Zou Weijun wants a divorce!
In the capital.
Receiving the call, Xie Yuping stood up from the sofa in shock.
Today, Xie Yuping wasn’t busy with work, a rare moment where his family of three sat together watching TV. When his phone rang, his wife, Hou Zhixiu, assumed it was work-related.
As Xie Yuping answered, Hou Zhixiu instinctively lowered the TV volume.
She didn’t expect Xie Yuping to stand up, her heart tightening, what big news was this?
Xie Yuping was indeed shocked, yet felt a sense of relief, as if a long-awaited shoe had finally dropped.
He had long known Xie Jinghu and Zou Weijun’s marriage was beyond saving. The moment Zou Weijun overcame her illness, she would demand a divorce.
Any woman with a shred of pride couldn’t accept sharing her husband, and Zou Weijun wasn’t just any woman, she was fiercely proud, a product of true scholarly upbringing!
But Xie Yuping had thought it would take more time for Zou Weijun to sort out her feelings, not expecting her to bring up divorce with Xie Jinghu so soon.
On the bright side, did this mean her depression was nearly cured?
That was good news!
Xie Yuping forced a bit of joy, first congratulating Zou Weijun on her recovery, then reflecting, “Weijun, on behalf of Old Third, I apologize. You may not need my apology, but I must do what’s right. Our four brothers lost our father early, our mother was busy working to support us, Old Third’s upbringing was my responsibility, and I failed as the eldest brother! Old Third wronged you, the Xie family owes you, I support any decision you make.”
Hou Zhixiu and Xie Tang were stunned.
It wasn’t a work call, it was Zou Weijun!
Hearing Xie Yuping vow to support her every decision, Hou Zhixiu had a hunch, Zou Weijun was planning to divorce Xie Jinghu!
Xie Tang perked up her ears, wishing she could press herself to Xie Yuping’s phone.
Third Aunt was getting divorced?
Did Xie Qian know?
Third Aunt was badass!
On the other end, Zou Weijun felt reassured, sincerely grateful to Xie Yuping, “Big Brother, you did nothing wrong, the one at fault is Xie Jinghu. You’ve done more than enough for the Xie family. Xie Jinghu’s infidelity wasn’t your doing, how could it be your fault? I’m grateful to you, when Xie Jinghu recklessly hurt our family, you stepped in to restrain him, stopping him from acting freely!”
With her mother-in-law, Old Madam Xie, she had to be tactful, avoiding mention of divorcing Xie Jinghu, as in the elder’s mind, the son came before the daughter-in-law. A divorcing daughter-in-law was an outsider, and Old Madam Xie would side with Xie Jinghu.
She had to give Old Madam Xie some hope, suggesting she and Xie Jinghu might reconcile!
With her brother-in-law, Xie Yuping, Zou Weijun chose honesty.
Xie Yuping was more open-minded than Old Madam Xie, and far too wise. Lying could only fool him temporarily, and if he realized he was deceived, it would harm Zou Weijun.
Zou Weijun didn’t care how Xie Yuping viewed her, but she couldn’t let him take it out on Xie Qian.
Even if she divorced Xie Jinghu, it didn’t mean Xie Qian should cut ties with the Xie family. Xie Jinghu was one thing, the Xie family another, and a supportive uncle like Xie Yuping, Zou Weijun welcomed!
So she was upfront with Xie Yuping. The truth might be harsh, but it was sincere, paving the way to the real issue.
As expected, sharp as Xie Yuping was, after the initial shock, he sensed the call’s true focus wasn’t just divorcing Xie Jinghu.
“Weijun, is there something you want to tell me?”
Zou Weijun admitted readily, “Yes, I have something to say. I no longer want to live with Xie Jinghu, I want to divorce him now, but I don’t dare.”
Wanting to divorce, yet not daring to.
That was Zou Weijun’s reality.
It was heartbreaking to hear.
If Professor Zou were alive, would he let his daughter be bullied like this?
The old man would probably swing his cane!
When Xie Jinghu’s scandal first broke, Professor Zou would have taken Zou Weijun home immediately.
Xie Yuping felt deep guilt. For the Xie family’s unity and reputation, he had once hoped Zou Weijun wouldn’t mention divorce, sacrificing her for the family’s harmony and public image, a selfish act!
“Weijun, I will support any decision you make.”
Xie Yuping emphasized “support” heavily.
If she wanted a divorce, so be it.
With him overseeing, she wouldn’t be shortchanged in the division of marital assets.
Zou Weijun wasn’t greedy. Marital property belonged to both spouses, taking half in a divorce was her right. Logically, she could seize Xie Yuping’s promise, letting him oversee Xie Jinghu signing the divorce agreement and splitting the assets.
But why settle for a fair split?
Xie Jinghu was the one who wronged her!
When Xie Jinghu’s business was starting and nearly failed, her father provided manpower and solved technical issues.
When Xie Jinghu couldn’t pay workers and was cornered during the New Year, she calmed the angry workers and borrowed money from her family to keep things afloat.
When Xie Jinghu’s business grew, needing a sociable wife, she fulfilled her duties as “Mrs. Xie the Third,” accompanying him to social events.
The woman abroad contributed nothing, yet now wanted to enjoy the wealth. Zou Weijun wasn’t a saint, she couldn’t accept it calmly!
Even if that woman enjoyed only Xie Jinghu’s half of the split wealth, Zou Weijun couldn’t stomach it, “Big Brother, I trust you, but not Xie Jinghu. The thought of that woman one day proudly calling herself ‘Mrs. Xie the Third,’ or her children having the same status as Xie Qian, it burns me with rage. It’s a hurdle I can’t cross in my life, I’d become the coward who fled without a fight in others’ eyes!”
Not just the Xie family cared about face, the Zou family did too!
Zou Weijun thought of Mrs. Peng, the notorious jealous wife in the capital’s circles.
People mocked Mrs. Peng behind her back, saying she lacked spirit. If she couldn’t tolerate her husband’s affairs, she should divorce, or turn a blind eye, instead of staging constant checks and catching him in the act. Mrs. Peng wasn’t tired, but the spectators were.
Zou Weijun once didn’t understand Mrs. Peng, but now she sort of did.
Mrs. Peng lost face but held onto substance.
Marriage wasn’t just about love, but also the children’s interests.
If Mrs. Peng divorced impulsively, what about Peng Guoqing?
By holding her place, Peng Guoqing remained Mr. Peng’s only child.
Xie Yuping fully understood.
Zou Weijun wanted a divorce but couldn’t yet.
Not for herself, but for Xie Qian.
Jinhu Group hadn’t been handed to Xie Qian yet, and Zou Weijun wouldn’t let Xie Jinghu’s mistress and illegitimate children claim what belonged to Xie Qian.
This fighting spirit in Zou Weijun didn’t repel Xie Yuping, it made him smile, “Weijun, I’m glad you’ve thought it through. Impulse takes courage, but patience takes wisdom. You’re a wise woman. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, aside from Xie Qi, I, Xie Yuping, recognize only Xie Qian as my nephew, now and always!”
