Jiang Lili met her mother's familiar, judgmental gaze. "And what if this has to do with Fu Xingchen?" she asked. "Don't be so unreasonable." Zhang Qinghe stood up, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. "How many times have I told you? It's not easy for a man out there, providing. You need to be more considerate, more understanding. Stop making a scene over every little thing." Over the past two years, Jiang Lili had complained about Fu Xingchen's indifference, his coldness, but each time, Zhang Qinghe had shut her down with the same tired arguments. What had kept her going for two years was the memory of falling for him at first sight, a feeling that had since spiraled into an inescapable love. She wondered now, if he hadn't cheated, would she have eventually succumbed to her mother's influence and become just like her—the subservient one in the marriage? Zhang Qinghe was nearly fifty but looked as if she were in her late thirties. She was young, with a figure that was the envy of many wealthy socialites. But that was her public face. At home, in the Jiang residence, Jiang Lili saw a woman with the least say, one who had to constantly watch her husband's mood. She felt no envy for her mother, who was radiant in public but cowed at home. "Go home and apologize to Xingchen. Stop making him unhappy." Zhang Qinghe sat down again, seeing the faint sorrow in her daughter’s eyes. She felt a mix of frustration and pity. She was her own flesh and blood, after all. "A woman depends on a man to survive," she coaxed. "You eat well, you dress well—isn't that all thanks to Xingchen?" Her mother's words reminded Jiang Lili of Fu Xingchen's disdainful glare. "Five hundred thousand bucks a month in pocket money. All you have to do is water the flowers, tend to the garden, and sleep with me. Isn't that a good enough deal?" Every time she remembered those words, a familiar pain still clenched her heart. She could be a housewife for Fu Xingchen. She could tolerate his condescending attitude, the way he always acted as if he were above her. But she would not—could not—willingly stay by his side knowing he didn't love her. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes. Her gaze hardened with resolve. "Mom, you really look down on your own kind, don't you!" Jiang Heng's voice drifted down from upstairs. He rolled up his sleeves as he sauntered down. "Isn't everyone talking about equality these days?" Speaking to him, Zhang Qinghe's tone softened, losing its sharp edge and taking on an affectionate warmth. "You little brat, this has nothing to do with you!" Jiang Heng was two years younger than Jiang Lili and the apple of the Jiang family's eye. Zhang Qinghe had told her many times that when she was born a girl, the entire Jiang family had been displeased. It had scared Zhang Qinghe so much that she hadn't even breastfed her; after the traditional month of postpartum confinement, she had immediately started trying for another baby. Fortunately, fate smiled on her, and a year and a half later, she gave birth to Jiang Heng, finally solidifying her position as Mrs. Jiang. The story always made Jiang Lili's heart ache, but she never saw a trace of sadness in her mother's expression or tone. All she saw was relief—relief that she had been capable enough to carry on the Jiang family name. She and her mother saw the world in completely different ways. Even if she told her about Fu Xingchen's affair right now, Zhang Qinghe would never take her side. "Why did Dad ask me to come back?" She couldn't sit there any longer. She was afraid if her mother said one more word, she would blurt out the truth: she was going to divorce Fu Xingchen. "He brought back some local specialties from his business trip a few days ago. Aren't you going back to the Fu family's place today? You should take them to your in-laws." Zhang Qinghe saw that she was eager to leave and pulled her back down, launching into another long-winded speech. "You've been married for two years now, and there's still no sign of a baby. Your father wants me to take you to see a doctor." Jiang Chengyin had seen the news about Fu Xingchen throwing that extravagant birthday party for Lin Xiran. He was worried that Jiang Lili's position was precarious, and it was making him anxious. At the mention of pregnancy, a raw, tearing pain ripped through Jiang Lili's heart. Fu Xingchen had given her a bottle of birth control pills and would watch her take one every time after they had sex. He said he was too busy with work to be distracted by a child and planned to wait a few years. