Thinking of his most shameful secret, Xu Zhicheng nearly lost control of his expression.
He actually liked Lin Xun. Lin Xun was beautiful and capable. Although he could not give her a child, he could provide her with a good life. Wasn’t that enough?
What more could she possibly be dissatisfied with?
Xu Zhicheng smiled faintly. “Ah Xun, be obedient, don’t make a fuss. Come back with me.”
Seeing him still tenderly coaxing Lin Xun, Yuan Yaqing felt an intense jealousy. In her previous life, it had been like this. Xu Zhicheng, outstanding in medicine, handsome and talented, with a bright future, was also famously doting on his wife.
Not just in the residential district, but even nearby farms and the sent-down youth sites spread word that Doctor Xu’s wife was like a hen that could not lay eggs, yet he held her in the palm of his hand.
Later, Xu Zhicheng became the youngest director at the hospital. After saving a high-ranking official, he gained influential connections. Following the opening-up reforms, he used these connections to succeed in business, becoming a wealthy tycoon. Lin Xun, in turn, became the high-ranking tycoon’s wife, envied by women everywhere.
But did she deserve it? Lin Xun was just a village girl with only a middle school education and unable to have children. Why would Xu Zhicheng dote on her so much?
Yuan Yaqing, on the other hand, was a sent-down youth. Her family was from Beijing; her parents were factory leaders. She had attended high school and was known as a daughter of privilege.
Because her father was framed by villains, she had to be sent to the countryside in the northwest. She had originally thought that surviving those years would be enough. But upon returning to the city, everything quickly changed. State-owned enterprises restructured, her parents were laid off, her elder brother lost a fortune in business in the south, and her second brother broke his leg in a fight. The whole family had to squeeze into a dilapidated courtyard.
High school graduates were no longer in demand. To return to the city, Yuan Yaqing remained single, her age dragging on. By then, she was no longer the proud daughter of privilege but an uneducated, unwanted old maid.
She could only sit in front of the old television, jealous beyond measure, watching the glamorous Lin Xun on screen, fantasizing about standing by Xu Zhicheng’s side, being the one showered with love.
Perhaps her wish had moved heaven, for she woke up to find herself reborn, back when she was still a sent-down youth.
This time, she did not hesitate. She hurried to the hospital, seizing every opportunity to interact with Xu Zhicheng. Even when Cai Jinhua arrived, she went out of her way to curry favor with the old lady.
She knew Xu Zhicheng was devoted to Lin Xun, but Cai Jinhua was different. Cai Jinhua was extremely dissatisfied with Lin Xun not having children. If she could seize this chance, she could successfully drive Lin Xun away and take her place.
Sure enough, the old lady, Cai Jinhua, was shallow-eyed. Yuan Yaqing spent some money and had her completely under her charm.
Yuan Yaqing deliberately waited in the residential district today, knowing Lin Xun would come. She aimed to provoke Lin Xun as much as possible.
Seeing Lin Xun fall into the trap, making a scene publicly and even demanding a divorce, Yuan Yaqing’s heart soared. Divorce, yes. Once divorced, the future Mrs. Xu would be her.
Her body had no issues. Once married, she could bear five, six, or seven children, tightly holding Xu Zhicheng’s heart and fortune in her hands.
Suppressing her excitement, Yuan Yaqing deliberately said, “Comrade Lin, don’t be so upset. Doctor Xu was only being kind. I came to him purely on official business. And Aunt Cai, she showed me a little extra care because I came all the way from the farm alone. They’re all good people. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”
“You still dare to blame us?” Cai Jinhua was even angrier. “Lin Xun, you’re shameless. You nearly caused the Xu family to have no descendants. What right do you have to blame me? Zhicheng, go on, divorce her. Our Xu family shrine is too small to accommodate this giant Buddha.”
Lin Xun could clearly see Yuan Yaqing’s provocation, but she did not care. The Xu family was a pit. Whoever wanted to jump could jump.
“Xu Zhicheng, even your mother has said it. Aren’t you going to divorce me?”
Sadness appeared in Xu Zhicheng’s eyes. Yuan Yaqing’s gaze was filled with adoration. How could he not notice? But Lin Xun was so beautiful. He felt reluctant. And his secret was too shameful. He could not take the risk. “All these years, haven’t you cared at all about our time together and our feelings?”
“I don’t care. I must get a divorce.” Lin Xun was irritated. What feelings? When Cai Jinhua forced her to take medicine and kneel, why hadn’t Xu Zhicheng stood up for her?
No feeling mattered more than her own body.
“If you don’t divorce me, I’ll go directly to your superiors.”
What Cai Jinhua did might not have mattered elsewhere, but here at the hospital, reputation was crucial. Xu Zhicheng, as a doctor, would be affected if linked to superstition.
Cai Jinhua roared, “You dare threaten us? Zhicheng. Divorce her immediately. I want to see how she lives after leaving the Xu family.”
Xu Zhicheng gritted his teeth in anger. “Fine! Then we divorce.”
Although he liked Lin Xun, he could not keep throwing warmth at a cold shoulder. Lin Xun’s beauty did not matter. Yuan Yaqing was also attractive and had a family background and education.
Moreover, women at the time were shy, not even daring to hold hands, let alone do more. Yuan Yaqing, being from the city, was inexperienced but would appear normal if he concealed his secret. He would always seem like a complete man.
News of Lin Xun wanting to divorce Xu Zhicheng quickly spread throughout the residential district.
As a military hospital doctor, filing for divorce required submitting a report. Compared to marriage, divorce was much quicker. Submit the report today, get approval tomorrow.
Xu Zhicheng, afraid Lin Xun might say something damaging, submitted the report with unusual eagerness. The next morning, the approval came through.
Lin Xun, who was divorcing him, naturally did not go to the residential district. She stayed at the nearby guesthouse, receiving the divorce approval from him, and could not help smiling.
Great! From now on, her life would no longer be manipulated by absurd plots.
Seeing her smile, Xu Zhicheng’s face turned dark. “Ah Xun, we were married. I believe I treated you well enough. Are you so eager to part ways?”
Lin Xun rolled her eyes at him. “Please call me Comrade Lin.”
“You.” Xu Zhicheng had never known she could be so cold. “Do you really think that divorcing me means you won’t regret it?”
Yes, Cai Jinhua had been harsh toward her for being unable to have children. But did Lin Xun really think that leaving him would give her a better life? Dream on.
In this era, a divorced woman was considered worthless. And the news of Lin Xun’s infertility had spread back to her hometown through Cai Jinhua. Forget the village. No one in the commune would want to marry her.
In the county town, it was even more hopeless. Lin Xun, a rural girl, marrying into the city was pure fantasy.
Xu Zhicheng was certain she would regret it. In less than a month, she would be crying, begging to come back.
Lin Xun had no idea what Xu Zhicheng was thinking. If she knew, she would have said he was mistaken. She had no intention of returning home.