Mrs. Shi always spoke in a gentle manner, and her smile was equally gentle. She was truly an elegant lady from a distinguished family, well-read and tactful, with no trace of arrogance, and never said anything unpleasant that would lower herself. Yet every word she spoke carried immense weight.
Although they were just ordinary, everyday words, each one pressed heavily on Ling Chuxia, suffocating her nearly to the point of breathlessness.
For her, Shi Che was the emperor she must serve and take care of well, and Mrs. Shi was the empress dowager whose orders she must follow.
Sometimes, a word from Mrs. Shi was more effective than a word from Shi Che.
From childhood to adulthood, nearly all her thoughts were instilled by Mrs. Shi, gradually shaping her into a submissive character.
Shi Che would sometimes mockingly tell her that she was a puppet without thoughts, estimating that if Mrs. Shi asked her to die, she'd probably slit her throat without a second thought!
Whether she would really slit her throat if Mrs. Shi told her to die, she herself did not know, but now she dared not disobey Mrs. Shi's words.
When they had been married for one year, Mrs. Shi started bringing up the topic of children from time to time. But back then, it was still a young marriage, so she wasn't very pressing.
However, as one year passed, then two, and now entering the third year, Mrs. Shi went from calm to restless, speaking bluntly.
Despite Mrs. Shi appearing kind and gentle, her tactics were swift and decisive. Those around her were always the obedient and capable ones.
Even if she, the daughter-in-law, were obedient but incompetent, she could be easily replaced without a second thought.
And she definitely couldn't be replaced.
Ling Chuxia abruptly opened her eyes, her breath rapid. She reached out and wiped her forehead, her palm damp with sweat.
Her eyes slowly surveyed the surroundings, taking in the familiar setting of the bedroom, and the chaotic pounding in her heart slightly calmed down.
She wasn't in the old residence listening to Mrs. Shi's reprimands. She was in her bedroom, in her bed.
Ling Chuxia's gaze suddenly fixed on the other side of the bed. Shi Che was sleeping with his back to her, and she could see his broad, solid back.
Right, Shi Che was back, sleeping right next to her!
Such a good opportunity, and she had merely been sleeping instead of seizing it?
At this moment, Ling Chuxia was fully awakened from the recurring nightmare, completely losing any desire to sleep.
She couldn't help it; the last time Shi Che had a huge fit of anger, he left and hadn't returned home for three to four months. Outside, various rumors spread like wildfire, one day shopping with a rising starlet, the next dining with a businesswoman...
Even Mrs. Shi couldn't sit still any longer, repeatedly summoning her back to the old residence for lectures, with constant reminders in her ears, causing her to spend every night in nightmares, shivering at the mere sound of the phone ringing.
Of course, Ling Chuxia had not been lazy. She tried calling Shi Che, but the young master had never treated her well, especially since she had angered him.
Every call either got hung up immediately or went unanswered. After trying several times, she was disheartened and dared not make a fool of herself again, lest she add fuel to the fire.
Now, he finally returned home on his own...