Chapter 129: Divorce

Hearing this, Yu Xiangnian was stunned, with an expression of disbelief. After a moment of silence, she asked, “You liked me a long time ago?”

Cheng Jingmo, with reddened eyes, nodded. “Yes.”

“How long ago?” Yu Xiangnian asked again.

Cheng Jingmo’s voice had a nasal tone. “Since the second time I saw you.”

Yu Xiangnian laughed, her smile tinged with sarcasm.

So, Cheng Jingmo had liked the original Yu Xiangnian for a long time, but the original Yu Xiangnian never knew.

But Cheng Jingmo liked the original Yu Xiangnian, so what about her?

She thought their relationship was built over time, that Cheng Jingmo liked her for her soul and character, not just her appearance.

“Let’s get a divorce. I’ll find a place to move out as soon as possible,” Yu Xiangnian said, her smile fading and her eyes becoming blurry. “Don’t tell Yu Xiangyang about this. I’ll find a proper opportunity to tell my family.”

Cheng Jingmo felt pain from his chest to his throat, a pain that made every word he spoke feel like it was stabbing his heart.

“Why… do we have to get a divorce?”

Yu Xiangnian’s chest also felt like it was being pricked by needles. She sniffed and said, “The Yu Xiangnian you liked isn’t me! I’m not the Yu Xiangnian you liked at first sight! I’m the Yu Xiangnian who has been reborn, with independent thoughts and personality. I want someone who appreciates my inner self, not just my appearance!”

Cheng Jingmo: “…”

She isn’t Yu Xiangnian? Yu Xiangnian isn’t her?

Why were her words so convoluted?

How could she not be Yu Xiangnian?

The person who made him fall for her at first sight, he couldn’t be mistaken!

She had just changed in character. The old Yu Xiangnian had been distant, never giving him a proper look, and he could only silently admire her, hoping for just one glance.

Now, the current Yu Xiangnian was vibrant, bringing vitality into his life. He yearned for her, greedily wanting to possess her…

After a long pause, Cheng Jingmo said hoarsely, “Yu Xiangnian, think about it a little longer. It’s getting late; you should rest.”

He had been sitting on the edge of the bed, and now he picked up his pillow and walked out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Inside and outside the door, both of them, drained of strength, lowered their heads.

Neither of them slept well that night.

Cheng Jingmo pondered Yu Xiangnian’s convoluted words deeply.

Yu Xiangnian couldn’t accept being a substitute and was determined to get a divorce.

She calculated that with the money she had earned, buying a place should be enough. However, she needed to figure out how to hide and avoid being found by Yu Jiashun temporarily.

After three to five months, when Yu Jiashun and Zhao Ruozhu had calmed down, she would reappear.

The next morning, Yu Xiangnian went to see Brother Ping to finalize the housing arrangements.

“I happened to find out two days ago that there’s a house for sale. I hadn’t had a chance to tell you yet!” Brother Ping, with his sharp eyebrows and a look of surprise and confusion, asked, “Is it really that urgent?”

Although Yu Xiangnian and Cheng Jingmo hadn’t interacted much, Brother Ping had a good impression of Cheng Jingmo. Despite being quiet, he was steady, decisive, and reliable.

Yu Xiangnian was attractive, had a good personality, and was capable.

He couldn’t understand why such a well-matched couple needed to separate.

Yu Xiangnian said, “Then take me to see it now.”

Brother Ping took Yu Xiangnian for a twenty-minute walk to a house.

This area was a residential district in the east of the city, with many families living nearby and a lot of foot traffic. The location was quite good, and with so many neighbors, it felt safe.

They knocked on the door and entered the house. The homeowner showed Yu Xiangnian around.

After passing through a large gate, there was a small yard enclosed by walls.

The house was divided into the main room and the annex. The main house had a living room and a bedroom, while the annex included a kitchen and a storage room.

Houses in Nan City were generally similar. Some were larger with an extra bedroom or an additional annex, but there wasn’t much to choose from.

Although this house was a bit small, with the main area around sixty to seventy square meters, it was enough for her alone.

They sat down to discuss the price.

Brother Ping, familiar with the market, often helped negotiate the price, which ended up at 760 yuan.

With Brother Ping’s guarantee, they signed an agreement, and Yu Xiangnian paid a 200 yuan deposit.

The homeowner needed five or six days to move out, and the remaining balance would be paid when the house was officially handed over.

This took the whole day.

As Yu Xiangnian and Brother Ping left the homeowner’s place, smoke was rising from the chimneys of the surrounding houses, signaling the start of dinner.

“Brother Ping, you’ve helped me so much. Let me treat you to dinner,” Yu Xiangnian offered.

Brother Ping laughed, “Don’t mention it. If we’re talking about help, your family has saved my son’s life.”

Yu Xiangnian modestly replied, “I wouldn’t call it saving.”

“Well, you’ve also saved my life and found such a good teacher for Rui Rui,” Brother Ping said generously. “Tonight, I’m treating you. If you need anything in the future, just ask. Consider me your friend.”

Yu Xiangnian didn’t put on airs. “Alright, I’ll be living here from now on. We’ll have more chances to meet. I’ll treat you next time.”

Dinner was with four people, including Rui Rui and Haozi.

Rui Rui sat in the middle, with Brother Ping and Haozi on either side, making it look like a family of three.

Poor Yu Xiangnian, alone and envious, ate an extra bowl of rice.

Not satisfied, she brought four meat buns back for Xiao Jie.

Haozi, unaware of the divorce plans, joked, “You’re so generous with food. You like kids so much, why don’t you have one yourself?”

Yu Xiangnian replied, “And why don’t you have one? You take care of Rui Rui like your own child.”

Haozi awkwardly scratched his head. “I don’t have a wife!”

Yu Xiangnian bluntly retorted, “Well, you’re still an old bachelor then!” At his age, still no wife.

Haozi said, “With your sharp tongue, only your quiet husband can tolerate you!”

Brother Ping changed the subject and urged Yu Xiangnian, “It gets dark early, you should head back!”

Yu Xiangnian rode her bike home to find the two men, big and small, studying at the table.

“Aunt, you’re finally back!” Xiao Jie’s eyes lit up.

Cheng Jingmo immediately put away the textbooks and paper. “We can eat now.”

He brought several dishes from the kitchen. Yu Xiangnian, feeling embarrassed, said, “I’ve already eaten.”

She hadn’t expected the two to be waiting for her while hungry.

Wasn’t it mealtime? Didn’t they eat first?

Yu Xiangnian took four meat buns from her bag and handed them to Xiao Jie. “These are for you.”

Cheng Jingmo expressionlessly set the dishes on the table and said to Xiao Jie, “Then let’s eat.”

Xiao Jie placed a meat bun into Cheng Jingmo’s bowl. “Uncle, have a bun first.”

Cheng Jingmo looked at the bun in his bowl, hesitated for a moment, and then started eating.

He was upset and had considered not eating the bun, but doing so would only make his relationship with Yu Xiangnian worse.

It was one thing to be upset, but he shouldn’t take it out on Yu Xiangnian.

Seeing Cheng Jingmo eat the bun, Yu Xiangnian finally felt a bit relieved.