Madam Wang tried to play the pitiful card, her voice trembling as she clutched Zhou Fan's hand:
"I just spoke a little harshly to Xiaoyan. Son, don't blame her. It's all my fault..."
Even now, she was still trying to sow discord between us, convinced her excuse was flawless. She didn't notice Zhou Fan's face getting darker by the second, he looked like he was about to turn into a thundercloud.
With a sharp flick, Zhou Fan shook off her hand.
"Mom, stop pretending. I heard everything you said to my wife - I was downstairs the whole time.
I can't believe you're this cruel. You make me sick!"
The heart monitor beeped frantically, her blood pressure spiking so high it nearly broke the machine.
I stood quietly in the corner, leaning against the wall, watching Madam Wang's drama unfold like my favorite soap opera.
Honestly, I knew Zhou Fan would come home before his business trip. Why else would I have stayed home and given Madam Wang her chance to "shine"?
Zhou Fan strode over, took my hand in his with the tenderness of a leading man in a romance drama.
"Honey, you're the most important person in my life.
From now on, I'll double my efforts to treat you right and make up for everything."
Madam Wang was so triggered she shot upright in bed, clutching her chest like she'd just seen a ghost.
"Son, I..."
Zhou Fan cut her off with a wave.
"Mom, stop making me choose. Even if you force me, I'll always pick Xiaoyan.
If you can't handle it, just move into a nursing home. No one at home wants you around anymore."
Madam Wang clutched her heart, her whole body trembling as she flopped back onto the bed.
Zhou Fan didn't even blink.
There was a commotion at the door.
A voice rang out: "I agree."
It was Mr. Zhang, face like a stone statue, striding into the room to stand beside Madam Wang.
"Chen Guifang, now the whole community knows you're two-faced. My reputation is ruined!
I went home and everyone laughed at me. They even said that if I could marry someone like you, I must be no good myself!"
He pulled out his phone and shoved it in Madam Wang's face.
"See those three banners hanging at our door? Those were delivered by the families of your three ex-daughters-in-law.
They came to thank you for being so stupid and evil, for finally confessing your crimes and clearing their names.
They said they'll send you wedding invitations when they remarry—you're their greatest benefactor!"
The veins on Mr. Zhang's arms bulged with rage.
"Chen Guifang, look at the words on those banners!
'Evil gets its due, karma always comes!' This is your payback! It's here, and it's glorious!"
I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, just in time for Madam Wang to get the full experience of her "fame."
I flipped to the local news.
The hospital room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop as the reporter's voice echoed:
"A mother-in-law's fake suicide attempt to frame her daughter-in-law, broadcast live by square-dancing speakers, exposes the shocking truth."
On the screen, Madam Wang was caught mid-performance, climbing the balcony railing with one foot firmly on the bottom rung, making sure she couldn't fall even if she tried.
Her face was twisted into a "victory smirk" that could win an award for Most Punchable Expression.
I glanced from the TV to Madam Wang, now lying in bed, face ashen, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She didn't even have the energy to glare at me anymore.
For the next few days in the hospital, Madam Wang was as quiet as a mouse.
She didn't speak to anyone, not even to complain about the food (which, by the way, was all bitter melon and ginger soup - I may have had a hand in that menu).
The day Zhou Fan went to handle her discharge paperwork, Madam Wang suddenly grabbed my wrist with a grip that could crush walnuts.
"Xu Xiaoyan, I won't try to break you and Zhou Fan up anymore. I accept you as my daughter-in-law."
But her smile was so strange, it gave me goosebumps.
There was no way she'd give up that easily.
Sure enough, she leaned in, her voice low and conspiratorial:
"Now that you're officially my daughter-in-law, it's time for you to fulfill your duties.
From today on, I'm going to supervise your every move.
Let's see if you can handle being the daughter-in-law of the century!"
She patted my hand with her cold, bony fingers, her eyes gleaming with a new, sinister plan.
I smiled back, sweet as honey.
"Of course, Mom. I'll make sure you never forget me."
In my mind, I was already plotting my next counterattack.
After all, the best family dramas always have a sequel.