Chapter 64: Parting Ways to Seek Our Own Happiness

That evening, Gu Mingzhi returned to her husband's family full of spirit and high morale. Ever since she drank that child-bearing elixir, she could not bear to stay another moment at her maiden home.

Back, she must go back.

She was going back to have children, many children, just to infuriate that old woman.

Whether it was due to the confidence given by Lu Jiaojiao or the courage bestowed by that medicinal pill, Gu Mingzhi acted as if she were under a spell, firmly believing that this special folk remedy would definitely work wonders.

When Mother Gu saw her daughter suddenly acting like a completely different person, she was both amazed and puzzled, utterly clueless as to how entering a study and coming back out could suddenly boost a person's confidence to such an extreme.

No matter how much she asked, she could get no answers.

Moreover, without needing any comfort or encouragement from her mother, Gu Mingzhi had scurried off full of excitement and elation.

Could her younger daughter-in-law's folk remedy be that bizarre? Could it actually have mental-healing properties?!

However, seeing her daughter regain her confidence with such a joyful and relaxed demeanor, Mother Gu's mood improved considerably as well.

Consequently, when she looked at Lu Jiaojiao again, she felt much less repulsion, experiencing at least a slight change in attitude.

Of course, asking her to lower her pride and abandon her dignity to sweet-talk this rural daughter-in-law was out of the question. As a mother-in-law, she still harbored reservations about this daughter-in-law, and the best she could do was refrain from hurling verbal abuses at her.

With both Mother Gu and Gu Mingzhi gone, Lu Jiaojiao continued with Gu Fengrui's acupuncture and medicinal application.

"Grandpa, Big Brother, I'll be taking the college entrance examination in half a month. I'll come back over in the evenings then to continue Big Brother's acupuncture and herbal treatments."

Gu Fengrui's acupuncture session typically lasted an hour, and the herbal application took another hour.

As for when she would administer the healing elixirs to Gu Fengrui, Lu Jiaojiao's plan was around the end of the year; if she moved too quickly, people would grow suspicious.

By that time, she would already be enrolled in the traditional Chinese medicine university, giving her plenty of plausible reasons and sources, making it a matter of course.

"Xiao Lu, you don't need to come over during the college entrance exams. It won't hurt Xiao Rui to skip treatment for three days."

"Sister-in-law, your college entrance exam is far more important. I'm not in any rush anyway. There's no need to hurry. Go take your exam properly, and don't come over for the three days leading up to it. Stay home and review your studies thoroughly."

The old patriarch and Gu Fengrui had long known about her upcoming examination and urged her to skip her visits during that period. Missing a few days of treatment was harmless, whereas the college entrance exam was of the utmost importance.

While the exam was certainly important, Lu Jiaojiao had already read her textbooks to tatters. She had read and practiced with every review material she could possibly lay her hands on, leaving nothing left for her to review.

"It's fine. I finished my review long ago and even have everything memorized backwards and forwards. I've read what needs to be read and learned what needs to be learned. There's no need for special treatment; I'll just carry on as usual."

Lu Jiaojiao shook her head and said with serene composure. She did not feel that taking a mere college entrance exam required such a grand fuss. It was best to treat it with an ordinary mindset, especially since she was already fully prepared in her heart.

Seeing her exude such absolute confidence, the old patriarch and Gu Fengrui simply did not know what else to say.

However, after dinner, just as Lu Jiaojiao was about to leave, the old patriarch called her into the study.

"Xiao Lu, take this. Your grandfather gives it to you. This was one of your grandmother's dowry items back in the day, and Xiao Ji and his two brothers all received theirs. Originally, Xiao Ji was supposed to hand this over to you, but he's always been so busy and nobody knows when he'll return. Grandpa couldn't wait any longer, so I'm giving it to you personally."

Indeed, his late wife's dowry pieces were meant for each grandson, with no specific items designated for anyone in particular. Yet for some reason, the old patriarch had kept the most precious and important one until the very end.

The old patriarch was not wrong; these dowry items were given to the grandsons, who in turn were naturally expected to present them to their wives. Since Gu Fengrui—wait, Gu Fengji—was not around, the old patriarch bypassed him and handed the finest piece directly to Lu Jiaojiao.

