Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Meanwhile, Lin Zhangbin remained oblivious to the fact that his shameful secret had been exposed to his family. He was too busy doting on his child with his new lover.

"Who do you think our Fugui takes after more?"

The woman replied, "Naturally, he resembles you more, husband. Look at his eyes and nose—they’re the spitting image of you."

Lin Zhangbin chuckled, picking up the child and gently pinching his little cheeks, his affection overflowing. "Ah, I never thought that in my old age, I’d be blessed with such a treasure, making up for not having a son. Even if it’s just for him, I’ll strive to live a few more decades, saving up for his future marriage and family."

This woman, Widow Yu, was twenty-six years old. Her husband had passed away early, and with no steady income, she had resorted to running a clandestine brothel from her home.

Once, while drinking with friends, Lin Zhangbin happened upon this place and was instantly smitten with the young widow. Their secret affair began shortly after.

In June of this year, Widow Yu announced she was pregnant. Based on the timing, it aligned perfectly with when she had met Lin Zhangbin. Upon hearing this, he told her to keep the child, and the two began living together as husband and wife.

"My dear, when will that matter you mentioned come to fruition?"

"Soon, we’ll finalize the marriage after the New Year."

"Will the Fang family really give us a shopfront?"

"Absolutely. I’m his father-in-law—how dare he refuse me!"

The woman laughed lightly. "That’s good. Our Fugui is truly fortunate. By then, I’ll be a proprietress, spending my days minding the shop with our child in my arms."

Lin Zhangbin found her playful manner utterly endearing and pulled her close for another intimate moment. Disgusted inwardly, the woman forced a flattering smile and used the child stirring awake as an excuse to push him away.

"You’ve been coming around so often lately—won’t that shrew of yours at home grow suspicious?"

Lin Zhangbin lay back on the bed, watching her nurse the baby. "Don’t worry, we have guests at home these days. She’s too busy to keep an eye on me."

"So you plan to keep hiding me away indefinitely?"

"Don’t rush. We must wait until the eldest is married off first. If she finds out now, she might interfere with the marriage plans."

The woman hummed and turned away to continue feeding the child, though inwardly she calculated how much she could get out of Scholar Lin. If not for her inability to attract a wealthier man, she would never have ended up with this old scholar, who was almost as old as her father.

But at least she was about to turn her luck around. Once the Fang family’s shop was secured, she would no longer have to worry about making ends meet.

After staying for an hour, Lin Zhangbin took two strings of cash from his pocket and prepared to leave. "I’m off to work at the pawnshop. Take good care of my son."

"Don’t worry, I’m his mother—how could I mistreat him?"

*

As evening approached, Chen Rong moved to make noodle soup for them, but Wang Ying stopped her.

"Aunt, don’t trouble yourself. Neither of us has an appetite. Let’s resolve this matter first."

Since they had decided on a divorce, they needed to discuss the process. In ancient times, divorce was not like modern times—it couldn’t be granted without cause. Even if there was no love left between a couple, they couldn’t separate arbitrarily.

Although they knew Lin Zhangbin was keeping a woman outside, they didn’t know where the woman lived or her name. If he denied everything in court, it would be difficult to secure the divorce.

Chen Rong had never experienced such a situation and was unsure what to do.

Wang Ying said, "He stayed out last night—he must have slept there. When he returns later, Aunt, find an opportunity to start an argument and force him to leave. Qing Yan and I will follow him secretly to see where he goes."

"Will that work?"

"As long as we find out where the woman lives, things will be easier. As the saying goes, 'To catch a thief, you need the stolen goods; to catch adulterers, you need them in the act.' Once we catch them together in the room, he won’t be able to talk his way out of it."

"Alright!"

In the west room, Lin Qiu woke from his nap feeling less agitated. Learning that his mother intended to divorce his father, a glimmer of hope ignited in his eyes. "Mother, are you really going to divorce Father?"

Chen Rong held her son, her heart aching. "After the divorce, I’m afraid it will be even harder for you both to find spouses."

"Son would rather remain unmarried and stay with you forever than marry someone like him."

"Mother understands. But you mustn’t do anything foolish again. No matter what he tries, he won’t get his way. Mother will take care of everything!"

"Mm!"

Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan exchanged glances, feeling half their worries lift from their hearts.

*

In the evening, Lin Zhangbin left the pawnshop, humming a tune as he walked home. Passing by a roast chicken shop, he paused.

After a moment’s thought, he decided against it—a roasted chicken cost fifty coins. It would be a waste to give it to them; better to save it for his precious son.

Entering the house, he headed to the outhouse as usual. When he finally went inside, he found that everyone had already eaten, leaving only scraps and cold food on the table, which fueled his anger.

He went to the kitchen and grabbed Chen Rong. "Why did you eat without waiting for me?"

Chen Rong suppressed her rage. "How was I to know if you’d be back for dinner?"

"I haven’t eaten yet. Make me a bowl of noodle soup."

"There’s no flour left."

"Then make me a bowl of porridge, at least!"

"The rice bin is almost empty too. You haven’t brought home any housekeeping money in four months. How am I supposed to buy rice or flour?"

"You and the two children are weaving—surely you have enough for food staples?"

Chen Rong threw down the rag she was holding. "How dare you say that! A grown man like you, relying on his wife to support him—people would laugh their heads off if they heard! Tell me, how much did you earn this month? The New Year is almost here, and there are expenses everywhere. Give me two strings of cash."

