Meng Yanran knew it wasn't right, but her mother had convinced her that Xu Wenyang could never give her the security she needed in life. The way he handled his business wasn't ideal and was prone to massive losses, something Meng Yanran and her mother weren't ready to face in the future.

  Because of her mother's insistence, Meng Yanran had to decline Xu Wenyang's proposal and had chosen his uncle instead. She knew what she had done wasn't right, but she was in no position to contradict her mother and wasn't as courageous as her cousin, Lin Qianrou.

  Her mother had always been too rough on her. She'd blamed her for not being born as a son, but as daughter instead. Meng Yanran could only bitterly laugh at herself. She had no idea why she thought she would be able to please her mother by marrying Xu Wenyang's uncle. Look what she had gotten herself into?

  Her husband's betrayal had hurt more than she expected it to. She knew she didn't love the man, but Meng Yanran had surely been a faithful and good wife to him when they were together. Fortunately for her, there was no love in their marriage, or else, the humiliation and betrayal would be enough to drive her insane.

  While Madam Rong and husband were away to do some shopping, Meng Yanran made sure that the locks were in place while she diligently cleaned the place with her b.a.r.e hands. In her twenty seven years of existence, this place offered her first experience on how to wash plates, mop the floor and wipe the counters and tables clean.

  Her once smooth and delicate hands now hand calluses and scratches on it, far from her pampered lifestyle before leaving Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

  In Shenzhen, she was a pampered heiress of her father. In Guangzhou, she was the Madam Xu who was swimming in money and fortune. Now, she was nothing but a commoner without a worth on her name. The Meng family's wealth and status had long been gone.

  Since her divorce, Meng Yanran had avoided getting involved with any man. It wasn't like she avoided them because of the trauma her husband left on her, but because she knew that when men offered things to her, it only proved their d.e.s.i.r.e to sleep with her was often the motive behind those 'kindness'.

  If someone asked her right now if she misses her previous lifestyle, Meng Yanran would admit that she did. It wasn't easy for her to lower her pride and work in a bar and restaurant like some kind of waitress. She had sold all her jewelries, except the ones given to her by her father. She didn't have the heart to let it go no matter how hard it was for her to live on a tight budget.

  In this world, no one had loved her more than he did. That was why when he died, Meng Yanran felt that her whole world came crashing down and felt alone since then. There were nights that she still cried over his death and wished that he hadn't left her on her own. Her mother's words still echoed in her mind once she found out about her divorce with her husband.

  'It's disappointing, Yanran. I thought you knew better. If only you could bear him a child, you wouldn't be in this situation. Starting over and finding a man who would be willing to marry a divorcee like you would be difficult. But there's nothing to worry, Yanran. The deities above have given you a great beauty for a reason. You still have it, so use it. It's never too late for you, darling.'

  Despite her mother's calm tone, it didn't fail to cut deep into Meng Yanran, who initially thought that her mother would be able to help her with her problem. She had hoped to stay with her mother for a few weeks to calm down and figure out what to do with her life. However, after hearing what had been said by her mother, Meng Yanran hit the road and never dared to look back.

  Meng Yanran repeatedly cursed her mother in her heart. What kind of mother would allow her daughter to be used like that? If she didn't know her mother, she would think that the old woman was just scared to lose the status and wealth she'd gotten used to and couldn't lose face to the other socialite women in their circle.

  She had no one to call for help. She considered calling her cousin, Lin Qianrou, but she didn't think it was the right time to show up at her door when she and Xu Wenyang were expecting their first baby.

  For the umpteenth time, Meng Yanran regretted not being able to become a nice person when she was younger. Growing up, she couldn't understand why she was jealous of Lin Qianrou, when in fact, she had everything she wanted in her hands? She couldn't understand how come Lin Qianrou was still able to be happy even if she'd already lost everything including her parents.

  Meng Yanran placed the mop back into the bucket and leaned its handle next to the wall. She quickly wiped the sweat on her face before her gaze swept around. Everything was sparkling clean. The couple would be pleased to know that everything had been settled so they wouldn't have to worry about cleaning up before opening the bar later.

  Her phone suddenly rang without a warning from her pocket, but Meng Yanran only pressed the end button and turned off her phone. Her jaws hardened. Her mother had been persistently calling her several times already, leaving messages asking her where she was.

  Meng Yanran hoped that her mother would get the hint and leave her alone. What more did she need to say? She'd already heard enough and wasn't willing to be set up with another wealthy man that could ruin her for good.