Lin Ruixue looked at Li Shan with a calm expression. She realized she had never truly understood the man beside her.
"If you want to divorce me, so be it. I only want the two children; the rest is yours," Lin Ruixue said faintly.
"Impossible. The children are the bloodline of the Li family, how can they follow you?" Li Shan refused without hesitation. "Don't tell me you don't know what divorce means – it means being kicked out. Nothing from my Li family has anything to do with you."
Lin Ruixue initially chuckled softly, but her laughter eventually turned somewhat desolate. "So, Li Shan, you mean you want me to leave the Li family with nothing?"
Li Shan chuckled awkwardly. "How could I be so heartless? Ruixue, let's not say such hurtful things. Can't we just live our lives properly? I go out to work, and you two stay home to take care of the children. What's so bad about that? You're making such a fuss. If you really get divorced, tell me, can the Lin family take you back? What kind of man can you find in the future? Do you expect to live alone?" Da Feng Novel Network
"Li Shan, how I live in the future is none of your business, but I know that your behavior disgusts me," Lin Ruixue spat.
Li Shan's expression changed. "The children won't go with you either."
"That's why I asked what your conditions are," Lin Ruixue asked. "The deed of sale for your darling is in my hands. If you drive me out, do you think she can stay in the Li family to serve you with peace of mind? Dream on!"
"Although the deed of sale is with you, it's considered Li family property. You want to take it away? No way," Li Shan said smugly. "If a divorced person takes family property, it's against the law. I'll file a lawsuit against you at the yamen, and you know the consequences, right?"
Lin Ruixue witnessed Li Shan's ugly side again. She sneered and said word by word, "Who said that deed of sale is Li family property? The buyer on the deed of sale clearly states Qi Zhenzhen. Her master is Qi Zhenzhen, and she stayed in our house to serve me and do my work. But she is shameless and harbors improper thoughts... Li Shan, tell me yourself, if I am divorced by you, what will her fate be? I think Zhenzhen will definitely not let her have an easy time. Will she be sold to a pleasure house? Or become a wife for a widower in the mountains? I heard those people share one wife among several brothers!"
Before Li Shan could react, Bai Xuelian was already trembling with fear. "Shanzi ge, I don't want to go to a pleasure house, I don't want to be a wife for a widower, I just want to serve you..."
The young girl cried tearfully, eliciting pity and stirring hearts.
Li Shan quickly comforted her. "Lian'er, don't be afraid. Of course, I won't let them harm you."
Then, he looked at Lin Ruixue with disgust. He now felt that this was entirely a scheme by Lin Ruixue and Qi Zhenzhen to trap him. Otherwise, why would Bai Xuelian's deed of sale have Qi Zhenzhen's name on it?
"Speak, what are your demands?"
"I already said, the two children will come with me. I don't want anything else," Lin Ruixue repeated.
Li Shan hesitated. If it were a girl, it would be fine for her to go, but Huzizi was a boy, the bloodline of the Li family...
"Shanzi ge, I'm still young. However many children you want, I'll give birth to them for you," Bai Xuelian said, pulling on Li Shan's collar and acting spoiled. She also glared proudly at Lin Ruixue, her youth something a woman like Lin Ruixue could never compare to.
Li Shan looked at the delicate girl nestled against him and was somewhat moved.
Li Hu also stared at Li Shan with hatred. "If you keep me here, don't expect any peace in the future! I won't let her give birth to children either!"
The young boy's face was sinister, his eyes seeming to spew fire.
Li Shan shivered inexplicably. His son was already sensible. If he continued to resent Lian'er, it would truly lead to domestic discord. If he followed Lin Ruixue, the Li family's blood would still flow within him.
"If I let the two children go with you, will you give me Bai Xuelian's deed of sale?" Li Shan asked tentatively.
Lin Ruixue nodded without hesitation. "A letter of divorce, clearly written, stating that the two children will follow me from now on. I will immediately ask Zhenzhen to give you Bai Xuelian's deed of sale."
Li Shan pondered for a moment and nodded. "Deal."
"This matter cannot just be settled by us talking. Let's go to the village head to get the divorce letter, so he can act as a witness and prevent any future disputes," Lin Ruixue said.
Seeing this, Madam Yu knew that the two were irreconcilable. She stood up, supported Lin Ruixue, and the group headed towards the Song family.
Song Lizheng's mouth gaped open as he heard the cause and effect. This was simply outrageous.
But Li Shan was not his descendant, and he couldn't interfere in their family matters. Most importantly, Lin Ruixue was also resolute.
Song Mingze stepped forward to help write the divorce letter, in duplicate, signed and sealed. Li Shan and Lin Ruixue were no longer husband and wife.
The group went directly to the Qi family. Li Shan entered and demanded Bai Xuelian's deed of sale. Lin Ruixue nodded to Qi Zhenzhen, who went inside, retrieved it, and handed it to Li Shan. "Li Shan, know yourself and your place."
Li Shan paid no mind to Qi Zhenzhen. He was eager to go home, where a delicate and beautiful wife awaited him.
Lin Ruixue slowly explained everything to Qi Zhenzhen. "So, Zhenzhen, I am now homeless..."
"Our family has plenty of houses, Ruixue sister can live here from now on. My mother won't have to worry about having no one to talk to anymore. And Huzizi can study with Yi ge'er," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "From now on, we are family."
Lin Ruixue finally couldn't hold back and burst into tears.
Seven or eight years of affection, gone just like that. She was truly heartbroken.
It was best to vent at this moment. Qi Zhenzhen and Yun Shi did not comfort her, but quietly withdrew, letting Lin Ruixue cry her heart out. Only by venting her frustrations could she better face her future life.
Li Hu stayed obediently by Lin Ruixue's side, his lips tightly pursed, his eyes filled with complex emotions. The small child seemed to have grown up in an instant.
Qi Zhenzhen fetched new bedding and prepared a room for Lin Ruixue in the first room of the west wing.
As for Li Hu, he would temporarily share a room with Yi ge'er. After such a sudden experience, having a companion by his side would be better. The brothers already had a good relationship, and at this time, Yi ge'er could offer more comfort.
To prevent Lin Ruixue from overthinking, the day after she moved into the Qi family, Qi Zhenzhen pulled her to discuss the noodle shop. Having something to occupy her mind would help her feel better. As Qi Zhenzhen had predicted, Lin Ruixue was not one to wallow in self-pity. At least outwardly, her emotions were well-regulated, and she didn't look dejected all day.