Li Jingye nodded.
“That’s exactly what happened.”
The Li family was left speechless.
When had the timid little girl they had raised become a vicious wolf?
When she bit, she showed no mercy.
Mother Li was hit the hardest.
“Once bitten, twice shy,” she murmured bitterly. “We’re never adopting another child again.”
She had been the one who raised Cao Zhizhi with her own hands.
No one had poured more love into that girl than she had.
Father Li sighed deeply.
“I never imagined Cao Aiguo’s daughter would turn out to be so despicable.”
“She’s brought shame to her father’s good name.”
Mother Li shook her head.
“When a woman becomes consumed by jealousy, reason goes out the window.”
“If she can’t have something herself, she doesn’t want anyone else to have it either.”
Grandpa Li let out a long breath, relief lingering on his face despite everything.
“Fortunately, Jingye was cautious enough to inspect the study beforehand.”
“Otherwise… the Li family would’ve already been finished.”
Compared to a charge of treason…
A relative living overseas was nothing.
“Grandpa…”
Li Jingye corrected him.
“It wasn’t me.”
“It was Yun Wan.”
“She insisted on checking the study.”
“And she was the one who found the photo album.”
Li Jingye was an upright man.
If he hadn’t earned the credit, he wouldn’t claim even a fraction of it.
Especially when the person who deserved it…
Was his wife.
The Li family was stunned all over again.
After a long silence, Father Li sighed.
“Whatever happened before…”
“After everything she’s done today…”
“She’s the Li family’s benefactor.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Father Li patted his son’s shoulder.
Then he sighed.
“Son…”
“Before we leave…”
“Try your best to meet her conditions.”
“Divorce her.”
Li Jingye fell silent for a moment before nodding.
“I understand, Dad.”
Yun Wan had saved the Li family.
He couldn’t drag her down with them.
She might have said she no longer wanted a divorce…
But he couldn’t be so selfish.
Mother Li’s lips moved slightly.
In the end…
She said nothing.
Upstairs, Yun Wan had no idea that the Li family had already planned her escape route for her.
After locking the bedroom door, she immediately entered her laboratory space.
The first thing she did was head straight into the bathroom.
She took the quickest shower imaginable and changed out of the original owner’s underwear and clothes.
Only then did she finally feel alive again.
Although the body belonged to the original host…
She simply couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling of wearing someone else’s intimate clothing.
Fortunately, her laboratory space contained everything she could possibly need.
Food.
Clothing.
Shelter.
Daily necessities.
In an era when even the simplest items were difficult to buy, it was incredibly convenient.
She picked out a pair of black slacks and a sky-blue button-up shirt.
After tucking the shirt neatly into her waistband, she braided her long hair into a single plait resting over one shoulder.
By the time she stepped back into the living room…
She looked completely refreshed.
Li Jingye’s heartbeat skipped.
Why does she somehow become prettier every time I see her?
“Wanwan, are you feeling better?”
Mother Li immediately stood up, took Yun Wan’s hand, and seated her beside herself.
Then she poured her a glass of water.
“Have some water.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
Yun Wan accepted it with a smile.
As she tilted her head back to drink, she noticed Mother Li staring at her in astonishment.
“Mom?”
“What’s wrong?”
Mother Li hurriedly shook her head, her eyes already reddening.
“N-Nothing…”
They had been married for an entire month.
This…
Was the very first time Yun Wan had called her Mom.
And perhaps…
The last.
After all…
She and Jingye were about to divorce.
Before Mother Li could sink further into those thoughts, Li Jingye spoke.
“I’ll go with you later.”
“We’ll take care of the paperwork.”
Yun Wan looked at him in confusion.
“What paperwork?”
“The divorce paperwork.”
His tone was much calmer now.
Yun Wan nearly sprayed the water she’d just swallowed.
“Cough… cough…”
“Li Jingye!”
“I already told you I’m not divorcing you.”
“You even said upstairs that you trusted me.”
“So why are you changing your mind now?”
“Wanwan…”
Before Li Jingye could answer, Mother Li’s excited voice interrupted.
“Are… are you serious?”
The family had fallen.
No one knew where they would be exiled.
Her eldest son had already been branded as a “bad element.”
What respectable young woman would ever marry him in the future?
