Chapter 87: Finally Taking Action

Nineteen-year-old Chu Ying was a very demanding woman. Wu Zhiming realized this the moment he first saw her, but he didn't expect her to be this difficult.

After complaining about the smell of the bitter herb soup, she barely sat down before criticizing the old, dirty sofa, then the television, and finally the entire layout of the house, calling it too small. In short, once she sat down, she didn't stop finding faults.

To Wu Zhiming, Yao An seemed like an idiot. His girlfriend was openly criticizing his home, yet he patiently listened and occasionally offered explanations to prevent her from completely disparaging their family.

This scene reminded Wu Zhiming of four years ago. When Yao Jing first married him, it was a similar situation. At that time, it was Zhou Yanqiu who played the role of Chu Ying, constantly criticizing Wu Zhiming, while Yao Jing could only try to smooth things over, attempting to preserve Wu Zhiming's dignity.

Back then, Yao Jing's life was much harder than one could imagine. The humiliation Wu Zhiming endured was equally felt by Yao Jing.

Yao Jing remained silent throughout, just watching TV.

Wu Zhiming, on the other hand, found the situation amusing. He very much hoped Chu Ying would marry into Zhou Yanqiu's family so that Chu Ying could torment Zhou Yanqiu every day, giving him a way to vent his resentment towards her.

When it was finally time to eat, Chu Ying started her antics again. First, the food didn't suit her taste, then the utensils weren't clean. She barely ate a few bites of the lavish lunch before stopping.

Zhou Yanqiu was fuming inside from all the criticisms but had to endure it because of Chu Ying's wealthy background.

After the meal, Yao An, sensing the unhappiness in the family, took Chu Ying out to have fun.

Originally, Zhou Yanqiu had suggested that Chu Ying stay at their place, but she didn't say it out loud in the end, fearing that Chu Ying would find another reason to refuse, which would be too embarrassing.

Wu Zhiming happily sat in the living room with a piece of watermelon, watching TV.

From the way things had unfolded, Zhou Yanqiu was completely at a disadvantage. Because she wanted something from Chu Ying, she could only tolerate her antics.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. From this perspective, Wu Zhiming was quite satisfied with Chu Ying. Moreover, Chu Ying never picked on Yao Jing, as if she knew Yao Jing wasn't someone to be trifled with, which made Wu Zhiming even more pleased.

However, Wu Zhiming's satisfaction meant Zhou Yanqiu's dissatisfaction.

Seeing Wu Zhiming sitting there eating watermelon, her anger flared up.

"Wu Zhiming, why do I get angry just looking at you?" Zhou Yanqiu stood in front of Wu Zhiming, angrily questioning him.

Wu Zhiming looked at her in surprise and asked, "Why are you angry?"

"Why did you drive that broken Elantra to pick her up today? Are you reluctant to drive your Bentley?" Zhou Yanqiu demanded.

Wu Zhiming frowned slightly, put down the watermelon, and didn't retort.

"Did you hear what she said? She said our place is so small, how can anyone live here? Did you hear that? Doesn't that slap you in the face? Aren't you a billionaire? Why haven't you bought us a bigger house?" Zhou Yanqiu continued.

"Go on," Wu Zhiming said calmly, looking at Zhou Yanqiu.

Not realizing the change in Wu Zhiming's demeanor, Zhou Yanqiu continued loudly, "You've been married to Yao Jing for four years, and I haven't enjoyed any benefits. Now that you're successful, you barely pay attention to me. Even when I visit your company, you don't come out to greet me. Have you forgotten who married their daughter to you when you were penniless? It was me!"

"Yes," Wu Zhiming nodded.

"I say you're an ungrateful wolf, selfish and ungrateful. You made money, got rich, and turned your back on those who were good to you and helped you!" Zhou Yanqiu exclaimed.

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Yao Jing, having overheard, came out of the kitchen, frowning.

"Don't speak!" Zhou Yanqiu snapped.

"So, what do you want?" Wu Zhiming suddenly smiled and asked.

"I am your mother-in-law! I need you to respect me! Understand? When I visit your company, you should greet me. If I need money, you should give it to me. If I ask for your help with something, you should do it wholeheartedly. If someone insults me, you should defend me. That's what a good son-in-law does! Otherwise, what's the point of having a son-in-law like you? Let me tell you, there are still plenty of excellent men pursuing Jingjing. If I wanted, she could get a new husband anytime. You should be aware of this crisis. Don't come crying to me when I make her leave you for someone else!" Zhou Yanqiu ranted.

"Mom, I'm really angry!" Yao Jing said emotionally.

"Yao Jing, don't speak," Wu Zhiming said calmly.

Yao Jing was taken aback. When Wu Zhiming addressed her by her full name in such a calm manner, she knew that this matter might not end well today.

For days, Yao Jing had been trying to balance the relationship between Wu Zhiming and her mother, always hovering between the two, fearing to upset either side.

