Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: Since you don't want to go on, then... let it end!

"Sang Wan, what’s wrong with you?" Su Baohui’s face soured the moment she saw Sang Wan. "Why are you only just arriving at this hour?"

In previous years, whether the birthday was celebrated at a restaurant or at home, Sang Wan would show up early in the morning. She’d help the servants decorate the place, help Su Baohui pick out her outfit and jewelry, and as guests arrived, she’d busily greet and entertain them.

But today, Sang Wan was the last to arrive.

Before Sang Wan could speak, Lu Jin’nian, standing beside her, handed over the gift box in his hands. "Mom, happy birthday! This is my present for you."

"Mrs. Lu, you’re so blessed—your son and daughter are both filial, always finding new ways to celebrate your birthday each year!"

"We’re all so envious!"

Envious voices echoed around, and Su Baohui, momentarily forgetting to pick on Sang Wan, beamed as she accepted the gift and ushered her guests to their seats.

When Su Baohui glanced back, she saw Sang Wan had already joined the guests and sat down. Her expression shifted subtly, and she nearly failed to contain the simmering anger inside her.

She remembered the whispered conversation earlier with Lu Zhiyi, who’d told her that Sang Wan was sulking at Lu Jin’nian over her recent hospitalization, and that the couple had been quarreling.

Swallowing the curses she’d been about to utter, Su Baohui called out, "Xiao Mu, come to Grandma…" She shot a sharp look at Sang Wan’s back, then beckoned, drawing Lu Xiao Mu to sit at the head seat.

The Michelin chef team performed reliably; as dish after exquisite and delicious course was served, the living room grew lively.

Halfway through the banquet, the guests raised their glasses one by one to wish Su Baohui a happy birthday.

Amidst the merriment, Sang Wan suddenly heard a grating curse by her ear.

"Sang Wan, don’t be so shameless!" Lu Zhiyi glared with disgust. "Don’t think I don’t know: my brother gave you money, but you didn’t prepare a gift for my mom."

Lu Jin’nian had carried in two gift boxes—an H-brand handbag and a box of imported bird’s nest. She’d secretly peeked earlier; the H-brand bag was the one she’d spotted at the boutique, taken a photo of, and her brother had promised to buy for her.

The bag was supposed to be hers.

And the bird’s nest was the one Lu Jin’nian and Sang Wan always brought when visiting. In other words, Lu Jin’nian had transferred the money, but Sang Wan hadn’t prepared a gift for Su Baohui.

She’d used the gift meant for her to keep up appearances, yet the real benefit had gone to Sang Wan herself.

"Sang Wan, all these years, you’ve been hoarding your own money with these petty tricks, haven’t you? Are you shameless or not? Aren’t you afraid you’ll have the means to save up..." but never live to spend it.

"Lu Zhiyi!"

Before Lu Zhiyi could finish, Sang Wan interrupted coldly. "I’m not in a good mood today. Shut that foul mouth of yours. Say one more word, and believe me, I’ll ruin your mother’s birthday party right here and now."

"You..."

Bang!

A wine glass shattered at Lu Zhiyi’s feet.

She could even feel the sting as shards bounced against her instep and calf. Lu Zhiyi looked up, incredulous.

The living room had fallen silent.

"What happened?" Lu Jin’nian frowned, looking over.

Sang Wan replied calmly, "My hand slipped."

Lu Zhiyi stared at Sang Wan as if she’d seen a ghost. Meeting Su Baohui and Lu Jin’nian’s displeased gazes, she awkwardly muttered, "Yes."

A servant came to sweep up the mess, and the room grew lively again.

Lu Zhiyi glanced again and again at Sang Wan, suspecting she was possessed. She’d intended to make Sang Wan cough up the one million, or at least buy her another handbag as compensation.

But after Sang Wan smashed the glass, she feared Sang Wan might truly go mad and do something outrageous. If the birthday party was ruined, Sang Wan would suffer, but so would she.

Lu Zhiyi grumbled her way to the next table.

The meal passed without incident.

Su Baohui had no time for her.

Lu Jin’nian and Lu Xiao Mu couldn’t be bothered.

