Chapter 28: A Scoundrel Through and Through

To the outside world, he was showered with praise, yet within the walls of his own home, he was a man of terrifying emotional cruelty.

After Qiu Ju married him, there had been a brief period of affection. Back then, she had naively believed she had found her soulmate, a partner with whom she could spend the rest of her life. But reality proved her wrong.

Qiu Ju’s family home was not local; it was a thousand miles away in Shanghai. She had met her current husband, Du Zhongyu, during her university years. They first connected through letters, becoming pen pals. While Du Zhongyu’s character was questionable, he possessed genuine talent. With his elegant handwriting and literary flair, he successfully captured Qiu Ju's heart.

After graduating, Qiu Ju defied her family’s objections and traveled a thousand miles to Shashi Island to meet him. His refined speech and tidy appearance left a deep impression on her. From then on, they grew closer. Qiu Ju gradually realized she had fallen for this sophisticated man and took the initiative to break the ice, boldly pursuing him. Raised by doting parents in a scholarly household, this was the first time she had ever acted so unconventionally.

When the Qiu family learned of this, they tried their best to stop the union. To them, it was utterly unrealistic for their daughter to marry a man she had barely met. While it was natural for children to marry, they believed it required parental consent. Yet, the Du family had shown no sign of acknowledgment, and their daughter was throwing herself at him blindly. No one could predict the consequences.

Yearning for the romantic love stories of novels and the freedom of modern courtship, Qiu Ju felt she should discard the "dross" of arranged marriages and pursue her own happiness. She married Du Zhongyu against her parents' wishes.

After the wedding, the two lived in a cramped dormitory. Even eating simple, meager meals, they were content. Soon, Qiu Ju became pregnant. To prepare for their child, Du Zhongyu threw himself into his work. To ensure he had more energy for his career, Qiu Ju—who had never lifted a finger for housework before—learned to cook, clean, and care for their home. She felt no resentment, believing these early sacrifices were paving the way for a brighter future for their little family.

But lately, Du Zhongyu had been acting strangely. He not only stayed out all night, but he was also nowhere to be found when she visited his workplace after hours. When she went to deliver meals, his colleagues would merely claim he had already gone home.

Facing their suspicious glances, Qiu Ju could only lie, claiming she must have forgotten something, and flee in embarrassment. Only she knew the truth.

One day, Du Zhongyu suddenly brought up the subject of divorce. Qiu Ju felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She could not fathom why a husband who had always been attentive would suddenly utter such words. Trembling, she asked with pleading eyes, "Why do you want a divorce?"

Du Zhongyu did not even look at her. He turned to gaze out the window and replied coldly, "Divorce doesn't require a reason."

*No reason?* What a convenient answer. She had left her home, severed ties with her parents, worked herself to the bone for him for years, and now he wanted a divorce without even offering a justification. Qiu Ju felt so angry she almost laughed. As long as Du Zhongyu refused to give a reason, she would not agree to the divorce. He could not force her.

Du Zhongyu frowned, unable to understand her stubbornness. They had both gotten what they wanted; why couldn't they just part ways? Why insist on clinging to each other? He looked at her defiant gaze and spat out three words: "Suit yourself."

After he left, Qiu Ju could no longer hold back her tears. She collapsed to the ground, sobbing into her hands.

Lu Mingyue watched, sighing. *[What a scumbag! Where does he get the nerve to act so high and mighty?]*

Qiu Ju, slumped on the ground, felt as if her head had been struck by a hammer. The stifling pressure in her chest dissipated slightly. *Yes,* she thought, *Du Zhongyu is a scumbag—a thorough, unrepentant scumbag.*

She turned toward the sound and locked eyes with Lu Mingyue. Lu Mingyue blinked, confused as to why the woman was staring at her so intensely.

Suddenly, their eye contact was broken by Huo Zheng, who stepped between them. He looked down at Qiu Ju and said, "Comrade, please get up. It’s not a good look to be doing this in public."

A small crowd had gathered nearby, whispering and pointing. They likely assumed that the people standing there had done something terrible to this woman. Seeing the uniform he wore, Qiu Ju clung to it like a life raft. She scrambled up and grabbed his sleeve, saying urgently, "Comrade, you must have a way to find my son, don't you?"

From childhood, they had been taught to find a "uniformed officer" in times of danger. But the others had dismissed her as a madwoman. Now, this man in military green was her only hope. They were all soldiers of the people; surely he would help her. Furthermore, after hearing that mysterious voice, a flicker of hope ignited within her.

*[Oh my, coming to Huo Zheng was the right move.]*
The system chimed in, *[Indeed.]*

Lu Mingyue and Huo Zheng were the primary catalysts of the plot; every change in the current story revolved around them. Other supporting characters were, to varying degrees, connected to them. Huo Zheng was bewildered—why did the voice calling itself the "System" say that? He scanned his memories, certain he did not know this woman.

Hearing the familiar voice again, Qiu Ju widened her eyes. She was certain she wasn't hallucinating. But the girl before her hadn't moved her lips—how was the sound traveling? Could she be a ventriloquist like those she had seen in circuses? Looking at Lu Mingyue’s fair face and the indefinable, charming glow that seemed to surround her, Qiu Ju became even more convinced of her theory.

She turned away from Huo Zheng, took Lu Mingyue’s hands, and pleaded, "Comrade, I can tell you’re a capable person. Can you help me find my son?"

Lu Mingyue tried to pull her hands away, but the woman’s grip was too tight.

*[System, what’s wrong with this person? Does she know you exist?]*
*[How could she? I am a high-level system; mortals cannot detect me.]*

*Qiu Ju: Huh? Who is talking? Why is there another voice?*

Lu Mingyue closely observed Huo Zheng and Qiu Ju’s expressions. Seeing nothing unusual, she relaxed slightly and turned her attention back to discussing the plot details with the system.