Chapter 7

Jiang Xiaofei submitted Lin Wanqiu’s salary statements and mortgage payment records, along with a statement from Zhou Ning’s kindergarten teacher. It confirmed that Wanqiu had always dropped him off and collected him on time, attended parent meetings, and paid his education expenses.

“Furthermore,” Xiaofei said, producing another set of documents, “Mr. Zhou maintained an extramarital relationship with Ms. Xu Qingya during the marriage and she became pregnant. These actions constitute a serious violation of the Marriage Law. Under the law, the party at fault may receive a reduced share of the marital assets, or none at all.”

Jianguo’s lawyer tried to object, but her evidence was too detailed to dispute.

The judge reviewed the documents.

“Judgment will be delivered at a later date.”

The ruling came on March 20.

The court granted Wanqiu and Jianguo a divorce. The house was awarded to Wanqiu, and Jianguo was ordered to compensate her for half the mortgage payments they had made together since marrying, as well as the corresponding increase in the property’s value. Wanqiu received custody of Ningning. Jianguo was to pay three thousand yuan a month in child support and, as the party at fault, two hundred thousand yuan in compensation for emotional distress.

Holding the judgment, Wanqiu stood outside the courthouse in the spring sunshine.

Jianguo came out through another door. He saw her and opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing. He turned and left.

In April, Wanqiu moved back into her home. She packed up all his belongings and sent them away, then redecorated.

In May, her project secured a major contract. The company promoted her and gave her a raise.

In June, Ningning turned five. She held a small party for him and invited his friends from kindergarten.

He held up his cake, his smile bright.

“Mama, I love you.”

Wanqiu hugged him, her eyes damp.

At this point in her previous life, she had been out of work for almost a year. Every day revolved around cooking and caring for her child. Her husband grew colder, and she had no idea what lay ahead.

This time, she had taken back her life.

One weekend in July, she took Ningning to the park. He ran ahead while she followed at an easy pace, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Her phone rang. An unfamiliar number.

“Is this Lin Wanqiu? This is Xu Qingya.”

Wanqiu stopped.

“What do you want?”

“I’d like to meet you.” Qingya’s voice was calm. “Just the two of us.”

Wanqiu was silent for a few seconds.

“All right. You choose when and where.”

The following afternoon, she met Qingya at a café.

Her pregnancy was now unmistakable, her belly prominent. She was sitting by the window and stood when Wanqiu approached.

“Ms. Lin, thank you for agreeing to see me.”

Wanqiu sat down.

“What did you want to talk about?”

Qingya lowered her head. After a long silence, she spoke.

“I want to apologize.”

Wanqiu said nothing.

“I know nothing I say will help now, but I still want to say it.” Qingya’s voice trembled. “I shouldn’t have interfered in your marriage. I shouldn’t have been with Jianguo. It was my fault.”

“And?” Wanqiu looked at her. “You apologize, and I’m supposed to forgive you?”

“No.” Qingya shook her head. “I only wanted you to know that he lied to me, too.”

Wanqiu frowned.

“He said your marriage had been over for a long time, that you were separated, that you’d agreed he could see someone else.” Tears slid down Qingya’s face. “I believed him. I thought he would divorce you and marry me. Later, I realized he’d never intended to divorce you at all. He just wanted us both.”

Wanqiu looked at her and suddenly laughed.

“You’ve only just realized that, Ms. Xu?”

Qingya bit her lip.

“I’m sorry.”

“I accept your apology.” Wanqiu got up to leave.

“Wait.” Qingya took a USB drive from her bag. “This contains evidence of the assets Jianguo concealed over the years. While you were married, he transferred his project commissions into his mother’s account without your knowledge. More than four hundred thousand yuan in total. I thought you might need it.”

Wanqiu looked at the drive. After a few seconds, she took it.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Qingya gave a bitter smile. “I just wanted to do something right.”

Wanqiu left the café with the drive in her hand and stood at the roadside, struck by the irony.

In her previous life, she and Qingya had been bitter enemies. This time, this woman had given her the final piece of evidence.

Life was difficult to predict.