What Lu Jiaojiao received was a red brocade box. When she opened it in front of the old patriarch, she was nearly startled out of her wits by its contents.

Lying inside the box was... a high-floating-green glass-variety jadeite round bangle.

Goodness me, this jade bracelet was exceptionally expensive, radiating an unmistakable air of supreme preciousness.

Gold has a price, but jade is priceless.

Lu Jiaojiao still possessed a modest understanding of jadeite. After all, in her life before last, she had been extremely fond of jade bracelets and had even bought several herself. Having laid eyes on numerous jade bangles, she could more or less appraise its value.

Decades later, the most expensive jade bracelets could fetch astronomical prices, reaching tens of millions for a single piece. Although they were all ultimately stones, there remained a vast distinction between one stone and another.

For instance, spirit stones had tiers and grades.

Jade was no different.

"Grandpa, such a valuable item is too much; I cannot accept it."

Lu Jiaojiao believed that she certainly would not lack money in the future. Once her skincare business grew large and robust, she trusted she would be capable of earning tens of millions.

However, money earned by oneself and money given by others were two entirely different matters. In truth, the most crucial point was that she had never truly regarded herself as a daughter-in-law of the Gu family. Since she was not their daughter-in-law, accepting such a priceless object weighed heavily on her conscience.

"Grandpa says you can accept it, so you can. This was given to you by your grandmother, and you must not refuse. As for the twists and turns between you and Xiao Ji, Grandpa won't interfere, but Grandpa only recognizes you as my granddaughter-in-law."

How could an old man as wise and seasoned as the old patriarch fail to read Lu Jiaojiao's thoughts? His heart ached with anxiety for his youngest grandson, but with the man absent, there was nothing he could do except try his utmost to keep her here.

Lu Jiaojiao: "..."

To coerce her with such an exquisite treasure—no one had ever done such a thing before. Vile, this was simply a monumental test of her willpower.

"And take this as well."

Without waiting for her to object, the old patriarch handed her a brown paper envelope.

What was this now?!

Lu Jiaojiao opened it right in front of the old patriarch to take a look, and lo and behold, the interior was packed with a thick stack of cash and ration coupons.

What day was today, anyway?

Why were there jewelry, cash, and coupons all at once?

"Don't let your imagination run wild. This is the budget for tomorrow."

Terrified that his little granddaughter-in-law might overthink things, the old patriarch—who had witnessed everything she had done for the family and kept it deeply engraved in his heart—knew she was an exceptionally wonderful young woman.

Ah, so it was the budget for tomorrow.

Tomorrow marked the final fulfillment of Lu Xiaoning's promise, after which she would be able to divorce Gu Fengrui.

Word had it that this woman had already purchased her plane ticket abroad and completed her work handovers. Right now, she was simply waiting for the divorce procedures to be finalized so she could board a plane three days later and leave the country with her first love.

What astonishing speed.

On this final day, Lu Jiaojiao decided to take the children to climb the Great Wall. She had no desire to let the kids stay at home exchanging wide-eyed stares with Lu Xiaoning, and besides, they would all be having dinner together in the evening anyway.

Climbing the Great Wall would take a good half-day, so plenty of food and drinks needed to be prepared. Thus, once the old patriarch declared this to be the outing budget, Lu Jiaojiao did not refuse.

Just like before, the group heading to the Great Wall this time was still massive, mustering a bustling crowd of around twenty people.

Upon learning that the destination was the Great Wall, Lu Xiaoning felt deeply reluctant because the climb was notoriously exhausting.

However, in order to secure a smooth divorce, and since this was the final time, she had no choice but to endure it.

Lu Jiaojiao's assigned task for her remained the same: hold little Dongdong's hand. Everyone else walked on their own, while the adults and older children carried heavier loads of provisions.

At this time, visitors to the Great Wall were extremely sparse, and it had not yet undergone the modern renovations of later generations, retaining a remarkably primitive charm.

Gu Fengrui had come along as well, but due to his mobility issues, he could not make the climb and had to wait at the foot of the mountain.

The children were all overjoyed. Even little Dongdong ran, laughed, and bounced around, letting out cheerful pit-pats, let alone the rest of the kids.

