She was tricked into marriage for three years, then remarried a childless, tough guy and became preg

"No." Lu Jingshen turned his face away and started to walk out.

Yang Xinyue grabbed his arm and, without warning, slapped him across the face.

The sharp "snap" sounded particularly jarring in the quiet room.

Lu Jingshen's face was turned to the side by the slap. He didn't move or cover his face. He slowly turned back and stared at the ground with a frighteningly cold look in his eyes.

"Lu Jingshen! What are you pretending to be so affectionate for? I'm your wife now. If you dare to have any other thoughts, I'll have my dad fire you!"

Yang Xinyue's chest heaved violently, and her face flushed red with excitement.

Her emotions had been unstable since she became pregnant. Seeing Shen Tang dressed so beautifully on the street today, and Huo Xiuyuan being so attentive to her, she felt a lump in her throat and now she let it all out.

Lu Jingshen kept his head down, his fists clenched so tightly that the veins on his hands bulged, but he didn't say a word.

"Did you hear me?" Yang Xinyue took a step forward, her voice shrill.

Lu Jingshen suddenly raised his head. His eyes were red-rimmed, and his gaze was like a knife piercing Yang Xinyue.

Yang Xinyue felt uneasy under his gaze, took two steps back, and instinctively protected her stomach with her hands.

"What are you going to do? I'm carrying your child."

"Yang Xinyue," Lu Jingshen's voice was low, the words squeezed out between clenched teeth, "You should stop now. Don't think that just because you're pregnant you can trample on me at will."

Yang Xinyue trembled at his words, and then an even greater surge of anger welled up within her.

"I trampled on you?" She stood up, supporting her back, and pointed at him. "Lu Jingshen, put your hand on your heart and tell me, how have I, Yang Xinyue, treated you? The night my father beat you, who was it that cried and stood in front of you? When you were being ostracized at the factory, who was it that begged my father to speak up for you? And now you're talking to me about 'trampling'?"

"Your dad spoke up for me?" Lu Jingshen sneered. "Your dad reprimanded me in front of me, letting everyone in the factory know that I, Lu Jingshen, only got this position because of your Yang family's connections. Is that speaking up for me? That's slapping me in the face!"

Yang Xinyue was stunned: "My dad is training you so that you'll become the factory manager in the future..."

"Even if I become the factory manager, I'll still be a slave to your Yang family, forever subordinate to you." Lu Jingshen interrupted her. "Do you know what people in the factory say about me? 'Gold digger,' 'son-in-law,' 'climbed the social ladder by relying on his wife'! I hear those words every day. I don't dare breathe loudly in front of your father, and I have to grovel and serve you in front of you. Yang Xinyue, I'm not a dog you keep!"

Yang Xinyue's tears welled up instantly: "Lu Jingshen, you've gone too far!"

"I'm being unreasonable? You're pregnant, and I wash your feet and massage them for you. I buy you delicious food every day, in all sorts of ways. I've never been this subservient before! Yang Xinyue, do you know how Shen Tang treated me before?"

Lu Jingshen paused, then lowered his voice: "When I was with Shen Tang, she washed my feet, gave me massages, and served me. I never had to repay her with anything."

Yang Xinyue felt as if she had been punched in the face; she swayed and had to grab the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) to avoid falling.

"Lu Jingshen, you just can't forget Shen Tang." She said, her voice choked with emotion.

"Yes, I just can't forget her." Lu Jingshen's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "She was so good, how could I forget her? Look at yourself now? Sloppy, sallow-faced, and when you argue, your voice is shrill and high-pitched, harsh and unpleasant. Shen Tang is so beautiful! Clean, clear, and confident."

Yang Xinyue raised her hand to slap him again, but Lu Jingshen grabbed her wrist:

"You're getting carried away with this, aren't you? I've let you get away with this at your own home, but this is my home, not your Yang family's. Nobody here will back you up!"

He abruptly shook off her hand.

Yang Xinyue staggered back two steps, a sharp pain shot through her stomach, and her face turned pale instantly.

"Lu Jingshen... my stomach hurts..."

Lu Jingshen didn't turn around and strode out.

"Lu Jingshen—where are you going? Stop right there!"

Yang Xinyue's voice was choked with sobs, but Lu Jingshen walked out without turning his head, slamming the door shut behind him.

"Jing Shen, where are you going?" Liu Jinhua's voice came from the courtyard.

Lu Jingshen didn't answer and went out the door.

Yang Xinyue stood there, panting heavily. Her stomach didn't hurt as much anymore, but her chest felt tight and uncomfortable.

She calmed herself down, supported her back, and slowly walked out of the room.

When Liu Jinhua saw her come out, she glared at her and said, "A woman should know her place. How can you talk to your own man like that? Now that you've married into the Lu family, Jing Shen is your everything. No matter how rich your Yang family is, you're still a member of the Lu family. Your heart should be with us."

Yang Xinyue didn't say anything. She clenched her fists and sat down on a bench in the yard.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Liu Jinhua continued, "I used to think you had a very gentle personality, how come you've become like this now? No wonder Jing Shen doesn't like you."

Liu Jinhua poured a mug of water and placed it beside her. "Drink this."

Yang Xinyue looked down at the steam in the teacup, her eyes turning cold.

There's no going back. She's pregnant with Lu Jingshen's child. She resigned from the performing arts troupe, and everyone at the clothing factory knows she's pregnant. She has to win Lu Jingshen's heart back.

She didn't want to yell or scream, but ever since she became pregnant, Lu Jingshen had treated her worse and worse. He often complained that she was spoiled and demanding.

Lu Jingshen was completely captivated by Shen Tang after meeting her today.

She had to do something.

"Do you also hate Shen Tang?" Yang Xinyue asked Liu Jinhua.

Liu Jinhua frowned. "What do you mean?"

Yang Xinyue put down her water glass and lowered her voice: "I have a way to deal with her. I'll ruin her reputation, make it impossible for her to stay in the art troupe, and let Huo Xiuyuan see what kind of person she really is."

Most importantly, it made Lu Jingshen completely give up on her.

Liu Jinhua's eyes darted around: "What method?"

Yang Xinyue leaned closer and whispered a few words in her ear.

Liu Jinhua's eyes darted around, and she smiled, "That's a good idea."

"Hurry up and get it done, or they'll leave," Yang Xinyue said.

Liu Jinhua held out her hand to her, "Money."

Yang Xinyue took a roll of money out of her pocket and stuffed it into Liu Jinhua's hand.

"Make sure you handle things cleanly. Don't give anyone a handle to use against you," Yang Xinyue instructed.

"Don't worry." Liu Jinhua smiled wryly, took the money, and ran out the door.

Yang Xinyue picked up her water glass, took a sip, and a cold smile appeared on her lips.

Shen Tang, wait until you become worthless, then let's see who wants you.