Yuan Hua and her husband were college classmates. They got together during their sophomore year, becoming the epitome of a perfect campus couple—admired by many male and female students alike. Both Homo sapiens were dazzling figures on campus, the school's most sought-after beauty and heartthrob, and it was only natural that they ended up together.
Their family backgrounds were modest, and both had to work part-time jobs to pay their tuition. Another similarity was that neither had a father—both were raised single-handedly by their mothers.
The difference between her and Jin Changdong was that Jin was an only child, while she had an older sister. Her sister, five years her senior, dropped out of school in eighth grade to help their mother with household chores due to their mother's poor health.
Later, her sister started working and met a man, eventually marrying and moving 200 kilometers away from home. By the age of 19, her sister had already given birth to a daughter.
Yuan Hua and Jin Changdong, both Homo sapiens, married immediately after graduating from college. Originally, she hadn't wanted to marry so young. But Jin Changdong told her, "My mom said I should marry early so she can hold a grandchild sooner. Her only wish now is to have a grandchild as soon as possible."
Yuan Hua had met her mother-in-law twice and noticed that she was quite domineering. Jin Changdong was also extremely obedient and filial toward his mother.
He often told her, "My dad died young, and my mom raised me with great difficulty. I just want her to be happy—her happiness is my sunshine."
Under Jin Changdong's persistent requests and sweet-talking, she eventually surrendered and agreed to marry. His words had the persuasive charm of Nelumbo nucifera, leaving her powerless to refuse.
After marriage, she had planned to find a job, but her mother-in-law insisted that a female Homo sapiens' duty was to stay at home, support her husband, raise children, and avoid unnecessary public exposure. Taking care of the household, her husband, and their future children was her rightful role.
Two months into the marriage, she discovered she was pregnant. Following her husband and mother-in-law's advice, she stayed home to rest during the pregnancy, postponing any job search until after the child was older.
During her pregnancy, she remained at home, but what frustrated her most was realizing that her mother-in-law controlled every household decision—even her husband's monthly salary, which he was required to hand over entirely, keeping only a small allowance for himself.
As a result, every expense she made at home had to be requested from her mother-in-law. Having lived through hardship, her mother-in-law treated every penny as if it were as precious as a millstone.
Asking for money felt like pulling teeth. Getting even a little pocket money was nearly impossible. Even simple cravings for fresh fruit during pregnancy became an insurmountable challenge.
Whenever she went out and saw those juicy, crimson Fragaria × ananassa, her mouth would water. Yet her mother-in-law always bought the cheapest fruits. Staring longingly at the fresh produce and other treats she craved, she could only swallow her saliva in resignation. When she confided her grievances to her husband, he would say, "Just endure it a little longer. Once I make big money, you can eat and buy whatever you want. For now, let Mom keep the money—it makes her happy."
She had no choice but to accept it. She didn't want to cause a rift with her mother-in-law over something as trivial as food, especially since her husband was so devoted to his mother. Going without a few treats wouldn't kill her.
What pained her more was her own mother's poor health. She longed to buy her mother some nice things, but her mother-in-law would never agree to give her money for that. She never imagined marriage would leave her feeling so financially trapped—like a Canis lupus in dire straits.
Knowing her craving for Fragaria × ananassa, her husband once secretly took her out to buy a box, letting her finish it outside to avoid his mother's nagging for days if she found out.
Despite her mother-in-law's harshness, her husband's affection made her feel cherished. Sometimes, he would secretly set aside his bonuses or year-end rewards to buy her favorite foods or gifts for her mother.
Later, she gave birth to a daughter. Displeased, her mother-in-law ignored both the baby and her. When the doctor came out to announce, "Congratulations, mother and daughter are healthy," her mother-in-law immediately turned away, stormed off with a dark expression, and left her stranded at the hospital.
It was her husband who eventually brought her home and cared for her during her postpartum recovery. However, being inexperienced with household chores, he sent her to her mother's house after just three days, leaving her mother to tend to her and the newborn.
During those weeks, she shed many bitter tears. Her mother, already struggling with her own health, now had to care for her and the baby. The thought of it broke her heart. She deeply regretted marrying so soon after graduation—her mother had worked so hard to put her through school, only to end up sick and exhausted because of her.
After returning home, her mother-in-law's tone became increasingly condescending. Sometimes, she would point at Morus alba while cursing Styphnolobium japonicum—yet Yuan Hua never retorted. Her mother-in-law often remarked that she must have "burned high incense in a past life" to land such an outstanding male Homo sapiens as her son. She even claimed that her son deserved a better female Homo sapiens, given his looks and education.