Free Web NovelChapter 73: Chapter 73: Not Now
Su Li fell asleep that night to the sound of Mrs. Tang’s crying. When she woke up the next day, it was as if she could still hear it. freёwebnovel.com
Mrs. Tang was getting old and didn’t need much sleep. Most days, she was up before dawn, but not today.
She didn’t get up at all.
Tang Yuanxiao made breakfast. He’d cooked some congee, and when Su Li got up, he called her to eat.
"Don’t worry about Mom. I’ve already brought her some congee," Tang Yuanxiao explained to Su Li.
Su Li just grunted in acknowledgment, her expression indifferent.
"I already spoke to her last night and told her not to bother you anymore. On her behalf... I apologize to you," Tang Yuanxiao continued in a low voice.
Su Li paused, then let out another noncommittal "oh."
’Apologizing after stabbing someone twice is meaningless. It’s not even worth listening to.’
"I’m not apologizing on her behalf to ask for your forgiveness. It’s just..."
Su Li’s expression grew even more distant. Tang Yuanxiao looked at her, the rest of his words getting stuck in his throat. He couldn’t force them out, even with all his might.
Just as Su Li had said before, if apologies worked, what would be the point of the police?
Many things can’t be erased with a simple apology, especially when it wasn’t the first time.
Tang Yuanxiao had noticed Su Li’s coldness toward Mrs. Tang before, but it was only yesterday that he finally understood why.
A hint of bitterness flashed in his eyes. ’Coldness is probably the normal reaction.’
"Daddy... Mommy..." Little Tang Mo’s timid voice called out. Tang Yuanxiao snapped back to reality and patted Little Tang Mo’s head, not knowing what to say.
A happy, harmonious, and beautiful family... ’It was all just a facade.’
Tang Yuanxiao finished the congee in his bowl, a look of resolve in his eyes. He looked at Su Li and said, "Su Li, we need to talk."
"Okay." Su Li looked up at Tang Yuanxiao and slowly nodded.
’It’s time to talk.’
After sending Little Tang Mo to play with Brother Gousheng and the others, Su Li and Tang Yuanxiao sat facing each other, ready to have a serious conversation while looking into each other’s eyes for the first time.
"About the divorce... I’ve given it serious thought."
Tang Yuanxiao spoke first, bringing up the topic of divorce on his own initiative for the first time.
He hadn’t slept at all last night, thinking about all of this.
Su Li nodded, waiting for him to continue.
Tang Yuanxiao looked into Su Li’s eyes and said slowly, "I take back what I said before, about never getting a divorce no matter what."
A flash of joy crossed Su Li’s face. "You agree?"
Her heart instantly started racing as she stared intently at Tang Yuanxiao.
Tang Yuanxiao looked at her eyes, which were filled with surprised hope, and shook his head with difficulty, but slowly.
"I’m not saying I’ll agree right now. I’m saying I will seriously consider a divorce. If you still insist, I will grant your wish. But..."
The joy on Su Li’s face vanished instantly. She cut him off. "There is no ’but.’ When can we file the papers?"
Tang Yuanxiao sighed in resignation. "Su Li, not now. It’s impossible for at least the next six months." His voice was tense.
Su Li’s voice was even more tense and cold.
"Tang Yuanxiao, I told you last night. I want a divorce, and I want it now. I can’t stand another moment in your Tang Family, in this Xinghua Village. After what happened last night, how do you expect me to face them?"
"Su Li, it’s precisely because of what happened last night that I can’t agree to it right away." Tang Yuanxiao leaned forward, staring intently into Su Li’s eyes.
"Under the current circumstances, this is not a good time for a divorce, no matter how you look at it. It wouldn’t be good for you or for me."
"I don’t care," was Su Li’s only reply.
She didn’t care. All she wanted was a divorce.
"I care," Tang Yuanxiao said gravely. "You may not care, but I do."
Just as Su Li was about to speak, Tang Yuanxiao raised a hand to stop her. "Su Li, hear me out."
"I know you’re desperate and don’t care about anything else, but I can’t be like that. We were husband and wife. I can’t let you act so recklessly."
"What do you mean, ’act recklessly’?" Su Li retorted.
Tang Yuanxiao glanced at Su Li but didn’t answer her question, continuing instead.
"With what just happened, if we get divorced immediately, those rumors about you will be treated as the truth. How are you supposed to find happiness later with that kind of reputation hanging over you?"
Tang Yuanxiao took a deep breath. "I can’t let you ruin your reputation out of impulse. Do you have any idea how hard life is for someone, especially a woman, once their reputation is ruined?"
Su Li closed her eyes. "I know. I know all of that. Thank you for thinking of me, but you really don’t need to worry about it."
’Once we’re divorced, we’ll go our separate ways. He won’t have to worry about me anymore.’
Tang Yuanxiao stared at Su Li, then slowly shook his head.
"Su Li, resent me, hate me, I don’t care. I will not let you carry that kind of reputation. For the next six months, I will not agree to a divorce."
"Six months? Impossible!" Su Li’s face darkened.
"That’s final. We won’t discuss divorce for six months. If you still insist after that, we can talk then." Tang Yuanxiao avoided Su Li’s gaze and said it all in one breath.
"No matter what, I’m a few years older than you. I have a responsibility to you, and I can’t let you do something you’ll regret later."
Tang Yuanxiao had made up his mind not to divorce. No matter what Su Li said, pleading or arguing, he wouldn’t change his mind. Su Li was furious and helpless.
"Tang Yuanxiao, I know you mean well, but please, try to see it from my perspective. I would rather face a bad reputation and nasty rumors than continue to face you... all of you people in Xinghua Village."
She really didn’t want to see any of these people ever again.
Su Li thought Tang Yuanxiao would at least waver a little, but to her surprise, he nodded directly.
"I’ve thought about that. I was already planning to have you come with me to the city. The application for housing has been approved. You should just come with me this time."
Su Li’s expression was one of astonishment. "Go to the city with you?" She had never considered that.
Tang Yuanxiao nodded. "Yes. I originally came back to discuss this with you. I just never brought it up because Dad got sick and then passed away. With things as they are now, you should just come with me."
"I made preparations before I came back. My original plan was to go back first, get everything set up, and then have you come over. But now, it looks like we should just go together."
Su Li shook her head. "I’m not going."
"Su Li, even if we’re going to get a divorce, you should go to the city first. You have a middle school education. Once we’re there, I can help you find a job. With an income, you’ll have some financial security even after we divorce."
Tang Yuanxiao’s expression turned serious. "Even with a divorce, you have to think about your future. You can’t be so impulsive. Your father has passed away, and going back to your family’s home isn’t a good option either."
Tang Yuanxiao also knew about Miao Fenghua’s situation. He didn’t think things would go well for Su Li if she went home.
Even if they were to divorce, going to the city with him was the best choice.
"I’ve already considered all of that. I have my own plans and arrangements for my future. I can also earn money to support myself. So, Tang Yuanxiao, you can divorce me without any burden."
The things Tang Yuanxiao said today were one surprise after another for Su Li.
