They said she had no shame, that she threw her dignity away for a man.
They said she had wasted her education, that all she could do was chase after a man.
They even said she had disgraced the Jiang family, making others lose face.
And that she was a daughter raised in vain.
...
When love was strong, Jiang Xiao didn't think it mattered. But after tasting the bitterness, she realized that the only people who truly loved her in this world were her parents.
Now she felt nothing but regret.
"Mom, Dad, it's my fault." Jiang Xiao stood up and bowed. "I'm sorry for disappointing you."
Jiang's mother glared at Jiang's father, then pulled Jiang Xiao into her arms. "It's not your fault. You just love A Yuan too much."
Jiang's father coughed lightly. "Enough, stop crying. Today I made all your favorite dishes. Eat more."
Jiang's mother's birthday party didn't invite anyone else. It was just a family gathering.
That was the most Jiang Xiao had eaten in a long time. Her smile increased. "Mom, I want to sleep at home tonight."
Jiang's mother was thrilled. "Good, I'll have Aunt Liu prepare your room."
This was the first time Jiang Xiao had stayed at her parents' house after marriage. The familiar scent comforted her, and she finally had a peaceful sleep.
That day, Cheng Yuan didn't contact her.
Nor the next day.
It wasn't until the fifth day that Cheng Yuan called.
"You didn't come home?"
Jiang Xiao said, "Mm, I'm staying at Mom and Dad's."
"Always staying at your parents' house is not proper." Cheng Yuan was displeased. "Do you want people to think I'm mistreating you?"
Jiang Xiao said, "No, that's not it. It's just that Mom and Dad missed me, so I—"
"Enough, I don't want to hear it." Cheng Yuan was very impatient. "Go home today."
Jiang Xiao lowered her eyes. "Okay."
"You know what to say to Mom and Dad, right?"
"I know."
This was Jiang Xiao's compulsory course: to save face for Cheng Yuan in front of others. It was also written in the prenuptial agreement.
Jiang Xiao must unconditionally obey Cheng Yuan.
Actually, that wasn't the only clause. The prenuptial agreement had many unreasonable terms, each one trampling Jiang Xiao's dignity.
In Cheng Yuan's eyes, this was what Jiang Xiao deserved.
Jiang Xiao herself thought so too. After all, this marriage hadn't been gained honorably.
Shen Yue knew about all this, but she had a different opinion.
When it came to sex, no one could force a man. If he didn't want to, it couldn't happen, let alone an entire night. So that night, who's to say Cheng Yuan didn't go along with it? After all, he was only drunk, not dead. Jiang Xiao couldn't really do anything to him.
Jiang Xiao hadn't seen Cheng Yuan for days and missed him terribly. She begged, "A Yue gave me two movie tickets. Can we watch a movie together?"
Cheng Yuan was silent for a moment. Just when Jiang Xiao thought he wouldn't reply, he said:
"Jiang Xiao, you've overstepped your bounds."
Author's note:
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Repentance after losing a beloved.