Chapter 137: A Clean Break

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: A Clean Break

Yi Haoran suddenly laughed.

"A thousand yuan? That’s extortion, you understand?"

Shen Shuangshuang: "..."

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Yi Haoran added another comment offhandedly.

"You should try to talk some sense into Aunt Yao. Why get so worked up over an outsider?"

The word "outsider," like a needle, stabbed straight into Yao Yuzhen’s heart.

In truth, she had long since grown to dislike Shen Zhenwu, and by extension, she couldn’t even bring herself to care about the children they’d had together.

But in everyone else’s eyes, she and Shen Zhenwu were in the same boat.

’And now I’m supposed to speak up for Ruan Yongxing?’

’People will say I’m siding with an outsider, that I’ve lost my mind.’

’Maybe...’

’I really should get this divorce over with.’

’Make a clean break and cut ties with this whole miserable lot for good.’

Her mind made up, Yao Yuzhen shot to her feet, her voice as cold as ice shards.

"There are no insiders, and there are no outsiders. Shen Zhenwu and I are getting a divorce immediately. Once it’s done, I’ll have nothing more to do with the Shen family."

Yi Haoran’s hand, holding a glass of water, froze.

Hearing from Shen Rongjing in secret that his parents were going to separate was one thing.

But for Yao Yuzhen to throw that statement out in person was something else entirely.

He opened his mouth, his throat dry.

"A-Aunt Yao, are you and Uncle... having a fight?"

"What married couple doesn’t bicker? My mom and dad..."

Before he could finish, Yao Yuzhen had already turned and walked toward Ruan Yongxing.

She wasn’t going over to persuade him, but to relay a message.

"The Shen family is throwing their power and money around. Shen Rongdan has already been taken away. They also said that if you don’t agree to a settlement, you’ll be spending the night here."

"They’re trying to force you to bow down! I’m going to find Shen Zhenwu tomorrow to sign the papers and get the certificate! Once I have the divorce certificate in hand, if anyone dares to touch you, I’ll call the police immediately and have them thrown in jail!"

Ruan Yongxing opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

He almost couldn’t catch his breath.

’I thought the Shen family was rich and easy to fool, that I could use this chance to make a quick buck.’

’Turns out they’re rich, alright, but they’re not fools. They couldn’t be bothered with my outrageous demands.’

’Instead, I got a beating first and was just dumped here.’

’Spend the night in a holding cell?’

’Forget it!’

"What about the thirty yuan?"

Yao Yuzhen didn’t dare tell the truth—that Shen Rongjing had only been willing to fork over five yuan. Admitting it would make her seem weak and useless.

So she told a lie.

"They gave it to me. I’ve got it in my pocket. I’ll give it to you later!"

"Fine, fine. Just my bad luck."

He glanced at Yao Yuzhen, then softened his tone.

"Yuzhen, don’t be upset. This really isn’t your fault."

"It’s my fault. I didn’t understand the situation, I had no sense of propriety, and that’s why I made the Shen family’s second son fly off the handle."

He knew perfectly well that Yao Yuzhen was the type to respond to kindness, not force.

The more considerate he was, the more he admitted fault, the more she would feel that the Shen family was being unreasonably domineering.

Sure enough, Yao Yuzhen’s voice grew tight.

"How could this be your fault?"

"You were beaten black and blue, and you still have to turn around and say it was your fault? Is there any justice in this world?"

"I’m the one who has wronged you, Yongxing."

She lowered her head, her voice soft.

"That thousand yuan, I’ll give it to you when we get home."

Ruan Yongxing quickly waved his hands.

"Oh, how could I possibly accept that?"

Yao Yuzhen immediately raised her voice.

"It’s not my money! It’s from the Shen family!"

"If I’m giving it to you, just take it. Don’t be shy. They didn’t hold back when they were bullying you, so why should you take a beating for nothing?"

Ruan Yongxing wrung his hands.

"Yuzhen, I... this really isn’t right..."

Yao Yuzhen looked at him quietly, then slowly let out a long breath.

"Yongxing, from the very beginning, I’m the one who has wronged you in this. If you take the money, it would put my mind at ease."

