1
Today was a beautiful, sunny day. Although it was only five in the afternoon, the summer sun still blazed down with its fiery warmth. Olivia was in a mood just as good as the weather, because her husband was coming home today after a week-long business trip. He'd called this morning to say he'd be home by seven. Working away from home is never as good as being at home; eating and sleeping in a hotel is nowhere near as comfortable as being at home. So, Olivia decided to go to the market and buy some of her husband's favorite dishes. She checked the clock and saw she had an hour and forty minutes until her husband arrived. Forty minutes to buy groceries, an hour to prepare, and then we could eat once he got home.
Yes, she'd been married for two years. She and her husband were high school classmates. They'd started dating in their sophomore year, and only after graduating from college and finding stable jobs did they save up for a house and get married. Even after nine years together, their love remained strong. Even though marriage had become a relationship between two people, separated by two families, she believed that love between two people could overcome any obstacle.
She arrived home at six o'clock sharp and took out her key to open the door, but it wouldn't open. Was someone locked it from the inside? After putting her things down, she rang the doorbell. "Mom, open the door! Why is it locked?"
"Wait," came her mother-in-law's voice from inside, followed by the sound of the door unlocking. The door swung open, revealing her displeased expression. "Why are you back so late? I thought you weren't coming back. Li Jian said that everyone who should come back should lock the door after they arrive to prevent thieves from getting in."
"Oh, Li Jian's coming back today. I'm going to buy some groceries."
"You're coming back late, didn't you call and let me know? Young people these days are getting so rude."
"Come on, get in quick! You're blocking the door! What's the point!" Her mother-in-law's complaints were followed by her father-in-law's scolding.
Olivia said nothing. She quietly went inside, slipped off her shoes, took the vegetables to the kitchen, and began washing and cooking. This happened almost every day. Who could get used to it? She'd grown up being pampered by her parents, but thinking about her husband, she decided to let it go. After all, they were his parents. He was exhausted from working outside. She shouldn't bother him with family matters. Everything would heal.
It was seven o'clock, and dinner was served. Olivia quickly changed and went out to sit in the living room, waiting for her husband to come home. But the doorbell didn't ring, and by eight-thirty, he still hadn't returned. Then the phone rang. Before Olivia could answer, her mother-in-law picked up the line: "Son, why aren't you home yet? What's going on? Oh, you have a client. You're having dinner with him. Oh, then, don't drink too much. Xiaoxue has dinner ready and is waiting for you. Oh, I will. Xiaoxue is such a wonderful daughter-in-law. Come home soon. Okay, I'm hanging up now."
"Mom, is that Li Jian? What did he say?"
"What else can I say? He's not coming home. He's with a client. My poor son is always busy and exhausted."
This is the Three Kingdoms era of mothers-in-law. It's always like this: she's always flattering her husband in front of him, but she's always finding fault behind his back. Olivia was furious. Couldn't she have called before dinner? Feeling down, she went back to her room. It was past ten o'clock and she still hadn't returned. Olivia was getting anxious. She called her husband, but the call kept going unanswered. She wanted to use the home phone to call him again, but just as she passed by her parents-in-law's room, she heard voices coming from inside.
"Tell me, why did our Xiaojian have to fall for her in the first place? His eldest uncle married a girl from a powerful family. Doesn't he have to work so hard every day? Wouldn't we have to live in this small two-bedroom apartment?"
"Why are you saying that? Didn't he object when his eldest uncle introduced him to a girl? Now they're married, and you're asking them to divorce?"
"Well, I wouldn't have thought about it until you asked me. They don't have children anyway, and our son is handsome and a college graduate. There are definitely many girls willing to marry him."
"Our son is soft-hearted, and if Olivia cries and loses her mind, I think that's going to be tough..."
She didn't want to hear anything else her parents-in-law had to say. She felt incredibly torn. Could they just ignore her kindness to them and her dedication to the family? What kind of malicious mind would actually want them to divorce?
At half past twelve, Li Jian returned. Hearing the door open, Olivia didn't jump to open it with her usual excitement. Li Jian entered the bedroom and saw Olivia leaning against the headboard. "Wife, you're still awake?"
"Li Jian, are you regretting this?"
"Regret what?"
"I regret marrying someone like me, someone without money or influence."
"What nonsense! You're poor and influential, and I am. We're a perfect match, aren't we? Why are you saying such nonsense?"
"Your parents said that. Your mom even wants us to divorce. Li Jian, how have I ever wronged you or your family? Why are you saying such hurtful things? I endured it all day, serving your parents, and this is what I'm going to end up with?"
"Don't talk nonsense. If you have any complaints about me, come to me. What's my parents' business? I know you've been unhappy since they came. Are you so intolerant of them?"
"You, you've disappointed me so much. Would I make this up? Or should I confront them?"
"What are you arguing with? Stop being unreasonable."
"I'm being unreasonable. In your mind, I'm unreasonable, right? Then why did you marry me in the first place? We agreed to understand and support each other. Why haven't you ever put yourself in my shoes? Do you even understand the current situation at home?"
"Support, you? What can you do for me? Besides not causing me trouble and holding me back, what can you do to support me?"
