Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Song Wanli quickly called Tingnan over, closed the door, and whispered about the matter. Upon hearing this, Tingnan exclaimed, "Hey, this is similar to that family in Balichong."

"Balichong? It's like this too? What's going on?" Qian Shuzhen calmed down a bit when she saw how calm Nan was.

“Grandma, I think we can learn from that family’s approach. They put us in a do-or-die situation, but of course we have to ask Auntie’s opinion and see if you can bear to see Uncle suffer.” Ting Nan handed over the decision to Qian Shuzhen.

"Tell me first!" Song Wanli urged.

The method is simple and brutal: spread rumors, both true and false, to make it impossible for Wan Ruyi to stay at the school. This is the first step, and it is also the hope of most people at the school today.

The second step depends on what Song Wanxing does. If he returns to his family, everything is fine. If he wants to go with them, then let him go.

The key point is to put it out for "comparison." Given his character, two "aloof" people living together would definitely be quite a spectacle.

Later, Song Wanxing stubbornly refused to return, and Qian Shuzhen and Zhao Xiaojuan simply assumed he had died out there, much like they do now. If Song Wanxing were to turn over a new leaf, it would depend on whether Zhao Xiaojuan would accept him. Of course, in this new beginning, they couldn't let him act as he pleased, putting on airs and refusing to do anything.

Qian Shuzhen pondered for a long time before letting Tingnan go out first; she needed to think it over. This method did indeed require "ruthlessness," and it could only be implemented with Zhao Xiaojuan's consent.

A few days later, Song Wanxing went home, packed his things, and left again.

This time, Zhao Xiaojuan approached her mother-in-law: "Mother, what does Song Wanxing mean by this?"

"I'm sorry, Xiaojuan! It's all my fault." Qian Shuzhen said with a look of shame.

"Mom, it's none of your business, I know!" Zhao Xiaojuan wasn't stupid; after so many years of marriage, her husband had always treated her with disdain.

Their sex life was perfunctory; he avoided intimacy whenever possible, and when it did occur, it was solely for the purpose of procreation. After Yali was born, he found the noise even more bothersome and they slept in separate rooms from each other ever since.

“Xiaojuan, you’re a good person. I’ve always known that Song Wanxing isn’t good enough for you. You’ve suffered so much. This family can live without him, but it can’t live without you,” Qian Shuzhen said, choking back tears as she held Zhao Xiaojuan’s hand.

Zhao Xiaojuan also cried. Her mother-in-law was reasonable, her elder brother and sister-in-law were easy to get along with, and the children were obedient, but her husband was the only one whose heart she couldn't warm after all these years.

They got married relatively early, so why is their eldest son only three years old now? It's because Song Wanxing looks down on her. They share a room but don't sleep under the same blanket, and he even demands that she cooperate and keep it a secret from their parents.

She was foolish too, loving his refinement, his literacy, the way he read, and his beautiful handwriting… He thought that by not touching her, he could avoid owing her anything once he found someone he truly loved. Sadly, so many years have passed, they've had three children, and she thought her life was finally settled, while he found himself in middle age…

"Mother, what should I do? What should I do about my three children?" A mother's love makes her strong; she may not need her husband, but she cannot live without her young children.

"Xiaojuan, as long as you're willing, you'll always be my family's daughter-in-law." Qian Shunu steadied herself.

"Xiaojuan, I have an idea. Listen to it and see if it's feasible." She presented Tingnan's solution.

Qian Shuzhen only said that it was her own idea, just in case Song Wanxing, Zhao Xiaojuan or others complained about Tingnan in the future, saying that she was a shameless child who meddled in the private affairs of her elders, and Song Wanli just pretended not to know.