181: Chapter 181 Breaking Up with Family

Two years ago, Shang Yuya was 22 years old, just graduated from vocational school, and was working as a sales assistant in a clothing store in the county town.

She was beautiful and had many suitors.

But she didn't care for any of them, until she met Lou Dong.

That day, Lou Dong came to the store to buy clothes, dressed in designer brands, with a watch on his wrist that looked anything but cheap.

He was picky when choosing clothes, but he had good taste, selecting each piece just right.

"Miss, does this garment come in any other colors?" he asked her.

Shang Yuya helped him find it; he tried it on and bought it.

As he was leaving, he looked back at her: "You have a really beautiful smile."

With just that one sentence, Shang Yuya's heart skipped a beat.

Later, Lou Dong appeared frequently at the store, buying clothes every time and chatting with her every time.

He said he was a businessman with several shops in the county town and that his family was well-off.

"A girl like you shouldn't be working in a clothing store." He looked at her with a gentle gaze. "You should be cherished in the palm of someone's hand."

Shang Yuya blushed.

Growing up, no one had ever said such things to her.

Her parents were ordinary workers who left early and returned late every day, coming home so tired they didn't want to speak.

She had known since childhood that if she wanted something, she had to earn it herself; no one was going to pamper her.

But Lou Dong was different.

He took her to high-end restaurants for dinner, bought her gifts, and introduced her to his friends.

His friends all called him "Brother Dong" and were very respectful toward him.

"Follow me from now on, and I'll make sure you live a good life," Lou Dong said, holding her hand.

Shang Yuya fell for him.

She thought she had met her Prince Charming.

When Shang Yuya brought Lou Dong home to meet her parents, her father's face darkened.

"What do you do for a living?" her father asked.

"I'm in business; I have a few shops," Lou Dong replied with a smile.

"What kind of shops? Where?"

"In the county town. I'm involved in clothing and catering, a bit of everything," Lou Dong answered vaguely.

Her father stared at him for a long time without saying a word.

After Lou Dong left, her father called Shang Yuya into the room.

"That man is no good," her father said bluntly.

"Why?" Shang Yuya was stunned.

"His eyes aren't right," her father said. "I've lived for fifty years; what kind of person haven't I seen? His gaze is shifty and unsettled; he's not an honest man."

"Dad, you've only met him once. How can you say that?" Shang Yuya grew anxious.

Her mother also tried to persuade her from the side: "Youyou, your father is a good judge of character. He's right. That Lou Dong doesn't look steady to me either. Spend more time together and don't be in such a hurry to settle down."

"I've already decided!" Shang Yuya shouted. "I like him, and he likes me! Why won't you agree?"

Her father's expression darkened: "Because I'm your father! If I don't agree, you can't marry him!"

That night, they had a massive argument.

Shang Yuya locked herself in her room and cried all night long.

The next day, Lou Dong came to pick her up.

Seeing her red and swollen eyes, he asked what was wrong.

Shang Yuya told him about the fight with her parents.

Lou Dong was silent for a while, then took her hand: "Youyou, I can understand why your parents don't agree."

"They're doing it for your own good, afraid you'll suffer if you're with me."

"But I swear, I will treat you well and let you live a good life."

"As long as you don't give up on me, I won't give up on you."

Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, Shang Yuya felt even more determined.

This man—she was definitely going to marry him.

...

Over the next month, the household was in total chaos.

Shang Yuya argued with her parents every day until her voice was hoarse, and the neighbors even came knocking to try and mediate.

"You just don't want me to be happy!" she screamed hysterically. "I've found someone who treats me well; why are you opposing it?"

Her mother cried: "Youyou, we're doing this for your sake..."

"For my sake? If it's for my sake, let me marry the person I love!" she interrupted her mother. "You don't care about my feelings at all!"

Her father was trembling with rage: "Fine, you've grown your wings now, and we can't control you. But remember this: if you marry him, don't ever come back to this house!"

Shang Yuya was stunned.

She hadn't expected her father to say such a thing.

"Dad..."

"I mean what I say!" Her father turned his back to her. "Choose for yourself."

Shang Yuya stood in the living room, looking at her father's back and her mother's tear-reddened eyes, her heart feeling as if it were being cut by a knife.

On one side were her parents, on the other was her lover.

Whom should she choose?

She thought of Lou Dong's gentle gaze, his earnestness when he said "I'll make sure you live a good life," and him holding her hand saying "As long as you don't give up on me."

She took a deep breath and spoke:

"Then I'm leaving."

Her mother rushed over to hug her: "Youyou! Don't go! Your father is just speaking out of anger!"

Shang Yuya pushed her mother away and looked at her father's back: "Dad, you heard me. I choose him. From now on... I won't be coming back."

She turned and rushed out of the house.

Behind her was her mother's heartbreaking wail.

...

After falling out with her family,

she soon married Lou Dong.

The wedding was simple—no parents, no relatives, only a few of Lou Dong's friends.

Wearing a rented wedding dress, Shang Yuya stood at the modest wedding venue, looking at Lou Dong opposite her, feeling a sense of emptiness in her heart.

She remembered how, as a child, she had imagined her wedding countless times.

A white wedding dress, beautiful flowers, and her parents sitting in the audience, smiling as they watched her.

Now, there wasn't a single parent in the audience.

Lou Dong took her hand: "Youyou, I'll be the one to cherish you from now on. Your parents don't want you, but I do."

Shang Yuya's eyes grew hot, and she nodded.

She thought she had made the right choice.

This man was worth giving up everything for.

...