Chapter 19: Divorce

Tang Jianshe’s eyes lit up. “A son! I want a son!”

Grandpa Tang nodded, seeing his son’s eagerness. “Of course. I’ll find you a wife, and you’ll have your own son, someone to take care of you in your old age.”

With Grandpa Tang’s assurance, Tang Jianshe smiled and nodded. “Okay, I agree to divorce Qin Xueqiong.”

Why would he cling to the aging Qin Xueqiong when he could have a young and beautiful new wife?  Once she arrived, he could have a son.

While Tang Jianshe was happily anticipating this, Qin Xueqiong was also pleased.

Tang Xiaorou watched her mother packing. “Mom, don’t take these. When we go to Shen Huaixu’s place, we’ll buy new ones.”  They didn’t have much to pack; their clothes were patched and worn-out.

But Qin Xueqiong felt reluctant.

“Child, these clothes are still wearable. We don’t need to buy new ones.”

Tang Xiaorou pulled Qin Xueqiong to sit down. “Mom, we should consider Shen Huaixu. If his acquaintances see his wife and mother-in-law dressed like this, what will they think of him?”

Qin Xueqiong stopped packing.

“You’re right. We can’t embarrass Xiao Shen.”

Little Liang and Little Yan came over. Little Liang curiously asked, “Are we leaving?”

Tang Xiaorou smiled and nodded. “Yes, we’re leaving soon. I’ll take you to find your father.”

Little Yan clapped her hands happily.  Even Little Liang’s eyes showed a hint of joy.

Shen Huaixu was different to them. They hadn’t seen their father much since birth and had few memories of him. Their mother had beaten and scolded them, and after receiving their father’s pension, she wanted to abandon them to remarry.  Little Liang understood everything.

On the day their mother tried to abandon them, Shen Huaixu appeared. After learning about their situation, he immediately found their mother and transferred custody to himself. Uncle Shen became their father.

They hadn’t spent many days with their new father before being sent here.

Fortunately, their father had good judgment; their new mother and grandmother were kind to them.

Seeing the children’s happiness, Tang Xiaorou teased, “Are you this happy?  Weren’t we good to you?”

The children shook their heads. “Good. Very good.”

They had chicken soup on their first day, their grandmother sewed them clothes, and made them delicious food. They loved their new mother and grandmother.

“Oh, my Little Liang and Little Yan are so good.”

Qin Xueqiong’s heart melted.

Tang Xiaorou took out the prepared ointment. “Come, let me apply some ointment.”

After applying the ointment, Qin Xueqiong took them to bed. Tang Xiaorou took a charcoal pencil and wrote down her plans before resting.

The next morning, Tang Xiaorou heard an argument from the main house.

Grandma Tang said excitedly, “I don’t agree to your divorce from Qin Xueqiong!”

“Mother, Qin Xueqiong and I have no feelings left. We must divorce.” Tang Jianshe was firm.  The thought of a young and beautiful new wife made him eager to divorce Qin Xueqiong.

Grandma Tang pointed at Tang Jianshe’s nose and scolded, “What do you mean ‘no feelings’? You even married off your daughter! What feelings are you talking about?  Which family in the village has divorced? If you divorce Qin Xueqiong, our family will be the laughingstock of the village!”

Tang Jianhua chimed in, “Second brother, what will you do after the divorce? Will you be a bachelor? Don’t divorce if you can avoid it. I think it’s Erya causing all this trouble. Talk to Qin Xueqiong; you can still make this marriage work.”

“Yes, Jianshe, you’re so old, why are you getting a divorce?”

Li Cuilan wasn’t concerned about the couple; she was tired of doing all the housework.  Qin Xueqiong and Tang Xiaorou used to do all the work. Now that they’ve stopped, she has to do it all. If Qin Xueqiong divorces, she’ll have to keep doing it.

Even Tang Xiangdong and Tang Rufang were surprised that their uncle had agreed so quickly. Was it because of Tang Xiaorou’s recent troublemaking?

Finally, Grandpa Tang spoke.

“Let him divorce. Go get the divorce papers done today.”

Grandma Tang looked at him. “Old man, have you lost your mind? Why would you agree to the second son’s divorce?”

Grandpa Tang said gloomily, “I said let them divorce.”

Seeing Grandpa Tang’s stern expression, Grandma Tang was startled, but she knew that he wouldn’t change his mind once he’d made a decision.

Seeing his grandmother wavering, Tang Xiangdong said, “Are we really letting Qin Xueqiong and that mother-daughter pair off the hook?”  Because Tang Xiaorou had gotten married without permission, he lost the money for his wedding, so he didn’t want Tang Xiaorou to get her way.

“Enough!  Haven’t I made myself clear?”

Grandpa Tang was already in a bad mood because of Tang Xiaorou’s threats. Hearing the family’s objections, he became even angrier.

Seeing Grandpa Tang’s anger, everyone fell silent.

Tang Jianshe took the household registration book and found Qin Xueqiong. “Let’s go to the village and then to town to handle the paperwork.”

Qin Xueqiong, realizing it was time, turned to Tang Xiaorou. “Xiaorou, are we coming back after we finish?”

“No, why would we come back?”

Grandma Tang and the others came out. Hearing Tang Xiaorou, she pointed at the mother and daughter and cursed, “Hmph… I want to see how Qin Xueqiong will live after the divorce. Jianshe can marry a young and beautiful woman, but you, an old hag, can only marry a cripple or widower. Your life will be miserable.”

Tang Xiaorou sneered. “Let’s see who has a miserable life.”

After Tang Jianshe and Qin Xueqiong went to the village, the whole village knew they were divorcing. Everyone was incredulous.

“What’s going on? Didn’t Tang Erya just get married?  Why are Tang and Qin Xueqiong divorcing?”

“Yes, where will Qin Xueqiong go after the divorce? Doesn’t she have anyone in her family?”

“Exactly. Her divorce might drag Tang Erya down.”

People gossiped, but Tang Xiaorou and Qin Xueqiong couldn’t hear them. After getting the necessary documents from the village, they went to town to get divorced.

After Qin Xueqiong received the divorce certificate, she stared at it, then carefully put it away. 

She looked at Tang Xiaorou and the children with relief.

“Xiaorou, Little Liang, Little Yan, let’s eat at the state-run restaurant.”