Chapter 378: I Am Called Zhang Chenze

My name is Zhang Chenze, and I lied.

I’m thirty-three years old and have been working hard in Chengdu for the past ten years.

If I were willing to share my experiences and post them on any public platform, I could easily become a viral icon for independent women. After all, I’m a girl from a small mountain village who made it on her own to become one of the most renowned lawyers in Chengdu—it’s an inspiring story no matter how you look at it.

But I have no interest in doing that.

I want to leave my past behind and start fresh in a place where no one knows me. If possible, I’d never want to have anything to do with that small mountain village again.

I have my ambitions and my ideals.

I want to be an outstanding person.

To achieve that, I’m willing to do whatever it takes.

In the early days of setting up my law firm, I couldn’t afford rent, so I slept on the office couch for three years.

Every day, I’d wake up at five to tidy the office, then freshen up and do my makeup in the public restroom. In the evenings, I’d use the excuse of overtime to stay late and go to a public bathhouse for a five-yuan shower.

For those three years, none of my subordinates had any idea I was living there.

I endured all that hardship because I had a dream.

If I couldn’t become an outstanding person, I’d be trapped in that mountain village forever—not just me, but my descendants too.

But I often think I might never have descendants.

If I can live a brilliant and glorious life on my own, that would be more than enough.

My childhood was so tragic that, from a fair perspective, my future should be happier. I don’t dare to expect a luxurious life; I just want to get by in a way that feels comfortable for me.

“Zhang Jie, Zhang Jie!”

Xiao Sun from the firm patted me on the shoulder, startling me.

This young man has been with us for three years and has handled many tricky cases for me. Among all the young staff, he’s the one I think most highly of.

“What is it?”

“You were zoning out,” Xiao Sun said with a laugh. “Look! The bride is here!”

I followed where he was pointing. Today’s bride, Mengmeng, was walking toward the stage in a pure white wedding gown adorned with sparkling sequins, her arm linked with her father’s under the spotlight.

Besides Xiao Sun, Mengmeng is my most reliable assistant; she’s worked alongside me for six years.

Seeing her head toward the altar of marriage fills me with genuine happiness for her.

The handsome and gentle groom stepped forward with a bouquet, striding toward Mengmeng and her father, while the guests clapped and cheered, offering their sincerest blessings.

But honestly, I don’t care for the next part.

At the host’s request, Mengmeng’s father had to personally hand her over to the groom.

Then, in front of Mengmeng, the groom, and hundreds of guests, he solemnly said, “I’m entrusting Mengmeng to you from now on.”

Many guests gently wiped their eyes, as if tears had fallen.

The host added in an emotional tone, “From this day forward, this man will take the place of your father and care for you forever, whether he is poor or wealthy, he will never abandon you…”

Mengmeng stood on the stage, looking at her emotional father and the groom, then glanced around at the guests who were crying, and shrugged at me with a kǔxiào on her face.

I understand Mengmeng, and I know what she means.

If it weren’t for tradition, customs, and all the relatives expecting it, she would never allow this segment in her wedding.

Those few words basically undermine all of Mengmeng’s lifelong efforts, making it seem like without her father and the groom to look after her, she’d be like a helpless child.

As if she could starve to death at any moment.

Why must marriage be about finding someone to rely on? Why can’t it be about love?

Working with me all these years, Mengmeng earns at least sixty thousand yuan a month. Even without anyone taking care of her, she could still live very well.

After all, her hard work is on par with mine. She’s an excellent lawyer, and everything she has now is well-deserved—it’s only fair.

Mengmeng didn’t ask for a single penny in bride price and didn’t cause any trouble for either family’s parents.

She and the groom simply used their own savings to buy a small apartment of a few dozen square meters, then pooled money for furniture. Through their joint efforts, they officially embarked on the next stage of life.

In the days ahead, they’ll continue to strive together—until they can afford better furniture and a bigger house.

That’s what I think true love should look like: a stable balance that never tips.

When will people finally realize that the purpose of marriage is to give love a conclusion, not to provide a crutch for one side?

“Zhang Jie, Zhang Jie!”

Xiao Sun’s bright voice rang in my ear again.

I looked at him and snapped back, smiling. “What is it?”

“Your phone is ringing!” Xiao Sun told me. “It’s been going off for ages!”

I glanced down at the number, and in an instant, the joy on my face vanished, leaving me feeling as cold as if I’d fallen into an ice cellar.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I picked up the phone and stepped out of the banquet hall. I looked around, spotted the emergency exit, and went in after making sure no one was around. With a heavy heart, I answered the call.

“Hello.”

“Zhang Laidi!”

Her piercing voice came through the phone, making me furrow my brow.

“Mom, I go by Zhang Chenze now.”

“You still remember your damn surname Zhang?! Why didn’t you answer my calls? Why didn’t you pick up yesterday?”

“I was busy,” I said.

“Busy? Busy my ass! I knew you weren’t stupid—you know how to make money, you little shit.” She scolded harshly, “Everyone envies the Zhang family for having both a son and a daughter, but they don’t know that you, you ungrateful brat, won’t even fork over twenty thousand yuan.”

Ha, both a son and a daughter.

In the village where I grew up, people with sons hope for support in old age, while those with daughters hope for both. How ironic is that?

“Mom, I don’t understand,” I said coldly. “I could give my brother a big red envelope for his wedding and career, but why should I have to pay twenty thousand yuan?”

“You have the money!” she yelled. “You’re better at earning than he is, and you’re his sister. It’s your own brother getting married, so what’s wrong with you chipping in for a house?”

“I don’t see why you think this is perfectly normal,” I replied with a cold laugh. “The money I earn is mine, and it has nothing to do with him. You gave him the best clothes, food, housing, and more education than me from the start—he should be able to earn his own way now.”

“He hasn’t found a suitable job yet! You heartless thing…” Her tone grew even sharper. “Why are you rushing? Are you keeping accounts with your own brother?”

“Mom, to be honest, I’m in the middle of expanding the firm and have put all my savings into it. I don’t have a cent to spare right now.”