Chapter 7: Not Getting Divorced

“Dad, Jin Yan is already married. I won’t be the one to break up someone else’s love,” Liu Mengwan declared with great dignity.

To her surprise, Liu Heping slapped her across the face. “You fool! If you don’t let him marry you, who else would want a worthless daughter like you? Do you want to bring shame upon the Liu family?”

Liu Mengwan pressed her hand to her cheek, sneering coldly. “So all you care about is your pride. When have you ever truly thought about me?”

“You wretched girl! How dare you talk back!” Liu Heping raised his hand to strike her again.

Lu Jin Yan stepped in, blocking him, his brow furrowed darkly. “Uncle Liu, that’s enough.”

Liu Heping struggled in vain against Lu Jin Yan’s hold, realizing he was no match, and finally gave up. He lowered his hand, snorting, “Lu Jin Yan, you and my daughter were meant to be together. I don’t care what happened between you. Now that things have gone this far, you must take responsibility and marry her!”

…

A Li watched Liu Heping storm forward, demanding Lu Jin Yan take responsibility, and felt like an outsider in her own life. She almost wanted to laugh. But she also felt bitter.

She had no family or background. Even though she was the legitimate wife and the real victim, this man never cared about her feelings.

Of course. Who would care what an orphan thought?

“I won’t divorce A Li.” Lu Jin Yan suddenly declared.

“Uncle…?” A Li was startled, looking at Lu Jin Yan in surprise.

Lu Jin Yan met her gaze. This time, he didn’t hesitate. He swept her up into his arms and said to Liu Heping, “My wife is injured. I’ll take her to the hospital first. As for last night, I’ll give the Liu family an answer later.”

“You scoundrel! Are you trying to run?” Liu Heping tried to stop Lu Jin Yan, but the bodyguards held him back, and he could only watch helplessly as Lu Jin Yan left.

“Damn it!”

He turned his furious gaze on Liu Mengwan, shouting, “You useless thing! Didn’t Lu Jin Yan like you? After all that happened, he still cares first for that woman of unknown origin!”

Liu Mengwan hadn’t expected that even after sharing a bed with Lu Jin Yan, she couldn’t keep him. Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, her expression shifting uncertainly.

She lowered her eyes and said, “Dad, at least A Li has spent a year with Jin Yan. She’s injured now; isn’t it normal for him to take her to the hospital? I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“Hmph! He treats you like this and you still defend him! I don’t care what you all think—this time, the Lu family must give the Liu family an explanation!”

With that, Liu Heping stormed out.

Liu Mengwan didn’t follow. She turned to help An Yu. “Yu, are you alright?”

“Sister Mengwan, I just wanted to help you. Please don’t be angry with me.”

Despite being beaten, An Yu apologized to Liu Mengwan.

Liu Mengwan spoke gently, “Yu, I have a bitter fate. There aren’t many people in this world who truly care for me, but you’re one of them. So no matter what you do, I’ll never be angry with you.”

“Sister Mengwan.” An Yu was moved and pained, clenching his teeth. “You’re so good. Only you deserve Brother Jin Yan. Leave that wretched woman to me—I’ll make sure she’s gone for you!”

Liu Mengwan’s eyes shimmered with tears. “Yu, don’t do anything rash. I’m afraid Jin Yan will blame you.”

“Don’t worry—I know what I’m doing!”

**

A Li was taken to the hospital by Lu Jin Yan.

The doctor bandaged her wounds. She didn’t cry or make a fuss, sitting quietly and obediently. When the doctor left, Lu Jin Yan sat beside her, his fingers teasingly pinching her delicate earlobe, seeking conversation. “Why do you look so dazed? Did the blow mess up your head? You weren’t that smart to begin with—what are we going to do?”

The meticulous man was actually cracking jokes?

Such a rare moment of tenderness. Any other day, A Li would have coquettishly teased Lu Jin Yan back—but thinking of last night left her drained and weak.

“Uncle…”

“Hmm?”

“Should we… get divorced?”

The moment A Li finished speaking, the hospital room fell into a deathly silence.

In truth, A Li’s heart was pounding. She should have listened to Grandma and clung to Uncle, especially since he’d said he wouldn’t divorce her—there was no reason for her to bring it up.

But A Li was scared.

Her only advantage was that Uncle had slept with her, so he had to take responsibility. But now, Liu Mengwan had slept with Uncle too—her sole advantage was gone. She didn’t know why Uncle refused a divorce.

But just because he wouldn’t today didn’t mean he wouldn’t tomorrow.

She didn’t want to live each day like a condemned prisoner, counting the days with dread.

Rather than that, she’d rather let go herself.

Better to learn self-reliance early.

“I told you—I won’t divorce.”

After what felt like an eternity, Lu Jin Yan’s voice sounded again.

Gone was the initial warmth; it was cold as ice.

A Li asked, “Why? Is it just because you’re still angry with Liu Mengwan, and want to use me to spite her?”

The next second, she was forcefully pressed down onto the hospital bed.

The man held her shoulders with such strength it felt as if he meant to crush her, his face shadowed, eyes ablaze with fury. “Is that what you really think?”

“Isn’t it?” A Li’s head hurt, and her shoulders ached.

If it were before, she would have pleaded, crying for mercy. But this time, she stubbornly held back her tears.

She’d heard that a drunk man couldn’t react. Yet, he’d slept with Liu Mengwan—so he must have wanted to.

Seeing the doubt and distrust in A Li’s eyes, Lu Jin Yan’s thin lips curled into a mocking smile. “Heh, it’s good you know your place. Before I’m done with Liu Mengwan, don’t even think about divorce.”