Chapter 15: Ye Siran, I Reluctantly Agree to Marry You

Song Chunhua suddenly gave birth to a daughter without showing any sign of pregnancy, yet no one paid much attention, as she was usually solitary and kept to herself.

Her ex-husband once again tried his old trick of taking their daughter alone back to the Ye family, but this time she refused.

Previously, she had no trouble sending off her son because she had only recently married and lacked confidence.

Relying on that ill-fated child’s shadow, it was only after five years of marriage that she visited the Ye family in the capital for the first time.

The bustling grandeur of the big city and the Ye family’s elegant furnishings made her unwilling to leave. Although the Ye family was already quite low-key, to her it seemed like paradise.

The Ye family had a personal assistant; she didn’t have to do housework or take care of the child. Every day, there was at least one meat dish, and the other meals included a meat dish as well.

After marriage, her natal family lived much better than others in the village thanks to her husband’s salary, but they could only afford to eat meat once a month.

She sent most of her salary to her family, so she herself only ate meat once a month and only used a pound of rapeseed oil monthly.

Used to frugality, she felt inferior and psychologically oppressed in her in-laws’ home, instinctively weakened by the contrast.

The young, beautiful female assistant at the Ye household made her feel ashamed; the assistant was more refined and well-mannered than the official wife, and dressed far more fashionably.

Her nominal son never looked her in the eye but was very close to the assistant, which drove her to jealous madness.

Their marriage was loveless and sexless from the start, but after moving into the grand Ye residence, the mental pressure crept in silently, engulfing her like a tide of darkness.

Though her father-in-law and mother-in-law never spoke ill of her, she sensed their indifference like a cold wind that often stirred chills deep within her heart.

Every time she locked eyes with the assistant, it was a silent scrutiny of one another’s inner thoughts; she suspected the woman was her husband’s former fiancée.

Yet her husband’s son called her “mom” and addressed the assistant as “aunt,” so she dared not probe further.

Her mood sank deeper into loneliness and repression day by day, and just as she was about to collapse, her ex-husband suddenly died!

When her in-laws asked if she would remarry, she agreed without hesitation but insisted on one condition—she would live with that troublesome child.

Though her father-in-law was powerful and influential, they had no choice but to compromise; the barefooted are not afraid of those wearing shoes.

Her current husband was introduced by her mother-in-law. Though he was inferior in many respects to her ex-husband, at least she truly possessed him.

“Mom, what are you thinking? Hurry and agree to my sister’s request; Yueyue is begging you~” Ye Ruyue coquettishly shook her stepmother’s arm.

Interrupted from her memories by her stepdaughter, Song Chunhua glared fiercely at Ye Siran and hissed through clenched teeth, “You troublesome brat, do you really want to sever ties?”

Ye Siran was so frightened by her mother’s fierce glare that she took three steps back, as if her biological mother might tear her apart.

This hateful look made Ye Siran recoil in fear and completely bewildered her.

Feigning trembling, she deliberately grossed out Ye Ruyue, “I don’t necessarily want to break ties. Actually, I’d rather marry Brother Hongwen.”

“Ranran, I knew you were playing hard to get. If you want to marry me, you have to show sincerity; otherwise, I’ll go with Yueyue to register our marriage this afternoon,” He Hongwen said excitedly, his mood soaring after a frustrating morning.

He knew Ranran was sulking at him because he had done many unreasonable things before.

Ye Siran had a history: every time they quarreled, within three minutes she would be quietly coaxing him.

At worst, she would storm off in anger but would surrender within a day, bringing him delicious food and becoming more obedient.

Ye Siran scornfully looked at He Hongwen. “Marry whoever you want, but I won’t…”

“Ye Siran, how dare you speak to Brother Hongwen like that? He’s so cultured and elegant—how can you be rude to him?”

“Oh ho! You’re already defending him before you’re even married?” Ye Siran clicked her tongue in mockery.

Looking at Ye Ruyue, she saw a reflection of her former self, when she had viewed He Hongwen as a lofty and proud man.

How could she disturb such an ethereal man with mundane troubles?

Now looking back, he was nothing special. How had she ever been attracted to such a man in a previous life?

“Ye Siran, who gave you the nerve to talk to Yueyue like that?” He Hongwen angrily questioned.

He wasn’t trying to help Ye Ruyue but was annoyed by the sarcastic tone in Ye Siran’s voice.

That girl who had once adored him now seemed like an icy mountain.

Why couldn’t she be obedient and devoted to him as before?

If only Ye Siran were still as docile as before—why must things turn out like this?

If she hadn’t pushed Ye Ruyue in yesterday, he wouldn’t have done anything to betray her!

He wasn’t even angry, but she was putting on a show!

Seeing He Hongwen defend her, Ye Ruyue gained confidence. “Brother Hongwen, don’t worry, marrying me will make you happy.”

He Hongwen didn’t respond but stared into Ye Siran’s eyes, hoping to find a hint of jealousy.

“He Hongwen, why didn’t you register this morning? Have you changed your mind? Don’t make me lose face!”

“Ye Siran, who are you to me? If you want me to marry Ye Ruyue, I refuse.”

“Waaah… Brother Hongwen, you can’t refuse to marry me just to spite your sister… Waaah…”

Ye Ruyue cried hysterically, but He Hongwen suddenly sobered up. Yes, he couldn’t marry Ye Ruyue just to spite Ye Siran.

His mother was right—Ye Ruyue was definitely not a suitable wife.

“Ye Siran, since you want to marry me, I reluctantly agree. Let’s go register this afternoon.”

Having said that, He Hongwen turned and ran, not wanting to see Ye Siran’s reaction for fear of mockery.

Ye Siran watched his retreating figure without a word. She planned to leave early the next day, tired of arguing with someone who didn’t understand reason.

“Waaah… Brother Hongwen, how can you treat me like this?” Ye Ruyue cried out hysterically.

“Child’s mother, you decide!” Ye’s father blinked his charming eyes at his wife, even resorting to using his charm for their daughter’s sake!

His tender gaze pleased Ye’s mother, who looked resentfully at Ye Siran.

She didn’t want to sever ties out of reluctance but wanted to watch the troublesome child marry and have children as her biological mother, then quietly switch the child…

“Troublesome brat, are you sure you can get He Hongwen to register with Yueyue?” Ye’s mother said reluctantly but dared not offend her husband.

“Mom—though my sister is incapable, Uncle He isn’t! For Yueyue’s sake, please sever ties with my sister!” Ye Ruyue pleaded tearfully.

“Fine.” Even if ties are severed, you won’t escape my grasp, Ye’s mother looked at Ye Siran with ill intent.