Chapter 126: Too Heavy-Handed

Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Too Heavy-Handed

The moment Ruan Yongxing got off work that evening, he rushed over to Yao Yuzhen’s place in a frantic hurry.

"Did it work? Did she agree to leave?"

He blurted out the question the moment he walked in, not even bothering to change his shoes.

In his mind, it was a sure thing.

’A girl who grew up in the countryside... the biggest bill she’s probably ever seen is fifty yuan.’

’Toss a few thousand yuan in cash at her now, and it’d be a miracle if her head wasn’t spinning!’

’Where would she find the time to wonder if it was real or fake?’

He was certain he’d won.

But three seconds after the words left his mouth, he could tell something was wrong.

Yao Yuzhen’s face was ashen, and Shen Shuangshuang, standing half a step behind her, had a twitching at the corner of her mouth.

"That shameless little bitch had already hidden the old woman away! She was just putting on a show for the two of us!"

She then poured out a torrent of other complaints.

Ruan Yongxing had only listened to half of it when a thought suddenly popped into his head.

’Shen Zhenwu’s offspring... they really are one sharper than the next.’

’They’re not easy to fool!’

He flopped down into a chair with a long sigh.

"Oh... so she’s that sharp, is she?"

"This just got a little tricky."

"She set a trap for you right in front of the old woman..."

He turned to Yao Yuzhen, his tone softening.

"People believe what they see with their own eyes. The Shen Family... they’re probably going to hold this against you. This is..."

Before he could finish, Yao Yuzhen cut in through gritted teeth.

"I should have thrown her out long ago! I should have listened to you back then and tossed her as far away as possible! Then none of this crap would be happening!"

Ruan Yongxing sighed again, a muffled sound, and patted her on the shoulder.

"You’re her biological mother; it’s instinct to have a soft spot. But while a mother is born to protect her cub, the child... might not appreciate it."

"Don’t get too worked up. Just deny it, no matter what. In the end, Shen Zhenwu will still protect you."

"Right! Just insist that the old woman and Shen Songyao ganged up to frame you!"

Shen Shuangshuang hastily chimed in.

Yao Yuzhen suddenly gave a soft laugh.

"Actually, this is fine too."

"I’ve wanted to give up for a long time. For the past few years, there’s been an ache deep in my bones."

"Those words... they weren’t said on a whim. That was the truth I’ve been holding in for over a decade."

She let out a long breath.

"Now that it’s out, I actually feel... lighter."

Ruan Yongxing’s eyes narrowed, his gaze darkening.

"But if you just leave like this, do you think Shen Zhenwu will let you off easy?"

"He’s not the type to let go."

Yao Yuzhen turned her head and looked straight at him.

"Back when I was young, I didn’t even dare to think about having a choice."

She smiled, the corners of her eyes lifting slightly.

"Things are different now. My options are wider. I want to try walking to the beat of my own heart."

She turned her head. Ruan Yongxing barely managed to contain the cold glint in his eyes, quickly forcing a concerned smile.

"You... are you really planning to get a divorce?"

"Yes."

She nodded.

"He’s tired, and I’m even more tired. It’s not a physical exhaustion, but an emotional one."

The moment she said this, the faces of Shen Shuangshuang and her father went pale.

Shen Shuangshuang was the first to jump up. She squatted right in front of Yao Yuzhen, her face upturned, the rims of her eyes turning red on command.

"Mom! If you leave Dad, what will happen to me?"

"I’m not his biological daughter... He’ll definitely throw me out."

"Where will I live? Who’s going to pay for my school? Who will be with me when I’m sick?"

Yao Yuzhen reached out, placing a warm palm on top of her head.

"Silly girl, Mom will support you."

The words were warm, but Shen Shuangshuang flinched as if she’d been burned.

’Support me?’

’Yao Yuzhen hasn’t even been to the supermarket by herself more than a few times over the years. What income does she have?’

"But Mom... you don’t have a job," she blurted out.

The hint of a smile on Yao Yuzhen’s face froze.

’That’s right. Without a job, how can I support anyone?’

She rubbed her temples and suddenly remembered something.

"What if... I open a small shop? A jewelry shop!"

