RYEY – Chapter 120 Bowing to Reality

Chen Chunhua was stunned by the old lady’s sudden attack, but quickly regained her senses. She grabbed the old woman, pulled her through the main gate, and kicked the door shut with one swift move.

“Come on, into the house with me.”

She clamped a hand over the old lady’s mouth and dragged her inside. Only then did the old woman start to feel real fear. After all, she was nearly sixty—how could she possibly match the strength of a village woman?

Once she was pulled inside and saw the lavish decorations, the spacious sofa, and the fireplace blazing with fire, she was completely speechless.

Outside, the wind was bitterly cold, but inside it was as warm as spring. No wonder this “cheap woman” wasn’t shivering in just a thin wool coat. The old woman, wrapped in a heavy padded jacket, already felt overheated.

“Stop cursing at me. If your son knew I was here, he’d be overjoyed.”

Chen Chunhua poured herself a glass of malted milk, sat calmly on the sofa, and spoke slowly.

“You… what did you say? Are you out of your mind?”

“I told you not to curse. Otherwise, I won’t be polite.”

Chen Chunhua’s aura suddenly shifted, startling the old woman so much that she quickly withdrew the finger she had been pointing at her.

It was only then that she took a careful look at Chen Chunhua—her long black hair permed into big waves, a smooth forehead revealed; a peach-pink wool coat that perfectly showed her slender figure; a pair of shiny black suede winter boots on her feet.

And that face—prettier and fairer than most city girls’. Not a trace of a rustic village woman remained. No wonder a high-ranking leader had taken a fancy to her. Dressed up like this, she really was on a different level.

Satisfied that her mother-in-law finally understood her words, Chen Chunhua took another sip of her malted milk and smiled.

“Do you know where this is? This is the home of the top leader of the County Committee. If your son knew I was living here, what would he think?”

What would he think? He’d think he had climbed a high branch. The old woman muttered to herself. When she realized it, it was too late. She glared at Chen Chunhua with hatred but had to admit that what this “cheap woman” said was true.

“Go back. I’ll bring it up with my man when I get the chance—let Wang Tuozi become the head chef at the meat factory kitchen. But there’s one condition: he must divorce me first.”

At the words “head chef,” the old woman’s heart trembled. That position paid 120 yuan a month—the highest wage in the kitchen. But the mention of divorce made her frown deeply.

Now she fully understood Chen Chunhua’s meaning. From her son’s perspective, of course, he would be thrilled that his wife could live here. After all, his woman had latched onto a powerful connection.

“I understand. I’ll go back now.”

The old woman didn’t waste time. She turned and walked away. Chen Chunhua curled her lips into a smile and personally saw her out. Finally, the day she had been waiting for had come. As soon as she divorced Wang Tuozi, she could marry the man she was with now.

Just as she was about to close the door, a familiar voice called out: “Chunhua, you look so beautiful today.”

She turned to see Miao Qing. Since the last time they had worked together, their relationship had grown closer.

“Miao Qing, what brings you here? Do you want to come in and sit for a while?”

Miao Qing cast her a subtle glance. Pretty women always had it easier. If only she had that kind of beauty, she wouldn’t have to plot and struggle so hard.

“Alright.”

Chen Chunhua had only been polite, but since Miao Qing took her words literally, she could only grit her teeth and let her in.

Miao Qing’s eyes locked on the fireplace. She didn’t understand why city folks would move their kitchen into the living room—and with such a tiny stove, what could you even cook on it?

Seeing her ignorance, Chen Chunhua rolled her eyes. She had long forgotten how, when she first saw a fireplace, she’d been even more clueless than Miao Qing.

“This is called a fireplace. It’s for heating, but it uses a lot of coal. Without enough money, you can’t afford to use it.”

Miao Qing nodded vaguely, then looked at the sofa and at the half-finished glass of malted milk on the table. Everything seemed so delicate. If only they were hers.

“What did you come here for?”

Chen Chunhua was starting to get anxious—the man of the house would be back soon.

“Nothing really. I’ve been staying at the county guesthouse lately, so I thought I’d drop by.”

“You’re staying at the guesthouse? Why not go home?”

“I…”

Miao Qing almost blurted out that she had no home, but catching Chen Chunhua’s mocking look, she suddenly sobered. She had said too much already.

“Nothing. I’m about to get married, so I came to the county to buy dowry items.”

Chen Chunhua had no interest in Miao Qing’s marriage. She just wanted her gone. Hearing about the dowry gave her an excuse. She quickly pushed her toward the door.

“It’s almost New Year, and supplies at the co-op are tight. Don’t waste your time here.”

Miao Qing nodded and started to leave. But just as she reached the doorway, the front door swung open. The fleshy-faced man walked in with a key in hand. He stopped when he saw Miao Qing and Chen Chunhua together, puzzled at why this woman was here.

“Hello, Leader. I’m Miao Qing, Chunhua’s good friend.”

Miao Qing’s eyes sparkled as she bowed playfully, like a little girl. The fleshy-faced man’s heart stirred slightly at her coy expression.

“So you’re Miao Qing. Chunhua often mentions you. Why are you leaving so soon? Stay for dinner if you’re not busy.”

Miao Qing was about to agree, but Chen Chunhua coughed into her fist. Forced to restrain herself, Miao Qing smiled and shook her head. “Not today. Another time, perhaps.”

“Chunhua, I’m staying at Hongqi Guesthouse, Room 102. Come visit me sometime.”

Chen Chunhua: “…”

The fleshy-faced man’s eyes glimmered with amusement. Miao Qing wasn’t particularly attractive, but she was clever—cleverer than Chen Chunhua. Could it be true that the prettier a woman was, the lower her intelligence?

If that was the case, then Cheng Qiao would be easy to win over. Otherwise, why would she have married a penniless rascal whose family didn’t even have sugar, let alone malted milk or milk powder?

He had originally planned to throw Chen Chunhua out soon, but seeing her jealous expression, he decided to keep her around a little longer. Once he had Cheng Qiao in his hands, it wouldn’t be too late to kick her out.

Wrapping his arm around Chen Chunhua’s shoulders, he led her inside. Feeling his lecherous gaze on her, Chen Chunhua finally relaxed. Miao Qing was too plain—surely he wouldn’t want her.

But once in the bedroom, the fleshy-faced man seemed distracted. This made Chen Chunhua anxious. Could it be that he really was interested in Miao Qing? After all, Miao Qing was still a virgin.

“Miao Qing came to the county this time to prepare her dowry. She said she’s getting married soon.”