Just Wanting to Divorce My Love Rival - Chapter 23

The school and home were in different cities, far apart. Taking the high-speed rail back and forth required a full day, so Mu Cheng rarely went home outside of summer and winter breaks.

This time, Mu Cheng specifically took a week off. By the time she stepped off the high-speed train, it was already midnight.

Just outside the station, a motorcycle taxi driver rumbled to a stop beside her. Speaking in their local dialect, he tried to drum up business: “Where to, pretty girl? My ride is cheap.”

Mu Cheng shook her head and walked away. “No thanks, thank you.”

At this hour, Mu Cheng didn’t dare get onto an unlicensed vehicle. Even if it was cheap, the safety factor was too low. However, she didn’t have money for a proper taxi either; she had even borrowed the money for the train ticket from Xiao Xiaoli. Her finances were extremely tight.

Fortunately, her home was close to the station, only about a twenty-minute walk.

It was pitch black outside, and the weather had turned cold. Mu Cheng shrunk her neck against the chilly wind and pulled her clothes tighter.

After walking a few steps, she saw a hunched figure waving at her from a corner.

Mu Cheng’s eyes lit up. She broke into a grin and jogged over. “Grandma!”

Grandmother Mu, whose name was Zhong Suzhi, was in her early sixties. She was physically robust, though her back was slightly hunched. Her face, weathered by time, had some wrinkles, but her permed short hair was jet black without a single strand of white. Mu Cheng’s thick hair was inherited directly from her.

Zhong Suzhi held a bright red coat in her hand and scolded dotingly, “I knew you wouldn’t wear enough. You never learn. You’ll catch a cold again. How many times have I told you? The wind is strong at night; put this coat on immediately.”

Mu Cheng took the coat and obediently put it on. Although the tacky red coat wasn’t stylish, it was surprisingly warm. “Grandma, I told you to sleep early. Why did you come out to get me so late?”

Zhong Suzhi: “It’s the middle of the night. If I don’t come, it’s dangerous for a girl alone. What if something happens?”

Mu Cheng happily linked arms with her grandmother, leaning her head affectionately on her shoulder. “Grandma is still the best.”

Zhong Suzhi pushed her head away. “How old are you, still clinging to people like a child? Move, move.”

Mu Cheng refused to let go, sticking to her side.

Zhong Suzhi shook her head and let her be. “Why didn’t you take a taxi just now?”

Mu Cheng rubbed her nose. “It’s close by. I didn’t want to waste money.”

Zhong Suzhi saw right through her. “Used up all your allowance?”

Mu Cheng gave an embarrassed smile and hummed. “I didn’t control it well; I spent it all.”

“Why didn’t you tell Grandma? How have you been living at school without money? Your school doesn’t provide meals; what have you been eating every day?” Zhong Suzhi glared at her.

Mu Cheng giggled. “I was afraid you’d scold me. I have a really good roommate; she’s been treating me to meals lately.”

Zhong Suzhi nodded and nagged for a bit before asking, “Why the sudden trip back? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be back until winter break?”

As they spoke, they arrived at the front door. Zhong Suzhi took out her keys.

The apartment was on the third floor—a four-bedroom, one-living room unit with simple and clean decor.

Mu Cheng didn’t tell her the real reason. She stuck out her tongue. “I missed you, so I came back. Do I need a reason to miss my Grandma?”

Zhong Suzhi was amused. “Ever since you were little, your mouth has been sweet. I don’t know who you learned it from—it’s like you’ve rubbed honey on your lips.”

As soon as the door opened, they ran into Mu Cheng’s mother, Yue Mei, in the living room.

Yue Mei was wearing loose pajamas. Her small eyes held a shrewd look. She had gotten up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and happened to see Zhong Suzhi bringing Mu Cheng home.

She scanned Mu Cheng, furrowed her brow, and said irritably, “I don’t know what you’re doing back here. Doesn’t the round-trip travel cost money? The train alone is several hundred. You must have money to burn. Didn’t the school already pay for your dorm? Why not stay there and get your money’s worth? What a waste of money, you little spendthrift.”

Mu Cheng thinned her lips and didn’t reply.

“Whether it’s the dorm or the train, you didn’t pay a single cent. What right do you have to call her a spendthrift? Your son is the real spendthrift—he’s been graduated for over a year and he’s still freeloading at home.” Zhong Suzhi pulled Mu Cheng’s hand. “Don’t listen to your mother. Are you hungry? You probably didn’t eat much on the train. Grandma will make you a bowl of noodles.”

Mu Cheng smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

Yue Mei grew even more annoyed seeing this. “Mom, you just protect her! You spoil her until she has no sense of propriety. The older she gets, the more she lacks manners. Look at her—she’s been back this long and hasn’t even called me ‘Mom’ once.”

Mu Cheng reluctantly called out, “Mom.”

Yue Mei huffed, unimpressed.

After finishing her water, Yue Mei didn’t forget to add before leaving, “Mom, the beef and crabs in the fridge are what I bought to nourish Xiao Xiong’s body. Just put some oil and salt in the noodles; eating meat in the middle of the night isn’t good anyway.”

Zhong Suzhi, preparing the noodles, slammed the pot down with a loud thud. The message to drive Yue Mei away was clear.