She thought that through her efforts, she could eventually get the two to let go of their grudges and make peace.

But when Zhou Yanqiu said those words, Yao Jing realized that all her previous efforts were in vain.

Wu Zhiming stood up from the sofa and walked up to Zhou Yanqiu.

Zhou Yanqiu took a step back and looked up at Wu Zhiming, saying, "What, you think you can hit me? I am your mother-in-law. I..."

A loud slap echoed. The slap landed on Zhou Yanqiu's face, but it felt as if it struck both Yao Jing and Yao Jianrong.

Yao Jing's eyes widened, and Yao Jianrong shouted excitedly, "Wu Zhiming, what are you doing?!"

"This slap is for yelling at me," Wu Zhiming said, looking at Zhou Yanqiu.

Zhou Yanqiu covered her slapped face, her hands trembling as she pointed at Wu Zhiming.

Slap!

Wu Zhiming delivered another backhanded slap.

Yao Jing, feeling agitated, wanted to rush over to stop Wu Zhiming, but suddenly halted when Wu Zhiming glanced at her and said, "You stand there and wait until I'm done."

Wait until he's done?

Yao Jing was completely confused.

What did he mean? Did Wu Zhiming really intend to continue hitting her?

"This slap is for the things you just said," Wu Zhiming stated.

"I..." Zhou Yanqiu opened her mouth to speak, but Wu Zhiming delivered yet another slap.

Zhou Yanqiu staggered back a few steps and fell onto the ground.

Yao Jing could no longer hold back. She rushed over, hugging the fallen Zhou Yanqiu, and cried out to Wu Zhiming, "Wu Zhiming, are you crazy?"

"This last slap is out of consideration for Yao Jing," Wu Zhiming said calmly.

Out of consideration for Yao Jing?

Both Zhou Yanqiu and Yao Jianrong thought Wu Zhiming must be insane. He slapped Yao Jing's mother and then told Yao Jing it was for her sake. If it weren't for Yao Jing, would he have gone so far as to kill someone?

Only Yao Jing felt that Wu Zhiming might indeed have held back for her sake. After all, the current Wu Zhiming was far more domineering than before.

"I've been married to Yao Jing for four years. Outsiders have insulted me, and I can understand that since I've always been a pushover. But what I can't understand is why you have to treat me this way too. No matter how useless I am, I'm still Yao Jing's husband and your son-in-law. Every insult you hurl at me also insults Yao Jing. Every harsh word you say to me also lands on Yao Jing. If you had any sense or conscience, you shouldn't have spent the past four years humiliating me to the utmost. I can tolerate being hurt by you, but each time you hurt Yao Jing's heart. Do you know that?" Wu Zhiming stared at Zhou Yanqiu, his eyes filled with a murderous intent as if he wanted to kill her.

"Zhiming, stop it, shut up!" Yao Jing cried out.

Wu Zhiming had never seen Yao Jing so agitated or crying so desperately, but he had to continue. Since some things had been done, they had to be done thoroughly.

"Do you know the greatest happiness for a woman? It's not controlling the family finances or making her husband live in fear. The greatest happiness for a woman is having a beautiful marriage. As a woman and a mother, you repeatedly try to make your daughter give up on her marriage. Do you even know what you're doing? Do you really disregard your daughter's reputation so much? Just to attach yourself to a better in-law, you're willing to let your daughter be branded with infamy? Is there anyone like you in this world who calls themselves a mother?" Wu Zhiming sternly questioned.

Zhou Yanqiu trembled in fear, unable to utter a single word.

"Zhiming, that's enough!" Yao Jianrong said sternly.

"Dad, a man should respect women and especially his own wife. But respect doesn't mean limitless concession. A man should have his own principles, principles that aren't tied to gender. Don't tolerate everything in the name of love; your indulgence will eventually turn into someone else's fists landing on her!" Wu Zhiming said coldly.

Yao Jianrong was momentarily speechless, unable to respond.

"Yao Jing!" Wu Zhiming looked at the tear-streaked Yao Jing and said, "I know you're in a difficult position, but as long as you're alive, no matter how tough things get, you have to make choices and compromises. As the CEO of a company, you should act decisively, but you always waver when dealing with the issues between your mother and me. You try to please both sides, looking for the perfect solution, but in the end, you please neither side. Your mother doesn't appreciate your efforts, and I don't see your determination to defend me. Whether as a wife or a daughter, you're not doing enough."

"I... I was wrong," Yao Jing sobbed.

"Yao Jing, I often envy you because at least you can waver and make choices. But what about me? Who do I have by my side? Dong Jian? Or Wang Hai? Or those Wu family members who share my last name? Without me, you still have your mother, your brother, your father, your grandparents. But me... besides you, I have no one else. Yao Jing, take care of yourself."

Wu Zhiming finished speaking, laughed self-deprecatingly, then turned and left.