Lin Zhangbin’s monthly wage was three hundred and fifty coins. He had already given two strings to his mistress that morning, leaving him with just over a hundred coins in his pocket. He couldn’t bear to part with any for Chen Rong.

"I don’t have any. I need money for meals and social expenses outside. If I give it all to you, what will I do?"

Chen Rong sneered. "So outsiders matter more than your own family? You earn money and prioritize treating others to food and drink while your wife and children starve at home?"

"Keep your voice down..." Lin Zhangbin glanced toward the east chamber. "When are they leaving?"

"Keep my voice down? You still care about face?" Chen Rong raised her voice. "You go out to work all day and don’t bring back a single coin, yet you expect me and our son to support you? Pah! Why don’t you take a piss and look at your reflection—see how shameless you are!"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Lin Zhangbin didn’t dare argue, fuming. "You irrational shrew!" With that, he stomped off angrily.

Inside, Chen Qingyan and Wang Ying had been waiting for this moment. As soon as he left, they hurried out after him.

Chen Rong anxiously grabbed their arms. "Be careful."

"Don’t worry. Keep an eye on your sons at home. We’ll be back soon."

The night was clear, with a bright moon and stars, the snow illuminating the path. To avoid detection, the two followed at a distance.

After walking for about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Lin Zhangbin turned into an alley up ahead. They quickened their pace to catch up.

They saw him knock on a door. "Cuixia, it’s me. Open up."

Before long, a light turned on inside, and a woman came out wrapped in a quilted coat. "Why are you here again so late?"

"Don't ask. I had another fight with that harpy."

"You poor dear."

"Ah, forget it. I haven't had dinner yet. Make me something to eat."

Only after the two entered the house did they emerge from the shadows, carefully noting the location of the courtyard before hurrying back to Third Aunt's place.

Third Aunt was anxiously waiting at the gate and rushed to meet them as they returned. "Well? Did you find where his mistress lives?"

"We found it. It's not far from here. Head west, pass through three alleys, and the second house on the left after turning is where she lives."

"That bastard!" Chen Rong's heart was completely crushed. She had held onto a sliver of hope before, thinking that perhaps Fang Erlang had been making it up. No matter how flawed Lin Zhangbin was, they had been married for eighteen years—surely he couldn't be so heartless.

But it turned out he was exactly as described, couldn't care less about her or their two children.

"It's getting late. You should get some rest now."

"Third Aunt..." Wang Ying, seeing how pale she looked, worried she might not be able to bear it.

Chen Rong patted his arm. "Don't worry. I still have my two sons. Even if it's for them, I have to keep it together."

Such is the heart of a loving mother—she can endure any hardship herself, but not for her children. If anyone dares to mistreat her sons, she would go to the mat, even at the cost of her life.

Early the next morning, before dawn, the lights were already on in the Lin household.

Chen Qingyan helped his aunt draft the separation agreement, clearly stating the reasons for their separation on paper: keeping a secret mistress, neglecting his wife and children, and even planning to trade their son's marriage for a shop, along with other disgusting behavior.

Wang Ying stood by watching, occasionally praising, "Your handwriting is really beautiful," making Chen Qingyan's ears turn red.

Originally, Wang Ying had intended for Lin Zhangbin to be left with nothing, believing such a shameless man shouldn't be indulged. But ancient laws differed from modern ones; even in separations, they often favored the husband. Third Aunt could only take her dowry from when she married, and nothing else.

By custom, the two children should also remain with the Lin family, but Third Aunt would never abandon them. That's why they had followed Lin Zhangbin the previous night—to catch him by surprise.

Chen Qingyan blew on the ink to dry it, handed the separation agreement to Third Aunt to review, and added a line at the bottom: "We're through for good, and we shall never interact again."

"That's it. Let's hurry over."

They set out together.

Uncle Chen led the way carrying a lantern, while Chen Rong followed briskly behind.

She had dressed to impress that day, wearing a dark red beizi over a satin-lined padded jacket she had always been reluctant to wear. Her hair was tied high at the back with silver hairpins and a jade hairpin, and she had applied makeup, making her look several years younger, reminiscent of the young lady of the Chen family she once was.

Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan followed behind, their hearts racing and palms sweating at the thought of the showdown ahead.

In her previous life, Wang Ying had only seen such scenes in TV dramas. Never did she expect to experience it firsthand after being transported to this world.

Soon, they arrived at the place where the unfaithful couple lived. "Is this the house?"

Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan said in unison, "Yes, this is the one."

Uncle Chen stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Rat-a-tat-tat!"

After a long wait, a sound came from inside, and shortly after, a woman emerged asking, "Who is it? Knocking so early in the morning, not letting decent folks sleep."

"I'm a friend of Scholar Lin. I’m here to see him about something."

The woman was quite cautious. "What Scholar Lin? You must have the wrong house."

"How could I be wrong? He brought me here last time."

Hearing this, Widow Yu felt relieved, fastened her clothes, and came to open the door. But as the gate swung open, she froze on the spot—four people stood outside, all staring her down!

"Who... who are you?"

Chen Rong shoved the woman out of the way and marched right in. "Lin Zhangbin, get out here, you shameless old bastard! How dare you keep a mistress behind my back!"