Chapter 8: File for Divorce

This plot isn’t going the way it should!

“I know exactly what you’re going to say. I’m not angry, and there’s no misunderstanding. After the divorce, who you marry is none of my business. This marriage was a mistake from the beginning. It’s already been three years, and the gossip has died down. Getting divorced is good for both of us!”

She genuinely believed that a good man like him shouldn’t be trapped in an unhappy marriage. She also didn’t want to follow the path of the original supporting female character, who died young. Divorce would free her from toxic in-law relationships—a win-win.

Lan Yuchu looked at Lin Qiyue and asked, “Do you like someone else?”

“Nope!” she responded without hesitation.

Lan Yuchu had been questioning her, but hearing that made him feel a lot better.

“If you don’t, then stop thinking about divorce. Since we’re married, we should live our lives properly instead of talking about divorce all the time. Besides, our parents would never agree to it.”
Seeing the look on Lin Qiyue’s face, he added, “I don’t agree either.”

Lin Qiyue couldn’t help but ask, “Then what about Comrade Duan Yueman—the one you like? Isn’t she still waiting for you? If you don’t divorce me, she’ll never get her chance.”

“Who said I like her?” Lan Yuchu frowned. He had already explained this, why wouldn’t Lin Qiyue believe him?

“Everyone in the compound says so. You two grew up together—you were always meant to be a couple! I’ve been here for a long time too. She’s turned down all her family’s matchmaking attempts and refused other suitors just to wait for you.”

Lin Qiyue said this based on the original host’s memories. Duan Yueman’s devotion was well-known. The novel also mentioned that Lan Yuchu and Duan Yueman were once childhood betrothed. But later, due to the Lan family being sent to the countryside and the resulting class disparity, no one talked about it anymore. Now that the Lan family was back, everyone just tacitly acknowledged it. Duan’s family never stopped their daughter from keeping in contact with Lan Yuchu either.

Both sets of parents had no objections.
The only tragic figure was the male lead’s short-lived wife—Lin Qiyue herself.

After Duan Yueman eventually married into the family, she was known for her gentle personality, getting along especially well with Shen Qingmiao (the mother-in-law), always sharing the best things with her and the kids. But when those kids grew up and married, their wives couldn’t get along with Duan Yueman—especially the eldest daughter-in-law, who looked just like Lin Qiyue in her youth. She stirred up so much trouble that Shen Qingmiao was driven to death from anger.

Lan Yuchu believed Lin Qiyue must’ve misunderstood something. He said softly,
“I’ll handle this matter myself. Let’s get some sleep, okay?”

Since the issue stemmed from him, it was his responsibility to fix it.
He refused to divorce. After all, Lin Qiyue had no parents and nowhere to go. She was so fragile—what if someone bullied her?

To Lan Yuchu, if he didn’t love anyone, it didn’t matter who he married.
But now that they were already married, he had to take on the responsibility of being a husband.

Since Lan Yuchu refused to continue the conversation, Lin Qiyue had no choice but to let it go for now.
Anyway, she still needed time to adapt and get used to life here.

This era had no modern technology, and she wasn’t sure how long she could survive in it.
Everything had to be done by hand. No takeout. No online shopping. Nothing.

Lying in bed, she couldn’t fall asleep at all.
There was a man right next to her, and the sound of his steady breathing filled her ears, sending tingles through her entire body.

This was the first time she had ever shared a bed with such a handsome guy.

Lan Yuchu, perhaps exhausted, fell asleep quickly. He didn’t care about anything else.

But in the middle of the night, Lin Qiyue—who had a habit of tossing and turning—gradually rolled closer to Lan Yuchu in her sleep.
Feeling something cling to him, Lan Yuchu opened his eyes in a daze.

Lin Qiyue was nuzzling into his chest, arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
She murmured softly, “Good brother, don’t move…”

Her voice was sweet and fragile, which made Lan Yuchu feel both helpless and stirred.
Her leg even draped over him, hugging him like a giant teddy bear.

“You were just talking about divorce earlier, and now you’re clinging to me? Women really are impossible to understand!” he muttered.

He had already taken a train all day, rushed straight home, and then dealt with the drama of her jumping into the river—it had been an exhausting day.
But now? How could he sleep with her like this?

The woman was fast asleep, completely oblivious, holding onto him like her life depended on it, muttering in her dreams the whole night.

“Soldier brother, so handsome!”
“Handsome brother, you’re so good-looking!”
These were all rather bold and flirtatious words!

Lan Yuchu thought to himself—she was definitely talking about him.

---

The Next Morning

At dawn, Lan Yuchu returned from his morning run and saw his mother making breakfast in the kitchen.

“Mom, I bought breakfast—it’s all hot, no need to cook anymore,” he said, placing the food down.

He’d passed by the commune’s breakfast stall while running and picked up some fried dough sticks and steamed buns.

Qian Xiuying frowned while cooking noodles and replied, “That little bit won’t be enough. Your father came home late last night—he can’t eat tough food like that for breakfast, he needs something soft.”

She had spent the entire night sleepless, worrying about her son and Lin Qiyue’s situation.

Seeing that his mother was already cooking, Lan Yuchu put the food aside and glanced into the house—his wife was still asleep.
Not wanting to wake her, he went to the kitchen to help.

“Mom, I’ll help you with the fire.”

While he was crouched by the stove lighting the fire, Qian Xiuying looked at him seriously, then suddenly pulled him up and asked,
“Second son, tell me the truth. Is your wife trying to divorce you? Or are you trying to divorce her?”

Lan Yuchu frowned immediately and shot back,
“Mom, what are you talking about? Who said anything about divorce?”

“Your little sister heard it at your door yesterday—said that Qiyue wants a divorce,” Qian Xiuying said, holding a spoon, looking worried.

Lan Yuchu thought back to their conversation last night, and about Lin Qiyue. He didn’t reply right away.

Seeing his silence, Qian Xiuying grew anxious. She grabbed the front of his shirt and whispered warningly:
“This is a special time—we absolutely can’t afford a divorce. Besides, if Qiyue really divorces, where can she go? You two need to find a way to get along. Feelings come with time. Best would be to have a child soon.”

Lan Yuchu disagreed and said firmly, “Mom, Qiyue is so thin, how could she have a child right now?”

Qian Xiuying let go of his shirt, making her stance clear:
“Your father and I are firmly against it. If she gets upset, you go comfort her. Buy her a little gift, treat her better. Give it a few days—once her emotions settle, everything will be fine! You’ve been away all these years; of course it’s been hard on her. It’s my fault—I didn’t take care of her feelings properly.”

She added, “Later, when you go out, take her along. Let her get some fresh air. Talk things out clearly, understand?”

When her son didn’t respond, she gave him a stern look.
“Did you hear me?”

Lan Yuchu reluctantly answered, “Got it. Don’t worry.”

At that moment, Lan Yusui opened the door, still half-asleep, wearing her school uniform and carrying her backpack.

“Little sister, eat breakfast before heading to school—it’s still early,” Qian Xiuying said kindly.

It was rare for her to have the time to make a proper breakfast at home.

Hearing her mother’s concern reminded Yusui that her second brother was back.