"Your grandfather started his business doing just that. When I was little, I spent every day behind the counter playing with beads. Picking out threads, tying knots, appraising goods—I know it inside and out."

"Mom,"

Shen Shuangshuang immediately interrupted.

"If you get divorced, do you think Dad will let you take any money?"

Ruan Yongxing immediately took a step closer, slowing his speech.

"Yuzhen, Shuangshuang has a point. It’s a huge disadvantage to ask for a divorce now."

"You’ve spent half your life as a dutiful wife in the Shen Family. To end up with nothing, what’s the point?"

"Besides, you still want Shuangshuang to marry into the Shen Family’s second branch. If you leave, can that marriage still happen?"

Shen Shuangshuang nodded quickly, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes.

Yao Yuzhen said nothing, only slowly removing her hand from her daughter’s head and letting it fall to her lap.

Ruan Yongxing stood up.

"Shuangshuang, heat up something for your mom to eat. I have to go."

"Dad, you’re not eating here tonight?"

Shen Shuangshuang quickly stood up as well.

Ruan Yongxing waved a hand, saying no more.

Once the door closed, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Yao Yuzhen didn’t say a word. She turned and went back to her room without touching a bite of food.

She wasn’t eating, and Shen Zhenwu wasn’t touching his chopsticks either.

Ever since he went upstairs at noon, he hadn’t shown his face, holed up in his study without moving.

Wang Chunlan brought his lunch up, and when she went to collect the tray in the afternoon, the bowl and chopsticks were untouched.

Yang Wanqing was so angry she slapped her thigh.

"What have we done to deserve this!"

As Shen Songyao comforted her grandmother, she was muttering to herself inwardly.

’That kind of stubbornness can’t be fixed in a day or two.’

When Shen Rongjing came home from work that evening, Yang Wanqing pulled him aside and explained everything that had happened.

This time, it was Shen Rongjing himself who went upstairs carrying a thermal food container.

Shen Rongjing stood at the door and said,

"Grandpa, Grandma, and Song Yao are all worried about you."

Shen Zhenwu looked down, rubbing his hands together, a little embarrassed.

"I’m fine... It’s just..."

Shen Rongjing didn’t beat around the bush.

"Times are different now. If two people are just going to live every day holding in their resentment, it’s better to let go and find your own peace."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and went downstairs.

No matter how much sense you talk, if the person hasn’t woken up yet, it’s all just a waste of effort.

And so, Shen Zhenwu stayed cooped up in his study, barely drinking any water and not sleeping a wink.

When he came downstairs the next morning, his chin was covered in stubble.

Shen Songyao looked up and was nearly frightened by the sight.

’Oh no, was I too harsh?’

’Forcing my nearly fifty-year-old father to snap out of his love-struck daze...’

"Dad..."

she called out tentatively in a low voice.

Shen Zhenwu heard her, turned his head, and managed to pull his lips into something that could barely be called a smile.

"Are you going to work today, Song Yao? Dad will drive you in a bit."

Song Yao quickly waved her hands.

"No, no, it’s okay, Dad! I’m getting a ride with my brother and his wife!"

"Well... then you should get some more rest!"

The words had barely left her mouth as she reached the turn in the staircase. She suddenly stopped, turned her head, and added one more thing.

"Dad, people get married to have a happy life. Even if you get divorced, you can still live a good, honest one!"

With that, she scurried down the stairs, taking them two or three at a time.

Shen Zhenwu stood rooted to the spot, not moving for a long time.

Only after the footsteps and the sound of the door closing downstairs had faded did he slowly come back to his senses.

Then, he turned and went back to the master bedroom, washed his face, shaved, went downstairs to eat a hot breakfast, and then left the house.

By the time he arrived at the building where Yao Yuzhen lived, the clock had already passed eight-thirty.

The stairwell was dimly lit as he climbed the concrete steps one by one.

He raised his hand and knocked. After a long series of KNOCKS, he finally heard the slow shuffle of slippers approaching from inside.

Yao Yuzhen was the one who opened the door.

The moment she saw it was him, her listless expression instantly turned cold.

Before, Shen Zhenwu had always played dumb, never taking it seriously.