After four years of living alone after marrying far away, he went back to his parents' home and

Once her thoughts returned to normal, Lan Yujuan tidied up, quickly returned to her bedroom, and locked the door behind her.

She skillfully opened her laptop and began typing in bed, using the quilt and pillows as a silent "desk".

Three years ago, Tian Xiuhua took advantage of Liu Zhiyuan's postpartum period, under the guise of "taking care of her and buying her delicious food," to take away Liu Zhiyuan's bank card.

She never saw that card again after that. With Liu Zhiyuan's tacit approval, she began to live a life of dependence.

At first, she was shy but also proud. Relying on her savings, she was assertive.

If her in-laws don't give it to her, she won't take it.

When her savings ran out and raising her child became a struggle, she began to frantically search for a way out.

When her child was six months old, she stumbled upon an online article about earning money by writing web novels.

So, taking advantage of the time she spent alone with her child, which Tian Xiuhua avoided at all times, she squeezed in time to work on writing online novels.

Lan Yujuan loves reading novels, and she majored in Chinese literature in college. Gradually, she actually managed to get into the world of literature.

At first, she only earned three to five hundred yuan a month.

After more than two years of honing her craft, she is now able to receive a decent monthly royalty, ensuring that she and her daughter have enough to eat and wear.

However, she has to write at least four thousand words every day.

This is her secret; none of her in-laws know it.

About two hours later, Lan Yujuan stretched and closed her old notebook.

Another day of creation, successfully completed!

She packed up her notebook and prepared to go to her mother-in-law's room to bring her little girl back to sleep.

After years of trials and tribulations, her relationship with Liu Zhiyuan was no longer what it used to be.

She wasn't interested in their once-a-year intimacy. She'd rather her daughter spend more time with her father.

As soon as Lan Yujuan reached her mother-in-law's door, she heard her mother-in-law, Tian Xiuhua, urging her husband to go back to his room and sleep.

"Since we're leaving tomorrow, let's not waste any more time and go back to our rooms to sleep!"

The husband, Liu Zhiyuan, said impatiently, "Mom, Yujuan and I are still young. Why are you in such a hurry? You're putting a lot of pressure on me!"

Tian Xiuhua gritted her teeth and said, "You still know that your wife is young?"

"You two aren't legally married, you don't have a son, and you're never home! If you don't tie her down now, what if she runs off with someone else? You'll have no one to blame but yourself!"

"Do you know how expensive it is to get married here these days? Let's not even talk about the dowries of 18.8, 28.8, and 38.8 yuan; there are also tens of thousands of yuan for gold and other valuables, and they even require you to buy a house in the county town outright!"

"If this wife runs away, where will you find a young, beautiful college graduate who doesn't ask for a dowry to marry?"

"With the internet so readily available these days, young women are incredibly shrewd! If this one runs away, you might find yourself in a long line of divorced women, and end up a lifelong bachelor!"

Liu Zhiyuan was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Mom, don't worry!"

"She can't bear to part with Xiaoman. Even if the Lan family themselves came to force her back to her parents' home, she would definitely run back!"

Tian Xiuhua sneered, "Yes, she won't run away! But what if she cheats on you while you're away?"

"Lan Yujuan is only 26 years old this year. Everyone in the surrounding villages knows her. She lives a life of widowhood at home."

"Hmph, if you're not afraid of being cuckolded, then go ahead and leave her hanging!"

Hearing this, Lan Yujuan turned around and walked back inside.

She knew that Tian Xiuhua would definitely not agree to take her daughter back to her room to sleep tonight.

"Squeak~" The door was pushed open, and Liu Zhiyuan walked in, reeking of alcohol, and locked the door behind him.

Lan Yujuan was lying on her side in bed reading a novel, pretending not to notice.

Liu Zhiyuan slowly got into bed, lifted the covers, and lay down beside her. Then, he said awkwardly, "Mom said she wants to hold her grandson soon..."

In bed, Liu Zhiyuan's large hand rested on her slender, soft waist. As he touched her alabaster skin, his heart began to burn with desire.

Lan Yujuan put down her phone, brushed the hand away with disgust, and turned around.

"Liu Zhiyuan, where's your salary card?"

"I'm your wife. I stay home to take care of the kids, be filial to our parents, and manage the household chores. You should give me your salary card to manage. Is that too much to ask?"

Just as Liu Zhiyuan was getting into the swing of things, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, and he instantly lost all interest.

He pulled his hand back, immediately sat up, and said coldly, "Lan Yujuan, are you crazy for money?"

"My husband and I haven't seen each other for a year, and we finally have a chance to be intimate, and you're talking to me about money?"

Lan Yujuan also sat up and said, "Xiaoman is three years old. She should start kindergarten after the New Year."

"I stay at home taking care of the children, I don't work and I don't have a salary, so naturally I'll ask you for the children's tuition fees."

"Or, Xiaoman and I can go back to Beijing with you, and I'll go back to work there too. I'll raise the child myself!"

"Now that my child is older and starts kindergarten, I won't need to hire a nanny anymore; I can pick him up and drop him off by myself."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan immediately became anxious, "Go back my ass! Liu Xiaoman must stay in our hometown to continue her studies!"

"Kindergartens in Beijing cost at least two to three thousand yuan a month!"

"Leaving aside the cost of living for a family of three in Beijing, we'll need to buy a house and register our residency in Beijing when our children start elementary and middle school! Where will we get the money?"

"Lan Yujuan, what are you thinking about all day long while you're just sitting at home doing nothing?"

Lan Yujuan stared intently at the man beside her, re-examining him, and said sarcastically:

"So four years ago, when I was newly pregnant, you and your mother had already planned to delay until I was further along in my pregnancy, then trick me into quitting my job and going back to our hometown to give birth, right?"

Liu Zhiyuan's eyes flickered, and he said guiltily, "You, how could you think that?"

"That happened so long ago, I... I don't remember."

With that, Liu Zhiyuan turned over irritably and crawled back into bed. As he tucked himself in, he muttered to himself:

"You women are such a hassle!"

"Instead of enjoying a perfectly good life, they love to dredge up old grievances!"

"Fine, I can't be bothered arguing with you. Time for bed!"

Lan Yujuan frowned, vaguely sensing something was wrong. "You guys?"

"Who else but me?"

Liu Zhiyuan lay on the bed pretending to be dead, and soon he started snoring.

Lan Yujuan was certain that they were each other's first love. Before her, Liu Zhiyuan had never had another girlfriend.

When they were dating in college, they often took walks on campus after evening self-study sessions. At the beginning of their relationship, he didn't even dare to hold her hand.

Could it be that Liu Zhiyuan cheated on his wife in Beijing during the three years they were separated?

Lan Yujuan turned off the light, but leaned against the bed, feeling restless.

"Buzz~" Liu Zhiyuan's phone, which was on the bedside table, vibrated twice and then the screen lit up.

Honey, are you asleep?

I miss you so much!

As if possessed, Lan Yujuan picked up Liu Zhiyuan's phone. After seeing the message, her heart sank.