Chapter 18: A Smooth Divorce

Lin Anran realized the situation was getting dangerous. She flailed her arms wildly and shouted loudly, “Ershan is trying to kill me!” In anger, she clawed at Gao Ershan with her fingernails. When he didn’t stop, she bit hard into his back. Gao Ershan cried out in pain and cursed, “You little Lin Anran, turning the world upside down!” Then he slapped her.

The commotion quickly drew attention, turning the once-quiet street into chaos. Neighbors, hearing cries of “murder,” got up and rushed to Gao Ershan’s house. Chen Yan also heard the piercing screams, recognized them as coming from Gao Ershan’s household, and hurried over without even fastening her clothes.

By the time the crowd arrived, the gate was locked, so they climbed into the yard and opened it. Hearing the noise coming from the main room, Aunt Wang rushed there, and Uncle Wang yanked Gao Ershan aside. Uncle Wang scolded sharply, “Ershan, what are you doing? Have you gone mad?”

Gao Ershan, seeing everyone in the yard, plopped down on the ground. “Lin Anran wants a divorce.”

“Divorce?” The crowd murmured. With Gao Ershan and Chen Yan’s affair already widely known, the divorce seemed unsurprising. One person commented, “You never liked her anyway. From the wedding until now, you haven’t even shared a bed. Fine, let them divorce…” The crowd murmured in agreement.

Chen Yan, hearing that Lin Anran was divorcing Gao Ershan, realized he would soon be hers, achieving her goal. Her face lit up, and she coquettishly said, “Ershan, you don’t like her anyway. Let’s just divorce!” The crowd, noticing her shamelessness, looked at her with disdain. “Your goal is almost reached,” they muttered, sneering.

Lin Anran touched her burning, sore face. Looking in the mirror, her cheeks were red, marked with a handprint, and her hair was disheveled. She left the main room. The crowd, seeing her messy hair and red marks, glanced at Gao Ershan sitting on the ground, and outrage spread. “He started it! Look at what he did to Lin Anran—no wonder she wants a divorce!” “Divorce is fine!” people murmured.

Hearing the crowd’s disapproval, Gao Ershan suddenly jumped to his feet. “Fine, I agree to the divorce!”

Lin Anran, hearing his consent, felt a surge of happiness. At that moment, she heard, “I do not agree to the divorce.” Chen Yan’s smug smile froze. Lin Anran, hearing this, felt an instant flash of anger.

Her mother-in-law and father-in-law entered, looking intimidating. Lin Anran stood her ground in the middle of the yard, tears streaming, and cried, “Gao Ershan just hit me! That’s not even the worst! On our wedding night, he kicked me out, insulted me for being ugly, beat me—how can I stay here?” She sobbed, recalling the two slaps she had received that day.

The crowd, seeing Gao Ershan’s mother acting so unreasonable, supported Lin Anran. “Your son was in the wrong first. If it doesn’t work, let them divorce—no need to torment her.” “Exactly, exactly…”

Hearing everyone oppose him, Gao Ershan realized the divorce was inevitable. He shouted, “I agree!” The yard fell silent. Aunt Wang stepped forward and said reassuringly, “Anran, don’t worry. I’ll help. Let’s go; I’ll help you pack.” Lin Anran glanced at Gao Ershan and walked into the house.

Gao Ershan, watching her go inside with Aunt Wang, felt emptiness in his heart—he knew there was no chance left with Lin Anran. Aunt Wang, seeing that Lin Anran had saved her child and worried she might have nowhere to stay after the divorce, helped her pack. “If you have nowhere to go, you can stay at my place for now,” she said.

Lin Anran, touched, tears welling up, hugged Aunt Wang. “Thank you, Aunt Wang.” Aunt Wang patted her head, smiling. “Silly child, what are you thanking me for? You saved my child—you should be the one thanking me.” She busied herself preparing clothes. Lin Anran stopped her. “These clothes are too big for me. Don’t bother.” Aunt Wang noticed how much thinner Lin Anran had become and paused. “You’re right. Don’t worry, we’ll get new ones later.”

Lin Anran packed lightly, slung her bag over her shoulder, and left the main room. Aunt Wang wanted to invite her home, but Lin Anran declined, planning to return to her aunt’s house instead. She held Aunt Wang’s hand. “I’ll go to my aunt’s place and make further plans later.” Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she left the Gao household.

Gao Ershan slumped on the ground, head hanging. Chen Yan, seeing Lin Anran leave, smiled triumphantly and stepped forward, pulling at Gao Ershan. “Ershan, get up! The ground’s cold.”

Hearing the familiar voice above him, Gao Ershan felt a surge of disgust and shook off her arms. “Get lost! Go away!” Chen Yan, humiliated in front of everyone, ran off crying, shouting, “You heartless man!”

Gao Ershan, reflecting on Lin Anran’s recent changes—how she cooked for him and cared for him—realized he had fallen in love with her. He suddenly leapt to his feet and ran after her. The crowd wanted to call out but shook their heads, realizing it was futile.

Although Lin Anran’s face burned and throbbed from the earlier violence, her mood was joyful—she had finally escaped that household. She climbed a nearby hill and heard a familiar voice calling, “Lin Anran, I was wrong. Please give me another chance.”

She recognized Gao Ershan’s voice but replied firmly, “Leave me alone! From the moment you betrayed me, there was no possibility for us.” Without looking back, she continued walking.

Feeling thirsty, Lin Anran entered her hidden space, rested briefly, drank water, and ate some fruit. She mentally collected the stored food, fed the livestock, and turned the milk into milk tablets for convenience on the journey. Sated, she emerged from the space.

She crossed two more hills and arrived at her aunt’s house. Villagers whispered, “Who is this beautiful girl? Whose daughter is she?” Lin Anran ignored them. Relying on the original owner’s memory, she reached her aunt’s house. Just as she arrived in the yard, a basin flew out from the house, narrowly missing her, followed immediately by a burst of cursing…