If Yun Wan divorced him now…
Her son might remain a bachelor for the rest of his life.
Wouldn’t that mean…
The Li family line would end?
She knew it was unfair to Yun Wan to remain married under such circumstances.
But forgive her selfishness as a mother.
If Yun Wan stayed…
She would spend the rest of her life treating her like her own daughter.
Yun Wan looked at Grandpa Li, Father Li, Mother Li, and finally Li Jingmo.
“Grandpa.”
“Mom.”
“Dad.”
“Little Brother.”
“I will not divorce Li Jingye.”
She repeated her position once more.
Then she turned to Li Jingye.
“I’m not going with you to file for divorce.”
“And don’t even think about secretly filing without me.”
“Ignoring a woman’s wishes is against the law.”
Under her fierce glare…
Li Jingye quietly nodded.
“My child…”
Grandpa Li spoke gently.
“Do you understand what refusing this divorce means?”
Yun Wan nodded without hesitation.
“I do.”
“I’ve already made up my mind.”
“Wherever you go…”
“I’ll go.”
Li Jingmo blurted out,
“You’re coming to the countryside with us?”
The room fell completely silent.
Not only was she refusing a divorce…
She intended to follow them into exile?
Yun Wan smiled softly.
“If we’re husband and wife…”
“How could we live apart?”
Besides…
As long as they remained legally married, the Revolutionary Committee wouldn’t allow her to stay in the city anyway.
Li Jingmo muttered under his breath.
He truly couldn’t understand women.
Just yesterday she had insisted on divorcing his brother.
Now she was insisting on suffering alongside the entire family.
Were women always this unpredictable?
The thought made him shiver.
Mother Li hesitated.
“But… could you really endure life in the countryside?”
She wanted desperately to keep her daughter-in-law.
But Yun Wan looked so delicate.
How could she possibly withstand farm work?
Yun Wan smiled sheepishly.
“Mom…”
“Honestly…”
“I probably can’t.”
“I’ve never done farm work.”
“And I really can’t bear hardship.”
“That’s why I was making such a fuss about getting divorced before.”
She lowered her head slightly.
Her eyes gradually reddened.
“But…”
“I’m even more afraid of being separated from all of you.”
“You know what my family is like.”
“To be blunt…”
“The moment word spreads that the Li family has fallen…”
“If I divorce Jingye…”
“My stepmother will immediately marry me off to someone.”
Watching her look so vulnerable made Li Jingye’s heart ache.
Still, he interrupted.
“Your grandfather wouldn’t allow that.”
Yun Wan shot him an exasperated glare.
“My grandfather wouldn’t.”
“But he’s getting older.”
“How many more years can he protect me?”
“And if I divorce you right now…”
“How would I be any different from someone who abandons people when they’re down?”
“If Grandpa found out…”
“He’d definitely scold me for forgetting the kindness your family has shown me.”
She said those words deliberately.
The original host’s grandfather had adored his only granddaughter.
Had she simply divorced under ordinary circumstances…
He never would have blamed her.
But in the original novel, the irresistible pull of the plot had driven the original host to commit one heartless act after another.
Only then had the old man finally died of heartbreak and anger.
Her voice grew quieter.
“Besides…”
“What kind of family would willingly accept a divorced woman?”
“Rather than being tormented by some unknown in-laws…”
“I’d rather go to the countryside.”
She looked directly into Li Jingye’s eyes.
“Besides…”
“I’ll have you.”
“You won’t let me suffer, will you?”
Almost instinctively, Li Jingye shook his head.
Of course he wouldn’t.
He would never willingly let her suffer.
But…
Life in the countryside was hardship itself.
His emotions were in complete turmoil.
He had to admit…
He knew far too little about his new wife.
One moment she’d been desperately demanding a divorce.
The next…
She was firmly refusing one.
It was almost as though…
After bumping her head…
She had become an entirely different person.
“I won’t let you suffer.”
His answer was unwavering.
A satisfied smile curved Yun Wan’s lips.
Just as expected…
He really was exactly her type.
Responsible.
Capable.
Reliable.
The Li family exchanged glances.
…
For some inexplicable reason…
They suddenly felt as though they’d been force-fed a mouthful of affection. (Or, as the saying goes, they felt “unexpectedly full” from watching the couple’s interaction.)