Divorced at fifty, I embarked on my path to success.

As the sound of the rainy season faded and the door closed, the world instantly became quiet.

She didn't know what was wrong with her; she felt a tightness in her chest and throat and couldn't eat anything.

The whole family has been complaining about her being stingy for a long time, including her son Yue Guangzhi, who often says, intentionally or unintentionally, that the family is well-off and not short of money, so there is no need to be so frugal.

But she had experienced hardship, and the habit of thrift was ingrained in her bones. Besides, she felt that her husband, son, and daughter-in-law did not earn money easily, so what was wrong with saving money?

If her mother-in-law overheard these words, she would accuse her of being stingy with her mother-in-law's money. Upon hearing this, Yue Jiangting would immediately launch into a tirade against her, calling her a cheapskate and destined for poverty. Her undisguised disdain and contempt were considered excessive by her son and daughter-in-law.

"Tch," Mei Yusheng thought to herself, feeling resentful. "They make it sound so nice, but why don't they hire a nanny to relieve her of the burden of housework? They criticize her for being too frugal, yet they treat her like a free nanny."

Saying one thing and meaning another, how hypocritical!

In truth, she longed for free time to do what she loved. Her childhood dreams, those untold fantasies, had now become mere wishful thinking.

For the sake of her family and her children, she buried all of this deep in her heart.

Although it was regrettable, she had no regrets before today.

In the past thirty years, she has never felt so physically and mentally exhausted, and she has never felt so unable to see the meaning and value of life.

Just now, holding the plate, she had an urge to smash it on the ground. Imagining that moment of shattering was like her heart breaking into pieces the instant she learned of Yue Jiangting's infidelity.

Suppressing her anger, she unusually refrained from cleaning up the dishes, leaving the kitchen in a mess.

Xuanxuan was much better after taking a nap in the afternoon, which put Mei Yusheng at ease.

Shen Yingying went to work, and her mother-in-law was taking her lunch break as usual.

Mei Yusheng made some soft and stomach-friendly food for the child, and after eating, she coaxed Xuanxuan to watch cartoons.

The whole process seemed no different from usual, but Mei Yusheng was absent-minded the whole time. She kept checking her watch, hoping that Yue Jiangting would get off work.

Afraid that he was out socializing again, she called him late at night after he got home. Soon, Yue Jiangting's impatient voice came through: "What is it?"

"Come home on time tonight, I have something to ask you!"

"Speak now! I'm not sure if I have any social engagements." Yue Jiangting's tone was slightly irritated.

"If you're not back by eight o'clock, don't even think about coming in!" Mei Yusheng's unprecedentedly firm tone surprised her husband across the way.

After hanging up the phone, her eyes were dark, and she bit her lip tightly.

Tonight, Yue Jiangting must give her a clear answer: is his affair with Han Caiyu true?

Otherwise, she might not be able to sleep all night.

Han Caiyu's words were sometimes clear and sometimes blurry in her mind. Yue Jiangting's infidelity was like a fishbone stuck in her throat, something she couldn't ignore even if she wanted to.

Her heart is too small to tolerate betrayal.

For the first time ever, Yue Jiangting and his son Yue Guangzhi went home on time after get off work.

For the first time ever, Mei Yusheng didn't cook dinner on time as usual.

"What time is it? Why haven't you made dinner yet? You didn't go out to buy groceries this morning. What have you been doing all afternoon? Why haven't you bought any groceries? Where are the crucian carp I asked you to buy?" The mother-in-law, hunched over, paced back and forth in the kitchen, muttering incessantly.

Mei Yusheng brought Xuanxuan home. Her mother-in-law toned down her behavior in front of her great-grandson, but she still glared at her from time to time: "What time are you going to cook? Xuanxuan needs to eat too. If my precious great-grandson goes hungry, you won't be able to pay for it with your life!"

"What do you mean? I said a few words to you at noon, and you're taking it out on me?" Her mother-in-law, tired from pacing around the house, plopped down on the sofa. "Are you planning to starve the whole family?! What exactly do you want?"

Although Xuanxuan was small, he could tell that his great-grandmother was angry. He was so frightened that he blinked his big eyes and hid behind Meiyusheng.

Afraid of frightening the child, Mei Yusheng said gently, "Mom, I'll cook after Yingying comes back and watches over Xuanxuan."

The mother-in-law glared at him with her triangular eyes: "I've come to see Xuanxuan, you go and cook!"

"Mom, you're getting old, and Xuanxuan is very active; I'm afraid he might hurt you!" Mei Yusheng picked up Xuanxuan and carried him into her room.

