Free Web NovelChapter 74: Chapter 74: Coercion
Su Li wasn’t blind. She could tell that everything Tang Yuanxiao said today was from the heart, that he was genuinely thinking of her.
His sincerity, his sense of responsibility—it all took Su Li by surprise. It felt like she was getting to know Tang Yuanxiao all over again. Along with her previous doubts, the Tang Yuanxiao of this life was becoming more and more three-dimensional before her, his personality and character gradually taking shape.
She was truly getting to know him for the first time: responsible and dependable. But she really just wanted a divorce; she didn’t need any of this.
"Just listen to me," was all Tang Yuanxiao said after hearing her out.
Su Li knew Tang Yuanxiao didn’t believe her, or rather, he didn’t believe a young woman like her was capable of such things. She thought for a moment, then said seriously,
"Tang Yuanxiao, right before you came back, I went into business with someone and started a company. We’re already taking on clients and making money. I can really support myself, and I have plans for my own future. You really don’t need to worry about me."
Hearing about her starting a company, Tang Yuanxiao was a bit incredulous. "A company? You’re doing business?"
"Mhm," Su Li nodded.
Tang Yuanxiao mulled it over. "Doing business... it’s unstable, and not suitable for a girl like you. You should still listen to me."
Su Li was about to lose her mind. "Tang Yuanxiao, why won’t you believe me? I can make money! Do you believe that I can earn more than your salary and subsidies combined?"
Tang Yuanxiao shook his head. "Fine, Su Li. I believe you. I believe what you’re saying. But even if you can make money, we still can’t get a divorce right away. I can’t let people point fingers at you. Gossip is a fearsome thing—it can kill without leaving a mark. You’ll understand when you’re older."
"’You’ll understand when you’re older’... What a thing to say..." Su Li, who had just stood up, sank back into her seat, defeated. "You’ve made up your mind not to divorce me right now, haven’t you?"
"Yes. Even if we do get a divorce, we’ll talk about it in six months. Not now." Tang Yuanxiao nodded firmly.
"Su Li, it’s only half a year. Just wait. And don’t even think about using any tricks to get a divorce. In this day and age, one wrong step can ruin your entire life."
Su Li said nothing. Tang Yuanxiao looked at her expression, a flicker of guilt and determination crossing his eyes. He then closed them briefly and, burning his bridges, spoke.
"Su Li, just wait six months. If you insist on divorcing now and are willing to do whatever it takes, then I will also resort to extreme measures."
A bad feeling washed over Su Li. "What kind of extreme measures?"
"I can’t tell you right now. But if you insist on using tricks to get this divorce, I really won’t allow it."
Tang Yuanxiao avoided Su Li’s eyes, steeling himself and forcing the words out.
’He admitted to himself that he was being despicable... but he had to do it.’
’Su Li would only be nineteen after the New Year. Compared to him, she was still just a child. Whether she hated him or resented him, he had to do this.’
"Tang Yuanxiao, you..." Once Su Li realized what Tang Yuanxiao was implying, she couldn’t stop herself from slamming her hands on the table and shooting to her feet, her eyes red with anger.
Tang Yuanxiao stared at her steadily, not backing down. "I mean what I say."
"Tang Yuanxiao, you’re despicable!" Su Li seethed through clenched teeth.
Considering what just happened, if Tang Yuanxiao really did what he threatened, things would get very difficult.
Yes, if Tang Yuanxiao truly resorted to such tactics, she could find a way to clear her name and protect herself. But in the process, who could guarantee that there wouldn’t be any accidents?
She had already witnessed the irrationality and blind protectiveness of the people from Xinghua Village. If Tang Yuanxiao asked, they would be capable of fabricating any kind of false testimony. freēwēbnovel.com
She currently had no power or influence, while Tang Yuanxiao had every advantage—time, place, and support. Starting a war with such a huge disparity in power would waste too much time and energy. What would happen to the new life she had worked so hard to build?
’And most importantly, what about her college entrance exam!’
Getting into college was the dream of two lifetimes.
Tang Yuanxiao could afford to take that gamble, but she couldn’t. That kind of life from her past... she’d had enough of it.
Besides, was it worth the risk?
Su Li looked at Tang Yuanxiao across from her and suddenly had the strange feeling of a businesswoman at a negotiating table.
Though she didn’t want to admit it, right now, Su Li was in a position of weakness.
She was in a hurry, and her haste had exposed her bottom line, putting her at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, Tang Yuanxiao, who was in no rush... naturally held the upper hand.
Whoever remained calm had the advantage. This battle for divorce had just begun, and she had already lost half of it.
Su Li watched Tang Yuanxiao, who sat there as solid as a mountain, as the anger in her eyes slowly faded. She asked in a hoarse voice,
"Are you really going to do this?"
Tang Yuanxiao met Su Li’s gaze, his fists tightening, but he slowly nodded. "Yes."
"Fine. Very good." Su Li slowly sat back down, and then she smiled.
"Thank you for the lesson. I’ll remember this, Tang Yuanxiao."
The coldness in Su Li’s eyes was absolute, but her smile was so brilliant it sent a chill down one’s spine.
Tang Yuanxiao knew that he had, in the end, truly angered Su Li.
Beneath the table, his clenched fists slowly relaxed. His face was hard and stern, and he said nothing. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"Six months, is it? Fine. I’ll wait six months. We can talk about the divorce then."
Su Li placed her hand lightly on the table, her fingers tapping a steady rhythm. Each tap seemed to strike directly at Tang Yuanxiao’s heart.
"A promise is a promise. I hope you won’t find another excuse to back out in six months."
’In six months, her college entrance exam will be over, and her business will have stabilized. Then, she could negotiate with him calmly and from a position of strength.’
’At that point, he absolutely wouldn’t be the one calling the shots!’
’The crime of adultery? She’d wait for it. Prison? She’d be ready. We’ll see who has more staying power!’
"I understand what you mean. Don’t worry, I won’t look for more excuses," Tang Yuanxiao replied in a rough voice.
’Six months. He still had six months. How he would win Su Li back in that time was up to him.’
Su Li didn’t speak, and the air in the kitchen grew heavy.
Tang Yuanxiao was the first to break the silence. "Let’s pack and get ready in the next couple of days. We’ll go together. Momo will be six after the New Year, so she can come with us and start school there."
"They have a preschool program. She can attend that before school officially starts in September. Even half a year would be good..."
"I’m not going. For the next six months, I’ll be living in the county town. When the time comes, I’ll find you to handle the paperwork," Su Li interrupted him coolly.
"The county town?" Tang Yuanxiao frowned.
Su Li nodded. "Yes. You don’t need to worry about that part. Just take them with you."
"You can’t go to the county town." Tang Yuanxiao’s expression turned serious. "Su Li, if you don’t go with me and you’re not in the village, but in the county town instead, everyone will think the Tang Family kicked you out. If that happens..."
"Your reputation will be ruined. How is that any different from us divorcing now?"
Su Li was utterly speechless. "Forgetting about the divorce is one thing, but now you won’t even let me go to the county town? What kind of logic is that? Tang Yuanxiao, you give an inch and you take a mile."
Tang Yuanxiao sounded helpless. "Su Li, I’m not taking a mile. I’m just stating the facts."
"There’s nothing in this world harder to stop than rumors. There’s nothing I can do about it, so..."
It all came back to mitigating the fallout from this incident. Tang Yuanxiao took a deep breath. "Su Li, just come with me, alright?"
Su Li stared at Tang Yuanxiao coldly, saying nothing.
