Return to before death

"Shouldn't we calculate your expenses in the Zong family over the years? You should at least write an IOU before the divorce can proceed. Your return is just in time. We'll settle everything today, and once you've paid off this debt, you'll have nothing to do with the Zong family anymore."

The matriarch continued to press her, making it clear that she wouldn't let him go until the score was settled.

Yan Ran's gaze skipped over the matriarch and went straight to Zong Zhengqing.

So, he insisted on calling her back today just to hear this?

As expected, a leopard can't change its spots. He's always been that selfish guy, and no matter how well he puts on the surface, he can't hide his filthy heart.

Zong Zhengqing's face turned ashen. He wanted to argue with his mother, but he suppressed his anger.

"Cowardly," Yan Ran cursed inwardly. She naturally took in all his emotions; after so many years of understanding, she knew exactly what he wanted to say.

He would always choose his mother over his wife.

"I've done my best for the main family over the years. Even if I haven't made any great contributions, I've certainly put in a lot of effort. Considering the treatment and salary the main family provides for the nannies they hire, shouldn't I have some left over? I remember the main family provides room and board. The idea of ​​eating and drinking for free doesn't make sense, does it?"

So she has to rely on herself.

Yan Ran's question left both of them speechless. Zong Zhengqing's face, which had been ashen, turned deathly pale in an instant. Even actors' ability to change their expressions was faster than his.

After a moment of stunned silence, the matriarch's expression returned to its usual disdain, tinged with a hint of disgust.

"So this is the kind of daughter-in-law the Zong family has married? Lowering her status and getting a divorce sooner rather than later is the right decision."

After saying that, she turned around and looked at Zong Zhengqing with a critical expression.

"Look at the kind of Mrs. Zong you brought back. If this were to happen outside, what would people think of my Zong family? She's truly a disgrace."

After giving both of them a good scolding, he left satisfied. If Zongzheng Jing were still here, there would have been another person being scolded.

No one saw the malicious glint in the eyes of the matriarch after she left.

"Ranran, I'm sorry. I didn't know this would happen. I've made you suffer."

After Zong's mother's figure had completely disappeared, Zong Zhengqing quietly apologized to Yan Ran.

It was precisely this demeanor that made Yan Ran even more disgusted with him.

If apologizing afterwards is useful, then what's the point of having police?

The deed was already done, and he was even there and could have stopped it, but instead, he stood by and remained silent because of his cowardice, which only caused a commotion.

Hindsight is something Yan Ran has always despised.

Her beloved husband was such a person.

She really didn't know if she was blind or what, to have fallen for such a person.

Selfish and cowardly.

Putting all that aside, at the very least, he should be able to protect his wife.

He's the opposite; not only can he not protect his wife, but sometimes he even makes his wife protect him.

Just like the last time he pushed her out to shield her from a knife, that scene remained etched in her mind and was hard to erase.

The memory of that time is so vivid. It was rare for me to be brave enough to disobey my mother-in-law, but in the end, I still couldn't get over my conscience.

That's just how it is; it can never be changed.

"Don't pretend there. If you really feel sorry, then next time your mother comes out and criticizes me, can you bravely stand up for me?" Yan Ran rolled her eyes and turned to continue walking towards the room.

Silently, he packed up Tangtang's things.

With each item she picked up, the soft voice of Tangtang calling her "Mommy" would appear in her mind, and her cold eyes would involuntarily soften.

Her candies, all of these are candy-related things.

Yan Ran gently packed Tangtang's toys and clothes into the box; it was clear that she wanted to take anything related to Tangtang with her.

Even if Tangtang can't come back, it's good to have a memory of her.

Finally, when her finger touched the family photo, Tangtang happily faced the camera, grinning to reveal her white little teeth, especially her two little tiger teeth, which made her look even more lively and cute.

Looking at this photo, she could almost hear Tangtang calling her name.

I remember when this photo was taken, Tangtang was nervously tugging at her clothes.

Tangtang beckoned Yanran to squat down, leaned close to her ear, and asked mysteriously, "Mom, should I laugh or be serious later?"

What was her response and what did she do at that time?

I remember now, the family photo that day was taken at home by a photo studio hired by my mother-in-law, and the scene was our own garden.

She remembered hearing Tangtang's soft, sweet voice innocently ask her a question, and her heart felt truly filled with sweetness, almost overflowing with happiness.

"Of course our little darling should smile, the happier the better. Tangtang's smile is the prettiest; seeing your smile makes everyone's day." She then gently tapped her daughter's little nose.

Tangtang felt a little embarrassed by being "bullied" by her mother in front of outsiders. Her face turned red and she nodded heavily. Then she grinned and said to her mother in what she thought was a very soft voice, "Then I will smile happily every day, so that Daddy, Mommy, Uncle, and Grandma will be happy every day!"

"I didn't expect our Tangtang to be so sensible." Zong Zhengqing, who was standing next to Yan Ran, had been listening to the mother and daughter's conversation and had been holding back his laughter. Hearing this, he finally couldn't help but praise his daughter with a smile.

The people around them smiled kindly, and the matriarch covered her mouth and laughed so hard she bent over. She even hugged Tangtang and took a picture of the two of them together.

That day, the weather was perfect, and the warm and bright sunshine enveloped the family, just like in the photo, happy and dazzling... which also pierced Yan Ran's heart at that moment.

Why did things turn out this way? The husband she once deeply loved has become someone she never knew existed. Perhaps... she has finally seen the true face of this man she has shared her bed with for so many years, hidden beneath a facade of tenderness. And her Tangtang, her daughter... are gone... To save the "lover" she once thought was everything, he abandoned his daughter like trash and pushed his wife, who had shielded him from a bullet, out to become a knife for him.

Family?

It's long gone.

Tangtang's kind and innocent appearance vaguely reappeared before her eyes. The sweet affection between the couple had become a poisoned blade, which Yan Ran could neither touch nor feel. She would no longer be soft-hearted... and those knives could no longer pierce her.

Before I knew it, tears welled up in my eyes, and a few even fell onto the photo frame.

"Ranran...are you alright...?"

As soon as Zong Zhengqing entered the room, he saw Yan Ran with her head down and shoulders slightly trembling. Years of getting along wouldn't lie at this moment. Seemingly seizing an opportunity, he quietly walked to the side and handed her a tissue.