Volume 1, Chapter 32: Packing Leftovers for a Pregnant Daughter-in-law

The woman who was once dubbed "dumb for three years after pregnancy" was already preparing, with her lawyer, to draft the divorce agreement. Although Duan Yixiao was clearly at fault in the marriage, Jiang Yunmiao did not expect him to walk away empty-handed. More than anything, she wanted a swift resolution, and her lawyer advised her that she would have to concede somewhat on the asset division to achieve that.

At this stage, Jiang Yunmiao and Chen Nianke, in a way, shared a common goal. Jiang Yunmiao sought to sever ties with the scoundrel and regain her freedom. Chen Nianke, on the other hand, hoped Jiang Yunmiao would step aside for her. Jiang Yunmiao pondered this—should she lend Chen Nianke a helping hand? Help her win Duan Yixiao’s heart? Wouldn’t that be like diminishing her own dignity to boost someone else’s ambition? No, that wasn’t her style.

Still, she covertly suggested to Chen Nianke another path—winning over Zhou Manhua. Recently, Chen Nianke had been visiting the Duan family estate frequently, almost daily seeing Duan Yixiao. Even when she didn’t go herself, she found various ways to show him warmth—sometimes lunch, sometimes afternoon tea, sometimes homemade little gifts. Chen Nianke had two aims: to make Duan Yixiao accustomed to her care and to declare war on Jiang Yunmiao. She was confident that with such arrogance, Jiang Yunmiao wouldn’t be able to sit quietly at home.

She had even won over Duan Yixiao’s assistant with a bottle of perfume. After adding each other as friends, she could keep track of Duan Yixiao’s whereabouts in real time. One day, she messaged the assistant: "What is Mr. Duan up to?" The assistant promptly replied, "Mr. Duan went out to dinner with his mother."

This sparked a new idea in Chen Nianke’s mind. How had she not thought of this before? Back in school, when she and Duan Yixiao were together, Zhou Manhua had been very attentive to her. Now, she could strategize to win over Zhou Manhua herself.

Chen Nianke asked, "Do you know where they went to eat?" The assistant replied, "Seems like they’re having Cantonese cuisine at a nearby mall."

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Upon learning that Chen Nianke often sought out Zhou Manhua, Jiang Yunmiao felt a surge of satisfaction. If Chen Nianke could win over Zhou Manhua, her divorce would be imminent.

In truth, Zhou Manhua looked down on Chen Nianke. The Duan family’s status far exceeded that of the Chen family. Moreover, with the Chen family in decline, a marital alliance would only hold her son back. Yet, having come from humble beginnings, despite years of exposure to the Duan family’s elite circle, she could not shake off her petty bourgeois habits. Even small favors from Chen Nianke could sway her completely, let alone now, when Chen Nianke was making such earnest efforts to please her.

Additionally, Chen Nianke had grown up immersed in high society, fully familiar with its environment and rules. She took Zhou Manhua to many places frequented by wealthy socialites, giving Zhou Manhua a genuine sense of belonging to the upper class. Zhou Manhua’s own status was illegitimate and carried a petty air, so many wealthy wives avoided her company. Only when they needed a fourth for mahjong would they reluctantly include her.

Gradually, Zhou Manhua grew dependent on Chen Nianke. She would ask Chen Nianke what to wear when meeting various people, striving to fit in.

“Nianke, you’re so thoughtful. Yesterday, your Uncle Duan even praised me for improving my taste lately, thanks to you! Auntie is so happy; I’ll treat you to dinner today. What would you like to eat?” Zhou Manhua beamed with delight.

“How could I let Auntie spend so much? I heard there’s a private kitchen nearby that’s become quite popular among the ladies of the circle. Shall we try it together?” Chen Nianke had done thorough homework to cater to her tastes.

Zhou Manhua’s eyes lit up. “Great.”

During the meal, they chatted happily.

“Auntie, is the food to your liking?” Chen Nianke asked with a charming smile.

Zhou Manhua, adopting the air of a wealthy matron, replied, “Very good, very good. You’re so considerate.”

“Then how about we pick some dishes that Ayi likes, and I’ll send them to him on the way back,” Chen Nianke casually suggested.

Zhou Manhua paused, looked up at Chen Nianke with her cloudy yet calculating eyes, which gleamed with newfound meaning. Then she burst into a joyful smile. Her son was indeed irresistible; after all these years, Chen Nianke still adored him wholeheartedly.

She blamed Jiang Yunmiao. If it weren’t for her scheming, her son might already have married a wealthy beauty and be in charge of the Duan Group.

Chen Nianke was actually quite good—beautiful, adept at winning her favor, and deeply devoted to Ayi. Though she didn’t come from a grand family, she was far superior to the rootless Jiang Yunmiao.

As a mother, Zhou Manhua vowed to plan carefully for her son’s future and never let Jiang Yunmiao drag him down.

With this in mind, a new scheme took shape in her mind. She smiled kindly, patted Chen Nianke’s arm, and said gently, “Very well, as you wish. Auntie trusts you! It’s a blessing for Ayi to have such a thoughtful friend caring for him.”

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Before long, they finished their meal. Chen Nianke picked up the packed food for Duan Yixiao and sweetly said, “Auntie, shall we go?”

Zhou Manhua, however, called the waiter over and said, “Pack this, this, this, and also the soup.” She pointed to the remaining dishes on the table.

“Auntie, if you like it so much, we can come again next time,” Chen Nianke said, puzzled by this unusual request—until now, Zhou Manhua had never taken leftovers.

“All right then, it’s settled. Next time, it’s my treat!” Zhou Manhua smiled warmly.

Chen Nianke rolled her eyes inwardly; Zhou Manhua always said that.

Soon, the waiter packed the leftover dishes.

“Auntie, why are you packing these?” Chen Nianke asked, curious.

Zhou Manhua replied solemnly, “After we deliver Ayi’s food, we’ll go to see Jiang Yunmiao. She’s eight months pregnant now; as her mother-in-law, I have to show some concern.”

Chen Nianke was stunned. So Zhou Manhua was packing leftovers to “visit” Jiang Yunmiao? She had even thought the leftovers might be for feeding a dog!

She wanted to laugh but held it in.

“By the way, you’ll come with me, right?” Zhou Manhua invited earnestly, a sly glint in the wrinkled corner of her eye.

She intended to make Jiang Yunmiao realize the gap between herself and Chen Nianke. Jiang Yunmiao’s mother had been a maid in the Chen household—one was a pampered noblewoman, the other a maid’s daughter. Would Jiang Yunmiao not be ashamed?

Chen Nianke’s pupils dilated in surprise, but she demurely declined, “Maybe it’s not appropriate for me to go.”

In truth, she was quite eager to see Jiang Yunmiao, heavily pregnant and confined at home, bare-faced and unadorned. Last time at the confinement center, Jiang Yunmiao’s complexion was poor, and with her belly growing daily, she must be looking worse and worse.

She felt a surge of satisfaction.

“What’s wrong with it? It’s settled then!” Zhou Manhua took her hand, and the two walked out of the restaurant, united like sisters in arms.