The old patriarch, displaying the robust vitality of his advanced years, followed closely behind alongside several other elderly gentlemen, cheerfully conquering the Great Wall once again.

When Lu Xiaoning panted her way up to the top of the Great Wall, the children had already been playing there for a long time. Her expression was unsightly and deeply displeased, but the moment she caught Lu Jiaojiao's gaze, she dared not cause any trouble.

By the time the entire party descended from the Great Wall, it was already past four o'clock in the afternoon, and returning to the residential compound would take nearly six o'clock.

Therefore, Lu Jiaojiao made a grand, magnanimous gesture, deciding that everyone would dine at a restaurant. Since they had gone to the trouble of heading out, they should eat happily after playing happily; after all, it wasn't as if they couldn't afford it.

Hearing that they would be dining at an outside restaurant, the children burst into cheers of delight.

One had to realize that even residents of the big compound could not afford to frequent restaurants on a whim; going out to eat usually meant attending a banquet. Restaurant food was exceptionally delicious, and the children always remembered it fondly long after visiting.

Lu Xiaoning had no objections whatsoever to dining at a restaurant. In fact, she preferred eating outside rather than sitting at the Gu family's dining table, where every meal tasted like dust to her.

However, once they arrived at the restaurant and finished ordering their dishes, Lu Jiaojiao reached out her hand toward her.

A look of utter incomprehension crossed Lu Xiaoning's face.

"What?!"

"Pay up, of course."

Pay up?!

"Pay for what?!"

She didn't owe her money, did she?!

"For the meal, of course. Did you think a meal at a restaurant comes for free?!"

Lu Jiaojiao looked at her as if staring at a complete fool, speaking as a matter of course.

Ah?!

She was expected to pay for the meal?! Lu Xiaoning was dumbfounded.

However, Lu Jiaojiao paid her no heed.

"You'll pay a third of this meal, I'll pay a third, and Grandpa will pay a third."

Fair enough, right!

Lu Xiaoning: "..."

Naturally, she wanted nothing to do with paying this bill, but seeing Lu Jiaojiao's expression of absolute certainty—and knowing that tomorrow she would finally be divorced—how could she possibly dare refuse?

Delighted to have secured the money, Lu Jiaojiao enjoyed a hearty meal that evening and finally went to settle the tab.

"Tomorrow, bring all your documents. I'll wait for you at the civil affairs office."

As they were leaving the restaurant, Gu Fengrui suddenly turned his head and spoke his very first words to Lu Xiaoning before boarding the car and driving away.

Toward this woman, he harbored no lingering attachments, let alone any desire to make her stay.

From this day forward, may each go their separate ways and find joy apart.

At that moment, Lu Jiaojiao also informed Gu Zhongning and little Dongdong that their mother would be going abroad in a few days.

Gu Zhongning had long since been aware of the discord between his parents, so he showed no surprise at all. A trace of sadness washed over him, though—what grieved him was that his mother wanted neither his father, nor him, nor his younger brother.

Little Dongdong, being too young to understand sorrow or comprehend the hidden complexities, felt no sadness whatsoever. Instead, he kept eagerly asking when Mommy would be coming back.

Naturally, Lu Jiaojiao focused on coaxing the little toddler. He did not rely heavily on Lu Xiaoning; since she had been absent for so long, he never cried or made a fuss demanding his mother, having already grown accustomed to her absence.

Her greatest worry remained the older boy, Gu Zhongning. Yet this was hardly the time for deep counseling; she merely stroked his head and asked if he wanted to go speak to Lu Xiaoning.

"If I tell her not to leave, will she stay?!"

Refusing to go, Gu Zhongning stared stubbornly at Lu Jiaojiao and asked.

Lu Jiaojiao shook her head with absolute honesty—she couldn't. No one could stop someone who was determined to leave.

"Then there's no point in going. I don't want to go."

Wiping away a tear that had suddenly spilled down his cheek, Gu Zhongning turned his head away and delivered a firm rejection.

Lu Jiaojiao: "..."

If he didn't want to go, so be it.

In any case, Lu Xiaoning had hardly left the children with a favorable impression, and the possibility of a future reunion was not entirely ruled out.

The nation's future would change with each passing day; going abroad would no longer be such an extraordinary feat, and those who left the country only to never return would ultimately live to regret it.