Liang Yurou and Gu Qingya sat on the sofa like frightened quails—Father Gu in this state was terrifying.
Yuan Limei helped Gu Shaoxuan to his feet and scolded, “This is all that little bitch Nanzhu’s fault. She was the one who seduced Xiaoxuan back then, and now she’s caused such a huge mess, not even able to protect a child properly.”
“She’s an ungrateful wretch. You took her in, raised her, and gave her a home, yet she’s turned our household upside down.”
Father Gu shot a fierce glare at Liang Yurou, his voice filled with helplessness: “In that case, let’s do as Xiaozheng suggested. Tomorrow, withdraw fifteen hundred from the savings bank.”
Yuan Limei’s heart ached at the thought. Their entire savings amounted to only a few thousand, and losing fifteen hundred at once felt like having her flesh carved out.
“Is fifteen hundred too much?”
Father Gu glared back: “Then let her take it to court. If this blows up, your son will lose his job, I’ll lose mine, and even Shaoping in the military will likely be affected.”
With that, he turned and strode upstairs.
Yuan Limei’s chest heaved with rage. Gu Shaoxuan said quietly, “Mom, listen to Dad.”
Gu Qingya gritted her teeth: “Mom, we can’t let that bitch get off so easily.”
Yuan Limei hugged her, and the two sobbed together. Liang Yurou sat there, distracted.
Even if Nanzhu managed to get that money, she’d need to be alive to spend it.
“Mom, Qingya, don’t cry yourselves sick.”
“Brother Shaoxuan, you’re hurt. Let me help you apply some medicine?”
Gu Shaoxuan nodded slightly and stood up, saying to Yuan Limei, “Mom, let’s settle this tomorrow so she doesn’t cause a scene at the school staff quarters and embarrass me.”
“After all, Xiaozhu and I will remarry sooner or later. When that happens, the money will come back to us.”
Liang Yurou’s expression stiffened. She lowered her eyes and said meekly, “I’m sorry for causing you all this trouble.”
“Yurou, don’t overthink it. It’s not your fault—it’s Xiaozhu who’s being unreasonable.”
Gu Shaoxuan sighed softly. “Come upstairs with me.”
Liang Yurou helped him up the stairs, biting her lip as she asked softly, “Brother Shaoxuan, after the divorce, where will Nanzhu live? Will she come back here?”
Gu Shaoxuan hesitated, glancing at her. “Xiaozhu is an orphan with nowhere to go. I’ve arranged for her to stay at the school staff quarters.”
Only then did Liang Yurou remember there was another residence she hadn’t checked.
Gu Shaoxuan taught at a junior college quite far from home—over half an hour by bicycle.
To spare him the daily commute, Nanzhu had lived with him at the staff quarters.
“Then tomorrow, I’ll go with you to the staff quarters to pack your things? Will it be too tiring for you to bike to and from school every day after that?”
“It’s fine. Xiaozhu has been emotionally unstable lately and might have upset you. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Gu Shaoxuan’s tone softened considerably. “Once she calms down, I’ll make her apologize to you.”
Liang Yurou gently stroked her slightly rounded belly and said tenderly, “I don’t blame her. I just want my son to be born safely and have a proper identity so he can be registered.”
“Brother Shaoxuan, thank you for being willing to help me.”
She had no intention of keeping this child—she would pin it on Nanzhu to make Gu Shaoxuan despise her even more. Only then would she have a chance to conceive the Gu family’s true heir.
Gu Shaoxuan wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
After a night’s rest, Nan Jin’s spirits had improved considerably.
Breakfast was brought in by a nurse, whose gaze held sympathy.
“Miss Nan, this was paid for by that officer from yesterday. He asked me to bring it to you while it’s still warm.”
“He also had me buy half a black-bone chicken. I’ll stew it for lunch and bring it to you later.”
“What is he to you? He treats you much better than that man of yours.”
Nan Jin smiled bitterly, “He’s a soldier, my ex-husband’s maternal uncle. Probably trying to make up for his nephew’s shortcomings.”
“I see. But he’s so handsome—is he married?”
Nan Jin sighed helplessly, “I really don’t know much about that. The only time I saw him was last year at our wedding.”
Memories of playing with her uncle at her grandmother’s house during childhood felt distant in her original self’s recollection.
The nurse sighed regretfully, “Handsome, promising, and so considerate and gentle. If only I could meet a good man like that.”
Nan Jin found it somewhat amusing but didn’t respond, quietly eating her breakfast.
The nurse chatted with her a while longer before leaving to attend to her duties.
Around noon, Gu Shaoxuan arrived alone, carrying not only the divorce agreement but also a thick stack of ten-yuan bills wrapped in newspaper.
“Xiao Zhu, you wanted fifteen hundred, so here’s fifteen hundred. I keep my word. I’ll divorce Yu Rou in six months.”
“After you’re discharged, I’ll take you back to the family quarters. But it’s not safe for you to keep so much cash alone. I’ll go with you to the savings office to deposit it after you leave the hospital.”
Nan Jin’s eyes trembled with shock at the sight of the stack of bills.
Had Yuan Zheng’s words actually been true? Did he really manage to get her an extra five hundred yuan?
She carefully counted the money, confirming it was indeed fifteen hundred yuan, then discreetly tucked it under herself before reaching for the divorce agreement and signing it with the original owner’s name.
“No need. I’ll deposit it myself. You should focus on taking care of your childhood sweetheart.”
Having received the money, her tone was much calmer.
Gu Shaoxuan looked at her with a headache, his heart inexplicably fluttering. “Xiao Zhu, how many times do I have to tell you? Liang Yu Rou and I really aren’t like what you think.”
“You’re a woman, and you’re still recovering. Carrying that much cash is dangerous. It’s safer to deposit it in the savings office.”
Nan Jin, now more agreeable, simply replied, “I understand.”
“I’m tired. You should go. Remember to settle the hospital bill. I can leave on my own.”
“I’ll go back and pack my things myself. I won’t disturb you two.”
She could let go of everything else, but she decided to retrieve the original owner’s half of the jade pendant.
Though she didn’t know the significance of that half pendant, someone had specifically come looking for it, so there must be a story behind it.
Gu Shaoxuan studied her expression, noting that she indeed looked much better, and said, “I’ll come pick you up this afternoon.”
“No need. I can go back by myself.”
Gu Shaoxuan stared at her intently, but Nan Jin stood her ground. “I’m afraid your childhood sweetheart might get jealous!”
Gu Shaoxuan’s breath hitched. Unable to bear seeing her like this, he stood up and said, “Rest well. I’ll come get you this afternoon.”
As he walked away, Nan Jin reminded him, “You’ll go get the divorce certificate, right?”
The Gu family had money and connections, and with the signed agreement, she probably didn’t need to go in person anymore, did she?
Gu Shaoxuan paused mid-step, a strange feeling stirring within him.
Why did it seem like she was eagerly looking forward to getting the divorce certificate as soon as possible?
But if that were the case, why had she made such a fuss before? Was it just to get a sum of money?
He felt deeply unsettled, a sense of discomfort as if something that belonged to him was about to disappear from his life.
He turned to look at her and saw her counting the money in her hands.
He shook his head inwardly. Nan Zhu was just an orphan—even after the divorce, she would still have to rely on him.