For Fang Shijun, Lin Ruyuan’s smooth annulment was a blessing. He couldn’t wait to share the good news with Bai Jingshu and urged her to quickly demand a divorce from Ding Ziqiang.
However, while Fang Shijun was daydreaming about a “family reunion,” Bai Jingshu was once again beaten bloody by Ding Ziqiang and returned to the Fang household with her face swollen and bruised.
Previously, Bai Jingshu had been beaten in places not visible, but today, Ding Ziqiang deliberately targeted her face.
He refused to grant a divorce.
Zhou Aihua’s face went pale in shock as she rushed to fetch the first-aid kit to treat Bai Jingshu’s injuries.
Fang Leiluo’s expression was equally grave. Although Bai Jingshu was not yet officially their family’s daughter-in-law, she was the mother of their grandson. Ding Ziqiang treating her like this was a blatant insult to the Fang family.
Bai Jingshu dared not shed tears—the salty sting would make her face hurt even more.
“He said he would agree to a divorce… but only if I paid him 500,000 as compensation. Otherwise, he refuses,” Bai Jingshu said in a choked voice. 500,000 was a staggering sum—ordinary families barely made a few dozen a month. Ding Ziqiang’s demand was outrageous.
“Ugh! How does he dare ask for 500,000? I wouldn’t even give him five!” Fang Shijun fumed, stomping his foot. “He even beat you like this—this bastard, I’m going to settle this with him.”
He jumped up to go confront Ding Ziqiang, but Fang Leiluo stopped him. Acting rashly wouldn’t solve anything and could make things far worse.
Fang Leiluo’s expression was grave. “Jingshu, what else did he say?”
Bai Jingshu sniffled. “He said… I shouldn’t raise so many children for the Fang family for free…”
“500,000? That’s way too much.” Fang Leiluo furrowed his brow deeper. “Is that his final price?”
Bai Jingshu hesitated, nodding slightly. “The Ding family’s business hasn’t been doing well in the past two years. Ding Ziqiang won’t easily let this opportunity to make money go.”
Seeing Bai Jingshu in such a state, Zhou Aihua didn’t even know how to help with her wounds.
Bai Jingshu struggled to suppress her cries, and the three Fang family members felt an ache in their hearts.
At this rate, Ding Ziqiang might actually kill her!
Fang Shijun’s eyes were fixed on Bai Jingshu. “Jingshu, don’t worry about money. I’ll figure something out.”
“What can you possibly do?” Bai Jingshu thought. Fang Shijun had no money, and even Zhou Aihua and Fang Leiluo didn’t have much. The Fang family’s wealth was all in the patriarch’s hands, and he had never liked her. There was no way he would give 500,000 to help her deal with the Ding family!
“Forget it… I know this situation is difficult, but I guess this is my fate. I chose this myself…” Bai Jingshu’s voice was hoarse. “I deserve it, but the children shouldn’t be mistreated. I can endure, but I don’t want them to suffer.”
“The grandfather won’t just stand by and let his great-grandsons be left out in the cold,” Fang Shijun thought, determination settling in his heart. He would go ask his grandfather for the money.
If Grandpa refused, he would kneel in the courtyard and wait until he agreed.
“Jingshu, I also bear responsibility for what happened back then. Don’t take all of it on yourself. I’m grateful that you bore the two boys for me,” Fang Shijun said, eyes full of affection as he looked at her face—honestly, it wasn’t particularly pretty—but the next second, his stomach revolted, and he gagged. “Ugh—”
He thought he could endure it.
But he had underestimated the psychological reaction.
Worried about hurting Bai Jingshu, he waved his hand and explained, “I’ve had an upset stomach these past couple of days. It’s not your face making me feel sick.”
His explanation would have been better left unsaid.
Bai Jingshu hadn’t looked in a mirror and instinctively lowered her head to hide her battered face.
Fang Shijun, as if realizing something, grabbed her arm. “Jingshu, come with me to see Grandpa. Seeing you beaten like this, he’ll definitely feel for you.”
This would increase their chances of getting the money.
In reality, Fang Shijun overestimated his standing in the patriarch’s eyes.
They knelt in the courtyard all day, but the patriarch showed no reaction.
Bai Jingshu’s legs went numb, her knees ached, and the sun made her swelling worse.
Fang Shijun was struggling. “Grandpa, I’m your grandson—your only grandson! Can you really let me kneel here all day?”
The patriarch, having finished his dinner, stepped out. “You’re kneeling here voluntarily. When did I ever tell you to kneel?”
Fang Shijun was speechless.
“Since you’ve already annulled your engagement with Ruyuan, I don’t care who you want to marry next. Why are you bothering me?” the patriarch said impatiently. “Now, leave!”
Fang Shijun hurriedly said, “Grandpa, I need 500,000. Only if I agree to Ding Ziqiang’s terms will he allow the divorce.”
“Heh… 500,000?”
The patriarch sneered. “I told you before—if you could have treated Ruyuan well, all my savings would have been yours. Now you didn’t marry her and you still come asking me for money?”
The Fang family’s wealth mainly came from the clothing factory, originally built by the late Mrs. Fang. After the patriarch retired from the army and his wife passed away, he managed the factory. Even though he had since handed the business to his son, the profits still went to him.
“Grandpa, I’ve already annulled the engagement. Are you really not going to support me, your grandson?”
The 500,000 wouldn’t be difficult for him—the patriarch surely had some savings.
Fang Shijun gritted his teeth. “Grandpa, what do I have to do to get the money?”
The patriarch’s eyes were cold. “You know what I want. Bring her back for me, promise that you’ll never mistreat Ruyuan again, and that you two will live a proper life. Only then will I give you the 500,000. Do whatever you want with it.”
Fang Shijun understood—his grandfather was clearly forcing him!
Bai Jingshu couldn’t bear the shock, swaying unsteadily.
She couldn’t believe the patriarch could like Lin Ruyuan so much. Could a life-saving favor really mean so much? The Lin family had received favors from the Fang family all these years, yet the patriarch was now driving his own grandson into a corner and refusing to recognize his great-grandsons. Was he planning to die alone?!
Bai Jingshu’s mouth twitched sharply. “Grandpa, no matter how you feel about me, I gave birth to your great-grandsons. Fine—I won’t divorce. I’ll drag this out with the Ding family, and Shijun will eventually come up with the 500,000 to bring the three of us home.”
Her words were a clear provocation—daring the old man to outlive her.