Chapter 1287: Divorce—My Only Condition

The old lady finished speaking, and Lin Hua burst into laughter—

Then, she felt a bit embarrassed.

The old lady understood her thoughts and patted her: “Don’t be embarrassed. Jingyao has wronged you, so you shouldn’t forgive him easily.”

Lin Hua pressed her lips together, still somewhat embarrassed, and the old lady squeezed her hand: “Just do it this way! I’ve lived long enough to know that men are truly incorrigible unless they’re disciplined. Use your methods to teach that scoundrel a lesson. If he doesn’t learn his lesson, feel free to tell me, and I’ll help you teach him.”

Lin Hua smiled reluctantly: “Mom, we’ve divorced.”

The old lady just smiled without saying anything.

Divorced, and still calling me Mom!?

…

Lin Hua snapped back from her memories. In front of her, Zhao Mo Ran was watching her, so she smiled: “Just make sure you don’t realize by the end that you’re leaving the person you love.”

Zhao Mo Ran was somewhat touched; she moved her lips, lowered her head, and took a sip of tea: “I… don’t feel that way about him.”

Lin Hua smiled slightly: “If that’s the case, it’s even easier to handle. You’re still young, aren’t you?”

She only spoke halfway, as the rest of the sentence was inconvenient to say.

It’s just that if Zhao Mo Ran doesn’t seek love but only desires a peaceful life, then things are fine as they are. However, if she holds hope, living like this with Chu Ci is completely unnecessary.

After saying a few more words, Lin Hua took her painting and left first. Zhao Mo Ran sat in the original spot, slowly drinking the last half cup of tea. She knew she had been out for a long time but felt reluctant to move and return home.

Because Chu Ci was at home.

She sat for about another half-hour before picking up the check on the table. It was for one million, a price she felt was quite high. She held it in her palm and suddenly thought that if… on the day she left Chu Ci, perhaps she could also take good care of Xun Xun.

She put away the check and was about to rise when she looked up and was startled—

In front of her was Chu Ci’s mother, the lady of the Chu Family.

Zhao Mo Ran pressed her lips together and gave a very faint smile: “Mom, you were looking for me.”

Madam Chu never liked this daughter-in-law, feeling her family’s background wasn’t enough and she was quite aloof, which she disliked even more about her cold demeanor. Therefore, her attitude was even colder, only responding with an “mm” and sitting down, “Sit down, I have something to discuss with you.”

Zhao Mo Ran slowly sat down and ordered a glass of milk for Madam Chu, knowing she couldn’t have coffee due to her health. When the milk arrived, Madam Chu held the cup and softly asked: “You were talking with Lin Hua earlier?”

“Mm, she asked for two of my paintings.” Zhao Mo Ran didn’t conceal anything.

Madam Chu breathed a sigh of relief—

That’s good, just ordinary acquaintances make things easy.

So she spoke again in a calm tone: “You know about Chu Ci’s matters outside, right?”

Zhao Mo Ran nodded.

Madam Chu fixed her gaze on her, continuing slowly: “If Mom asked you to do me a favor?”

Zhao Mo Ran’s heart was as clear as a mirror; she knew Madam Chu didn’t like her, and this time, she had come just to make her accept Song Yunfei’s child. So she simply said: “Tell me.”

Madam Chu was accustomed to being self-centered, but this time she spoke easily: “The child is innocent, and Yunfei is still young; it’s her first pregnancy. Chu Ci’s father and I both want to keep the child, but Chu Ci disagrees. So… Mo Ran, I know you’re the most sensible one, so I think you wouldn’t cruelly force Yunfei to abort the child. After all, it’s also Chu Ci’s flesh and blood, isn’t it? You love him and wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.”

Zhao Mo Ran listened quietly, feeling mostly a sense of ridicule and numbness. After a while, she softly spoke: “But I don’t love Chu Ci, so I can’t accept an illegitimate child.”

Madam Chu’s heart was instantly enraged. She believed she had spoken kindly to her, but there seemed to be no room for negotiation, so Madam Chu spoke coldly: “Mo Ran, don’t forget how much Chu Ci has done for the Zhao Family, without the Chu Family, the Zhao Family…”

“Mom, I’m very grateful.” Zhao Mo Ran lifted her eyes, smiling slightly.

Madam Chu frowned, feeling she was somehow different, but couldn’t pinpoint why. So she stared at Zhao Mo Ran, trying to discern something…

Zhao Mo Ran was silent for a moment before continuing: “I can accept Miss Song’s child, not only accept but also give the child a legitimate status.”

“Really?” Madam Chu asked suspiciously: “Are you genuinely willing to raise this child yourself?”

If Mo Ran were truly so magnanimous, this outcome wouldn’t be unacceptable, at least Madam Chu could accept it. She didn’t particularly like Song Yunfei; she just found her obedient, and if Zhao Mo Ran could be obedient, then why need Song Yunfei at all, wanting only the child in her womb.

Madam Chu made her wishful calculations, and Zhao Mo Ran was aware of it; she didn’t get angry, just smiled slightly: “But I have one condition. I think… for Madam Chu, it’s not difficult.”

Her address raised Madam Chu’s guard: “Mo Ran, what do you mean by this?”

Zhao Mo Ran was always mild-mannered, never having made any transaction with anyone. The only one was her marriage to Chu Ci, and unexpectedly, the second was still related to that marriage. She couldn’t say she felt no fear, but there was no retreat for her. Continuing this marriage would only bring shame.

