Chapter 22: Insufficient Balance
“Why are you barging into my home and moving things around?” Shen Yuchun questioned the people in work uniforms who were carrying things out.
“Are you Miss Shen Yuchun?” “Yes.” “Then we’re at the right place. These are Mr. Liang’s orders. He asked us to tell you that he’s only taking what belongs to him. Also, Mr. Liang said that after the divorce, Miss Shen won’t get a single cent of his assets.”
“I was married to him for over ten years, and he’s just throwing me out empty-handed?” Shen Yuchun grabbed the person’s arm angrily.
“Miss, I’m just here to deliver the message. Please don’t make this difficult for me.”
…
“Ma’am, your bank card has insufficient funds.”
Shen Yuchun paused for a moment, taking the card back from the cashier. “I’m sorry, let me try another card.”
She pulled out another card from her purse and handed it to the cashier.
“I’m sorry ma’am, this card also has insufficient funds.”
Shen Yuchun apologized and tried another card, but it too had insufficient funds. She could sense the cashier’s expression changing, showing hints of contempt.
“I’m sorry for the trouble. Can I pay in cash?” “Yes.”
Shen Yuchun searched her bag for a while, finally finding two bills – one five yuan and one ten yuan note. She placed her items on the counter: “I’m sorry, I won’t be taking these things.”
“If you don’t have money, why come shopping and waste people’s time?” She heard an older woman say behind her.
Shen Yuchun didn’t turn around, just bit her lip and walked away. She finally understood what Liang Zheng meant earlier when he told her not to regret it – all her cards had been suspended, and all the household staff had been dismissed.
She looked at her watch – it was almost 11:30. Liang Jieran would be getting out of school soon. Previously, the family driver would pick him up, but now she had to do it herself.
“Mama!” Liang Jieran ran into Shen Yuchun’s arms.
Shen Yuchun ruffled his hair. “Did you wait long?” “No.” Liang Jieran held her hand. “Mama, why didn’t Driver Uncle come pick us up today?”
Shen Yuchun paused before responding, “Driver Uncle isn’t here. Let’s take the bus together, Ranran.”
Liang Jieran had never taken the bus before and excitedly said, “Yay!”
Because it was rush hour, the bus was very crowded. Shen Yuchun held Liang Jieran’s hand, getting pushed around, barely able to hold the handrail. She almost fell several times.
“Mama, it’s so crowded. Can we not take the bus next time?” “Okay, Mama won’t take you on the bus next time.”
She held Liang Jieran’s small hand, not knowing what to do next. All her cards had been suspended, and she had no money left.
Having been spoiled first by Xu Hengyu and then married to Liang Zheng with household staff, Shen Yuchun had never cooked before. She barely knew how to make anything.
“Is it tasty?” Liang Jieran bit into the noodles: “It’s good, but Mama, did you forget to add salt?”
Shen Yuchun rushed to the kitchen to get the salt shaker and added some to his bowl. “Mama’s cooking isn’t very good. Please bear with it, Ranran.”
Liang Jieran replied sweetly, “Okay.”
After sending Liang Jieran to school, Shen Yuchun searched the house thoroughly but couldn’t find any cash. All the valuable items had been taken by Liang Zheng.
She found an old bag she had brought with her, one that Xu Hengyu had bought her. She had thought it was outdated and had stuffed it in the closet. She took it to a luxury resale shop.
“Miss, are you here to sell or buy something?” “This bag,” Shen Yuchun presented her bag. “Please wait while I call our authenticator.” “Okay.”
After a while, a man came out, examined the bag, and said, “Miss, we can take this bag, but we can’t offer a high price.”
“How much?” Shen Yuchun asked. The man held up two fingers. “Twenty thousand?” “Two thousand.” “How is that possible? This bag cost several tens of thousands when I bought it.”
The man smiled politely and explained, “Miss, first, as you know, this is an older style that’s outdated. The brand has released many new designs, and few people buy this old model anymore. Plus, your bag is misshapen and shows significant wear. I’m offering this amount because I personally like collecting these pieces. You won’t get a better offer elsewhere.”
After hesitating and considering her situation, Shen Yuchun conceded, “Alright.” “Would you like cash or…?” “Cash, please.”
…
Just as Shen Yuchun left the store, she ran into a woman wearing sunglasses, red lipstick, a high-end red dress, carrying a limited edition Hermès bag, and wearing 10-centimeter heels.
“Well, if it isn’t our school beauty Shen! Why are you coming out of a luxury resale shop? How did you end up in such a state?”
Shang Rui removed her sunglasses, revealing her exquisite face. Previously, Shen Yuchun had always talked about marrying a rich husband, and then she married the man Shang Rui liked. Later, Shang Rui heard that Shen Yuchun had abandoned her son and Xu Hengyu to marry a wealthy man, and Xu Hengyu never remarried in all those years. She despised Shen Yuchun from the bottom of her heart – acting high and mighty while being so obviously materialistic.
“No need for Miss Shang to concern herself. I’m doing fine,” Shen Yuchun said, clutching her bag as she walked past.
Shang Rui watched Shen Yuchun’s retreating figure with a smirk. Shen Yuchun looked haggard, her dress was wrinkled and seemed to be last year’s style. She clearly wasn’t doing well at all.
Back home.
Shen Yuchun sat lifelessly on the sofa. Liang Zheng had taken everything and frozen her cards, deliberately trying to push her to the edge.
She sat on the sofa, face buried in her knees, letting out quiet sobs.
No matter what, she had to take care of Liang Jieran. He was her only motivation and emotional support to keep going.
Suddenly, she remembered Xu Hengyu, who had promised to always be good to her, and Xu Si, who had grabbed her arm begging her not to leave.
Xu Si.
She still had another son – Xu Si.
Shen Yuchun decided she must find time to visit Xu Si at school. No matter what, he was still the child she had given birth to.
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