Ruan Yongxing waved his hand, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Since you’ve put it that way, how can I refuse? If I keep pushing it away, I’ll just look insincere."

"But let me make one thing clear: I’m just holding onto this money for you. If you ever need it, even if it’s just one yuan, I’ll give it back immediately."

He reached out and took it. At this, Yao Yuzhen’s shoulders relaxed, and her whole demeanor lightened.

’The thought that had been bouncing around in my head finally burst forth.’

’I’ll take all the money, every last cent!’

’From now on, I’ll spend it all on him. It’ll be my way of atoning, and a deliberate slap in the face to the Shen family!’

’Doesn’t Shen Rongjing always go on about how Dad risked his life for this money?’

’Fine, then! I’ll use the money his dad risked his life to earn to clean up the massive mess his younger brother made!’

She waved the stack of cash in her hand, her smile bright.

"It was always meant for you, so just take it! I don’t expect you to pay me back, and I certainly don’t need it!"

Ruan Yongxing didn’t say another word.

Yao Yuzhen turned and led the way out.

Yi Haoran saw them to the door, swung his leg over his motorcycle, and revved the engine.

"Aunt Yao, where are you and Shuangshuang headed? If it’s on my way, I can give you a lift."

The matter of the divorce had already blown up, so Yao Yuzhen couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries. Her face hardened as she replied curtly.

"No need."

Yi Haoran didn’t insist.

"Alrighty then, I’m heading out."

「The Shen Residence.」

Shen Rongjing slammed the front door open.

Shen Rongdan followed him in, each of their faces darker than the other.

Song Yao’s heart sank.

’Oh no. It looks like Second Bro hit a serious brick wall this time.’

"Big Bro, what brings you home so early today?"

She trotted over to greet him, her voice as sweet as honey.

’I have my suspicions, of course, but I have to pretend I don’t know anything.’

’Otherwise, it would make me seem too calculating!’

"Huh? Why is Second Bro back with you?"

Before she even finished speaking, Song Yao’s eyes darted to the side and immediately locked onto Shen Rongdan’s left cheek.

There was a faint red mark there.

"Second Bro!"

She deliberately raised her voice.

"Your face... who scratched you?"

After shouting, she immediately straightened her shoulders and tilted her face up, putting on an expression of pure confusion.

Shen Rongdan had gone to confront Yao Yuzhen, so everyone knew perfectly well who had left the mark on his face.

Song Yao hadn’t shouted like that to put him in an awkward position; she was genuinely afraid that if he kept being so clueless, he would eventually be led astray by Yao Yuzhen.

’This biological mother of his is really getting ahead of herself.’

"Oh my! Who hit my grandson?!"

Hearing the commotion, Yang Wanqing and Shen Lixin rushed over.

"You got hit?"

"Where does it hurt? Let Grandma see!"

His grandfather and grandmother flanked him, gently prying away the hands he was using to cover his face.

Shen Rongdan had no choice but to reveal the side of his face where the red mark was clearly visible.

"Who did this?"

Yang Wanqing’s eyebrows shot up.

Shen Rongdan’s lips moved, but the words were stuck in his throat. He couldn’t get a single one out.

But the old lady understood immediately.

"Did your mother do this?"

"Did you catch her with that man from outside? Was she afraid you’d make a scene, so she slapped you?"

As soon as she said this, Shen Rongdan and Shen Rongjing both whipped their heads around to look at their grandmother.

Shen Songyao quietly raised her hand and said in a small voice.

"This morning, the Cultural Relics Bureau ran out of the glue we use for restoring ancient paintings, so I clocked out early. It was too early to go home, so I was just wandering around town. After passing two traffic lights, I saw Mom in front of a small shop with a glass door. She was holding Shuangshuang’s hand, and a middle-aged man was standing next to her."

"The man wasn’t particularly tall or short, about five-foot-nine. I took a closer look, and the more I looked, the more I felt that he and Shuangshuang looked like they were carved from the same mold."

"I thought to myself at the time, ’Could that man really be Shuangshuang’s biological father?’"

She paused, tilting her head with a look of innocent confusion.

"But that can’t be right. Why would Mom be hanging out with Shuangshuang’s biological dad?"