Free Web NovelChapter 142: Chapter 142: Disdain
The supervisor was nearly sixty, a man who was both stern and kind.
He had been the supervisor since Tang Yuanxiao first joined the unit, and over the years, he had cared for and helped countless people. Many were deeply grateful to him.
The supervisor had a son once, but he tragically died in an accident, leaving him and his wife, Aunt Chang, to rely on each other.
In their younger years, Aunt Chang had followed the supervisor through many hardships. Giving birth had taken a toll on her body, and she was unable to have any more children afterward.
After their only son passed away, Aunt Chang, desperate for the supervisor to have an heir to carry on the family line, had even considered divorcing him so he could marry a woman who could bear children. He refused.
He stood by his wife through it all, and eventually, Aunt Chang came to terms with their situation. Together, they channeled their energy into caring for the people under them.
Aunt Chang later developed a new hobby: she became a passionate matchmaker. She had set up a third of the couples in the entire unit, and everyone adored her for it.
Thanks to his well-connected wife, the supervisor was always well-informed.
Seeing Tang Yuanxiao first thing in the morning, he asked with a grin, "Heard your wife and kid arrived?"
"Sir." Tang Yuanxiao saluted before answering, "Yes."
"No wonder you look so glum." The supervisor chuckled. "Your Aunt Chang said she’s going to find your wife this afternoon to learn how to knit. I heard all about that sweater she made for you back in the day."
Tang Yuanxiao forced a smile, his hand clutching the application form tightly.
After the teasing, the supervisor got down to business. "You came to see me first thing in the morning. Go on, what is it?"
Tang Yuanxiao handed the application form over.
The supervisor took out his reading glasses, put them on, and jumped in surprise as he read it.
"A divorce application?"
He scanned it quickly and looked up at Tang Yuanxiao. "Is this for real? What’s going on?"
Tang Yuanxiao nodded helplessly. "Yes."
The supervisor frowned. "Didn’t they just get here yesterday? Why the sudden divorce application?"
Tang Yuanxiao gave a bitter smile. "It’s not sudden. She’s brought up divorce before."
"Is this your wife’s idea?" the supervisor immediately pressed. "Did you do something to wrong her?"
Tang Yuanxiao said helplessly, "I didn’t. You know me better than that."
The supervisor sighed. "I know you didn’t. I was just saying. You think all I do is run my mouth?"
"So tell me, what’s really going on? Marriage is no joke. You can’t just get a divorce."
This was also the first time the supervisor had ever received such an application.
Truth be told, almost no one in their unit ever got divorced. That was why Tang Yuanxiao hadn’t known where to submit the application, and after agonizing over it for a while, he had brought it straight to his supervisor.
"I don’t want a divorce either, but she insists..."
Facing the supervisor felt like facing a trusted elder. Tang Yuanxiao’s head drooped, his voice filled with dejection. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"So, you’re saying the divorce isn’t your idea? You’re still very fond of your wife, but she’s not fond of you?"
The supervisor summarized for him.
Tang Yuanxiao lowered his head and mumbled in agreement.
"Pathetic," the supervisor couldn’t help but chide. "Look at you. So capable at work, but you can’t even handle your own wife."
"You should learn a thing or two from me..." The supervisor, frustrated with him, paused to think for a moment before asking.
"Your wife... does she not like the child?"
Tang Yuanxiao shook his head. "No, she loves Momo. She... just doesn’t like me."
The supervisor: "..."
The supervisor was at a loss for words.
The two talked for half an hour before the supervisor finally slammed his hand on the desk and made a decision.
"Since you’re fond of her, and since you don’t want a divorce, then you need to put in some effort. I’ll go talk to her."
These days were nothing like the future, where divorce was as common as marriage, and people talked about it all the time.
Back then, the prevailing wisdom was to mend marriages, not break them up. While everyone knew the word "divorce," it was like a word you only saw in a dictionary—rarer than murder.
