He probably heard that I had a large sum of money and came out without hesitation.
He asked me gently and generously, 'What else do you need help with?'
'You've heard about my fallout with them, right?'
Chen Muzhi waved his hand and smiled. 'We're all family! Let me mediate this. Once everyone shakes hands and makes up, we'll consider this matter closed!'
I lowered my brows. 'The main reason I asked to meet you today is to apologize in advance.'
Chen Muzhi looked surprised. 'Apologize to me for what?'
My eyes reddened, voice choking with emotion.
'Reconciliation is impossible now. I just want a divorce, but they're trying to take Doudou from me, saying they'll fight for custody even if it goes to court. As a mother, I'll do anything for my child.'
'What my mother-in-law cares about most right now is selling the house to invest in your project. I plan to... report you for fraudulent fundraising.'
Chen Muzhi abruptly stood up. 'What?!'
'Don't worry! I know you're not a fraud. I just want to create chaos to ruin her money-making plans. If she won't let me have peace, I won't let her have hers either!'
I began sobbing. 'Uncle Chen, you must think badly of me too. As a woman, I can't think of any other way...'
Chen Muzhi slowly sat back down, his expression turning serious.
'Ah, the plight of parents!'
'Don't worry Xiao Zhang, I'll help you with this. Don't do anything rash. If you break the law and get arrested, Doudou definitely won't be given to you.'
I looked at him helplessly and nodded.
...
Three days later, under my mother-in-law's furious glare, Duan Hu and I filed for divorce at the civil affairs bureau.
The divorce agreement stated: Doudou's custody goes to me, they won't pay any child support; clean break - I can't take anything from the house, not even a piece of clothing or can of formula.
I signed without hesitation.
Duan Hu left cursing.
'If Uncle Chen hadn't said the lawsuit would affect my mom's marriage and his company, you think I'd let you have Doudou? Let you cheat me out of my money?!'
My mother-in-law glared viciously at me. 'That old man shouldn't have helped you, a white-eyed wolf! Should've let you die with your short-lived parents!'
I looked up, coldly glancing at her.
'Watch your words. Karma's coming.'
She laughed loudly, head held high.
'Karma? I'm about to get blessed! Muzhi gave my son stock transfer documents yesterday. Our family's dividends alone will outdo you! Keep your little money and that money-wasting brat forever - I don't want it!'
Looking at this furious yet triumphant mother-son pair, I smiled.
'Good. I'll be watching.'
Regarding Doudou's custody, I'd spent countless sleepless nights preparing two plans.
First: Make Duan Hu the guilty party through that public affair scene. Collected 20GB of video from five cameras showing mother-in-law abusing Doudou.
All this in case of litigation. Not sure if useful, but kept fighting like a tireless squirrel storing nuts for winter.
Second: Chen Muzhi.
The way to make them relinquish benefits was offering bigger benefits.
Chen Muzhi knew this well. His original plan was probably to first cheat mother-in-law into selling her house, then trick Duan Hu into selling his. Didn't expect me to intercept and take half of Duan Hu's house money first.
He must have been frustrated, but mother-in-law's three dance friends each invested 200k, Zhang Xiaowan put in her entire 300k savings - covering the 'losses'.
Now at the critical house-selling stage, how could he let me ruin his plans? Of course he'd convince mother-in-law to give up Doudou's custody.
As for methods? Marriage, stocks, physical...
Chen Muzhi didn't disappoint.
18
I patiently waited through the one-month divorce cooling period.
During this time, I looked at shops whenever possible. Finally found a perfect Cainiao Express station. Owner thought monthly few-thousand profit too low; others thought scale too small.
But this small station suited me perfectly. Compact but bright, stable package volume. Most importantly - across the street from a kindergarten.
Doudou could attend while I worked there.
I worked busily by day, prayed nightly for no complications during cooling period.
Finally, divorce day arrived.
Seeing Duan Hu at the civil affairs bureau, my last worry disappeared.
While signing, his phone rang - mother-in-law's shrill voice:
'I told you not to go! Wait until Uncle Chen's business settles! Don't sign! Drag this out! You idiot—'
Before she finished, Duan Hu hung up and signed.
'Take good care of Doudou. That money better be her dowry later.'
He thrust the divorce certificate at me darkly.
I took it. 'Our affairs have nothing to do with you now. Go be someone else's husband and father!'
Duan Hu spat disgustedly.
'Fucking bitch!'
'That slut Zhang Xiaowan's sleeping with Chen Muzhi!'
I froze. 'What?'
He grimly explained recent events.
After moving into Chen's arranged place, Chengcheng followed. When mother-in-law brought toys to visit grandson...
Found Chen Muzhi and Zhang Xiaowan naked together.
Mother-in-law was thunderstruck. When reality hit, she attacked both her ex-daughter-in-law and future daughter-in-law.
Zhang was no match - soon pinned under mother-in-law's hefty frame, being slapped repeatedly.
