I was slapped unconscious shortly after.
Chen Muzhi stared in shock, feigning regained clarity as he exclaimed:
"Why is it Xiaowan? I just dropped by to see her today. After drinking something she gave me, I became dizzy... I thought... I thought it was you!"
Mother-in-law believed him.
Or perhaps she had no choice but to believe.
She unleashed all her fury on Zhang Xiaowan - vowing to beat her every time they met, threatening to send old friends to shame her family in her hometown, and demanding Chengcheng stay with the Duan family.
Zhang Xiaowan was no pushover.
After being caught with Duan Hu ruined her marriage prospects, she immediately latched onto Chen Muzhi.
With her nose implant shattered and four front teeth knocked out from Mother-in-law's beating, now half-disfigured, she retaliated with a bombshell that nearly gave the old woman a stroke:
Chengcheng wasn't even the biological grandson!
"Mom was hospitalized from the shock. That bitch even said they should 'compete fairly' to see who could snag Uncle Chen."
Duan Hu rubbed his face irritably. "I knew she was trouble since she 'accidentally' walked in on me showering when Brother was alive. Should never have let her live with us!"
"Now Mom's rushing to sell the house for cash. Says you have to risk the child to catch the wolf, wants to tie herself to Uncle Chen before things change..."
19
Two weeks later, Chen Muzhi vanished.
He disappeared the same afternoon Mother-in-law transferred him 2.9 million yuan, taking with him:
- The initial 1 million "compensation"
- 500,000 savings
- 600,000 from three dance club aunties
- 300,000 from Zhang Xiaowan
At first, Mother-in-law refused to believe.
She insisted Chen must have had urgent reasons, telling everyone:
"Our generation's love is truest! I was the dream of Muzhi's youth! How could he cheat me? Besides, this was arranged by TV station matchmakers - government units are trustworthy!"
"Maybe he's planning a surprise proposal right now!"
She led the three invested dance aunties to Chen's company.
The company remained, but staff informed them:
"He's not our employee. Recently borrowed our office for a 50-million-yuan project collaboration. Now he's gone - we're looking for him too!"
Still in denial, she went to the TV station.
The young host from the first blind date session said curiously: "We only arranged one program filming. After your high bride price demands scared everyone off, we never contacted you again..."
Mother-in-law mumbled: "That second male host... the cameraman... Muzhi gave them 2000 yuan red envelopes each..."
Before finishing, she collapsed rigidly.
When she awoke, half her face was paralyzed.
Fully conscious but drooling, eyes bulging with rage, she could only slur:
"My money... DouDou... come back..."
The square dance leader who once demanded "don't even meet anyone offering less than 500,000 bride price" had become a complete joke - penniless, homeless, sued by three dance friends.
This news was specially delivered by Auntie Zhang, who transferred three buses across the city to dramatically recount it at my courier station.
"She's squatting in the hospital refusing discharge! Duan Hu took her salary card and vanished! The neighborhood committee called him, but he claims his mom still owes him a million!"
"Remember how she cursed you and DouDou daily? My son wanted to confront her so many times... Now karma's here! Pity you didn't see her wretched state!"
I stayed silent.
Not that I hadn't imagined witnessing their downfall - that would've been truly satisfying.
At core, I'm timid, conflict-averse, prone to compromise. If they hadn't tried stealing my daughter and my money, I'd never have discovered this capacity in myself.
Humanity blooms anew in desperation.
But thinking of Father-in-law brings grief and guilt.
So I moved far away.
Afraid I might soften, waver, that mercy towards villains might plunge me and DouDou deeper into tragedy.
Soon Auntie Zhang returned with updates:
"The committee got your ex-MIL a new pension card and tiny apartment. We visited - dark, cramped, reeking of urine after she knocked over her bedpan."
"She wailed when she saw us, snot and tears everywhere. Know why? Zhang Xiaowan's taking revenge for the disfigurement - regular beatings, all her teeth knocked out now!"
On her fifth visit, Auntie Zhang smiled:
"Zhang Xia, what do you think of my son? I've always wanted a daughter-in-law like you. A widow with child needs a man's support."
I politely declined, saying I wouldn't consider remarrying for ten years - just want to raise DouDou safely.
Auntie Zhang left regretfully, never returning.
Her intentions might've been genuine.
Or after my 2 million yuan.
I choose to suspect the worst.
With no retreat, no backup, no family.
In this cruel world, I must tread carefully - every step taken in fearful vigilance.
