Chapter 20: Emotions Deepen

Everything that Ye Feng had done had always started with her at the center. Only now did she realize just how important she was in Ye Feng’s heart.

“Ye Feng, is it true?”

Ye Feng nodded helplessly, turning to his sister-in-law. “Nian Nian, didn’t I tell you not to mention this to Man Man?”

Su Nian Nian’s voice was resolute. “Brother-in-law, I was too harsh before. I don’t ask for your forgiveness; I only wish to do something for you, to make up for my past mistakes.”

Su Man Man snapped out of her reverie and looked once more at Ye Feng. Her heart was a whirl of emotions; at this moment, all she wanted was to apologize to Ye Feng face-to-face.

“Ye—”

“What are you all doing here in the middle of the day? You’re so noisy I can’t even get my beauty sleep.” Mother-in-law Wang Meili descended the stairs, her tone shrill and harsh, interrupting Su Man Man before she could speak to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng’s brows furrowed, his expression darkening instantly. “We’re discussing something important. Why are you here?” If not for Man Man’s sake, he would have already lost his temper.

Wang Meili was stunned. Had this good-for-nothing eaten something wrong today? How dare he speak to her like this! Anger bubbled within her.

“How dare you, you useless fool! I think you’ve lost your mind. Hurry up and divorce Man Man—don’t ruin my daughter’s bright future!”

“Only someone as outstanding as Lu Yu deserves my daughter. You only bring her shame.”

“And you even went out with another woman—how do you still have the nerve to stay in our family? Get out of here immediately!”

Su Man Man stood up from the sofa, placing herself in front of Ye Feng.

“Mom, stop it. I will never divorce Ye Feng, not even in death.”

“What did you say? You won’t divorce that loser? How will you be with Lu Yu then!” Wang Meili’s face twisted in anger, her carefully applied makeup failing to conceal her fury.

“I never intended to be with Lu Yu, and now it’s impossible—because he’s dead.” Su Man Man spoke calmly, her face showing no trace of regret.

For someone who tried to violate her, she felt that such a scoundrel deserved to die. Even if Lu Yu had lived, she would never have been with him.

“What did you say? Lu Yu… He’s dead? When did this happen? Why didn’t I know?” Her mother-in-law was utterly shocked.

After her brief surprise, Wang Meili recalled Zhang Chao, who had once pursued Su Man Man.

“Even if Lu Yu is gone, isn’t there still Zhang Chao? He’s not as wealthy as Lu Yu, but he’s chased you for years—his feelings for you are obvious, and he’s certainly better than this loser.” Wang Meili’s disdain was unmasked.

“Mom, unfortunately, Zhang Chao is dead too. He died the same day as Lu Yu.”

“What? Are you lying to me just so you don’t have to divorce that loser? How can two living men die on the same day!”

Wang Meili’s mind was in turmoil, refusing to believe her daughter’s words. She was convinced it was all a fabrication to continue being with Ye Feng.

“It’s true, Mom. It was on the news. They said both men allegedly committed suicide from overwhelming stress. If you don’t believe me, just make a call to confirm—I’m not lying to you.”

A barely perceptible smile played at Ye Feng’s lips. In his heart he mused, “Why is it impossible? If I want them dead, then they’ll die on that day.”

“I don’t care, Su Man Man. Today, you must divorce that loser. I’d rather drag a stray dog from the street to be my son-in-law—he’d be a thousand, ten thousand times better than this fool!” Her mother-in-law was still determined to force a divorce.

“Mom, I’m not a child anymore. No matter what you say today, I won’t divorce Ye Feng!” If it had been before, she might have hesitated, obeyed her mother, but now, knowing all Ye Feng had done for her, Su Man Man had no reason to leave him.

Her sister-in-law Su Nian Nian hurriedly stood up to smooth things over, taking Wang Meili’s hand. “Mom, stop meddling with my sister and brother-in-law. If you keep getting angry, you’ll only hurt yourself—why suffer?”

“Su Nian Nian, have you gone mad? You actually call this loser ‘brother-in-law’? Has he bewitched you?” Wang Meili slapped her daughter's hand away.

Su Nian Nian recoiled in pain and moved to stand beside her sister.

“You two really are my daughters—always opposing me!” Seeing her daughters united, Wang Meili gritted her teeth in fury, feeling her blood pressure rise.

“Su Man Man, don’t forget—Ye Feng went out with another woman. They were so intimate, how can you not be suspicious? Have you ever given him a single day of kindness? Aren’t you afraid they really have something going on?”

Ye Feng saw his mother-in-law, at a loss, dredging up the incident at the Western restaurant, trying to sow discord between him and Su Man Man. His heart fluttered with anxiety—he still hadn’t explained everything.

Hearing her mother’s words, Su Man Man’s face darkened. She knew her mother wasn’t wrong; she had never shown Ye Feng any warmth, always hitting, scolding, and doubting him. She feared that Ye Feng might leave her.

The silence was shattered by the ringing of a phone.

Su Man Man picked up her phone, frowning in puzzlement. “Why is she calling me?”

Earlier, Su Man Man had secretly checked Ye Feng’s phone and discovered the woman’s name—Zhou Qian—along with her number.

After a moment’s internal struggle, she pressed ‘answer’. A hoarse voice sounded from the other end.

“Miss Su, hello, I’m Zhou Qian. We met before at the First Western Restaurant.”

“What do you want?” Su Man Man’s voice was cold.

“Please don’t be angry. I need to explain—I am just friends with Ye Feng. That day, I acted under orders: she promised me thirty thousand if I made intimate gestures with Ye Feng in the restaurant and let you see it. I was desperate, so I agreed. The person who instructed me was your mother, Wang Meili.”

Learning the truth, Su Man Man’s phone slipped from her hand. Her face was filled with disbelief as she stared at her mother. Never had she imagined her mother would do such a thing. Her complexion turned pale.

“Mom, why did you do this?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Wang Meili tried to maintain composure, but panic flickered on her face.

“Are you still not going to admit it? That phone call just now was from her; she said you were the one who directed her. What good could this possibly do you?” Su Man Man, her eyes brimming with tears, shouted at her mother.

Ye Feng, standing nearby, now understood that everything had been orchestrated by his mother-in-law. His anger deepened, and he realized he had wrongly blamed Zhou Qian—she too had her own helpless reasons. He wondered about her godfather’s surgery.

Su Nian Nian, knowing the truth, was disappointed in her mother. She never expected her mother to do something so selfish and hurtful.

Seeing her plot exposed, Wang Meili’s face betrayed her panic.

“I did it all for you! You were always complaining that this loser was good for nothing, so I…”

“The company’s annual party is coming up in a few days—don’t you dare bring that loser and embarrass me!” With that, she turned and fled.

After her mother left, Su Nian Nian sensibly left as well.

When they were gone, Su Man Man threw herself into Ye Feng’s arms, memories of his silent, selfless devotion flooding her mind. The tears she had held back finally broke free.

“Ye Feng, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. You’ve always treated me so well, and I kept hurting you, even foolishly wanting to divorce you. Ye Feng, will you forgive me?”

Ye Feng was stunned for a moment.

In three years, this was the first time Su Man Man had ever embraced him on her own. His heart soared—at last, he had won her. A smile slowly curved his lips.

“Man Man, I’ve never blamed you. Enough, don’t cry anymore, or you won’t be beautiful.”

“Let’s start over.”

“Alright!” Ye Feng gazed at Su Man Man, full of tender affection.