Chapter Sixteen: Let Me Be Your Woman

Page 1/3

Just as Wei Yao finished complaining about her bad luck, Song Liping quickly pulled her best friend's hand away and hurriedly jogged over to block her path. The bicycle’s brakes screeched sharply, almost causing Wei Yao to fall to the ground.

“Want to die running onto the tracks? Don’t rush out on the main road to cause trouble.”

“Oh, this is a big road. I can walk however I want. If you think I’m in your way, just fly past!”

Wei Yao rolled her eyes, too tired to argue, and composed herself before pushing her bicycle forward.

“Some people just aren’t satisfied. Look at yourself—life was fine, but you made a mess of it, looking all beaten down. But what can you do? It’s fate, a born lowlife’s destiny. No point struggling. Qingqing, look, some people just aren’t as lucky as you. When you came to our house a couple of times, my parents adored you. What does that mean? It means you and the Song family are meant to be connected.”

“Liping, stop talking. Let’s go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things. Why waste time hanging around here? I’m off work today and want you to help me keep an eye out!”

Wei Yao halted mid-step. She’d just noticed the woman beside Song Liping looked familiar. Wasn’t this the mistress Song Liping had tried to set up with her brother, Song Mingrui, in her past life?

Heh, little did she know that woman had already moved in, probably just waiting for Song Mingrui to come home so she could give him a good scolding and take back everything she’d been given.

Too bad that scumbag was short-lived; he’d probably kick the bucket soon. And here he was chasing after mistresses—what a worthless bastard.

While Wei Yao scrutinized Wang Qingqing, Wang Qingqing was doing the same to her.

Back when she was with the Song family, she had seen photos of Song Mingrui and Wei Yao. Both were smiling brightly. She had assumed the transport team’s chosen one wasn’t very cultured, but the photos had won her heart.

Now seeing the so-called disgraceful wife of Song Mingrui from the Song family, she couldn’t help but raise her chin arrogantly.

“Talking to you is indeed a waste of time. One’s chin stuck up like a fighting rooster; the other hasn’t brushed their teeth all morning and reeks like shit. Always flaunting superiority. You, a poor widow who can’t even keep herself together, why so proud? I’m born lowly; you think you’re so lucky, so good at seducing people? Ha! If you were so lucky, why haven’t you held on to anyone? Yesterday, I went to the photo studio to see a young guy. He was taking wedding photos with his fiancée. What was that guy’s name again? Hmph!”

Wei Yao smirked ambiguously at the increasingly pale Song Liping, pushed off with her foot twice, swung her leg over the bicycle, and rode away.

Page 2/3

Song Liping stood stunned for a long moment before coming back to her senses. Afraid Wang Qingqing would notice anything, she gritted her teeth against the pain and held her hand, leading her to the supply and marketing cooperative.

Finally having gotten rid of Wang Qingqing, she wiped the corners of her eyes, disregarded the fact she had to work that afternoon, and went straight to wait outside Sun Xudong’s house. The cold wind bit at her; she felt like a little pitiful soul abandoned by her lover, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

By late afternoon, Sun Xudong came riding his bicycle back, humming a tune. Joy uplifts the spirit—he was about to get married, and his demeanor had changed. Recently, the factory director had taken notice, hinting at a possible transfer. If that went smoothly, his salary would double, and he’d become a leader.

“Are you getting married? So happy you forgot who you really love?”

Sun Xudong was startled, quickly turning his head to compose himself.

“Liping, you—you shouldn’t be here. You shouldn’t come.”

Song Liping’s eyes were red; her fists clenched tightly. She glared at the cold-hearted man. While she quietly packed away her feelings, trying to forget him, while she suffered sleepless nights and unbearable pain, he was holding hands with someone new, taking wedding photos.

“Yes, I shouldn’t be here. But if I don’t come, how would I know you’re so happy? Sun Xudong, do you have any conscience? I thought we were both protecting our love, but your heart is so cruel. You go take wedding photos with her. Is the next time I hear about you going to be your wedding day?”

Sun Xudong frowned, looked around quickly, and seeing no one nearby, hurriedly opened the door and pulled her inside.

“Can you keep your voice down? What do you want to do? Is this something I can decide? Is it something I want? What can I do? Tell me, what can I do? I can’t forget you either. I’m in pain inside. Look at me happy—why can’t you see I’m forcing a smile? Liping, please leave. I told you before we aren’t meant to be. I told you.”

Song Liping was trembling from his shouting, but hearing his words afterward, she felt so much pity for him she rushed forward and embraced him.

“If we aren’t meant to be, then so be it, Xudong. I can’t let go. I truly can’t. Let me be your woman. I don’t care about forever, only about what we once had. You choose filial duty, I’ll support you. But you must support me too. I want to be your woman, truly.”

Sun Xudong, held in her arms, slightly curled his lips but pushed her away with his hands.

“You’re so wonderful, I—I can’t let go, I really can’t…”

Page 3/3

Before he could finish, Song Liping kissed him directly. Sun Xudong was stunned for a moment, then lifted her horizontally into his arms and headed inside.

At home, Wei Yao finished cooking, then went to pick up Song Yang and Song Hui from the daycare. With no plans for the afternoon, she rummaged through the storage space and found several books on photography. She picked a few and began reading.

Actually, in her past life, she had learned some basics, but back then, she used the equipment not to take photos, but to dig up dirt on Song Liping to expose her.

In a corner of the warehouse sat an old-fashioned camera, but in these times, cameras were all controlled by the public security bureau. She didn’t dare cause trouble, so she could only practice slowly in her own space.

When Song Yang woke, he saw his mother reading a book and yawned as he approached her.

“What are you reading, Mom?”

“Son, I’m reading a book about photography. Was taking photos fun yesterday? Mom wants to learn too. If I can work at a photo studio one day, that would be wonderful.”

Song Yang’s eyes widened for a moment, and he grabbed his mother’s hand.

“Mom, the photo studio is fun, but the uncle who takes pictures is not nice. He talks very harshly.”

Wei Yao patted his head. Photographers have high salaries, so naturally, they’re a bit arrogant. If she could earn over four hundred a month in this day and age, not only would she hold her head high, she’d probably be bouncing around like a firecracker.