The supervisor stood up to leave, but Tang Yuanxiao quickly stopped him.
"Don’t, Sir. I’ll ask her to come here. Please, don’t trouble yourself. How could I let you go over there personally?"
The supervisor gave Tang Yuanxiao a doubtful look. "Fine."
"I’ll go get her, then." Tang Yuanxiao scurried out.
Although he knew it was unlikely, after hearing what the supervisor said, he clung to a sliver of hope that Su Li could be persuaded.
When Tang Yuanxiao got home to get Su Li, he opened the door to find her holding Little Tang Mo, reading him a story.
Little Tang Mo sat listlessly in Su Li’s arms, his eyes a little red. The moment he saw Tang Yuanxiao, he immediately turned his head away.
Alright... Little Tang Mo hadn’t cried or thrown a tantrum in the end, but seeing Tang Yuanxiao still made him feel upset.
’He was a little disgusted with Tang Yuanxiao. Mama likes him so much, but she doesn’t like Papa. It must be because Papa is too dumb and doesn’t know how to smile!’
’He’d much rather live with Su Li than with Tang Yuanxiao!’
Little Tang Mo thought secretly, ’I have to teach my dumb Papa a thing or two. Make him learn from me so Mama will start to like him sooner.’
Feeling so despised by his own son, Tang Yuanxiao froze at the doorway for a moment before entering.
He didn’t need to ask. Seeing the two of them, Tang Yuanxiao knew that Su Li had talked with Little Tang Mo.
And from the look on Tang Yuanxiao’s face, Su Li knew he had submitted the application.
Su Li and Tang Yuanxiao exchanged a look, both understanding the situation perfectly.
Their eyes met again in a silent question.
"He’s okay," Su Li answered.
"Our supervisor wants to talk to you," Tang Yuanxiao replied.
Tang Yuanxiao’s response didn’t surprise Su Li.
"Alright. Should we go now?"
"Yes, he’s waiting for you," Tang Yuanxiao nodded.
Su Li glanced at Little Tang Mo in her arms. "Can you watch Little Mo?"
"No." For the first time, Little Tang Mo was defiant. He threw his arms around Su Li’s neck and turned his little bottom toward Tang Yuanxiao.
"I’ll walk you over. Momo can come too. When we get there, I’ll watch him outside," Tang Yuanxiao said after a pause.
It was the only way. freёwebnovel.com
"Okay." Su Li straightened her hair and stood up, still holding Little Tang Mo.
Little Tang Mo was six years old and weighed a little over twenty kilograms. He wasn’t exactly light. It wasn’t a huge strain for Su Li to carry him, but it wasn’t effortless either.
Watching from the side, Tang Yuanxiao quickly reached out. "Let me carry him."
"No, thanks." Little Tang Mo was unwilling, and Su Li patted his back, declining the offer.
Su Li walked ahead while Tang Yuanxiao followed, closing the door and watching her and Little Tang Mo carefully.
The family of three emerged, drawing a great deal of attention before they had even left the family courtyard.
Under everyone’s gaze, the three of them walked out of the courtyard.
Little Tang Mo clung to Su Li, nuzzling against her affectionately. Though reluctant, he eventually looked up and said,
"Mama, you can put me down. I can walk by myself."
"It’s okay." Su Li knew he was in a bad mood, so she simply shifted him to her other arm and kept carrying him.
"I can walk by myself," Little Tang Mo insisted, squirming a couple of times until he broke free from Su Li’s arms and landed on his feet.
He knew he wasn’t light, and he didn’t want Su Li to get tired.
Little Tang Mo let out a soft breath, gathered his spirits, and tucked his small hand into Su Li’s palm, successfully taking her hand.
This was a little game he often played. Only when Su Li’s fingers closed around his was he satisfied enough to start walking.
After a few steps, Little Tang Mo looked up at Tang Yuanxiao, sighed deeply, and reluctantly wrapped his fingers around one of his father’s.
Tang Yuanxiao was stunned by the unexpected favor.
