Chapter 9: If I'm a waste, just quit

"Dad, Mom, sister, I'm here." In front of them, Lu Yanshen maintains the basic courtesy of being the Xie Family's son‑in‑law.

Unlike Xie Wantang, who never calls Madam Lu "mom" but says every word with heavy sarcasm, "my dear mother‑in‑law."

"Yanshen, where did you find this girl?" Xie's father feels both grateful and guilty toward Lu Yanshen.

He is grateful that Lu Yanshen rushed back from abroad especially for the trouble‑making Xie Wantang, and he feels guilty that he remains calm toward his own family and does not vent his anger at them because of Xie Wantang's immaturity.

"In‑laws, where she was found is not the point; Wantang's safety is of utmost importance." Old Madam Lu, who sides with Xie Wantang, stands up and protects Xie Wantang.

"Yes, yes, yes," Xie's father says with a smile, nodding; since Lady Lao has spoken, he naturally replies with a beaming smile.

Xie's mother is very dissatisfied with Xie Wantang.

Having her marry Lu Yanshen was her attempt to raise the Xie Family's status.

Before the marriage, she was told that Sijiucheng is different from their Haishi; in the elite circles, there are strict hierarchies of three, six, nine ranks.

The Lu Family sits at the top tier of the elite circles, while the Xie Family is merely at the bottom end.

She could marry into the Lu Family thanks to a good grandmother; by chance she once unintentionally saved Old Madam Lu's life, and Old Madam Lu, grateful and learning she had two granddaughters, gave a token to her grandmother.

Thus, the two elders made a verbal agreement to become in‑law families.

Otherwise, no matter how they arranged this sky‑splitting wealth, it could never reach the Xie Family.

As a result, Xie Wantang still didn't cherish it; because Lu Yanshen was busy and didn't return in time for her birthday, she caused a scene, eventually disappeared, ran away from home, and even more outrageously, wants to divorce Lu Yanshen?

No one knows what that broken mind of hers is actually thinking.

If Lu Yanshen hadn't refused, in the second year of their marriage they would have swapped Xie Bailu with her.

She still wants a divorce?

Does she know how many women in Sijiucheng are scheming to replace her?

"How about this: let's eat first, and talk about anything while we eat," Old Master Land says at the right moment.

"Dad, here's the thing: there are a few dishes, and Liu Ma and the others aren't very good at them, so I left them aside. When Wantang arrives, she'll stir‑fry them. See, the dishes aren't even stir‑fried yet; if we want to eat now, we might still have to trouble Wantang a bit."

Madam Lu steps forward, saying she also didn't expect Lu Yanshen to have invited Xie Wantang's parents.

Old Master Land glances at his own son.

Madam Lu feels a bit insecure; she was thinking of tormenting Xie Wantang, using the chance to give her son a good lesson, making her run away, cause her to disappear, and throw everyone into chaos.

But she never imagined that her husband would be blamed by his father‑in‑law.

"My dear mother‑in‑law, isn't Liu Ma already an elder of the household? I've only been married into the Lu Family a little over three years, right? If the dishes you love are ones Liu Ma can't handle, I suggest that a waste like Liu Ma should just quit."

"What do you think?"

Xie Wantang, being called out, glances at Liu Ma, looks at Madam Lu, and speaks very plainly.

"... What did you say?" Madam Lu is stunned; for a moment she thought she was hallucinating.

Shouldn't Xie Wantang obediently stand up and politely say, "Okay, mother, I'll stir‑fry right now; could you wait a moment?"

Yet Xie Wantang actually suggests that she fire Liu Ma.

Liu Ma is not only her confidante but also the kitchen maid that Xie's family gave her as a dowry when she married into the Lu Family, and she has followed her for a lifetime.

What a nonsense suggestion from Xie Wantang?

The dishes Liu Ma cooks are unknown how delicious, but Xie Wantang has been eating them all her life and is already accustomed.

Moreover, Liu Ma can cook; she only said that to make Xie Wantang stir‑fry.

Would Xie Wantang not understand?

She thinks she's doing it on purpose.

It's just, why does Xie Wantang do this?

How dare she do this?

"Grandma, indeed you're getting old; I'm standing so close and my voice isn't small. How about letting big brother or Yanshen arrange an ENT doctor for you, to check this hearing issue, whether big or small."

"..."

Xie Wantang, with a serious expression, suggests she get checked and hints at her old age, driving Madam Lu nearly mad with anger.

Yet at this very moment, she cannot actually lose her temper.

She must maintain the dignity appropriate for a Lu wife in front of the two elders and the Xie family.

Old Madam Lu smiles inwardly, thinking that Wantang has long deserved this.

"Liu Ma, can we still have a meal at home today?" Old Master Land asks Liu Ma with a cold face.

"Yes, sir," Liu Ma replies tremblingly.

"Good, then go serve the dishes."

"Yes."

Madam Lu ultimately says nothing, leading Xie's mother toward the dining area.

Xie Wantang's elder sister‑in‑law comes over, leading Xie Bailu.

In the living room, soon only Lu Yanshen and Xie Wantang remain facing each other.

The two remain silent, communicating soulfully through their gazes.

Xie Wantang: Lu Yanshen, what do you mean, bringing them here?

Lu Yanshen: "You wanted a divorce, right? The two families were originally an alliance marriage; now if you want a divorce, both families must discuss it."

Xie Wantang: "Bringing them here, if this marriage should end, it will end; they can't stop me."

Lu Yanshen: "Then go ahead."

"Yanshen, Wantang, come over to eat," Old Madam Lu calls.

"Coming."

The two respond in unison, showing great tacit understanding.

Pfft pfft pfft…

Xie Wantang spat three times silently.

At the dining table, Old Master Land sat in the seat of honor; to his left was Lady Lao, then Lu Wentao and his wife, followed by Lu Yanze and his wife, and finally Lu Yanshen.

On the right side were Xie Wantang's father and mother, Xie Bailu, and the last seat was Xie Wantang.

Xie Wantang and Lu Yanshen arrived late, swaying gently. When Xie Wantang sat down beside Xie Bailu, Xie Bailu looked at her, pursed her lips, and gestured for her to look at her phone.

Xie Wantang took out her phone; the WeChat message Xie Bailu had sent her read: "Wantang, what's going on? I heard you want to divorce Lu Yanshen?"

"Yes." Xie Wantang typed a single character.

Xie Bailu glanced at it, shocked by her decisiveness, sucking in a breath of cold air.

How could she be so refreshingly decisive?

Doesn't she love Lu Yanshen?

How could she bear to divorce and give up the position of MrsLu?

Xie Bailu did not understand.

Xie Wantang didn't need her to understand either.

She loved Lu Yanshen, but she wasn't so foolish as to love him even after his heart had completely betrayed her; she still loved him without regret or resentment.

"Since everyone is here, I have something to say before we start eating." Xie Wantang glanced at Lu Yanshen opposite her; seeing his indifference, she lightly bit the flesh at the edge of her lip and stood up.

"Wantang, you're so improper; the old master and old lady haven't spoken yet, you stand up—what kind of appearance is that?" Madame Xie scolded Xie Wantang angrily.

"Madame Xie, you merely gave birth to me and did not raise me. Three years ago, you went to Haishi to fetch me back; the bride-price they gave, I received none, which is already taking full advantage of the favor of giving birth to me."

"I haven't held it against you, and you don't need to put on a mother's airs to lecture me now."

"Xie Wantang, you——" Madame Xie was so rebuked she nearly rolled her eyes and fainted.