The only one who would talk to her, Lu Zhiyi, avoided her.

Sang Wan quietly finished her bowl of rice.

Just as she was about to lay down her chopsticks, she heard her name.

Relatives seated beside Su Baohui were praising the Lu family: how Lu Jin’nian was handsome and capable, how the vast Lu Corporation flourished under his hand; how Lu Zhiyi was graceful and accomplished; how Lu Xiao Mu was both good-looking and sensible, proof that a tiger father breeds no dog son; and finally, how Su Baohui was wealthy, leisurely, and blessed with filial children and grandchildren, with no husband to vex her—her fortune in later years was plain to see.

As if only then realizing they’d forgotten Sang Wan, a noble lady smiled and added, "And the daughter-in-law—so beautiful and capable..."

A normal person would either respond with a polite "Thank you for your kind words," or return the compliment, "You are even more blessed than I."

But Su Baohui was not a normal person.

Her gaze flicked to Sang Wan, recalling how Sang Wan entered without calling her "Mom" or greeting the guests. Not only was she no longer the gentle, obedient woman she once was; she now ate like a pig, caring only for herself.

Su Baohui smiled. "As for this daughter-in-law, she may not have other virtues, but luck—well, she has it in abundance, unmatched anywhere under the heavens."

"Her family background is dreadful, yet she’s managed to win Jin’nian’s heart, so much so that he sees no one else. They married right after graduation."

"Worked for a year, then got pregnant and has enjoyed a life of ease ever since."

"But it’s no wonder she’s so bold about enjoying her fortune—after all, she gave birth to a son..."

"But that’s about all she’s good for!"

Everyone present was sharp enough to catch Su Baohui’s innuendo. Clearly, Sang Wan had recently failed in some way.

Otherwise, Su Baohui would never have said such things in front of so many.

A brief hush fell over the hall.

People looked from Su Baohui to Sang Wan, faces tinged with embarrassment. Even the relative who’d been praising others looked awkward.

"Sang Wan..."

In the silence, Su Baohui raised her eyes to Sang Wan. "Your health must be nearly restored by now, right? Xiao Mu is already five. You and Jin’nian can start considering a second child. I’m waiting for a granddaughter."

"Mrs. Lu..."

Sang Wan began to speak.

Su Baohui was stunned.

Sang Wan said, "Did Jin’nian not tell you? We..."

"Sang Wan!!!"

Lu Jin’nian came over from the living room, picked up Lu Xiao Mu, and glared coldly at Sang Wan.

Sang Wan wanted to ask Lu Jin’nian: Are you protecting your pride? Or are you truly afraid your son will hear? Wasn’t this a decision you both made together?

"Xiao Mu..."

Sang Wan looked at Lu Xiao Mu and asked, "If you could choose a new mother, who would you want?"

Everyone was shocked, thinking Sang Wan had lost her mind.

In Lu Jin’nian’s arms, Lu Xiao Mu cheered, waving his hands and feet: "Aunt Zhaozhao, Aunt Zhaozhao... I want Aunt Zhaozhao to be my new mother!"

The villa was hushed.

Lu Xiao Mu’s joyful shout rang out crystal clear.

Sang Wan glanced around, her gaze settling on Su Baohui’s face. "Lu Jin’nian and I are already divorced, only the certificate remains. From now on, I have nothing to do with the Lu family."

Lu Zhiyi was stunned.

Lu Jin’nian’s face was dark as iron.

Sang Wan stood and walked away.

Behind her, Su Baohui’s hysterical voice rang out, "Nothing to do with us? Sang Wan, you’re doomed to a lowly fate—this is what your mother owes the Lu family!"

"Mom!"

Lu Jin’nian tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Su Baohui’s voice grew shrill: "A daughter pays her mother’s debts! Your wretched life belongs to the Lu family—do you think you can sever ties just like that?"

Amidst the clamor of gossip, Sang Wan’s face lost all color.

Her heart thudded so violently her eardrums hummed.

A cold smile curved Sang Wan’s lips.

She had come with the intention of parting peacefully, to celebrate the birthday one last time.

But if they didn’t want to celebrate—

Then so be it.