Volume One, Chapter 13: Divorce!

Suddenly, Ji Yao’s face turned pale, and she stood there dazed, feeling a cold sweat trickle down her back. “No, no, this won’t do. I’m not just anyone.”

She had never imagined He Yanchen would say such things. After rejecting him, her limbs felt weak and powerless, her mind heavy and muddled, thoughts scattering like smoke, unable to focus on anything clearly.

He Yanchen straightened his back, neither humble nor arrogant. Beneath his long lashes, his deep eyes radiated an untouchable nobility.

“You’re so casual about marriage, why not about sleeping together?”

Ji Yao caught the sarcastic tone in his voice and replied softly, “I’m much older than you. It’s not appropriate.”

“Nowadays, older sister-younger brother relationships are in vogue.”

He Yanchen stepped closer, his tall figure casting a shadow that enveloped her completely. He leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against her cheek. When his thin lips curled into a faint smile, even his usually cold gaze burned with heat. That irresistible allure made her heart pound wildly.

Their distance shrank instantly, his scorching presence pressing down on her, startling Ji Yao.

“…I’m already married!”

He Yanchen teased the words, “Never touched, doesn’t count.”

Does it not count if the law recognizes it? If that were true, she wouldn’t have to struggle so hard for a divorce!

Ji Yao’s heart trembled uneasily. At that moment, He Yanchen’s long fingers brushed aside the strands of hair by her ear, his fingertip gently stroking. It felt electrifying, even her hair tingled. This man was serious!

Her body stiffened, heart drumming wildly; even her voice trembled as she said, “My brother is still next door, and my aunt is waiting for me to take him back…”

Fortunately, she was not foolish. Seizing the moment, she fled in panic and immediately called Lele to hail a taxi. She could clearly feel a sharp surge of panic deep within her heart; her pale lips trembled involuntarily.

…

That day, Xie Huaijin did not return home. If it weren’t for her mother-in-law forcing her to call, she wouldn’t have even made the call.

His tone on the phone was unpleasant, seemingly deliberate to upset her. He hadn’t come home all night. Li Fengying scolded her twice, but Ji Yao didn’t listen because she knew better than anyone: Xie Huaijin’s real reason for not coming home was not because she had done anything wrong, but because he was at Qin Zhenzhen’s place, comforting her and her child!

Early the next morning, Ji Yao received a call from her parents. She told them she planned to sell the old family home. After they agreed, He Yanchen transferred the money. She expected one hundred million but received two hundred million instead. Busy from early morning, she helped her parents move into a spacious flat with an elevator and one unit per floor.

The house was truly beautiful, the community environment pleasant, and the interior design exactly to her liking. Her parents were very satisfied. After finishing everything, Ji Yao had lunch with them and then returned to the Xie family villa. Before going back, she received a call from He Yanchen’s secretary, Jiang Rang.

He informed her that the studio would be ready in a week, meaning she would start working there in seven days!

After hanging up, she arrived at the villa just as her mother-in-law, Li Fengying, slipped and fell. Ji Yao prepared to call an ambulance but heard Li Fengying calling Xie Huaijin, complaining about her. When he returned, the family doctor arrived, examined Li Fengying, and bandaged her foot.

Once the doctor left, Li Fengying began to put on a show of tears. “Huaijin, what sins have I committed? Whenever someone’s home, if I fall, there’d be someone to help me up. You work all day to support this family. I don’t blame you for not being home, but your wife is always disappearing, fooling around outside, never doing housework. It feels like I married a goddess! She hates being at home so much, maybe we should just divorce!”

Xie Huaijin smiled warmly. “Mom, stop talking nonsense. I told you before marrying Yao Yao, I would never divorce her. Don’t even think about divorce.”

He said this deliberately for Ji Yao to hear, and Li Fengying as well. The mother and son had a clear plan: they would not consider divorce until they obtained the deed to her old family home. Xie Huaijin’s tender words were meant to reassure her.

Ji Yao’s face remained expressionless, her voice trembling with emotion. “Divorce is possible.”

Both Xie Huaijin and Li Fengying turned their heads sharply, their pupils dilated in shock. Xie Huaijin was stunned, his facial muscles twitching in disbelief.

“Wife, mom was just rambling. Don’t take her seriously.”

Without hesitation, Ji Yao replied, “I’m not taking her seriously. I’m serious.”

Xie Huaijin was again astonished. Li Fengying knew better than anyone that divorce was impossible at this critical juncture. To save face, she hurled dirt at Ji Yao.

“Oh my, listen to what your wife said. Just because I said a few words, she’s threatening me! Huaijin, I’m getting old and forgetful. Can you translate for me? Is she saying that I can’t say anything to her anymore?”

Xie Huaijin was overwhelmed with headache. He groaned, “Mom, don’t misinterpret my wife. She just went out for a little while a few days ago but won’t go out again. She’ll stay home and take good care of you.”

Ji Yao quietly watched their act. This family was skilled at psychological manipulation. She had fallen for it before, but now, seeing their true colors, she would not be fooled again.

She lifted her head and coldly shot Xie Huaijin down. “I found a job. I start officially next week. Tomorrow begins my internship, with a week of probation and assessment. I won’t have time to care for your mother.”

“What?!” Li Fengying was both disappointed and panicked, immediately glancing at her son. Xie Huaijin stared incredulously. “Wife, stop joking. You’ve been lying at home for over three years with no work experience. Which boss would hire you? Society is harsh. Don’t be willful just because mom said a few words.”

Even now, Xie Huaijin refused to believe she was capable. It was laughable and shameful.

She sneered. “You always say I’ve been at home too long, lack social experience, and don’t understand many things. Now I’ve come to realize that I need to go out and toughen up.”

The man looked into her determined, strong eyes. Feeling blocked, the remaining smile on his face vanished completely. “Fine. If you want to work, I support you. But working means being self-reliant. I will freeze all the bank cards in your name. From now on, you’ll have to live off your own earnings. That’s what real growth means.”