Chen Guoxing was very quick; the celebration banquet for advancing to a higher school started on the third day.

He invited many people whom I didn't know but looked very sophisticated. I stood rigidly beside him, smiling at everyone.

On the other side was my mom.

Today, my mom had specially dressed up, and she, already beautiful, now looked like a noblewoman.

But just halfway through receiving guests, Chen Xinxin's mom arrived.

She strode in and without a word raised her hand towards my mom.

A slap landed heavily on my mom's face.

She kept yelling, "Vixen, do you even know your place? How dare you take my man. I'll beat you to death today..."

She raised her hand again, but this time it didn't come down.

Chen Guoxing grabbed her hand in mid-air, "Haven't you caused enough trouble?"

Chen Xinxin’s mom screamed angrily, "What do you mean by causing trouble? I'm your wife. What’s going on between you and this woman? She's just our maid; who throws a celebration banquet for their maid and her daughter?"

Chen Guoxing's face was dark, "I've reached my current status by myself, and I don't need others to tell me what to do. Now get lost immediately, and I'll save your face. If not... don’t blame me for being rude."

Of course, Chen Xinxin's mom wouldn't let it go; she wanted to push my mom again but was directly slapped by Chen Guoxing.

The people present were all stunned.

This slap from Chen Guoxing was very strong, causing Chen Xinxin's mom to fall to the ground, with a trace of blood emerging from the corner of her mouth.

Chen Xinxin hurried over. Seeing this scene, she glared at us, but in the end, she said nothing and helped her mom leave.

Chen Xinxin and her mom were like two clowns performing during halftime; after they left, the banquet atmosphere continued.

But Chen Guoxing took my mom to apply medicine on her face.

Watching the two of them cuddling together made me feel utterly disgusted.

Returning home in the afternoon, I saw Chen Xinxin sitting on the sofa in the living room, waiting for me before I even stepped inside.

I never used to be afraid of her. Even though she often brought people to bully me, I wasn't afraid of her.

But now, our roles had reversed. With my mom's influence, a single word from me could get her driven out by Chen Guoxing.

However, I felt very guilty.

Seeing her, I subconsciously wanted to turn and leave.

Chen Xinxin stopped me, “Su Youyou, stop right there.”

She walked up to me, staring at me with evident anger in her eyes.

But in the next moment, she suddenly knelt in front of me and started slapping herself.

"Su Youyou, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bullied you before. I sincerely apologize. I'm really, really sorry."

She slapped herself with alternating hands, as if she didn't feel the pain.

I wanted to stop her, but Chen Xinxin, with teary eyes, looked at me, "Su Youyou, please, you and your mom leave here, okay? My mom has been with my dad since she was young. She can't live without him. I beg you..."

I was stunned.

Seeing that I didn't speak for a long time, Chen Xinxin stood up from the ground.

She looked at me with hatred in her eyes, "Su Youyou, your mom will get her retribution for ruining someone else's family."

In the next moment, my mom suddenly came out and slapped Chen Xinxin's face.

I was stunned.

Chen Xinxin covered her face, glaring furiously at my mom.

My mom, however, looked extraordinarily calm, "You're right about one thing. Go ask your mom if she was also a third party who broke someone else's family back then."

"Compared to forcing someone's first wife to death, I've been very lenient with you mother and daughter."

Chen Xinxin looked shocked, "You're lying. My mom is not a third party!"

My mom smiled at her, "Mr. Chen said he never even registered marriage with your mom. You must move out now; otherwise, I'll have to get someone to help you move."

Desperation appeared in Chen Xinxin's eyes.

She probably knew my mom was telling the truth.

At dinner, my mom told me that I could live on the second floor from now on.

My hand, holding the chopsticks, paused for a moment.

Previously, we weren't allowed to go upstairs.

Now, it seemed like I had crossed a certain societal boundary that was once there but untouchable. I could go upstairs.

I suddenly stopped and looked at my mom sitting across the table, "Dad and my brother were your slaves, Uncle Wang was your stepping stone, then what about me? What role do I play in your plan?"

My mom listened to my words and smiled.

She slowly said, "Maybe you don't know, but I was very beautiful when I was 18. There were so many marriage proposals that you could describe it as 'breaking down the door,' but my family was very poor. Your grandmother sold me to your dad for just ten thousand yuan."

"I was angry. How poor was your dad's family? Even if he gave me everything, treating me well, what was the use? It wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted a passionate love. I am a person, not a commodity. Why should I spend my life like this?"

"A year after I was sold to your dad, I gave birth to your brother. The next year, I had you. My life was ruined. I was heartless towards your dad because he was the one who bought me. No matter who it was, as long as they paid for me, I would hate them. Who would have feelings for someone who bought them?"

I was stunned, as if it were the first time I truly knew my mom in eighteen years.

After she finished speaking, she looked at me, "It's different now. I have found my love. Mr. Chen loves me, and I love him. He understands romance, love, everything I like. I can finally start my own life. Youyou, you should bless your mom."

I was dumbstruck.