Chapter 57 - 56: The Anxious Mom

Chapter 57: Chapter 56: The Anxious Mom

The Xiao Family.

Xiao Ran’s mother, Qiu Yuru, was lying comfortably on her bed applying a face mask when she heard her phone ring.

She picked up the phone from beside her pillow and paused when she saw the caller ID. ’My in-law is calling me?’

It was already nine o’clock. Her intuition told her it was probably something urgent!

She quickly sat up and put the phone to her ear. "Hello, my dear in-law."

Hearing Xiao Ran’s Mother’s pleasant tone, Mrs. Yan was certain she didn’t know about the two children’s divorce yet.

She squeezed her palm and began tentatively.

"Ah, my dear in-law, there’s something I wanted to ask you..."

Qiu Yuru replied amiably, "What is it? Please, go ahead."

Mrs. Yan’s voice was hesitant. "It’s... it’s about Lili and Xiao Ran... about their divorce. Did you know?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yuru’s eyes widened in shock.

Her face mask nearly fell off!

"What?"

’Divorce?’

’How is that possible?’

"Why would they suddenly get a divorce out of the blue?"

Qiu Yuru was from Suzhou and had been in the fireworks business in her early years. To be precise, she sold firecrackers.

Her personality was like a firecracker, too—she’d explode at the slightest provocation.

After their son got married, she and her husband discussed it and decided the business was a bit too dangerous, so they simply closed up shop.

After all, their son had his own family now, and they didn’t need much money. The couple had started their retirement early, focusing on their health and getting ready to welcome a grandchild.

But they never expected that instead of getting a grandchild, their son would get a divorce!

To be honest, Qiu Yuru was truly shocked. She even wondered if she had misheard.

On the other end of the line, Mrs. Yan’s words were sincere.

"Sigh, honestly, I truly can’t bear to part with a son-in-law like Xiao Ran. I’ve tried to persuade them so many times these past few days, saying everything I could, but those two just won’t get back together. I was at my wit’s end, so I decided to call you to see what you think."

From her tone, Qiu Yuru understood this was no joke.

’It seems they really are divorced!’

’And they’re both dead set on it!’

Her mind felt chaotic. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and then said into the phone, "Don’t you worry yet. I’ll have a good talk with Xiao Ran and find out what’s really going on. We’ll talk again after that."

With that, she hastily hung up the phone.

’That damn brat! How dare he get divorced behind my back?’

’Something this huge, and he didn’t even tell us?’

’Does he even see me as his mother anymore?’

At this thought, the fire in her heart flared up, feeling like it was about to scorch the top of her head.

Xiao Shengrong, who was reading in bed, looked over at his wife’s face with a worried expression. He had just overheard something about a divorce on the phone, and seeing his wife’s face now, he was sure that their brat, Xiao Ran, had gotten divorced!

"That kid! How could he not tell the family about something so important!"

Honestly, he couldn’t understand Xiao Ran’s actions.

’Did he really think he could hide something like this from them forever?’

Qiu Yuru was in no mood to talk to him right now. In the blink of an eye, she had already dialed Xiao Ran’s number. She was going to demand an explanation for what was going on!

Meanwhile, Xiao Ran was still typing away when he heard his phone ring and quickly picked it up.

When he saw it was a call from his own mother, a bleak feeling washed over him—the truth will always out.

He put the phone to his ear, his voice laced with an unconcealable guilt.

"Hello, Mom."

"Let me ask you, did you get a divorce?" Qiu Yuru’s tone was grave.

Hearing this, Xiao Ran, who was staring at his computer screen, felt his heart clench.

’Looks like she knows.’

’It’s over. I’m definitely in for a lecture!’

To be honest, what Xiao Ran feared most wasn’t the scolding, but hurting his parents’ feelings.

He already lived far from home and couldn’t be by their side to fulfill his filial duties. Instead, he was making them worry about him in their old age.

He always felt that he had let them down.

He pressed his lips together. "Yeah, I did."

Hearing Xiao Ran’s affirmative answer...

Qiu Yuru took a deep breath. Out of anger, her voice shot up three octaves, sounding deafening.

"You rotten brat! You really went and got a divorce! How long were you planning on hiding something this big from your father and me?"

’Never mind whether you should have divorced or not. A divorce is a huge deal, and not even telling your own parents... that’s just terrible!’

Xiao Ran sounded helpless. "It’s not that I was planning to hide it from you forever. I was just afraid you’d get all worked up and angry."

"So if you don’t tell me, I won’t get angry?" Qiu Yuru was so incensed by his logic she almost laughed. "I’m asking you, why did you get a divorce!"

Xiao Ran sighed and laid it all out. "There’s no particular reason. We just didn’t love each other anymore. We couldn’t go on."

The problems between them had appeared long ago. Forcing it wouldn’t have led to anything.

It was better to make a clean break so neither of them would hold the other back.

His tone was so calm, as if he were describing something that had nothing to do with him. It was clear this wasn’t a decision made in a fit of pique, but one that came after careful consideration.

A tone like that made her forget all the harsh words she had prepared.

Qiu Yuru pressed her lips together and fell into deep thought.

She frowned. "You’ve thought it through? No regrets?"

Although she was Yan Li’s mother-in-law, she hadn’t had much contact with her over the years. Yan Li was always busy with work, and Qiu Yuru wasn’t the type to meddle in her son and daughter-in-law’s lives.

So, her contact with Yan Li was limited.

She just felt that the girl seemed a bit aloof and cold, with a rather detached personality.

Beyond that, she really didn’t know much else.

Xiao Ran tried to reassure her. "I really don’t regret it, Mom. Please don’t worry about it. We’re already divorced. Besides, your son has his arms and legs; he’s perfectly fine. I’ll definitely find you another daughter-in-law in a few years, so don’t you worry."

Qiu Yuru didn’t know what to say at this point.

All that was left was to sigh.

"Mom, don’t sigh. It’s okay," Xiao Ran said with a faint smile.

Hearing this, the anger in her heart completely transformed into sadness and heartache.

This was the son she had raised for over twenty years; it would be a lie to say her heart didn’t ache for him.

Her voice was filled with an indescribable worry. "Silly boy, I’m worried about you. How did you end up being the one comforting me?"

’Xiao Ran is the one getting divorced, not me.’

’He’s the one who has to live the rest of his life. Why is he comforting me? He’s the one who should be comforted.’

Xiao Ran said faintly, "I’m really fine. Please don’t worry."

Qiu Yuru was still a little worried. "You’re really not getting back together?"