Chapter 332 - 293: Deciding to Return to the Tang Family
Chapter 332: Chapter 293: Deciding to Return to the Tang Family
The next day, at Wu Yu Xuan’s urging, Lin Aizhen began to make preparations. Meanwhile, Wu Xiaowen went to her new workplace. It had to be said, Old Tang treated his daughter-in-law quite well. Wu Xiaowen had essentially been dropped into the position. Not only was her title raised two levels with a corresponding salary hike, but the job was also very relaxed yet prestigious. She had a spacious office all to herself, and Wu Xiaowen couldn’t have felt more comfortable.
Her work unit also assigned her an apartment—a three-bedroom, one-living-room unit. Normally, forget about a newly transferred employee; even cadres and staff who had worked there for half their lives had to wait in line for years to be assigned an apartment. Only someone important could receive such treatment: getting the keys to an apartment, and a new one at that, just a few days after starting the job. But Wu Xiaowen enjoyed this very privilege.
Wu Xiaowen, in her mid-heel leather shoes, walked gracefully into the General Affairs Office. After completing the necessary paperwork, she took the keys from a female clerk. Facing several gazes of envy and jealousy, she raised her head proudly. She had once been a famous "white swan" on the stage and knew her long, elegant neck was eye-catching. Men and women alike couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances at her. Then there was her meticulously styled chignon. ’These days, only artists and noble ladies from powerful families would dare to wear such a hairstyle. Artists have an elegant air, and the expensive, beautiful clothes of noble ladies can complement it. Other people just can’t pull it off!’
As she walked out of the General Affairs Office, she overheard the female clerk say in a low voice, "Stop staring with those jealous eyes. This one... you have no reason to be envious of her. She’s Tang Renqian’s daughter-in-law!"
A few gasps of surprise rose and were quickly suppressed. "Ah... Really?"
"The Tang Renqian from TV?"
"No wonder. Look how noble her aura is, so elegant and poised. She’s not in our social class at all..."
"Tsk, tsk, she’s so beautiful! Beautiful people really do have all the luck!"
"..."
Wu Xiaowen walked back to her office at an unhurried pace, a faint smile on her face. Her heart was calm and happy.
’The Tang elders originally wanted her to live in the work unit’s apartment, but when Mom and Dad personally escorted their daughter back to the Tang family, things took a turn. She would move back into the Tang Mansion. As for the apartment from her work unit... since she had it, she might as well keep it for now. She’d see if Wu Xiaorui would be sensible. If she behaved well and stopped looking at her older sister like an enemy, what would be the harm in giving her the apartment?’
’What happened back then was all her fault for being so senseless. Of all the things to do, she tried to steal her own sister’s man. Damn her!’
’She didn’t know how I was struggling to hold that relationship together back then. The old hag didn’t like me, and another woman was pursuing Qingyun—a woman with status, a powerful background, and looks as beautiful as a blooming flower. I was sensitive enough to notice that Qingyun was tempted, too. Our weekly reunions became twice-a-month get-togethers. If it hadn’t been for my sweet little Xuanxuan by my side, Qingyun and I would have probably been finished that time!’
’As it happened, Xuanxuan fell ill frequently around that time. Tang Qingyun doted on his daughter. Whenever she got sick, one phone call was all it took for him to rush home. Not long after, he even requested a transfer to the poor countryside where I was teaching, reuniting with me and our daughter. Only then did our relationship become close and loving again.’
’For Wu Xiaorui to deliberately seduce her brother-in-law during my most difficult time... the consequences would have been dire. Not only would my marriage to Tang Qingyun have been destroyed, but it would have also affected the Wu Family. It was absolutely unforgivable!’
’That was why, in a fit of rage, I had her sent far, far away. Soon after, I heard news that she had gotten married and had three children in a few years with that man surnamed Huang. Who knows if she was forced or if it was voluntary? Knowing Wu Xiaorui’s wanton nature and her aversion to hard work, she probably seduced that Huang fellow. After all, his father was the village party secretary. By becoming the secretary’s daughter-in-law, she could at least avoid exhausting, dirty labor!’
’As the saying goes, a mother knows her daughter best. Mom and Dad also knew Wu Xiaorui’s temperament well, so they never blamed me. It’s only Wu Xiaorui who refuses to let the matter go, pouncing on any opportunity to attack me like a fighting cock. It’s made us less like sisters and more like mortal enemies.’
Wu Xiaowen let out a soft sigh and tossed the keys in her hand. ’Tonight,’ she thought, ’I’ll go home and tell Mom and Dad I’m giving this apartment to Wu Xiaorui. Xiao Rui will have to get married and start a new life eventually. To have a large apartment in Beijing without any seniority or a job is an incredible thing. It’ll be a gift from her older sister. Once she owes me such a favor, she’ll have to be grateful. No more of this constant crabbiness and picking fights. It’s just so exhausting!’