Chapter 48: I Can Give Myself a Home

Zhou Xinyue was almost furious with Xie Yunshu in her heart. She pressed her lips tightly, her eyes reddening: “Zhixing-ge, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not educating the child well. If there’s any trouble again in the future, I won’t let him come to you anymore!”

She showed a broken yet strong expression, pulling Xiao Wei toward the room: “Xiao Wei, it’s mommy’s fault, and mommy’s poor health has dragged you down too.”

Lu Zhixing took a deep breath, feeling that ever since Xie Yunshu brought up the divorce, everything had changed. He still had the divorce application form in his coat pocket and finally belatedly remembered.

Before this, he had promised Xie Yunshu that he wouldn’t interfere with Zhou Xinyue and her son’s matters anymore, but in the blink of an eye, he had broken that promise.

When Zhou Xinyue entered the room, her face immediately darkened. She glanced coldly at Xiao Wei beside her and sneered, “You follow me to eat and live, but in the end, you’re even more pitiful than I am!”

Xiao Wei immediately knelt down shaking his head: “Mom, no.”

“No what?” She slapped his young face harshly and then kicked him, feeling satisfied.

A five-year-old child couldn’t withstand such beating. Xiao Wei lay on the ground for a long time without getting up. He was so young but bit his lip tightly, neither daring to cry nor say it hurt, only staring at the sky outside the window.

Just wait a little longer, when it gets dark, he can sleep, and sleeping means no more pain.

Zhou Xinyue took a steamed bun from the kitchen and threw it on the floor: “From today on, eat properly! You look like you’re about to die every day. People might think I’m abusing you! Zhou Xiao Wei, you’re my son now. If I don’t want you, you’ll have to beg on the streets, get caught by traffickers, you understand?”

Xiao Wei nodded blankly, thinking traffickers aren’t so bad — at least if you obey them, you won’t get beaten.

At this moment, someone knocked on the door.

Outside, Chen Xue’s voice called out: “Xinyue, are you there?”

Zhou Xinyue immediately wiped the expression off her face, grabbed Xiao Wei, and threw him into the bedroom, warning sternly: “Lie down and don’t come out!”

Chen Xue came to check on Zhou Xinyue’s mood. Before this, she always thought it was Xie Yunshu who was holding things up, not wanting the divorce. But after today, it seemed not so. The divorce application already had signatures. Wasn’t that decisive enough?

Now it seemed the one who didn’t want the divorce was actually Doctor Lu?

Thinking this made Chen Xue uneasy. Could it be she had misunderstood all along? Lu Zhixing actually had feelings for Xie Yunshu? If so, her long-time support for Zhou Xinyue might have thoroughly offended Xie Yunshu.

But Lu Zhixing’s care for Zhou Xinyue didn’t seem fake either — he even gave money to her and her son. If they didn’t have feelings, who would believe that? Also, the Lu family’s attitude showed dissatisfaction toward Xie Yunshu, but special kindness toward Zhou Xinyue.

After entering, Chen Xue eagerly asked, “Xinyue, what exactly is your relationship with Doctor Lu now?”

Zhou Xinyue smiled bitterly and shook her head: “Sister Chen, don’t say things like that. Zhixing-ge hasn’t divorced yet. There’s nothing between us.”

Chen Xue’s mind stirred — so if they divorce, then they would be together?

She quickly took out the divorce application Xie Yunshu had slapped on her face before: “Look at this. Today, Xie Yunshu seemed to be talking to Doctor Lu about divorce. She already signed it, but Doctor Lu isn’t willing…”

Zhou Xinyue bit her palm hard. Over the past year, she had spent every day with Lu Zhixing using all sorts of excuses, and only got some money in return. She could tell that Lu Zhixing did have feelings for Xie Yunshu, but because of his pride and arrogance, he thought it was always Xie Yunshu who couldn’t leave him.

Now that Xie Yunshu wanted to let go, he actually refused?

“Zhixing-ge also feels guilty about divorcing Yunshu,” Zhou Xinyue hinted, feeling awkward as she lowered her head. “He’s a responsible person. Sister-in-law, feelings aren’t everything; fate matters too…”

Chen Xue finally relaxed. It seemed Lu Zhixing’s feelings for Xie Yunshu were only out of responsibility. After all, Xie Yunshu currently didn’t have a job, and divorcing now would hurt his reputation.

If she could help push their divorce forward, wouldn’t that make her a heroine in Lu Zhixing’s eyes?

Thinking this, Chen Xue’s heart warmed. She held Zhou Xinyue’s hand and smiled: “You and Doctor Lu have a deep connection. Everyone in our family courtyard sees clearly who’s truly suited to whom!”

Zhou Xinyue lowered her head and smiled silently. If Lu Zhixing didn’t want a divorce, then she would just stir the pot a little more.

After leaving the hospital courtyard, Xie Yunshu went straight to the street office to apply for a divorce referral letter.

“Are you divorcing?” The clerk, a woman in her forties, looked up surprised when she saw the man’s workplace listed as Haicheng First People’s Hospital, but the woman’s workplace blank. “Did the man initiate this?”

Xie Yunshu pointed to her own signature on the application form and explained, “I applied.”

The clerk was even more surprised and sighed, advising earnestly: “It’s normal for couples to argue. Divorce over small matters is too rash. You must learn to tolerate each other! As women, we should be more open-minded. Without a job, how will you live after divorce? Going back to your parents would just be a burden, right?”

Xie Yunshu disagreed with this and asked back: “Can’t I support myself? Do I have to rely on a man? Besides, I’m married or divorced, my parents’ home will always be my home.”

The clerk sighed long again: “You’ll realize after going back that a daughter who marries out is like spilled water. Women are like cattails, no real home. This young lady probably got angry after a few fights and wants a divorce, but she doesn’t know how hard life after divorce is! Back at your parents’ home, will there even be a place for you?”

What if her parents are ashamed? Her brothers think it’s bad luck? Over time, she’d end up wandering outside. Then she’d regret it.

Xie Yunshu knew the clerk meant well and didn’t get mad. Instead, she smiled at her: “Sister, I can give myself a home. Not only that, I can give my parents a home too!”

The clerk was stunned — you can say that? Giving yourself a home? But how can a woman have a home without marrying?

Xie Yunshu placed the referral letter on the counter: “Sister, please stamp it here. I still have to go to court to file the lawsuit!” “Going to court? The man doesn’t want to divorce?” The clerk was even more surprised and looked at Xie Yunshu’s face before smiling knowingly.

This young lady was pretty enough to be confident like this — she wouldn’t worry about remarrying even after divorce.