Free Web NovelChapter 51: Chapter 51: Divorce Divorce Divorce
Su Li shook her head, her expression serious. "Tang Yuanxiao, I’m not saying this out of anger. I’m serious about the divorce."
"This decision to divorce you is something I’ve carefully considered. Please don’t treat it as a joke, and don’t think I’m just throwing a tantrum."
Tang Yuanxiao stared into Su Li’s eyes, his jaw tightening, his gaze terrifyingly dark.
Most people would have been intimidated and backed down under such a stare from Tang Yuanxiao, but Su Li met his gaze without flinching.
"I was originally planning to go to the city to find you tomorrow. I even bought the train ticket. I wasn’t going for any other reason—it was specifically to talk to you about the divorce in person."
Su Li wasn’t joking, nor was she acting on a whim. She truly wanted a divorce.
Tang Yuanxiao’s expression turned incredibly grim. His entire body tensed, his aura intimidating, and he had only one answer for Su Li.
"We are not getting a divorce. I don’t agree to it."
Tang Yuanxiao turned his head away, no longer looking at Su Li, a silent declaration of his resolute stance.
He had never thought about divorce, and he would never, ever agree to one.
Su Li wasn’t surprised by Tang Yuanxiao’s response. Or rather, she was mentally prepared for it.
’In this life, Little Tang Mo hadn’t gone missing, and she hadn’t been framed for selling her stepson or having an affair. Suddenly demanding a divorce for no apparent reason... most people probably wouldn’t accept it.’
’Although Su Li desperately wanted to get divorced immediately, she knew it wasn’t something that could be settled with a single sentence. It wasn’t just about her, either. She had to be patient and plan it out carefully.’
So she took a deep breath and said, "I know this decision is very sudden for you, so I’ll give you time to think about it."
"You have a five-day leave this time. Just give me an answer within these five days."
Tang Yuanxiao also took a deep breath. "Tell me why. Why do you want a divorce? Marriage isn’t a child’s game or playing house. You can’t just end it whenever you feel like it."
He truly couldn’t understand or accept it.
He wasn’t like Su Li, who had memories of a past life and could therefore understand her own decision.
Su Li could list countless reasons for a divorce, but they were all from her past life. She couldn’t explain them, nor could she tell him.
"I just don’t like you. I don’t like the Tang Family, and I don’t want to live this life with you. That’s my reason for wanting a divorce."
"I was never happy about marrying you in the first place. I want to get a divorce now while there’s still time and find my own happiness."
Once Su Li started talking, the words flowed out more and more smoothly.
"I’ve had enough of this life for the past year. I’ve woken up. Tang Yuanxiao, just let me go."
’Just let go. Let’s spare each other.’
Tang Yuanxiao’s brows were knitted so tightly they seemed to be tied in a knot.
"I’m sorry. This past year... I’ve wronged you. It’s been hard on you. I know it hasn’t been easy. It’s my fault."
"I already applied for assigned housing before the New Year. You can come live with me in the future. I won’t let you stay here all by yourself anymore." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
’Su Li would only be nineteen after the New Year, not even twenty yet. It was normal for someone so young to make a decision like this,’ Tang Yuanxiao thought. ’From now on, I’ll be more patient with her, treat her better...’
Su Li shook her head, interrupting Tang Yuanxiao’s thoughts. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"No, Tang Yuanxiao, you don’t understand what I mean. I just don’t like you as a person."
"You..." Rejected, Tang Yuanxiao’s face darkened.
"This is only the second time we’ve ever met. We haven’t even spent any time together. How can there be any talk of liking or not liking? Many husb... husband-and-wife relationships develop over time."
Su Li shook her head. "I just don’t like you and I don’t want to try. I want a divorce."
Tang Yuanxiao’s face grew even darker. "Impossible."
Su Li’s face darkened too.
"Why not? If we’re not compatible, we shouldn’t force ourselves to be together. What’s the point of holding each other back..."
"Shh." Tang Yuanxiao suddenly took a step forward and shushed her.
Confused, Su Li took a step back to avoid him, her legs bumping against the edge of the bed.
"What are you doing? What are you shushing me for?"
"Mom is outside," Tang Yuanxiao whispered, glancing outside.
As if in response, Mrs. Tang’s cough sounded from outside, followed by her muttering.
"It’s late, time for bed, time for bed..."
She muttered to herself, and then they heard her footsteps returning to her room.
"Think carefully about what I’ve said and give me an answer as soon as possible. If you need my cooperation for anything, just say the word. I’m ready whenever."
Su Li concluded, then pointed to the door.
"That’s all for tonight. You should go get some sleep."
Tang Yuanxiao’s lips were pressed into a tight line. He didn’t move.
Su Li glared. "What do you mean by not moving?"
"I’ve already said I want a divorce. Don’t tell me you plan on staying here?"
A vein throbbed on Tang Yuanxiao’s forehead. He squeezed a few words from between his gritted teeth.
"Don’t worry. Even if you hadn’t brought up divorce, I wouldn’t touch you if you’re not willing."
After speaking, he looked around the room. "I’ll sleep on the floor."
"No, sleeping on the floor is not an option either. You have to leave tonight." ’A lone man and a lone woman in the same room...’ Su Li couldn’t possibly share a room with him.
"Go back to your old room. That one’s empty."
The "old room" she was referring to was the one Tang Yuanxiao had shared with his ex-wife.
Tang Yuanxiao didn’t move. "I have to sleep here tonight, or I’ll get an earful tomorrow."
Su Li pursed her lips. "Don’t worry, just go. I’ll tell my mother-in-law that my ’great aunt’ is here. Once I tell her that, she won’t nag you."
Tang Yuanxiao frowned, his face a mask of confusion.
"Great aunt? What great aunt?" ’Why is she suddenly talking about a great aunt? There’s no one else in the house, is there?’
Su Li stared at Tang Yuanxiao for two seconds, then spoke with a hint of malice.
"’Great aunt’ means my period. Menstruation. A woman’s special time of the month. Got it now?"
Tang Yuanxiao: "..."
His face turned red at a visible rate. All that was missing was a special effect of steam coming out of his ears.
"You..." He couldn’t manage to finish a complete sentence before fleeing in disarray, his face feeling like it was about to explode.
Su Li watched him go and scoffed. She closed the door, slid the bolt, and mocked him under her breath.
’An old pro acting all shy and blushing. Mutton dressed as lamb. Pathetic.’
With a scornful look, Su Li blew out the candle and lay down. Lying in bed, she heaved a deep sigh. ’Just what will it take to make you agree to a divorce?’
No one could answer that question.
The next day, Su Li got up early and opened her door, only to see Tang Yuanxiao, who was up even earlier than her.
Tang Yuanxiao was used to exercising before dawn. It had been his routine for years, like clockwork. He woke up on time, got up on time, went out for a few laps, and came back drenched in sweat.
When Su Li came out, he was by the doorway, lifting Little Tang Mo up and down as if he were a dumbbell.
Little Tang Mo had his arms wrapped around his father’s, giggling softly, his eyes crinkling into slits as he smiled.
Su Li watched and raised an eyebrow. ’Father and son, I guess it’s just natural. They’ve gotten so close after just one night.’
Little Tang Mo had sharp eyes and spotted Su Li. His giggles suddenly grew louder. "Mama, Mama, you’re up!"
He had been stifling his laughter before, afraid he might disturb Su Li’s sleep.
"Morning," Su Li said with a smile.
Tang Yuanxiao, whose back was to her, froze instantly, his movements halting.
