"Later, she got into university, but I didn't. I stayed home helping with household chores. She urged me to retake the exam, to keep trying, but at that time... my family didn't agree, and I had lost my interest in studying. Two years later, I married Qi Wenhan."
Her wedding was in the first month of the lunar year. She wanted Wen to be her bridesmaid, but Wen said she wouldn't come.
Though she said that, on the wedding day, she still showed up.
"After she graduated from university, she chose to return to our hometown to teach, while I followed Qi Wenhan here. Every time I went back home, she would urge me to find a job, not to be just a housewife. But I..."
About finding work, she had thought about it and mentioned it to Qi Wenhan, but he would always say: "How much money could you possibly earn? We're not short of money, it's better for you to stay home, take care of the child, and handle the housework."
"It's my fault, I wasn't good enough, I disappointed Wen." In the past, when she returned home and met with Wen, she would complain about Qi Wenhan, and Wen would advise her to get a divorce.
But whenever she thought about divorce, she would think that maybe Qi Wenhan wasn't that bad, and their son was still so young - how could she divorce?
So, without realizing when it started, their contact gradually decreased...
"It's okay, Mom. You and Aunt Wen are still young, you have many years ahead to be good friends."
Zhou Xinfang nodded. She had decided that after the divorce was finalized, she would find a job, any kind of job - it would be better than staying at home all the time.
February 18th, the ninth day of the lunar new year.
Zhou Xinfang met with Qi Wenhan, but this time, their lawyers were also present.
As soon as they met, Qi Wenhan put on an anguished expression.
"Xinfang, after all these years of marriage, I never thought you would want a divorce. But since you've brought it up, I have nothing more to say, except that I won't compromise on our son's custody."
Hearing Qi Wenhan mention their son, Zhou Xinfang was so angry she wanted to hit him, but before coming, her lawyer had advised her to stay calm.
Her hands clenched into fists under the table, Zhou Xinfang spoke through gritted teeth.
"Our son is grown up now. He can decide for himself who he wants to live with. It's not your decision to make."
"What do you mean grown up? He's still immature. Just because I'm strict with him, he wants to live with you - how is that being grown up? All children are like this, they prefer to be lazy. Later he'll understand who truly has his best interests at heart. If you really care about him, you shouldn't let him stay with you. Between a professor father and an unemployed mother, isn't it obvious who he should stay with?"
Zhou Xinfang didn't want to waste words with him. She had already decided to file for divorce.
Qi Wenhan probably hadn't expected that his usually submissive wife had secretly kept evidence of his affair and had already handed it to her lawyer.
Finally, the meeting ended unpleasantly, and Zhou Xinfang formally entrusted her lawyer to file for divorce.
After receiving the court summons, Qi Wenhan contacted Zhou Xinfang again, requesting an out-of-court settlement, but Zhou Xinfang ignored him.
Zhou Xinfang's main demand was custody of their son, but her lawyer told her they could ask for more assets since Qi Wenhan was the party at fault.
Zhou Xinfang didn't object to this - all the money would be for their son anyway, so they should get as much as possible.
In court, Qi Wenhan argued for custody of Qi Anlu, citing his stable job and considerable income, while pointing out Zhou Xinfang's unemployment.
However, since Qi Anlu was almost sixteen years old, the judge fully considered his own opinion.
Regarding property distribution, the lawyer secured the maximum benefits for Zhou Xinfang.
Qi Wenhan agreed, not out of conscience, but out of fear.
Zhou Xinfang had evidence of his affair, and he still had his job to consider. If he didn't agree and things escalated, it would be detrimental to his career.
Unless absolutely necessary, Zhou Xinfang didn't want to make a big scene either. She knew that holding this leverage over him could keep him in check.
If things really reached a point of mutual destruction, who knew what Qi Wenhan might do.
When it actually came to this point, Zhou Xinfang found that divorce was much simpler than she had imagined.
"Mom, let's buy a cake and celebrate at home."
"Okay."
Mother and son happily went to buy cake, neither of them paying any attention to Qi Wenhan.
Before Qi Anlu started school, Zhou Xinfang took him to the hospital again, and even the doctor was surprised by his improvement.
This result was within Qi Anlu's expectations. Although he was still taking medication, during this period, he felt happy every day and no longer had insomnia.
Qi Anlu felt that the invisible hands that had been pressing on his shoulders were slowly disappearing, and he felt very light-hearted every day.
Seeing her son's improvement, Zhou Xinfang was so happy she almost cried, grateful that she had made the decision to divorce in time, preventing her son's condition from worsening.
She hadn't noticed that her own condition was also improving.
During dinner, Qi Anlu said to Zhou Xinfang, "Mom, have you noticed? You seem to look younger lately."
"What nonsense are you talking about? How can people get younger? You're already so grown up, why would Mom need to look younger?" Zhou Xinfang laughed, thinking her son was just trying to make her happy.
Qi Anlu messaged his friends in their group chat, saying he wanted to buy clothes for his mom but didn't know what would suit her.
When Qu Zizhou saw the message, he immediately took his phone to find Jiang Yun.
"Mom, didn't you say you were bored lately? I've found something for you to do." Recently, Qu Zizhou's sister and father had gone back, leaving Jiang Yun sighing with boredom at home, which made her view even Qu Zizhou unfavorably.
In the end, no one knows what Qu Zizhou said to Jiang Yun, but it immediately lifted her spirits, making her eager to meet Zhou Xinfang and take her shopping.
Zhou Xinfang couldn't resist her son's wishes and went out with him.
What was originally planned as an outing for two became larger when Jiang Yun invited Nian Suian to join, and Chu Mingyan had his mother join as well, while he went out with his friends.
"Zizhou, this was a good idea."
"Of course it was. My dad and sister are either studying or working, and my mom was in a bad mood, so I found something for her to do instead of looking at me disapprovingly all day."
Jiang Yun, being energetic by nature, wasn't satisfied with just taking them clothes shopping - she insisted on taking all three women to get their hair permed and facials done.
"Let me tell you, this salon has excellent technique, you can trust them completely."
Nian Suian had always believed that finding a good hairstylist was harder than finding a good man, so since Jiang Yun highly recommended it, she had to try it.
Zhou Xinfang was initially hesitant but eventually gave in to their persuasion. She got her hair permed and even signed up for a membership card.
After buying clothes, getting their hair done, and having facials, the four of them didn't get home until eight or nine in the evening.
"Anlu, Mom lost track of time. Have you eaten?"
"I've already eaten. Mom, you look so beautiful now, this hairstyle really suits you."
"You're exaggerating." Though she said this, the smile never left her face.