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but looking back now, she felt a strange sense of relief. Without a child, she could leave without any ties. "We can talk about it when I have time," Jiang Lili said, standing up and urging her mother to get the gifts. Zhang Qinghe went to fetch the items, chattering all the while. "Don't just brush this off. A man as outstanding as Xingchen will always have women throwing themselves at him. If you have a child, you can solidify your position, get him to announce your marriage publicly, and put an end to any ideas other women might have. It’s for the best!" After her lecture, she noticed Jiang Lili wasn't responding. She pulled the gifts back. "I'll find a reliable doctor and have you thoroughly checked out. You have to go!" "I'll think about it when I have time," Jiang Lili tried to brush it off vaguely. But Zhang Qinghe wouldn't give her the things unless she agreed. She finally relented. "Fine. Let me know when you've made the appointment. I have to go now." Jiang Heng grabbed his jacket, making an excuse to leave with her. "Hey, sis, you didn't drive?" Jiang Heng's car was a black supercar. Usually, Jiang Lili's car would be parked next to his, but today the spot was empty, as was the rest of the driveway. Jiang Lili walked around to the passenger side and got in. "No. Where are you headed? Just drop me off at a bus stop on your way." Jiang Heng started the engine, studying her from the corner of his eye as the car pulled out of the Jiang family's residential community and merged into traffic. "Sis, is something wrong?" "Why do you ask?" Jiang Lili's face was a placid mask. "What could possibly be wrong?" "You might seem laid-back, but you're sharp," Jiang Heng replied. "Usually, when Mom goes on one of her rants, you offer a few hesitant rebuttals before eventually letting her talk you around. But today, you were just avoiding it. And with you, the more you avoid something, the more it proves something's wrong." Jiang Lili never realized she was so transparent. Suddenly, she regretted getting a ride from him. In the confined space of the car, just the two of them, she felt completely exposed. Now that he'd called her out, she didn't know how to respond. "After you graduated from university, you got a job at a top-tier design firm. I was so happy for you then. But later you chose to get married, to become a full-time housewife. You never say anything, but I can tell you're not as happy anymore." Jiang Heng scratched his head, suddenly looking a bit shy. "I'm not good with sappy speeches, and I don't know what's going on, but I wanted to tell you... there's more to your life than just marriage." Jiang Lili understood what he was trying to say. Her entire world revolved around Fu Xingchen, so if she was upset, it had to be about him. Jiang Heng was telling her not to let her whole life be about one man. "Er Heng, you sound like quite the philosopher. So, have you figured out a plan for your own life?" she asked, subtly changing the subject. "Dad wants me to join the family company, but I'm not going to. It's not my passion. A few friends and I are developing a game. Don't think I'm just slacking off—the gaming industry is really profitable these days. When I make it big, I'll have your back. You won't have to take any crap from Fu Xingchen. Why should you have to stay home and give up on your dreams just because he says so?" As Jiang Heng talked, his eyes lit up with the same brilliant sparkle that had been in Jiang Lili's when she first received her job offer. The Jiang family always favored sons over daughters, and Jiang Lili had been treated differently since childhood. But she and Jiang Heng had always been close. When they were little, Jiang Chengyin would only bring home snacks that Jiang Heng liked. At first, Jiang Heng didn't understand what it meant, but as he grew older, he did. After that, he would secretly ask her what treats she liked and then ask their father for them. Because of that, she told him everything, including her dream of becoming a great designer. The negativity from her mother's words began to fade, replaced by the warmth of her brother's. A smile finally touched her lips. She got out of the car near Su Yunyou's apartment building. After watching Jiang Heng's car disappear down the street, she walked toward the entrance, carrying the two gift boxes. Just as she reached the gate of the residential community, her phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out. The call was from the old Fu family residence. "Young Madam, something terrible has happened! The old residence is on fire, and the Old Madam, she—" a frantic voice from one of the Fu family's staff cried out. Jiang Lili's grip on the gift boxes tightened. "What happened? Didn't Grandma go to the mountains?" "There's no time to explain! Just... please, contact the Young Master and tell him to come back quickly!" The "Old Madam" was Fu Xingchen's grandmother, Old Mrs. Fu. Jiang Lili hung up and, while hailing a cab with one hand, dialed Fu Xingchen's number with the other.