Therefore, she spoke each word clearly: “I want three hundred million, I can divorce Chu Ci, and additionally, Xun Xun belongs to me.”

Madam Chu immediately narrowed her eyes: “You want a lot—both the child and the three hundred million. Mo Ran, I didn’t realize you had such ambition over these years.”

Zhao Mo Ran lowered her gaze: “The three hundred million is to be returned to Chu Ci; I won’t take a penny. I want to take Xun Xun with me; Chu Ci will have more children in the future.”

Mrs. Chu sneered, “Do you think I would agree?”

Zhao Mo Ran looked up, “You must agree, otherwise the child will not be born.”

Mrs. Chu stared at her, as if trying to see through her, to know all her thoughts. Zhao Mo Ran did not hesitate, “Unless there’s a divorce, the child will not be born.”

Mrs. Chu was somewhat annoyed, “Do you really think Chu Ci will listen to you?”

Zhao Mo Ran chuckled lightly, lowering her eyelashes, “Let’s wait another two months.”

Just after she spoke, Mrs. Chu interrupted, “Alright, three hundred million! I want to ensure this amount gets to Chu Ci.”

Just a woman after all, the money staying with the Chu Family, Chu Ci is just changing wives, and besides she didn’t think Chu Ci valued her much either. Moreover, Zhao Mo Ran not loving Chu Ci was intolerable for Mrs. Chu; since there’s no love, there’s no need to stay by Chu Ci’s side.

After she spoke, Zhao Mo Ran looked at her directly, “How long will it take?”

Mrs. Chu thought for a moment, “Three hundred million is not a small amount, I have to handle some fixed assets to gather it, a week perhaps, I’ll settle everything and contact you within a week.”

With that, she sneered, “Zhao Mo Ran, dismissing Chu Ci, your ambition is too high.”

“I don’t dismiss him; I’ve just never truly had a choice.” Zhao Mo Ran sighed lightly.

Mrs. Chu watched her for a bit longer, leaving with a complex expression.

The matter resolved, Mrs. Chu felt relieved, but her heart was uncomfortable with her son being spurned this way… yet this path was Mo Ran’s own choice, so she couldn’t blame her heartlessness.

Mrs. Chu departed, Zhao Mo Ran sat there quietly for a while, then rose to leave.

Driving back to the villa, it was already one in the afternoon. Sitting in the car, feeling some hunger made her realize she hadn’t eaten lunch, which brought a self-deprecating smile.

Opening the car door, to her surprise, Chu Ci stood beside the car, she jumped a little, feeling slightly guilty, “Why are you here?”

“Have you eaten?” Chu Ci held her hand, “Where’s your coat?”

Zhao Mo Ran just remembered, turning her head, “In the car.”

She wanted to fetch it, but Chu Ci reached over, grabbed her coat, and draped it over her, “Alright, let’s go eat.”

Being pulled along by him, she involuntarily asked, “You… haven’t eaten yet?”

As she spoke, subtly trying to pull her hand away, but Chu Ci just held tighter, “Not yet.”

Zhao Mo Ran looked down at the hand held tight, said nothing, just followed Chu Ci into the dining room. Seated, she glanced at the dishes on the table, surprised; not health-conscious meals, but ones she usually likes.

She took a bite, smiled at Chu Ci, “It tastes good.”

Chu Ci served her more dishes, then said, “I made it myself.”

She looked at him in surprise for a long moment before she gave a shallow smile, “Really? I didn’t expect you’d cook.”

Chu Ci looked at her.

He could indeed cook, and quite well, he did these for Chu Yan’s favorites, but after Chu Yan left years ago, he hadn’t done so. He didn’t mention this, but softly said, “If you like, I’ll often cook for you.”

Such a blessing, Zhao Mo Ran couldn’t bear.

So she reluctantly smiled, “You’re busy with the company, no need for this; the maid’s cooking suits me just fine.”

Chu Ci listened, leaning back, his gaze fell on her face, “I plan to relocate to an apartment when Xun Xun grows a bit older.”

“Why?” Her heart chilled, she looked at him involuntarily.

Chu Ci was very composed, “You don’t need to work, when Xun Xun is older, you can care for him, we’ll hire a helper for chores, I’ll manage the rest.”

Initially, she wanted to argue, but thinking of the future… she and Chu Ci didn’t have a future, so she just smiled to agree.

Chu Ci felt satisfied, served her more food, casually said, “Xun Xun had milk, rest after dinner.”

She nodded, showing compliance.

After eating, she returned to the master bedroom to rest. Chu Ci lingered a while, then went to the study, seemingly for work. After he left, she lay down, clenched her fist, motionless for quite a while… She could tell Chu Ci wanted a life together, but it was too late! She dared not imagine how Chu Ci would react once knowing her plans… but right now, she couldn’t think about it…

Lost in thought, she fell asleep, waking to find Chu Ci’s enlarged handsome face. She immediately sat up, fiddling with her hair, “How long did I sleep?”

“It’s four o’clock.” Chu Ci smiled faintly, “Xun Xun is still asleep.”

He didn’t bother her, merely soothing her long hair, “One million?”

She paused briefly, then smiled too, “Yes, one million.”

Chu Ci’s tone lightened, “Quite nice. Paint a couple of pieces for me, I’ll hang them at home and in the office. As for the price, let’s follow Lin Hua’s rate.”