Zhang Ruyin fully expected that her words would shame and scare Su Yang. Even if He Rou remained unyielding, she could use Su Yang to pressure He Rou.
After all, the label of "mistress" was like a pillar of shame on any woman.
However, upon hearing this, Su Yang gently shook her head and sighed, "Auntie, it's useless to tell me these things."
"How is it useless?" Zhang Ruyin couldn't understand why this young girl was so calm. How could she be so composed even after learning that her aunt was the mistress? "What family and status our Xu family has! Everyone knows what your aunt sees in Xu Wenhai. Only Xu Wenhai is so stupid as to think that he can find true love at his age!"
As Zhang Ruyin spoke, her expression became a bit ferocious. "Humph, true love... Xu Wenhai also said it was true love when he was with me back then. But look, after all these years of marriage, now that we're both in our fifties, he can still change his heart and find another 'true love'! He's just playing around with your aunt. He may take a fancy to your aunt today, but he could take a fancy to another girl tomorrow. As long as I turn a blind eye, no matter who it is, they'll just be nameless playthings. Xiao Su, I know a bit about your aunt. She worked so hard to cut off those troubles. Why does she have to seduce a married man?"
"Auntie, if you can't persuade Uncle and my aunt, and you can't persuade Xu Lize either, why do you think you can persuade me?" Su Yang understood why Zhang Ruyin was pestering her, but this trick didn't work on her anymore. "If you really want to solve this problem, you should call all these people out and sit down face - to - face to clear things up."
"What does this have to do with Aze!" Zhang Ruyin felt that Su Yang was teasing her. "It's his father having an affair with your aunt, not Aze."
"Then what does this have to do with me?" Su Yang retorted. Her voice was not loud, but every word hit home. "I've even divorced Xu Lize."
"But He Rou is your aunt!" Zhang Ruyin was so angry that she started to tremble.
"She's just my aunt. I'm not her mother. I can't control who she likes or who she wants to fall in love with."
"Aren't you ashamed that your own aunt has ruined her reputation?" Zhang Ruyin thought Su Yang might be a bit stupid. If He Rou was labeled as a mistress, wouldn't it be embarrassing for her niece?
However, Su Yang shook her head and patiently explained it to Zhang Ruyin.
"Auntie, you're wrong. First of all, my aunt is an adult. Regardless of whether it's right or wrong for her to be with Uncle, she's the one in charge of her own life. She's the one who should be responsible for her life. I can't interfere in her life."
Su Yang did this out of respect for He Rou and trust in Xu Wenhai. But she didn't think Zhang Ruyin would understand this principle.
After saying that, she stood up, feeling that there was no need to continue chatting with Zhang Ruyin. But she was afraid that Zhang Ruyin would think she was extremely indifferent to family ties, so she said one more thing before leaving.
"Auntie, when you came to me to talk about my aunt, it means you've run out of options in this matter. Otherwise, what right does a person like me, whom you look down on, have to get involved in your family scandal?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Zhang Ruyin's face turn pale instantly. She looked like a delicate and fragile dodder flower swaying in the wind.
Although Su Yang's purpose of this visit was not to get the upper hand in front of Zhang Ruyin, she had to admit that when the situation turned in her favor, she did feel a sense of relief.
However, when facing the same problem, Su Yang could be aloof and claim it had nothing to do with her when facing Zhang Ruyin, but her attitude was completely different when facing He Rou.
So on Saturday, when Su Yang met He Rou, she came straight to the point and told He Rou that she had met Zhang Ruyin.
"You met Mrs. Xu?" He Rou was of course very surprised. "When?"
Su Yang glanced at He Rou and didn't miss the way she addressed Zhang Ruyin. "Just a few days ago. She invited me and said she wanted to talk about you, so I went."
He Rou sat up straight in her chair, stared at Su Yang with a furrowed brow for a few seconds, and then slumped back into the chair like a broken - string puppet, looking soft - boned and a bit tired.
"I'm sorry, Yangyang. I didn't know Mrs. Xu would specifically harass you. I..."
"So is that why you suddenly changed your phone number?" Su Yang asked point - blank.
She had been curious about He Rou changing her phone number before. That number was the one He Rou got after coming to Haicheng and had remained unchanged for several years. So the old number must have been associated with part of He Rou's life, such as various social accounts, bank cards, and various lifestyle apps.
It was not impossible to change the phone number, but there was really no need to do it unless it was absolutely necessary. So there must have been something that had a great impact on He Rou, forcing her to change the number.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, He Rou was slightly stunned and then nodded almost imperceptibly.
"She... always called me. Wenhai was very angry when he found out, so he changed my phone number." He Rou said as she looked up at Su Yang and then whispered, "Yangyang, I'm sorry."
Su Yang was a bit amused and immediately raised her hands in surrender to He Rou.
"Auntie, first of all, you're not sorry to anyone for falling in love. No matter who asks me, my answer will be the same. I just hope you can be happy. That's all."
Su Yang took a deep breath and then seriously asked, "But Auntie, do you really know Xu Wenhai? What if he can't get divorced smoothly? What if he can't give you a proper status?"
To be honest, Su Yang didn't fully believe Zhang Ruyin's words, but she didn't completely disbelieve them either. At least one thing was certain. Judging from Zhang Ruyin's attitude, she didn't seem like the kind of person who would sign the divorce agreement easily. Otherwise, Zhang Ruyin wouldn't have lowered herself to find her in an attempt to "save the situation in a roundabout way".
Su Yang of course hoped that He Rou could be happy, but this happiness must be above - board, not the same path that He Juan had taken.
However, He Rou nodded without hesitation and said, "Yangyang, I know him and I trust him. From the moment I decided to accept him, I was prepared for a long - term struggle. In fact, I gave up once. You see, I finally escaped from one pit of fire. Why would I jump into another one, right?"
As He Rou spoke, her face suddenly blushed, and then she turned her head and smiled self - deprecatingly.
"But look, he can stand up now. Although he still needs the support of a walking stick when walking, his condition is much better than before. I can't say that all of Xu Wenhai's changes are because of me. But Yangyang, I'm the one who's with him. If I say I don't feel the changes he's made because of me, it's just self - deception on my part."