Volume One, Chapter 20: Obtaining the Receipt

Wei Guoxiong intended to withhold the one million yuan settlement for Lou Nanzhi until after the thirty-day cooling-off period. He wanted to see how this woman, already past fifty, would make a fool of herself and come crawling back to him like a dog.

"Let’s go, then!" Since Wei had agreed, there was no reason for Lou to linger in a place that no longer belonged to her. She didn't want to see any of the people currently before her. Soon, Wei emerged from the bedroom with the necessary documents.

"Mother, make some chicken soup for Xiaoqing; she needs to build up her strength after being so upset earlier. I'll order some seafood for tonight—we’ll have a proper celebration when I get back!" Wei’s words were clearly meant for Lou. If she insisted on throwing away a good life and forcing a divorce, he wouldn't hold back his cruelty.

"Sister-in-law, please, think it over! If you two really go through with this divorce, I’ll feel nothing but guilt for the rest of my life," Xiaoqing said, seizing the chance to play the victim now that the outcome was settled.

"My dear, don't worry about it. Don't be sad. You’ll be the lady of the Wei household soon. Focus on the baby, and once you give me a big, healthy grandson, there will be plenty of people crying their eyes out on the side of the road!" Xiaoqing felt no sorrow at all; she was in high spirits, barely able to contain her urge to laugh out loud. The fake anger she had displayed earlier had already evaporated. She had once been a well-known dancer; even though she had been forced to kneel earlier, she would eventually make Lou pay for it tenfold. Lou wasn't even fit to carry her shoes. Even at fifty, Lou was still so naive—it hadn't taken much effort at all to make this home her own.

"My dear, listen to mother! I’m heading out now, and I’ll be back soon to look after you and the baby." Wei shed his usual stern demeanor, putting on a flirtatious air in front of Lou. Lou found it utterly ridiculous. She didn't believe for a second that a man who had never offered a sweet word or shown a shred of care for his wife could suddenly have a change of heart at fifty-something.

And so, Lou followed Wei out of the house and through the residential complex. Leaving home this time meant saying goodbye to the place where she had spent thirty years of her life. She had endured her mother-in-law’s criticism and her husband’s indifference, yet she had never imagined this day would come. To say she felt no sadness would be a lie, but compared to a life of being treated like a live-in maid without a hint of gratitude, Lou looked forward to the future. Even if her daughters didn't understand her or eventually wanted nothing to do with her, she had come to terms with it.

After all, her children were grown, independent individuals with their own lives and ideas. At worst, when her teeth fell out, her hair turned gray, and she could no longer walk, she would just go to a nursing home. Much like what her father once told her: "How hard can it really be? Just push through this hurdle, and it will pass."

Before long, Wei pulled up in the car that had just been repaired. It was the first time Lou had sat in it. As she pulled open the rear door, she saw the backseat was piled high with things—mostly personal items belonging to a woman.

"Sit in the front; there’s no room in the back. Besides, it’s the last time you’ll be riding in this anyway!" Wei spoke harshly, though in reality, he had moved those items from the trunk while he was in the garage. They were a couple of thirty years; no matter how cold-hearted he was, he felt a sting of sadness. In his youth, Wei had insisted on marrying Lou not because he accepted her family background, but because she was truly beautiful. Furthermore, the woman he had been seeing—Xiaoqing—had suddenly vanished. Back then, his family was poor, and he couldn't swallow the humiliation of being dumped, so he simply married the most beautiful woman in the village. He couldn't understand why Lou was making such a fuss about divorce; Xiaoqing was willing to give him a son and ask for nothing in return—why couldn't things just stay that way?

Lou climbed into the passenger seat in silence. Once she buckled her seatbelt, Wei stepped on the gas. "You know there’s a cooling-off period for divorce, right?" he asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

"I know."

"So, I’ll transfer that million to you in thirty days." Lou nodded. Seeing she wouldn't respond, Wei continued, "If you run into any trouble during these thirty days, just come to me."

"Don't bother. I have a job; I won't starve." Wei frowned and said nothing more.

Soon, the car arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau. The two still held their marriage certificate from decades ago, which Lou had kept in pristine condition. For some reason, there were very few people there for divorces, while the lines for marriage registration were long. It wasn't long before their turn came.

The staff at the bureau seemed numb to the process. With a blank expression, they filled out the paperwork, and within moments, the two held their divorce registration receipts. Holding the paper, Lou felt a sudden, profound sense of relief—an unprecedented feeling of freedom washed over her entire being.

"Where are you going? I’ll give you a lift." Wei’s voice sounded strangely strained. Wasn't this exactly what he wanted?

"No need, I’m used to taking the bus." Lou offered a polite refusal and turned away. Watching her walk off without a backward glance, Wei clenched his fist in anger and slammed it against the car window.

...

It was past six in the evening when she returned to the Wangyue Building dormitory. Lou had stopped at a supermarket on her way back from the bureau to buy some groceries. As she walked in, she saw Sister Wu standing in front of the mirror, trying on a new outfit. Sister Wu, who had a sick grandson, was usually extremely frugal. The outfit looked like something one would wear to a formal event. Lou assumed she was attending a wedding.

"Nanzhi! You’re finally back." Lou set the grocery bags on the floor and looked at Sister Wu, puzzled. "Sister Wu, what’s the happy occasion?"

"Hurry up and put this on. Wangyun Building is closed today, and the young master of the Fu family said it’s a day worth celebrating, so we’re having a team-building event!" Before Lou could react, Sister Wu pulled her into the dormitory bathroom. "Hurry and change! They said the bus is coming to pick us up at eight!"

Sister Wu then gave a mischievous grin. "Nanzhi! I bet you couldn't guess in a million years where we’re going!"

Lou hadn't participated in team-building activities before, but she had heard from her children that it usually just meant eating and singing. Seeing Lou’s blank expression, Sister Wu, who couldn't keep a secret, let a wide grin spread across her face. She leaned in close and whispered, "The young master of the Fu family said he’s going to broaden our horizons—we’re going to the biggest bar in the capital!"