Chapter 5: Reclaiming the Wedding Night

Xu Jinyan’s lips pressed into a hard line. He had never expected Xia Xiaoyu to be so unyielding, daring to make a scene about divorce—and then actually going through with it.

He stared fixedly at Xia Xiaoyu.

But she didn’t even spare him a single glance, shouldering her belongings and preparing to leave.

Two baskets and a bag.

In truth, when Xia Xiaoyu went off to school in the future, she certainly wouldn’t be taking all these things with her. So she’d already made arrangements with a woman in the village: when the time came for her to leave, she would gift these items to her. In exchange, the woman would let her stay there for the time being. But now, she was determined to keep up appearances until the end; she wouldn’t reveal anything before she left.

Two strong men from the village stepped forward, wanting to help carry her things, but Xu’s mother sneered, “What’s that supposed to mean? She’s just been thrown out of our house, and you’re already rushing to help this woman? Got something going on with her, have you?”

No decent man could stomach such an accusation. Those who had been willing to help shrank back at once.

Xu’s mother watched with satisfaction as Xia Xiaoyu strode away, leaving clear footprints behind.

She turned to the crowd and said, “What are you all still gawking at?”

The onlookers dispersed.

Xu’s mother immediately said to Xu Jinyan, “Go after her. Those things are worth a good bit—bring them all back.”

Xu Jinyan did not respond.

But Xu Anxin, nearby, muttered, “We can’t just let her leave. If she goes, what happens to my job?”

It dawned on her then—caught up in the emotion of the evening, with so many people present, she’d only thought that her brother mustn’t be manipulated by Xia Xiaoyu, so she’d sided with Xu Chunhua, urging her brother toward divorce. Now, with the village chief and others gone, she finally came to her senses.

Xu Jinyan had already wanted to go after Xia Xiaoyu, and now, more determined than ever, he set off in the direction she had gone.

What ran through his mind was that their marriage had ended just like that. He’d married a wife, but had never even tasted what it meant to have one. Was he just going to let some other man reap the benefit?

Xia Xiaoyu, burdened with her things, was walking at a slow pace, so Xu Jinyan quickly caught up and blocked her way.

“Stop right there.”

Xia Xiaoyu looked at him. “What do you want now?”

Xu Jinyan’s flashlight shone directly into her face, and suddenly he realized how beautiful she was.

The man before her stared at her intently.

Xia Xiaoyu frowned, her voice icy: “Xu Jinyan, we’re divorced. You and I have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

Xu Jinyan snorted, “Xia Xiaoyu, you were married to me all this time and I never got a single benefit out of it. You think I’ll just let you walk away?”

His tone at the end was bitter and resentful.

Xia Xiaoyu could guess his thoughts; she found it impossible to imagine that the man she’d spent a lifetime with in her past life could harbor such base ideas. But then, remembering how he’d lied to her and built another family in secret, she thought—such a man was contemptible to begin with.

“Xu Jinyan, the past is over. Now, we’re nothing to each other. If you don’t want to go to university, you’re welcome to try and ruin me.”

Xu Jinyan hesitated.

But under the cover of night, looking at Xia Xiaoyu, he found her more and more attractive.

He made a shameless demand: “I won’t agree to let you just leave like this. Before you go, you have to spend the night with me.”

“Xu Jinyan, and you call yourself an educated man?”

“I am educated, but I’m still your man.”

He’d never even gotten a taste—let alone anything more. He’d just been too impatient back then; otherwise, how could he have never touched Xia Xiaoyu at all?

His gaze made Xia Xiaoyu feel sick.

“Xu Jinyan, a university spot is hard to come by. I hope you cherish it.”

“Xia Xiaoyu, I don’t ask much. Just make up for our wedding night—surely that’s not too much?”

Otherwise, where would he put his pride if people found out?

Xia Xiaoyu replied, “Xu Jinyan, you’re truly disgusting.”

She tried to step around him.

But, as always, the strength difference between men and women was stark. And she didn’t want to risk anything that might affect her reputation.

Yet Xu Jinyan seemed determined not to let her go.

Suddenly, he lunged at her, arms outstretched.

“My demand isn’t unreasonable. You’re just giving me what’s rightfully mine from our wedding night.”

Xu Jinyan was strong.

The load slid from Xia Xiaoyu’s shoulders and fell to the ground with a thud.

She yanked out the carrying pole and held it up in front of her.

“Xu Jinyan, I’m warning you—if you dare, I won’t let you off.”

Xu Jinyan snarled, “You won’t let me off? I was too soft on you before. If I hadn’t been in such a hurry to study, you’d have been mine long ago.”

Tonight, come what may, he would not let Xia Xiaoyu go.

“You’re already divorced. Everyone knows you’re not pure anymore. If you won’t give me what you owe, who are you saving it for?”

“Xu Jinyan, you’re educated. Don’t act like an ignoramus. We’re divorced—I have no obligation to you. If you dare touch me now, it’s assault on a woman. Think about it carefully.”

“Xia Xiaoyu, who do you think you are? You really think someone will help you?”

Suddenly, Xu’s mother’s voice sounded behind them: “So my son’s the one being taken advantage of? Don’t worry, son, I’ll watch your back. You just go ahead. If she makes a fuss, let her—let’s see whose face is really shamed.”

Xia Xiaoyu could not have imagined Xu’s mother would stoop so low.

“A married woman putting on airs like a chaste heroine. Son, our family won’t stand for this loss—take back all that she owes you.”

Xu Jinyan lunged, grabbing Xia Xiaoyu’s hand.

Xu’s mother rushed forward, yanking Xia Xiaoyu’s hair.

Xia Xiaoyu’s face went pale with fear.

“Xu Jinyan, assault is a serious crime. You could be sentenced to death.”

But Xu’s mother just sneered, “You call this assault? You were my daughter-in-law—you should have given your purity to my son on your wedding night. No matter where you take this, we’re in the right. Xia Xiaoyu, if you don’t want to be ruined, I advise you to cooperate.”

Xu Jinyan added, “It doesn’t cost you anything.”

Alone, Xia Xiaoyu couldn’t fight off the mother and son. They forced her to the ground.

She struggled desperately.

Xu’s mother gripped her hair with one hand and slapped her hard across the face with the other.

As Xia Xiaoyu stared at the hand before her eyes, she opened her mouth and bit down.

“You little slut!”

Seeing his mother bitten, Xu Jinyan roared and reached to tear off Xia Xiaoyu’s pants.

Xia Xiaoyu’s heart nearly stopped with terror. “Xu Jinyan, if you’re not afraid of killing me, go ahead.”

But the shameless pair held her tight—one by the hair, one pinning her down—she couldn’t break free.

Desperate, Xia Xiaoyu’s eyes filled with tears as she tried to headbutt Xu Jinyan.

But just then, out of nowhere, a foot came flying and kicked Xu Jinyan away.

“Son—!” Xu’s mother screamed.

“Who’s there?” she shouted in panic.

In the darkness, a tall figure appeared before them…