My mother-in-law, Xu Yanping, is seventy-eight years old this year. She is very thin. A few days ago, when she was looking after Xuanxuan, she almost fell and injured her back. Mei Yusheng was so scared that she dared not let her take care of Xuanxuan alone anymore.

Fortunately, Yue Jiangting and his son entered the door one after the other with Shen Yingying, and the mother-in-law began to complain incessantly.

Mei Yusheng brought Xuanxuan out. Yue Jiangting's eyes were fixed on the child. He picked him up and rubbed his stubble-covered chin against Xuanxuan's delicate little face, asking worriedly, "What did you eat that upset your tummy? Are you better? Does your tummy hurt?"

Xuanxuan giggled as his stubble pricked him. Shen Yingying answered for the child, "Mom gave him some montmorillonite powder, and he'll be fine this afternoon."

Yue Guangzhi smiled and whispered a few words to his wife in an ambiguous tone, then turned his attention to Xuanxuan.

In the past, Mei Yusheng would feel gratified and happy watching her family enjoy their time together, despite the discordant note of her mother-in-law. But today, she felt like a stranger, excluded from their circle.

She had a gut feeling that Yue Jiangting came back on time today because he was worried about Xuanxuan, not because he listened to her. He probably didn't even remember her phone number anymore.

A wave of sadness washed over me.

Shen Yingying keenly sensed that something was wrong at home. She had noticed it since noon. When she entered the kitchen and saw that the stove and pots were empty, she was taken aback. She glanced outside, then obediently tied on her apron and started to get busy.

Yue Guangzhi followed her into the kitchen, and soon a nearly condemning scream rang out: "Mom, why didn't you cook?"

Mei Yusheng couldn't help but purse her lips. What, is cooking her sacred duty? Just because she didn't cook for them on time, they have the nerve to criticize her?

They've really spoiled them!

Yue Jiangting's gaze shifted to Mei Yusheng, his brows furrowing and his face contorted with anger: "You're just lazing around at home all day. Xuanxuan only has a bit of diarrhea, and you don't even have time to cook?"

“Son, you have no idea, Yusheng’s temper is getting worse and worse. She gives me the cold shoulder at the slightest thing. This morning I asked her to buy a crucian carp because I wanted to have crucian carp soup, but she made all sorts of excuses and refused to buy it. Look at her, she’s not even going to cook dinner. She’s deliberately trying to make the whole family go hungry!” The mother-in-law added fuel to the fire, “She thinks I’m in her way, that I’m too much of a nuisance!”

Yue Jiangting's face darkened further, his eyes fixed on Mei Yusheng with a gloomy gaze, giving off an oppressive feeling that made it hard to breathe.

He is fifty-five years old this year, and his figure is still upright. He has been working out for many years and his figure is still quite good. His abdomen is slightly protruding, but there is no sign of the excess fat of a greasy man.

His hair was jet black, but it had actually turned quite white long ago; he dyed it. He always dyed it before the white hairs even started to show, making him look like he was in his early forties. Standing next to Mei Yusheng, they really looked like they were from different generations.

Mei Yusheng scrutinized him deliberately and critically, then realized with frustration that he possessed the charm of a mature man, while she herself was unkempt and slovenly, creating a significant gap between them in appearance.

No wonder he disliked her.

She was holding her breath, wanting to question him about his affair with Han Caiyu, and to loudly denounce his infidelity and betrayal.

Throughout the afternoon, her heart was in turmoil, constantly being torn between highs and lows.

One moment she was filled with righteous indignation, wishing she could immediately grab Yue Jiangting by the collar, slap him twice across the face, and then proudly announce the divorce!

Then, like an ostrich, it buries its head in the sand, pretending nothing happened, and lets life go on as usual.

For a moment, he seemed like a Saint Seiya, his whole body brimming with courage and power.

For a moment, she was too timid to look up, afraid that the raging waves would capsize her family's little boat.

She's being driven crazy by this!

She was really conflicted, feeling unwilling yet hesitant.

Having grown accustomed to a stable life, I am deep down afraid of any force that might disrupt that routine.

She's not the heroine in a novel; she can't get rid of a scumbag like she's throwing away a rag, nor does she have the ability to ruthlessly retaliate.

She even fantasized that if Yue Jiangting cried and repented in front of her, she would generously forgive him as if bestowing a favor upon him; just imagining it made her feel as if she had regained her self-respect.

The moment she entered Yuejiang Pavilion and saw his face, she was suddenly overcome with anger, her chest tightening, and she impulsively wanted to pounce on him and tear him apart.

But at this moment, under the intimidation of his sharp gaze, she immediately deflated like a punctured balloon.