Even at this time she was stubborn as a dying duck, Cheng Su couldnât be bothered with her anymore. After all the housework she had done, she was exhausted enough as is. She had good intentions to mediate and make peace, but she happened to encounter someone who just wouldnât see reason.
"We may dine at the same table, but each must cultivate their own path, and nobody can walk it for you. However, Hualing, let me tell you, if you donât change that arrogant and haughty temper of yours, your marriage with Chen Shouwang wonât last long," Cheng Su said indifferently.
"Sister-in-law Qi!" Chunhua tugged at her sleeve.
They had come to mediate a conflict, so why were they saying such disheartening things now?
But Cheng Su couldnât be bothered to persuade gently. People like Hualing needed a stern warning!
"You always feel superior because your family background is better than Chen Shouwangâs, and that he should pamper and indulge you, but thereâs a limit to everything. He loves you, accommodates you, but if you keep acting so high and mighty, who wouldnât get tired? Hearts can tire too. Once it becomes unbearable, thereâll come a day when heâll no longer keep up with it," Cheng Su continued, "Of course, if you really want to divorce him, then you can continue to act high and mighty, keeping him underfoot."
Listening to this, Hualingâs face turned from white to red, then from red to black.
"Everyone has their limits of endurance, and if you keep behaving this way, youâll only push him further away. You might feel itâs unfair, that heâs getting worse towards you, but what about your attitude towards him? You know very well how Platoon Leader Chen has treated you, has it always been like this or did it start to deteriorate at some point? Without going too far back, letâs just talk about the incident with buying the fan. He went to such lengths for you, what more do you expect him to do?" Cheng Su hit the nail on the head again.
Chunhuaâs face was full of confusion about the fan-buying incident, while Hualing knew exactly what it entailed, her face flushed and lips pursed.
"We came here to mediate, maybe we can mediate once or twice, but can we do it for a lifetime? You have to live your lives yourselves, and both of you need to reflect on things," Cheng Su said.
Hualing bit her lip.
Next door, Qi Taiguo was also giving Chen Shouwang a hard time.
"Donât talk about wanting a divorce so casually. As soldiers, we have our military discipline; divorce isnât just a matter of a few words," Qi Taiguo said, "You donât really want to stop being with her. If thatâs the case, then show the dignity of a man. It was wrong of you to think of hitting her. A man, no matter how angry, should never hit a woman. Reflect on how eagerly you courted her in the beginning?"
Chen Shouwang, with a stern face, said, "Iâve been tolerating her for quite some time as well."
"Even so, you canât resort to violence. Sheâs so frail, how could she withstand your beating? Would you really be able to stand it if you hurt her? I remember you two werenât like this before. Why have things become so tense since you moved here?" Qi Taiguo asked.
Could it be that absence makes the heart grow fonder?
"Go on, swallow your pride, speak to her kindly. If she asks you to reflect, then do it. Whatâs the big deal? Reflecting might ease your own mind. Not just for now, but for the future as well," Qi Taiguo urged him.
Chen Shouwang muttered, "I, ah, this..."
"Donât worry, we all wonât spread the word," Qi Taiguo pushed him, "Go on, whatâs the harm in a big man making a concession?"
Chen Shouwang was pushed back into his home, where Cheng Su and the others stood up. Only Hualing was there, head down, wiping her tears, the corners of her eyes red. Cheng Suâs heart softened somewhat.
"Wife, itâs my fault, I was wrong," Chen Shouwang went over to her.
Qi Taiguo gave Cheng Su and the others a look, and they left, closing the door behind them. From inside came the sound of sobbing, which was relatively calm, and they all shook their heads and sighed.