Chapter 1: Sick Without Paying, Husband Buys House for White Moonlight

Chapter 1: Ailing and Unpaid, Her Husband Buys a House for His Mistress

2007, Haishi First People's Hospital.

"Ms. Xia, you've been behind on payments for a week. You kept saying your family would come to pay, but no one has shown up. It puts us in a difficult position. Your condition can't be delayed any longer; if you don't undergo surgery soon, it might be too late."

"Here's the deal: we'll hold your bed for one more day. Please go home and get the money. If you still can't pay, we'll have no choice but to give the bed to another patient in need."

The nurse, with a sigh of resignation, delivered this ultimatum to the frail woman before her.

Though only forty-eight, she looked decades older, her face etched with wrinkles and an ashen pallor—a testament not just to illness, but to the relentless grind of life.

"I understand, Nurse Liu. I'm sorry. I'll find a way to pay. I won't make things difficult for you."

A flicker of shame crossed Xia Xian's eyes, yet she managed to offer an apologetic assurance. Then, she pulled on her coat and stumbled out, making her way home.

She had a malignant tumor, discovered at a middling stage. With proper treatment, she could live another three to five years, perhaps even longer. Without it…

From diagnosis to hospitalization, only ten days had passed. She had paid for the first three days, but her husband and daughter, who had promised to return with money, never reappeared.

When she called, they initially claimed to be too busy to visit, telling her to hang in there. Later, they said they were gathering funds for her medical bills. Eventually, they stopped answering her calls altogether.

Yet, she believed her daughter and husband weren't acting intentionally. Something must have held them up, or perhaps they were too preoccupied with raising money to answer the phone.

Clinging to hope, she dragged her ailing body home, walking for over an hour, only to find the house empty. She didn't even have a key to get inside.

Her shoulders slumped in disappointment, but then, as if remembering something, she turned toward the neighbor's house—only to find its door tightly shut and no one home.

For some reason, Xia Xian's heart gave a violent lurch, as if she had a premonition. Just then, Sister Wang, who lived behind them, rode past on her motorcycle. Spotting Xia Xian standing there, she stopped in confusion and called out,

"Xia Xian, what are you doing just standing there? And why are you dressed like that? Today's the day Nannan and Xiao Jun are getting married—and it's also your family's housewarming! A double celebration! Shouldn't you, the mistress of the house, be there handling things? What are you doing back here? I was just heading to your new place for the wedding banquet."

"But you and Old Chu are really something. Xiao Jun and his mother couldn't afford a house for the wedding, so you two bought them one—even letting his mother move in while you stay in this old place. Sometimes I just don't get what you're thinking. Giving away your daughter and a house?"

Sister Wang sighed, clearly baffled by Xia Xian's choices.

Xia Xian's heart wrenched in agony. She clenched her fists so hard her nails bit into her chapped lips, nearly drawing blood. Her face went utterly blank.

Chu Nannan was her daughter. Xiao Jun was the neighbor's son. But she knew nothing about this wedding—or the house!

And why him of all people? Why did Nannan have to marry Xiao Jun? His mother, Bai Lian, had grown up with her husband, even though she was five years older. She married young and divorced early, returning to her parents' home with her seven-year-old son.

Xia Xian had originally been engaged to Chu, the eldest brother, but he fell gravely ill and hid it from her, letting her marry him anyway. A week later, he died.

The second Chu brother was also old enough to marry, but the Chu family was too poor to afford a bride. She had only agreed to marry him because Eldest Brother Chu was handsome and honest. She hadn't even demanded a bride price—if they'd had to pay for proper betrothal gifts, neither brother would've found a wife!

Later, when she wanted to leave, Chu's mother begged her to stay, insisting she make do with Second Chu—at least until she bore two children, one to carry on Eldest Brother's line and one for Second Chu's. She claimed this "dual succession" was tradition. At the time, Xia Xian had softened and agreed.

Yet all these years, she had only given birth to Chu Nannan, a single daughter. Still, she was sure she'd never failed the Chu family!

She worked to earn money, raised her child, cared for her mother-in-law, and handled all the household chores—cooking, cleaning, everything! Her paycheck paid their bills, while Second Chu kept his wages for himself—sometimes even hitting her up for cash when he was broke! He ignored his own family but frequently helped the neighbors, saying Bai Lian was like family to him and he couldn't bear to see her struggle, her child innocent in all this.

Every time they argued about it, she bit back her anger. They'd been married so long, had a daughter—what choice did she have but to put up with it?

And Xiao Jun had been trouble since childhood—stirring up drama, framing others, stealing—he'd done it all! She had warned her daughter repeatedly to stay away from him. How could she marry him now?

What else were they hiding?

Though no wind blew, Xia Xian felt as if she stood out in the freezing cold, shivering uncontrollably.

She didn't know who had betrayed her more—her husband or her daughter.

"Xia Xian? Are you okay? Why—"

"Sister Wang, please take me there!"

Before Sister Wang could finish, Xia Xian lunged forward, gripping her arm, tears brimming in her desperate eyes.

"Alright."

Realizing something was amiss, Sister Wang silently agreed.

Rushing to the scene, Xia Xian arrived just in time to witness the newlyweds bowing to their parents and serving tea.

The irony was unbearable—in that bright new house, Chu Sheng and Bai Lian sat side by side, accepting tea from her daughter, exchanging affectionate smiles. Anyone would think they were the married couple! And her daughter—the little traitor!!!

The sight enraged Xia Xian, nearly giving her a stroke. Years of pent-up resentment exploded. Without thinking, she stormed forward, snatched the teacup from Chu Sheng’s hands, and smashed it into his face with a crash—blood gushing from his nose. She just wanted to vent her fury!

"Damn it!"

"Ah! Mom! What are you doing here?"

"Xia Xian! Have you lost your mind?"

"You bitch!"

"How could Xia Xian ruin such an important day?"

She ignored all their reactions, her eyes wild as she grabbed Bai Lian’s hair, raising her hand to slap the shameless woman. But mid-swing, Xiao Jun caught her wrist.

"How dare you hit my mother! Get out!"

Furious, he kicked her before she could break free, sending her flying backward. The back of her head slammed into the wall before she crumpled to the ground.

Already at her limit—weak, heartsick—the brutal kick and impact proved too much. Xia Xian’s breath ceased instantly. Her eyes bulged wide, as if about to pop out, bloody tears streaming down her cheeks. She died wide-eyed, unable to close them—no peace in death!

She hated them! Why hadn’t she seen their true faces sooner? Why wasn’t she given a chance for revenge? Why? Why?!

Even as a ghost, she would never let them go!

Though unwilling, her life slipped away like the wind, her consciousness swallowed by darkness.

Hearing is the last sense to fade after death. She caught her daughter’s disgusted muttering about her ruining the wedding, Bai Lian’s tearful complaints, and Chu Sheng’s furious curses—how he never should’ve married such a worthless, crazy woman like Xia Xian.

Who knew how long it would take for them to realize she was already dead.

The moment her hearing vanished, Xia Xian should have truly perished. But as her body twitched twice, her eyes suddenly flew open!