Chapter 3 — Adultery on the Wedding Day

Yet it was precisely my constant yielding and my so-called understanding nature that fostered in him the illusion that I was utterly incapable of leaving him. To such an extent that after Yun Hua returned to the country, he treated me with escalating disdain. The atmosphere at the scene seemed to freeze entirely. Yun Hua had stopped crying. Han Shen remained dazed for a long time, utterly unable to process what was happening, until my parents finally stepped out of the house. My father pointed directly at the gate, telling him to take his people and get lost. Only then did Han Shen snap back to reality with a start.

Father, this is just a misunderstanding...

Han Shen still wanted to explain, but my father raised a hand to cut him off.

What qualification do you have to call me father?

My daughter loved you so deeply she practically wanted to rip out her heart and hand it to you. And how did you treat her?

Han Shen grew anxious. Father, I only had Yun Hua wear the jewelry for a moment, it is not some grave offense.

Pausing briefly, he looked toward me. His gaze carried a rare, pleading edge.

My wife, today is our joyous wedding day. Can we please stop making a fuss?

Consider it my fault, I overlooked your feelings. What happened with Yun Hua is in the past, and I will persuade her not to press the matter further.

Can we just go ahead with the wedding first?

Before I could utter a word, my mother let out a cold laugh.

Press the matter?

Standing on the steps with her arms crossed, she cast a freezing gaze down at Yun Hua, who was still sitting on the ground with a tear-stained face.

You want to hold someone accountable?

Yun Hua looked up at my mother. Meeting that avoidant gaze, it was not difficult to see that she had been completely overwhelmed by my mother's imposing aura. And understandably so. My mother was the head of a renowned law firm, and a brilliant, highly celebrated attorney in her own right.

Aunty, I...

Yun Hua started to say something, but my mother had no desire to listen and cut her off immediately.

Do not call me aunty. Call me Attorney Su. If you wish to pursue legal action, my law firm has over a dozen top-tier attorneys who can slowly accompany you through this lawsuit.

Do you need a medical examination for your injuries? Shall I help you call the police?

Seeing that my mother's formidable presence was pressing down on Yun Hua to the point of suffocation, Han Shen hurriedly forced a ingratiating smile.

Mother, please do not try to scare Yun Hua. She is just an ordinary woman, how could she possibly compete with you? Rest assured, she will not go get any injury assessment. What happened just now was merely a joke by Duong's friends that went a bit too far.

Yet Yun Hua bit her lip hard, tears swirling in her eyes. She glared fiercely at my mother and choked out through her sobs:

Attorney Su, you are openly bullying me.

My mother did not beat around the bush at all, merely arching an eyebrow.

You guessed right, I am bullying you. If you are not satisfied, you can hire a lawyer to sue me.

But if you genuinely intend to hire a lawyer, you had better find one from another province. Not a single attorney in this city would dare take your case.

Watching Yun Hua look both furious and utterly helpless, my mother laughed coldly.

You bullied my daughter, so I will bully you.

Left with no other choice, Yun Hua could only turn to Han Shen for rescue. He hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

Mother, let us drop this matter. We will miss the auspicious hour soon. I still need to bring Duong back inside.

Do not call me mother. I do not have a scum of a son-in-law like you!

In my memories, my mother was always a successful, highly educated, and profoundly knowledgeable woman whose expression would not even shift if Mount Tai were to collapse right before her eyes. Even when facing threats, she had never been this furious, and she practically never used coarse language. Yet this time, for my sake, she not only stood up openly and fiercely to back me up, but she also directly cursed Han Shen out roundly. The sheer wave of emotion made my eyes burn red. Recognizing my reaction, she immediately stepped to my side and pulled me into an embrace.

My good daughter, no matter when or what happens, your parents will forever be your greatest pillar of support.

I nodded solemnly.

Father, Mother, thank you both.

Pausing for a second, I looked squarely at Han Shen.

I am not going anywhere with you, and I certainly will not marry you. I called off this wedding this morning.

Between the two of us, it is completely over.

Hearing this, Han Shen's expression shifted instantly. He panicked and stepped forward, reaching out as if to grab my hand, but a single glare from my mother forced him to recoil.

Duong, you... are you serious?

Han Shen looked at me in disbelief.

Do I look like I am joking with you?

Isn't it just getting married without wearing that jade jewelry set?

I know it was wrong of me to make that decision on my own.

I am apologizing to you right now.

Duong, I am sorry.

Can you forgive me just this once?

In the past, whenever he offered an apology, I would let the matter go. But not this time. I pointed coldly toward the gate and slowly spat out a single word:

Get out!

Duong, all the relatives have already arrived.

You cannot just say you are not getting married.

How am I supposed to explain this to the relatives and to my parents?

I replied calmly:

That is your concern, it has nothing to do with me.

I am begging you to calm down, okay?

As long as you agree to go through with the wedding.