"Isn't that just what a maid does?" girl from the slums marries into a decent neighborhood—she should be grateful just to be accepted. Taking care of her husband and in-laws, doing extra housework—that’s only natural, isn’t it?

Perhaps that’s exactly what Zhou Ziming had always thought.

Otherwise, in her previous life, even with that hidden secret weighing on her heart, he hadn’t felt a shred of guilt. Watching her suffer under his family’s scorn, he’d acted as if it were her due.

"Xiaowan, how could you think like that?"

Zhou Ziming frowned, baffled. The girl he knew—sweet, gentle, always understanding—had suddenly turned petty and unreasonable.

He’d only suggested she cook to let her showcase her wifely virtues ahead of time. It was all for the sake of their future—why was she twisting it into something else?

Finally, the man seemed a little flustered.

Su Wan shrugged. "Shouldn’t I think that way? At our courtyard, Aunt Jiang’s family—when their daughter-in-law visited for the first time, they rolled out the best food and drinks, even poured the tea themselves. The girl was so pleased, they’re already discussing the dowry and wedding date."

"Our situation isn’t the same as Aunt Jiang’s."

Su Wan: "What’s different? Isn’t it all about dating and marriage?"

Yes, it was dating, it was marriage—but...

Zhou Ziming took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Fine, forget it. If you don’t want to cook, we’ll just eat out."

Su Wan glanced at Tang Jiangying, who was still standing with her arms crossed, glaring at them, and smirked. "Now that’s more like it."

Zhou Ziming smiled back—until Tang Jiangying exploded.

SLAM!!!

She slammed her palm against the shoe cabinet, whirled around, and jabbed a furious finger at her son.

"Zhou Ziming, after all the years I’ve raised you, this is the best you can do? She’s humiliating you right in front of us, and you don’t even see it? Already letting her walk all over you before you’re even married? Do you think I’m dead?! swear, as long as I’m still breathing, no woman like her will ever ruin our family!"

So enraged, she was practically spitting as she spoke—completely unlike her usual composed self.

Zhou Ziming’s face darkened as he quickly blocked his mother’s hand, preventing her from getting too close to Su Wan.

"Mom, what are you saying? Xiaowan was just joking. Besides, it’s just cooking—skipping one meal won’t kill us. We can eat out instead."

Was this really about cooking?

Tang Jiangying wanted to slap her idiot son.

"You’re hopeless—completely bewitched by this vixen."

And she called herself a labor union director?! Vixen? Really?!

Su Wan’s expression soured. "Auntie, who’s the vixen here? If you don’t want me seeing your son, just say so. Why insult me? I’m not desperate—I don’t need your family."

Tang Jiangying’s eyes bulged as she pointed at herself, then at Su Wan.

"Me? Insulting you? Look at yourself first. A country girl from the slums—if it weren’t for our family, you’d never even set foot in this neighborhood. Zhou Ziming deigns to like you, and you act like it’s some great honor. You don’t appreciate it, you laugh about it, you demand red packets, you expect me to wait on you hand and foot?

Pah!! Get out!!"

In Tang Jiangying’s mind, she’d endured humiliation her whole life—but at least she’d earned respect. As a labor union director, people bowed and scraped to her. And now, some slum girl had the audacity to demand she serve tea?!

Unforgivable.

To Tang Jiangying, Su Wan’s home near the bus station was the sticks.

Since she’d been told to leave, Su Wan saw no reason to linger. But before she went, she had a few parting shots to fire.

"A fancy apartment complex makes you feel so high and mighty? I don’t see any gold-plated walls here. Who cares about your precious place?

Let me tell you, Tang Jiangying—I’m your son’s official girlfriend. On our first visit, don’t you think it’s basic courtesy to give me a red packet? Or at least pack me some food to take home?

You don’t even know proper manners, yet you expect me to cook for you like some servant? What kind of "high-class" people are you?

Pah!! Look at you, looking down your nose like that. If I married into this family, I’d be miserable for life. Tang Jiangying, you can keep your door shut—I’ll never set foot in this place. If you want to control someone, control your own son."

Su Wan lost all decorum, jumping and pointing like a fishwife.

Tang Jiangying’s blood pressure skyrocketed. Grabbing the feather duster from the table, she lashed out at Su Wan without hesitation.

But Su Wan had been expecting this. Ducking her head, she bolted for the door.

The feather duster missed her—and smacked Zhou Ziming instead.

"Mom, Mom, stop it!!"

Zhou Ziming’s eyes were red with rage. He’d been trying to mediate between them, but the women were too worked up to listen.

Tang Jiangying, seeing her son get hit, was furious and heartbroken.

"Ziming, that girl—what’s so great about her? Listen to me, tomorrow, I’ll take you to see someone better."

Better?

Where was there someone better? In his entire life, he’d never seen anyone as beautiful as Su Wan.

Zhou Ziming turned on his heel, ready to chase after her—but Tang Jiangying grabbed at his arm, unable to stop him.

Just then, Zhou Ziming’s two married sisters returned home.

Seeing their mother’s fury, they immediately understood what was happening.

"Mom, we’ll stop him!"

They blocked the door just in time.

Outside, Su Wan ran until she reached the main road, panting as she glanced back. Zhou Ziming hadn’t followed.

Good. Let’s hope he has some backbone—and that his mother can keep him in check for now.

She turned toward the bus stop, soon boarding a crowded bus heading home.

No seats available. She was already sweaty from running, and the press of bodies made the bus feel like a sauna.

But Su Wan didn’t mind. The thought of going home—to her father, her brothers—filled her with excitement.

Fate really does have a sense of humor, she mused.

It had sent her back in time, right after she’d met Zhou Ziming—but before her family’s tragedy.

This time, she had a chance to change everything.