The disciplinary action for Feng Yaojie was swiftly decided, followed by his transfer order.
That same day, he was to pack his belongings and prepare to leave Yan City.
He returned home to find nothing packed. He entered the house to look for Zheng Lei.
"Why haven't you packed yet? You're leaving later."
Zheng Lei glanced at the luggage beside her. "I've packed your things. You can go to the mountains by yourself; I'm not going."
Feng Yaojie's hand loosened, and his things fell to the floor.
He looked at her, his expression darkening. "What do you mean by this?"
"Is it that hard to understand? I'm not going to the mountains with you. I've thought about it for a long time. The child still needs to go to school. If she goes with you, what about her future education?"
Feng Yaojie gritted his teeth. "There are schools there!"
Zheng Lei scoffed. "So what if there are schools? Are they the same as the schools in Yan City? Feng Yaojie, why did I marry you? I married you to change our social status. I don't want to spend my whole life farming in the countryside! But now you want me to accompany you to a remote mountain area, to a place even more backward than my own home!"
She wasn't stupid.
Taking the child to the mountains very likely meant that her descendants would also be born and raised in the mountains.
Feng Yaojie felt somewhat struck. He had been extremely confident in Zheng Lei, believing everything was under his control.
He had never imagined that Zheng Lei would be unwilling to suffer hardship with him.
"But you were also transferred out of Yan City before, and you were willing then..."
Zheng Lei sneered. "Is this mountain area the same as that place before? Back then, I knew you would definitely be transferred back. But if we leave this time, it's possible we'll never return!"
"You are my wife, you should follow me!" Feng Yaojie roared in embarrassment and anger.
Zheng Lei remained unmoved. After a moment of silence, she spoke, "Of course I'm your wife. That won't change."
Because as long as she was still Feng family's daughter-in-law, the old madam wouldn't abandon her.
She really had to keep this identity.
"If you really want to take a woman with you, you can go find Feng Xue. You seemed quite happy when you got into her bed before. If Feng Xue doesn't go with you, then go to the mountains and find yourself a woman. You're a military officer, after all; someone will be willing to go with you."
Feng Yaojie had originally envisioned their family starting anew in the mountains. Now, that dream was shattered before it even began.
"Are you trying to divorce me!"
Zheng Lei shook her head. "We didn't divorce before, and it's even less likely now. You can still find other women without divorcing, can't you? You've been doing a pretty good job of that before."
Her words were like knives, piercing his wounds.
Feng Yaojie felt immense pain. If force didn't work, he'd try softness.
He gently took Zheng Lei's hand and coaxed her, "Zheng Lei, the child cannot be without a father. You've tolerated so much and haven't divorced me, isn't it all for the sake of giving the child a home?"
Zheng Lei threw her head back and laughed, as if she had heard a joke.
"The child certainly cannot be without a father, so I won't divorce you. From now on, you still have to send money back every month. That will be your value as a father."
She wouldn't divorce him for the sake of the Feng family, never to rely on Feng Yaojie.
Seeing that she was resolute, Feng Yaojie's patience wore thin, and he became enraged.
"Zheng Lei, I'll ask one last time: are you coming with me or not? If you don't, we'll divorce today, and I'll find another woman willing to go to the mountains!"
Zheng Lei laughed in anger. Just as she opened her mouth, she heard Cheng You's voice, "Second Aunt, have you finished packing?"
She replied, "Yes, your Second Uncle doesn't have much."
Cheng You entered from outside, carrying some items.
"Second Uncle, Grandma and Grandpa heard you were leaving and prepared these for you to take with you. Grandma said the environment there is harsh, so Second Aunt won't be going with you."
Feng Yaojie's face turned ashen. He glared at Zheng Lei as if she were a faithless woman.
Even his parents were siding with Zheng Lei, sending him alone to the remote mountains.
He gritted his teeth. "After I leave, this house will surely be repossessed. Where will Second Aunt live then?"
Cheng You smiled slightly. "Grandma said her place is spacious; it's no problem for a couple more people to stay."
It was rare for Zheng Lei to be so clear-headed, and the old madam would naturally not hold her back at this moment.
This son was a disappointment, and she didn't want him to negatively influence her grandson in the future.
Feng Yaojie was so angry his eyes turned red. "Fine, very good! You've all made your arrangements. What say do I have in any of this!"
Cheng You pushed the items forward. "This is Grandpa and Grandma's affection for you. You must accept it properly."
Feng Yaojie, in his rage, couldn't care less about these things. He kicked out, scattering the items.
"I don't need their insincere gestures! I, your useless son, am leaving. They must be overjoyed!"
Cheng You's expression turned cold. She bent down, picked up the items, repackaged them, and tied the bag.
"Second Uncle, don't be ungrateful. No one here owes you anything. You brought this upon yourself. I'm bringing these items to put Grandpa and Grandma's minds at ease. If you're not satisfied, you'll have to bear it. You should know that a demotion is already the best outcome; things could have been worse, like dismissal."
"You're threatening me!" Feng Yaojie's face contorted in ferocity.
Cheng You clasped her hands in front of her and smiled faintly.
"It's not a threat, merely a kind reminder."
Feng Yaojie was unable to vent his anger, his face turning ashen with frustration.
Seeing that he remained silent, Cheng You turned to discuss moving matters with Zheng Lei.
"Grandpa has arranged for people to help with the moving. You just need to pack your things."
This time, Zheng Lei was truly grateful to Cheng You. "Cheng You, I will remember your kindness to us for a lifetime."
Feng Yaojie had returned from the Feng family a few days ago but had never mentioned the old madam's words to her.
He had only wanted to leave Zheng Lei with no other option but to follow him to the mountains.
It was Cheng You who personally came and explained the situation clearly to her.
Not divorcing and staying in Yan City was the best way out that Zheng Lei could think of.
Cheng You smiled. "It's just that I can't help but meddle."
Looking at Feng Yaojie's sallow face, Cheng You felt refreshed. This was retribution.
Her task completed, she needed to return to the Feng family to report to the old madam.
At the doorway, she saw Feng Xue.
Cheng You guessed she had been lingering there for quite some time, hesitant to knock.
Seeing Cheng You, Feng Xue seemed to have found a lifeline. "Cheng You, I came to see Grandma."
Cheng You opened the door and walked in, ignoring her.
Feng Xue gritted her teeth and shamelessly followed.
"What my mother did was a bit excessive. I'm here on her behalf to apologize."
Cheng You found this explanation novel. "On her behalf?"
Though she hadn't said anything, Feng Xue felt her face burning.
She quickly changed the subject. "My father is about to undergo surgery. My mother asked me to inform Grandpa and Grandma."