Chapter 18: This Woman, I Will Cherish With My Life!

Xu Yunzhu’s eyes flickered as she glanced at Madam Pei, whose demeanor was bordering on hysterical. Her agitation, both in voice and gesture, was wholly unlike her usual self.

Xu Yunzhu still recalled Madam Pei’s attitude when she had first awakened in the hospital—it had been nothing but a mother’s concern for her son. Yet Pei Qiaonian seemed to harbor only resentment toward his mother, as though he could hardly stand her presence.

Xu Yunzhu didn’t know what had transpired between them to cause this: Madam Pei appeared meek before the rest of the Pei family, yet was unyieldingly forceful only in front of her sole son. Even the marriage alliance with that so-called eldest Miss Xie had been settled by Madam Pei alone—Pei Qiaonian had shown no interest.

“A-Qiao, if you stay with that woman, people will point and gossip. Even if you dislike my arrangements, you can’t degrade yourself like this. Tomorrow, you’re getting a divorce. Xu Yunzhu is out of the question!” Madam Pei slammed the table loudly.

Old Madam Pei’s brows knit in displeasure, her voice harsh as she rebuked, “What kind of behavior is this? Have all those years of etiquette training gone to the dogs?”

At the sound of her mother-in-law’s voice, Madam Pei instantly deflated, bowing and nodding, “Mother, I’m sorry, I was too emotional.”

Xu Yunzhu felt a surge of resentment herself—why was it considered self-degradation to be with her? Why blame her and not Madam Pei’s precious son? It was Pei Qiaonian who had forced her into this marriage.

Assuming an air of indifference, she replied, “Divorce is impossible.” Then, with the utmost seriousness and a hint of mischief, she added, “Being with Xu Yunzhu is me aiming high. Even if I had all the luxury cars and mansions, I’d never be happy without her. I only want her, for this life and no other!”

Madam Pei stared at him in shock.

Old Master Pei sat silently in his chair as Old Madam Pei soothed him.

“Pei Qiaonian! Must you oppose us in everything?” Old Master Pei’s anger flared. “Xu Yunzhu was originally your brother’s fiancée. You married her the very next moment—how do you expect him to feel?”

Xu Yunzhu rested her chin on her hand. If not for that system task, she would never have taken notice of a man like Pei Jin. Yet melodramatic novels were melodramatic precisely because their plots so flagrantly defied all moral logic.

Her best friend, the heroine, had risen as the other woman, weaving between several men. The male lead, already engaged, fell in love with someone else and broke off the engagement publicly, disregarding Xu Yunzhu’s feelings entirely.

Perhaps readers found such plot twists gratifying—if there was no love, why stay together? Some might even believe Xu Yunzhu was the interloper who tore apart two lovers.

After hearing Old Master Pei’s words, she couldn’t help but smile. “Didn’t Pei Jin dramatically insist on breaking off our engagement? Just yesterday, Grandma was talking about swapping the marriage, wasn’t she? See, I’ve always been obedient—thank you, Grandma.”

A fleeting trace of embarrassment crossed Old Madam Pei’s stern face. “I was only joking, just saying things offhand. Who would have thought you’d take it seriously… Qiaonian, you and she are simply not a good match.”

Xu Yunzhu had grown weary of hearing that refrain—this isn’t suitable, that isn’t suitable—yet somehow it was perfect for her precious grandson.

The Pei family truly was peculiar.

She spoke directly, “There’s no use telling me. You should talk to him. Whether or not there’s a divorce is entirely up to him; I’ll follow his lead.”

Madam Pei looked at Xu Yunzhu in disbelief. That elegant, striking face was now softened, less aloof than before. Her son was still her son, but how had he changed so drastically? She had never imagined Pei Qiaonian would become entangled with Xu Yunzhu.

Clenching her fists, Madam Pei pleaded, “A-Qiao, I know you’re only saying this to upset me. You can’t joke about your entire life.”

Xu Yunzhu saw no reason to bear all the scolding alone. “Let’s be clear. If any of you can persuade him to divorce me, I’ll agree at once—no hesitation. But if he refuses, this marriage will continue until he’s had enough.”

All three stared at her, dumbfounded.

Xu Yunzhu stifled a giggle. Right now, Pei Qiaonian must look like a lovesick fool in their eyes. In the novel, Xu Yunzhu was scorned as a hopelessly devoted “bootlicker” from beginning to end—even in death, she couldn’t shake the label.

If Madam Pei despised her, then she’d cast Pei Qiaonian as a lovesick fool too—let’s see who was more disgusted!

With utmost seriousness and affection radiating from her phoenix eyes, Xu Yunzhu declared, “I know you don’t like Zhuozhuo, but my love for her is genuine. You have no idea how moved I was when she turned around without hesitation and married me after breaking her engagement. In that moment, I knew I would cherish this woman with my life!”

Madam Pei: … Old Madam Pei: … Old Master Pei: …

What—had he lost his mind?

Old Master Pei’s face darkened. “Heh, you used to call Yunzhu a shameless bootlicker yourself. Surely you haven’t forgotten?”

Xu Yunzhu shook her head, unconvinced. “Why dwell on the past? Maybe it’s just fate’s turnabout. At last, it’s my turn to be the bootlicker.”

The three of them stared silently.

Old Master and Old Madam Pei exchanged glances, feeling as though their former impressions of Pei Qiaonian’s cold and violent nature had shattered completely. They even began to sweat. The world truly seemed unhinged.

Unable to cope with such a shock, the elderly couple supported each other as they left.

Waving them off, Old Master Pei glanced at Madam Pei. “Your son is your own responsibility. I expect you to handle this to my satisfaction.”

Madam Pei hastily stood, bowing deeply as she watched them depart. Only then did she turn to Xu Yunzhu, drawing a deep breath before grabbing Pei Qiaonian and dragging him inside, muttering under her breath, “You really have lost your mind, you truly have. How can you disregard my wishes like this? Pei Qiaonian, I gave birth to you—I am your mother. I care for you, I love you so devotedly, and yet you simply refuse to listen!”

Xu Yunzhu immediately sensed something was very wrong. She tried to break free, but Madam Pei’s grip was alarmingly strong.

She shoved Xu Yunzhu inside and slammed the door shut. Grabbing a vase, she hurled it at her. “Why, why, why must you defy me too?”

Shards of porcelain flew, one slicing a thin line across Xu Yunzhu’s face and hand. She had never expected Madam Pei to lose control so suddenly. Raising her arm to shield herself from further blows, Xu Yunzhu’s voice dropped into warning, “Can you calm down?”

“How am I supposed to calm down?” Madam Pei’s eyes were red with rage. “A-Qiao, have you forgotten how far we’ve come? Do you want to go back to the way things were? We fought so hard to get into the Pei family. Do you know what I’ve endured, serving the old master and madam like a maid, unable to so much as lift my head in their presence? I’ve lived in constant fear that they’ll throw us out if we so much as upset them. Pei Qiaonian, I’ve tolerated all your usual defiance, but when it comes to marriage, you must listen to me.”