Volume One, Chapter Two: Please Sign the Divorce Agreement

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Ji Yanli felt utterly hopeless, sinking into despair day after day. He often lashed out at Shu Xingruo, who loved him with all her heart. If she left him now, she couldn’t bear the thought of him falling further into ruin.

She tended to him with acupuncture, massages, herbal remedies, and nutritional therapy, applying all her lifelong knowledge. It took a whole year, but she finally helped him stand on his feet again.

Yet no matter how sincerely she poured out her heart to Ji Yanli, he stubbornly refused to forgive her.

He believed Shu Xingruo was cunning and scheming, unworthy of his love.

Throughout their six years of marriage, they were like strangers living under the same roof. Ji Yanli would come straight home after work, never seeking other women. He firmly rejected the advances of those who threw themselves at him, and he treated their son well.

Shu Xingruo often thought that maybe, in time, his heart would warm.

Until a month ago.

A month ago, He Xin returned from overseas. She said, “Ali, I forgive your betrayal. Can we start over?”

Ji Yanli didn’t answer her question but responded to every request she made.

Since then, he rarely came home, spending time with He Xin shopping, viewing houses, buying cars... He even often brought their son to meet He Xin.

Lin Anhe quickly drafted a divorce agreement and sent it to Shu Xingruo. She had no greed for Ji Yanli’s wealth; material needs had never been lacking during these years.

She had the best of everything—clothing, food, housing, and transportation. She could buy jewelry and luxury goods whenever she wished.

Every month, he gave her a million in spending money. Lin Anhe’s overseas tuition was paid by her.

Shu Xingruo packed up her everyday belongings, took all her jewelry, printed the divorce agreement, placed it in an envelope, and gave it to Butler Liu.

“When the master returns, give this to him.”

She took her luggage and went back to her maternal grandparents' home.

To be precise, it was her grandfather and grandmother’s house, as she had only ever been raised by them since she could remember.

Her mother, Shu Yue, divorced in anger after her best friend interfered in her marriage. After the divorce, she discovered she was pregnant.

Shu Yue suffered from severe depression after the divorce, and as her symptoms worsened after giving birth, she jumped to her death when Shu Xingruo was three.

That best friend who had interfered was none other than He Xin’s mother, Tian Yufen.

Tian Yufen had forced the marriage with her pregnancy, but Shu Yue would not tolerate any injustice and decisively divorced.

Though she appeared strong in public, she could not endure the double betrayal from a close friend and lover, falling into deep melancholy. Even her father, Shu Yanzhao, a master of traditional Chinese medicine, was powerless.

Grandmother Ning Kefang saw Shu Xingruo arrive with her luggage and asked, “Ruo Ruo, what are you doing?”

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Shu Xingruo whispered, “I’m divorcing Ji Yanli. I’m moving back here for now.”

Ning Kefang hugged her tenderly. “Good child, that man is like a stone in a cesspit—not worth keeping.”

In six years of marriage, Ji Yanli had never accompanied Shu Xingruo back to her hometown; she always came alone with their child.

Ning Kefang despised Ji Yanli from the bottom of her heart.

She released Shu Xingruo and asked, “Why didn’t Xuxu come back with you?”

Shu Xingruo sniffled, “He said he wants to stay with Dad.”

Ning Kefang’s heart ached even more, and tears welled up: “Ji Zhixu really is their Ji family’s blood, with a heart as hard as stone.”

She knew how important Ji Zhixu was to Shu Xingruo, having personally cared for him since birth.

She had abandoned her career to raise him healthy and happy, only to be repaid with the words, “I want to be with Dad.”

Those words shattered Shu Xingruo completely.

That night, Ji Yanli took Ji Zhixu to celebrate He Xin’s birthday.

He Xin’s parents were still in Gangcheng and hadn’t come.

The entire birthday banquet was arranged by Ji Yanli at a five-star hotel’s banquet hall. The venue was filled with dahlias, He Xin’s favorite flowers, all airlifted early that morning.

Many business elites and He Xin’s close friend You Hongna were invited—the same woman who once handed Shu Xingruo that drink.

Backstage, You Hongna said to Ji Yanli, “President Ji, if it weren’t for Shu Xingruo’s scheming back then, today Xin Xin would be Mrs. Ji.”

Ji Yanli said nothing. He was not yet ready to divorce Shu Xingruo; after all, she had healed his legs.

Shu Xingruo had given him a second chance at life.

Ji Zhixu overheard the remark and was displeased, plotting how to deal with You Hongna later.

When they reached the banquet hall, Ji Zhixu deliberately knocked You Hongna over. She lost her balance and fell.

Her plump body collided with the champagne tower, which came crashing down like an avalanche.

You Hongna was soaked and cut by broken glass, looking utterly miserable.

Before she could react angrily, Ji Zhixu began to cry: “I’m sorry, Aunt Xin Xin, I didn’t mean to knock into the chubby auntie.”

You Hongna said, “You clearly did it on purpose.”

Ji Zhixu cried, “Chubby auntie, I’m sorry. I just lost my balance. I really didn’t mean it.”

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Ji Yanli heard the commotion ahead and quickly approached Ji Zhixu, crouching to comfort him: “It’s okay, it’s just a champagne tower. As long as you’re not hurt, that’s what matters.”

He Xin’s face turned pale. She had planned to pour champagne at the start, but now everything was ruined.

There was no time to set up again, and she didn’t want to blame Ji Zhixu. Being tactful, she comforted him, “Xuxu, it’s okay. Auntie doesn’t blame you.”

You Hongna hadn’t brought a change of clothes and had to leave early. She glanced at Ji Zhixu, who was still sobbing with guilt.

She thought perhaps she had overreacted, and it was just an accident.

At the moment of the grand entrance, He Xin appeared in the latest high fashion gown, wearing a necklace worth millions, arm in arm with Ji Yanli.

He was handsome and upright, the head of the Ji Group—everyone envied He Xin for finding such a boyfriend.

Guests showered her with gifts and blessings; she was treated like a princess all night.

After the birthday celebration, Ji Yanli returned home. Butler Liu handed him an envelope.

“The madam asked me to give this to you before she left.”

Ji Yanli frowned. For the past month, whenever he came home, Shu Xingruo was either ignoring him or acting cold and sarcastic.

He refused to take the envelope. “Throw it away.”

Butler Liu hesitated. “Sir, madam left with her suitcase today.”

Ji Yanli said coldly, “Don’t concern yourself with her.”

Ji Zhixu sensed something was wrong. Running upstairs, he shouted, “Mom, I’m home!”

No one answered. He searched every room but couldn’t find Shu Xingruo.

She had never left him since he was born.

He hurriedly called her, but she didn’t pick up. She wanted to sever ties with her son as quickly as possible—better to endure short pain than long.

Ji Zhixu ran downstairs crying, “Dad, Mom ran away. Her things are gone. I called her, but she didn’t answer.”

Ji Yanli bent down, hugged him, and wiped away his tears. “A man doesn’t cry. Your mother’s been upset lately. She’ll come back in a few days.”

Ji Zhixu shook his head. “No, Mom said this morning that you two are getting a divorce.”

“Divorce?”