These past few days, Wei Yumeng had been caught in a dilemma, troubled by the children's pleas.
Moreover, observing Chang Xiuxiang's situation, what the children had told her might be what Chang Xiuxiang truly desired. But was it truly good for her?
Wei Yumeng couldn't be sure, nor did she believe she could casually dictate another person's fate. Perhaps only Chang Xiuxiang herself knew best how this matter should unfold.
So, Wei Yumeng found a day to invite Chang Xiuxiang to her home, intending to discuss this matter with her properly.
As soon as Chang Xiuxiang stepped into the Zhan family's residence, she sensed a different atmosphere today.
Wei Yumeng usually came to her home personally. This was the first time she had been invited over.
"Aunt, actually, I have something very important to discuss with you today," Wei Yumeng stated directly.
Chang Xiuxiang nodded, "Alright, if there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best."
"Actually, this matter is not about me, but about you and your future with your children."
Wei Yumeng sighed, "I know you've been having a tough time lately. Even without your husband's debts, you still haven't been able to relax."
Chang Xiuxiang was a little surprised that Wei Yumeng knew about this. Was her pretense so inadequate? Had Wei Yumeng seen through it?
"Aunt, I know I have no right to dictate your future life, so I want to know your plans. Do you want to continue living like this, or do you want... want your husband to come back?"
Chang Xiuxiang lowered her head, feeling awkward at Wei Yumeng's frankness.
She had initially thought that as long as she kept it from Wei Yumeng and found Niu Cheng Zhi herself, she wouldn't cause Wei Yumeng any trouble.
But now, it seemed she couldn't escape it.
Seeing that Chang Xiuxiang didn't answer immediately, Wei Yumeng felt she was still hesitant about this matter.
If that was the case, Wei Yumeng still selfishly wanted Chang Xiuxiang and the children to escape Niu Cheng Zhi's clutches.
"Aunt, how about this? Actually, your husband has only brought you so much trouble and danger over the years. His love for you is long gone. Why must you cling to this one tree?
I can give you a sum of money, enough for you and the children to live a good life."
"Yumeng, actually, I... actually, I thought the same way at first. I thought that without the trouble he brought, my children and I could live a better life."
Chang Xiuxiang sighed as she spoke, "However, after living this kind of life, I realized that it wasn't what I imagined at all."
"I know it's hard for you to accept a sudden separation, but with time, you'll get used to this life."
Wei Yumeng believed forgetting was only a matter of time, "Giving up on Niu Cheng Zhi is the best course of action. Can you be sure he won't gamble again in the future? Do you want your children and yourself to be trapped in endless repayments?"
Wei Yumeng felt that forgetting now was better than Chang Xiuxiang and Niu Cheng Zhi spending their lives together. Cutting losses early was a better option.
She couldn't stand by and watch the children and Chang Xiuxiang continue to live in that environment.
Chang Xiuxiang looked at Wei Yumeng, "I know you're doing this for my own good, but Cheng Zhi and I have been through so much together. I love him.
Even now, I still love him. He is my poison. Knowing that a future with him is bleak, I still want to throw myself into it regardless of the consequences."
Speaking of this, Chang Xiuxiang stood up, "I know you might think my idea is foolish, but this is my choice. I want him to come back. I still believe that as long as we are together, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome.
These past few days, I've been thinking, can the home I and the children are in now truly be called a home? The person I love is not here. It's just me and the children relying on each other, or rather, it's more like just a place to live.
Where he is is my home. Only when our family is together can it be called a family."
Wei Yumeng looked at Chang Xiuxiang, feeling a sense of suffocation in her heart.
She knew Chang Xiuxiang's words had some validity, yet she couldn't easily let her return to a life that was like a fiery pit.
"Yumeng, actually, Cheng Zhi wasn't like this before. I can find a way to help him mend his ways. I can do anything for him. I know you can find Cheng Zhi, right?
Can you ask him to come back? Just one last time, consider it a final help for us."
As Chang Xiuxiang spoke, she prepared to kneel before Wei Yumeng.
Wei Yumeng was startled and quickly supported her, "Aunt, please don't do this. Seeing you do this for that man only makes me more angry."
What merits did Niu Cheng Zhi have to have such a wife? He didn't even know how to be content.
Wei Yumeng pondered for a long time. She had explicitly said that Chang Xiuxiang should choose for herself, yet she still disliked the outcome.
But now that all the cards were laid bare, it was too late for her to regret.
After a long while, she let out a long sigh.
"I understand, Aunt. Please let me think about it again. I will try my best to fulfill your wish."
Chang Xiuxiang nodded and left the Zhan residence without disturbing Wei Yumeng further.
Wei Yumeng sat on the sofa, truly unable to understand why things had turned out this way.
Zhan Mohan arrived home in the evening. He saw Wei Yumeng sitting on the sofa, brooding, not even paying attention to the children.
He walked over and sat beside her, "What's wrong?"
Wei Yumeng turned to him, "Aunt wants us to find her husband and bring him back, but I really don't think that's the right choice."
"Then what do you consider the right choice? In this world, everyone's thoughts and desires are different. We cannot label everyone's future as right or wrong."
"But, it's obvious now. If Niu Cheng Zhi loved Aunt, he wouldn't have done those things before. Why can't Aunt see clearly?"
"But this is still Aunt's choice. Neither you nor I can change it. You might be able to intervene in their family affairs for a while, but you can't do it for a lifetime. Even if you don't help her, won't she look for him herself?"
Zhan Mohan's words reminded Wei Yumeng. Yes, Chang Xiuxiang had already been looking for Niu Cheng Zhi on her own.
If she didn't help, Chang Xiuxiang might fall into danger.
Zhan Mohan reached out and patted Wei Yumeng's shoulder, "I will arrange this matter. You don't need to worry about it."
Wei Yumeng was still reluctant but could only nod.
After all, knowing that one should not interfere in others' lives, yet attempting to change them was inherently futile.