Mu Cheng only returned during winter and summer breaks. Firstly, the journey was long and troublesome; secondly, and most importantly, no one in the family except for Zhong Suzhi actually welcomed her.

She understood this, so she was sensible enough to stay away as much as possible. If it weren’t for Zhong Suzhi, she wouldn’t even want to return during the breaks.

Yue Mei had wanted two sons, but the second child turned out to be a daughter. She was deeply disappointed and even had to pay a fine for the extra birth. Because of the over-quota birth, Mu Cheng’s father had been fired from his original workplace, and the family’s financial situation had been tight for a long time due to Mu Cheng’s arrival.

Consequently, Yue Mei found Mu Cheng more and more an eyesore. After she was born, Yue Mei wouldn’t even give her a name. It was Zhong Suzhi who named her “Mu Cheng.” Zhong Suzhi took on the responsibility of caring for her; from infancy to university, she acted as grandma, mom, and dad all at once.

Having been treated this way by Yue Mei for so long, Mu Cheng had developed an immunity. She didn’t get angry, disappointed, or sad because of their cold words. In daily interactions, she avoided talking to minimize unnecessary conflict. Mu Cheng often urged Zhong Suzhi not to get angry with them on her behalf, for the sake of her health.

The sole purpose of Mu Cheng’s trip back was to urge Zhong Suzhi to get a physical.

Zhong Suzhi was initially unwilling to go, but she couldn’t withstand Mu Cheng’s persistent nagging. Finally, she was worn down and dragged to the hospital.

A full check-up at a major hospital took a long time. In the blink of an eye, it was past 4:00 PM.

The doctor in the white coat sat at the desk, tapping at the computer. He glanced at the results with a perfunctory attitude. “At this age, the body always has minor issues. But aside from a bit of osteoporosis, your grandmother is perfectly healthy. No problems.”

Mu Cheng didn’t relax. Her expression was serious. “Is there any risk of a stroke?”

“I’ve seen the results. Your grandmother’s condition is very good. In general, there is no risk of a stroke.” With that, the doctor raised his hand to call the next patient.

Still uneasy, Mu Cheng asked, “Are there any methods or medications to prevent a stroke?”

The doctor, getting annoyed, said with visible impatience, “The risk for elderly people is indeed significant. But as long as she maintains a healthy lifestyle—proper exercise, a light diet, and avoiding extreme emotional agitation—this won’t happen if she’s healthy.”

Mu Cheng wanted to ask more, but the doctor interrupted her. “There are many people behind you. I’ve told you your grandmother’s situation and the precautions for osteoporosis. Don’t delay the other patients.”

Push, push, push. He had been rushing them since they walked in. Mu Cheng was getting fired up and was about to argue with him when Zhong Suzhi pulled her out.

“What is wrong with you? Why do you keep hounding the doctor about a stroke? If I hadn’t pulled you, were you going to fight him?” Zhong Suzhi gave Mu Cheng a light rap on the head.

Mu Cheng clutched her head and pouted.

Mu Cheng stared at the normal results, her brow furrowed in thought.

According to Zhong Yingzhi, Zhong Suzhi died of a stroke. If she were to check the body now, there should at least be some tendency toward it, but there was nothing.

Maybe she’s fine now, and her health suddenly deteriorates years later?

Regardless, she decided to bring Zhong Suzhi for a check-up every six months from now on. She had to nip any potential accidents in the bud.

Back home, Yue Mei looked at the medical bills and began complaining again. “Why is the check-up fee so expensive? I said from the start that she’s healthy and didn’t need one. Such a waste of money. Better to save that money…”

Zhong Suzhi snatched the result sheets away. “Save it for what? To let your ‘money-losing’ son keep squandering it?”

On the sofa, Mu Aoxiong, who was lounging with his legs crossed and chewing betel nut, curled his lip. “Grandma, I’m still sitting right here. Talk behind my back if you have to. Why do you always talk about me like that?”

Yue Mei gave Mu Aoxiong a look.

Mu Aoxiong took the hint, spat out the betel nut, and ran over with a fawning grin. “Grandma, I got my driver’s license a few days ago. I want to look at cars in a few days. Why don’t you come with me and help me pick one?”

He didn’t want her to “help pick”; he clearly wanted Zhong Suzhi to pay for the car.

Zhong Suzhi wasn’t falling for it. “If the car were for Xiao Cheng, I’d pay. But for you? Don’t even think about it. We’ll talk about other things once you actually get a job.”

“Grandma!” Mu Aoxiong stomped his foot in anger. “You’re too biased! It’s just a car. You have so much money anyway; what’s the harm in spending some on me? You can’t take it with you when you die. You’re already so old, it’s not like you’ve got—”

“I spit on you!” Zhong Suzhi roared. “Even when I die, this money is going to Xiao Cheng!”

Yue Mei grabbed Mu Aoxiong, who wanted to keep arguing, and signaled him to go back to his room.

Mu Aoxiong rolled his eyes, shuffled his slippers, and turned toward his room nonchalantly.

After closing the door, he muttered under his breath, “Old hag. Just hurry up and die already. Once you’re dead, I’ll take the money.”