down? Go back to the old house and talk with Uncle. I have no right to interfere in decisions made by you elders."

"Zhou Jiayan! You’re getting bold, aren’t you? Helping outsiders against your own father—have all those books you read gone to waste?"

Zhou Jiayan replied, "Maybe so. Dad, if you don’t file a lawsuit, I will do it on Mom’s behalf. When that happens, what’s online won’t just be what’s there now."

Jiang Zao glanced back; the young woman’s eyes were red, brimming with grievances.

Even from a distance, the furious shouts from the other end of the call could be heard.

Turning around, she met Shen Xiaonan’s gaze. Shen Xiaonan smiled and said, "Zaozao, go ahead with confidence. Uncle and Auntie will support you, don’t be afraid."

Jiang Zao replied respectfully, "Auntie, with Li Chuan in his current state, I won’t trouble you for long. Since I’ve become involved, I won’t abandon this mess. I..."

Zhou Huai interrupted, "You must plan for yourself. Uncle and Auntie will only ever thank you."

Jiang Zao lowered her head and smiled, "Matters of the older generation... aren’t for me, a youngster, to comment on. I believe my mother truly loved Deputy Zhou, and I accept that the class barriers of that era were impossible to break. Fate has played its tricks; since I was born, I can’t just die because life is hard. When things settle, I’ll visit my father in prison. After that, Uncle and Auntie, please take care of yourselves."

Shen Xiaonan’s heart ached; she wiped her tears secretly and pressed a freshly peeled pomelo into Jiang Zao’s hand.

Jiang Zao didn’t mind that the Zhou elders hadn’t defended her against Zhou Li Chuan. Ultimately, they were family.

She only needed to be sure the Zhou family would recognize the unborn child. As a soon-to-be mother, that was all she needed to worry about.

Zhou Jiayan returned after hanging up, her mind full of the conversation, oblivious to the changed atmosphere.

...

News of Zhou Kuan’s divorce sent shockwaves across the internet. In an era of awakening personal consciousness, such news was nothing short of exhilarating.

Jiang Zao summoned her strength, spoke one last time with Zhou Li Chuan by phone, negotiated terms, and sat pale and silent for a long while afterwards.

...

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The next day, Zhou Group announced their handling of Zhou Kuan: part of his shares would be transferred as a gift to his only daughter, Zhou Jiayan. Zhou Kuan’s assets in the group had already been frozen in the "Little Droplet" case, and what remained was split between him and his wife.

Zhou Group would continue to employ Zhou Kuan as deputy general manager; his duties remained unchanged.

Cornering a dog invites a bite.

Jiang Zao switched off her screen, put her phone in her bag, and quietly withdrew into the vast digital world.

She had done all she could.

What remained was Zhou Li Chuan’s own battlefield.

She carried her bag downstairs, where Zhou Jiayan waited, pouting at the front door.

"Who upset our young lady again?"

Zhou Jiayan sulked, "Just one more month till New Year—can’t you wait until after the holidays to leave?"

Jiang Zao reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "Let your brother have a peaceful New Year. I’ll go back and keep my mother company; she’s lonely in the family tomb back home."

Zhou Jiayan handed her a gift bag. "Here’s a housewarming gift—a watch. If your current place feels uncomfortable, sell this and buy a new home in your city."

Jiang Zao laughed, "Pfft—why not just give me a house and save the trouble? I know you’re wealthy now, holding so many shares. Take care of Mom. I’ll accept the gift, but I won’t sell it. I’ll cherish it."

Shen Xiaonan came downstairs and saw the scene, half laughing and crying. "It’s not like you’ll never come back. Even if you don’t, you can visit her. Changzhou isn’t far. Zaozao, Auntie has something to say to you."

Zhou Jiayan smartly walked away. "I’ll check the car for missing items."

Jiang Zao followed Shen Xiaonan to the sofa. "Auntie, what is it?"

Shen Xiaonan smiled, producing a card and a box.

"There’s two million on this card; the password is your birthday. In the box is a jade bracelet, your grandmother Zhou Li Chuan’s wedding dowry."

Jiang Zao was stunned. "Auntie... this isn’t right..."

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Shen Xiaonan pushed the items toward Jiang Zao. "The money is for the child. Don’t do housework during your pregnancy—I’ve signed Sister Hui’s contract over to you; she’ll accompany you to Changzhou. The two million covers your expenses and Sister Hui’s salary while you’re expecting. The bracelet is my... apology to you."

Jiang Zao smiled in relief. "Auntie, I know what you mean. Actually, compared to Uncle, you were the one most opposed to me and Zhou Li Chuan being together. You didn’t like me."

Shen Xiaonan nodded, "That’s right. I don’t like you, but my son does."

Jiang Zao looked at the two things. "You love your son. You want him to live the life he wants, to love whom he chooses. Your kindness is sincere—you never did anything... harmful just because you didn’t like me. I am grateful to you."

Shen Xiaonan smiled at her. "Your uncle and I married for the family, with no emotional foundation. He’s emotionally distant, and after Li Chuan was born, we argued almost every day. Things only settled when he started school—by then, we were numb, too weary to fight."

Jiang Zao said softly, "Li Chuan has mentioned some of this to me."

Shen Xiaonan moved closer and took Jiang Zao’s hand. "If it were up to me, I’d never have chosen you as Li Chuan’s wife. But I know what a marriage with no emotional foundation is like. The days your uncle and I spent staring at each other in mutual dislike shouldn’t be repeated for Li Chuan. Child... Auntie didn’t try to make you stay. Don’t blame me."

Jiang Zao’s eyes were red, her voice hoarse. "Auntie, you’ve spoken so sincerely—I can’t be perfunctory. Please don’t worry; things between me and Zhou Li Chuan aren’t over. But for now, I really can’t stay in the Zhou household. Auntie, first and foremost I am an independent person, with my own dignity and character. I... I don’t want to be here, humiliated by the one I love. But for the future, for the child, I must live like a person. Thank you for caring for me all this time, and the child thanks his grandmother for worrying about him."

Shen Xiaonan wiped her tears and smiled, "Auntie will wait for your return."

Carefully storing the bracelet and card, Jiang Zao boarded the nanny car arranged for her.

Sister Hui finished packing Jiang Zao’s luggage and took the passenger seat. The car started, rolling slowly forward.

Jiang Zao opened the window and bid farewell to the three standing at the door.

Zhou Huai stood beside Shen Xiaonan; only Zhou Jiayan bounced and called out, "I’ll visit you in a few days! Wait for me at home!"

Jiang Zao waved, then closed the window.

The sunlight was perfect; a new day had begun.