Chapter 31: You Should Divorce

In the past, Chen Jianghai would have flown into a rage upon hearing such words. It would not have been unusual for him to start cursing immediately.

Xue Chunli found it strange. Chen Jianghai had visited several times before, and every time she tried to lecture him, he would immediately snap back and cause a scene. Today, however, he was acting like a mute; she had been talking for quite a while, and he hadn't uttered a single word.

*No, that's not it,* she thought. *This boy is clearly putting on a pitiful act to make my daughter feel guilty and keep her firmly under his thumb!*

It must be said that the scenario playing out in Xue Chunli’s mind was quite melodramatic. Seeing that Chen Jianghai remained silent, she shifted her fire toward Lin Jianguo.

"Why are you acting like a mute now? Have you lost your voice?"

Facing his wife’s interrogation, Lin Jianguo didn't even dare to breathe loudly, looking at her with an expression of utter helplessness. It was a rather comical sight. However, neither Chen Jianghai nor Lin Wanqiu could bring themselves to laugh in such a situation; they could only hold it in, their faces flushing slightly. With a tacit understanding, the couple exchanged a glance and simply chose to remain silent.

"He really did clean it up," Lin Jianguo whispered. "If you don't believe me, go look for yourself!"

"Lin Jianguo!" Xue Chunli fumed. "What are you trying to do? Did a single cigarette buy you off? I’m going to see for myself exactly how he ‘cleaned’ this place!"

In Xue Chunli’s eyes, Chen Jianghai was simply not the type of person who would get any real work done. Lin Jianguo didn't dare say another word and kept his head down, pretending not to hear. Xue Chunli stomped into the courtyard, but upon seeing how clean and tidy it was, she found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

Just then, Lin Jianguo chimed in again. "See? I told you he had already cleaned it, but you just wouldn't believe me."

Seeing Lin Jianguo’s behavior only added fuel to Xue Chunli’s fire. She put her hands on her hips and shouted in frustration, "Then what are you standing around for? Isn't the matchmaker coming today? Go see where she is!"

Hearing this, Lin Jianguo hurried toward the exit, saying, "Alright, alright, I’m going right now!" He was terrified that she would continue berating him, which would leave him with absolutely no dignity in front of Chen Jianghai.

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai, who had remained calm until now, felt his expression shift slightly. In his previous life, he had no memory of any "matchmaker" incident. However, after catching a glimpse of his wife’s restless and uneasy demeanor, he quickly pieced it together. He hadn't returned to his in-laws' home with Lin Wanqiu that time. Later, he never knew what method she had used to suppress the matter, so he remained unaware of what had truly transpired during that visit.

Lin Wanqiu gritted her teeth and said indignantly, "Mom, what are you talking about?"

"Chen Jianghai, I won't hide it from you anymore. We have already discussed it as a couple. This situation isn't working. You two should just get a divorce and give Wanqiu a way out!" Xue Chunli, feeling irritable, dropped the pretense and looked directly at Chen Jianghai, getting straight to the point.

"Mom, I don't agree!" Lin Wanqiu immediately protested.

"Shut up! You have no say in this!" Xue Chunli shot her daughter a fierce glare. Assuming the role of the head of the family, she looked sternly at Chen Jianghai. "Chen Jianghai, if you’re a man, state your position!"

"My wife doesn't agree, so naturally, I don't agree either," Chen Jianghai said slowly.

Seeing his wife’s resolute attitude, he was now certain that Lin Wanqiu must have forcibly suppressed this matter back then. He felt a wave of genuine emotion wash over him.

Xue Chunli sneered, looking at him with disdain. "Chen Jianghai, we will return the bride price your family paid as soon as Wanqiu remarries."

"Mom, please, stop talking. I beg you, stop," Lin Wanqiu pleaded, her eyes red as crystal-clear tears rolled uncontrollably down her beautiful cheeks.

Seeing her daughter cry, Xue Chunli felt a twinge of hesitation, but she hardened her heart. "Girl, do you have any hope left for a future with him? Your father and I have dragged you down for the first half of your life; we cannot let you suffer for the rest of it!"

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai, who had initially been indignant, sighed inwardly. His parents-in-law were acting entirely out of concern for their daughter, with no selfish motives, and the last traces of his anger vanished.

"Mom, I know you’re doing this for Wanqiu’s sake, and I don't blame you. But please rest assured, I will treat Wanqiu well from now on. I won't let her suffer again," Chen Jianghai said solemnly.

Xue Chunli responded with nothing but mockery. "Spare me. You’re like mud that can’t be plastered onto a wall; how can you even say such things?"

"Mom, Jianghai has really changed. He’s not like he was before," Lin Wanqiu quickly added.

Xue Chunli turned to her daughter, grabbed her hands, and urged her earnestly, "Daughter, wake up! Don't let him fool you again!"

At this moment, Lin Wanqiu felt truly desperate. No matter what she said, her mother simply wouldn't listen. The lack of understanding from her family left her feeling helpless, and her tears flowed freely once more.

Just then, Chen Jianghai walked over to her, pulled her into his arms, and wiped away her tears, comforting her. "Wanqiu, don't cry. It’s alright."

Although he felt annoyed because the person before him was his mother-in-law, there was nothing he could do about it for the time being.

Xue Chunli looked at Chen Jianghai with disgust and continued, "You know the Lin family next door? Their daughter married into a good home and is living a prosperous life. Look at your husband—how does he compare to anyone else?"

"Wanqiu, listen to your mother’s advice. Stop being so stubborn."

Just then, Lin Jianguo walked in from outside with someone in tow. "Wife! The matchmaker is here! The matchmaker is here!" he announced happily, as if expecting praise.

Chen Jianghai, still holding Lin Wanqiu with his back to the door, couldn't see who had arrived.

"Where is your daughter? I’ve already talked things over with the other side; everything depends on you now. Have you reached an agreement?" the matchmaker asked as soon as she entered.

Hearing the voice, Chen Jianghai felt it sounded familiar, though he couldn't immediately place it.

"Stop crying! Aren't you ashamed?" Xue Chunli hissed under her breath.

Chen Jianghai gently stroked Lin Wanqiu’s back and whispered, "Wanqiu, I couldn't bear to let you leave. I’m still waiting for you to give me a big, healthy baby boy."

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but playfully punch him, bursting into laughter through her tears. However, she suddenly felt shy and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Seeing this, the matchmaker frowned. "Didn't you say your daughter and her husband had a bad relationship and were going to divorce? Does this look like a couple getting a divorce?"

Xue Chunli looked embarrassed and hurriedly said, "My daughter is just a fool who has been deceived! Her husband is lazy and good-for-nothing, living off my daughter. Tell me, what is the point of keeping a man who won't even try?"

Hearing this, the matchmaker shot a deep, scrutinizing look at Chen Jianghai’s back and nodded. "If that’s the case, then you really should divorce him. Don't let him ruin the girl’s life."

Hearing the matchmaker’s words, Chen Jianghai, who had been looking for a target for his pent-up frustration, finally found one.