Chapter 69

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As soon as Li Huairou said these words, the expressions on the faces of the others except for Mei Xianglan were a little unsightly.

In fact, last night, Su Zhe had persuaded the two elders of the Su family, but the two elders of the Su family had become accustomed to Mei Xianglan’s care and did not want her to leave. So, Su Zhe had come up with this idea. Divorce without leaving home—this way, Su Zhe could freely pursue his love, his parents were taken care of, and Mei Xianglan would not be homeless. This was good for everyone!

The two elders of the Su family also thought this was a good idea. In their opinion, this was also a good thing for Mei Xianglan. After all, Mei Xianglan’s parents had already passed away, and whether her only uncle was alive was unknown. After the divorce, there’d be nowhere for her to go, so it was better to stay with the Su family.

Who would have thought that an unexpected intruder would bounce in halfway?

“What do you mean?” Su Zhe said angrily.

“You call yourself someone who has read books, but don’t you even know what it means? As far as I know, you and my cousin have been married for three years, and you only returned to your hometown three times during that time. My cousin is a dutiful person and naturally does not have the ability to give birth to children. If you ask for a divorce on the grounds that she has not contributed after marriage! I will never agree!” Li Huairou shielded Mei Xianglan behind her to protect her from the malicious eyes.

She was obviously not much taller than Mei Xianglan, but it made Mei Xianglan feel at ease.

Just as Su Zhe was about to get angry, Wen Xin tugged at his sleeve from behind and Su Zhe reacted. It didn’t matter; divorce was his goal, and the reason was not important at all. What’s more, divorce in pursuit of true love was a much nobler reason than a divorce because of no children.

“Okay! I promise!” Su Zhe said.

The two elders of the Su family were anxious. Why had he agreed? Did he really want Xianglan to leave? Without Xianglan, what would they do? What about the family property?

“Xianglan! Mother can’t bear to part with you! Even though you and I are mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, I’ve always treated you as a daughter!” Mrs. Su wanted to come over and take Mei Xianglan to cry.

“Auntie Su, I know you feel sorry for my cousin, and that’s why my cousin is a good daughter-in-law. For three years, every morning and evening, she’s served you properly. I heard that your face wash was made by my cousin, right? It’s hard to find a good daughter-in-law like her. But this is a divorce proposed by your son—if you want to cry, just cry with your son. As for the adoption you mentioned, there’s no need. Although my aunt and uncle are gone, my dad is still alive, so my cousin still has someone in her family. If you don’t get divorced and stay in the Su family, it will be a joke!” Li Huairou replied to Madam Su, pulling Mei Xianglan away.

Then she turned her head and said to Mei Xianglan, “Cousin, take out your dowry list.

“Hurry up and pack up my cousin’s dowry. Forget about the fields and real estate—it’s not easy to take away, so let’s convert it all in cash! When my cousin’s dowry is ready, it will be the time to handle the divorce procedures. After the divorce procedures are completed, we shall leave immediately and give way to you!” Li Huairou said.

Then she pulled at Mei Xianglan. “Before that, let’s stay at the inn! I’ll accompany you back to get cleaned up.”

Afterward, in the midst of everyone’s stunned state, she pulled Mei Xianglan away.

At the inn, Mei Xianglan finally reacted and felt a little apprehensive. “Huairou, do you mean to take me to England?”

“Of course. Could it be that you still want to stay with the Su family? In the name of an adopted daughter?” Li Huairou asked.

Mei Xianglan shook her head. “I didn’t mean that. I was just afraid, I…”

Li Huairou knew that Mei Xianglan had never traveled far in her life and so was a little scared.

“Cousin, there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m with you. Although our family doesn’t have much money, we can still live on. Don’t worry!” Li Huairou advised, taking Mei Xianglan’s shoulders.

Mei Xianglan nodded. She was actually a person who had no opinions; she’d been at the mercy of others all her life. When her parents had been alive, she’d listened to her parents. After marriage, when her parents had died, she’d listened to her husband and in-laws. Now the person in charge had been replaced with her cousin.

The next day, the relatives and friends of the Su family came to the door and dragged Mei Xianglan out to say something.

Although Mei Xianglan had no opinion, there was Li Huairou, and she’d sent these people away with a few words.

In the end, Mr. Su and Madam Su came to the inn in person and cried to Mei Xianglan. They spoke about Mei Xianglan’s childhood and spoke about the past three years, and when it came to emotions, Mei Xianglan also accompanied them in shedding tears.

Li Huairou listened to this and rubbed her temples. “Uncle and Auntie, I still don’t understand your intentions when I hear it now? How? Has Su Zhe changed his mind? He doesn’t want to divorce? Or is Miss Wen willing to condescend to be a concubine?”

Mr. Su looked embarrassed, and Madam Su also stopped crying. Her mouth was half-open, she didn’t know whether to cry.

“Seeing your expression, it’s neither of them. Then what do you two plan to do by saying this? Are you playing the emotional card to convince my sister not to take her dowry, or do you want to coax my sister to continue to be a cow and a workhorse for your family?” Li Huairou went to the window, opened it, raised her voice, and satisfied those people outside, with their sharpened ears and desire to hear gossip.

“Miss, don’t speak so harshly!” Mr. Su looked bad.

“That’s because you’re making things ugly!” Li Huairou continued to say loudly, “Your son married a new lover, betrayed his promise, and wanted a divorce. We agreed. My cousin served as a cow and a workhorse in the Su family to serve you two for three years. We didn’t ask for a penny—we just asked you to return my cousin’s dowry. You just decline with all sorts of excuses. And you’re making this gesture? I would like to ask you: what do you want?”

Mei Xianglan stared at Mr. Su and Madam Su, in a daze. Was that so?

Mr. Su looked embarrassed. “That’s not what we meant. We—we are just reluctant to part with Xianglan. Yes, reluctant to part with Xianglan!”

“You two sure seem fond of my cousin. No matter how much you like her, can your love surpass the love for your own son?? Okay, everyone understands, so don’t feign ignorance, don’t play emotional cards, and have these seventh and eighth aunts stop coming. Hurry up, pack up my cousin’s dowry, convert it to cash, and give it to her. Then divorce, and let’s all be well!” Li Huairou said.

Mr. Su looked at Mei Xianglan. “Xianglan, I just want to hear what you have to say!”

Mei Xianglan lowered her head. “Huairou’s words are my uncle’s words. My mother’s uncle is my elder, and my mother is gone now, so I shall listen to my uncle’s words.”

Mr. Su stood up angrily and stomped on his crutches. “Xianglan, you have disappointed me too much! My wife, let’s go!” Then he strode out.

Madam Su glanced at Mei Xianglan, sighed, shook her head, and followed after him.

After Mr. Su and Madam Su left, Li Huairou closed the door, sat down beside Mei Xianglan, and poured a cup of hot tea for her.

Mei Xianglan suddenly said, “Huairou, do you think they really are?”

“Cousin, you know the situation in the Su family better than I do. Mr. Su is old, frail, and ill. Madam Su is a woman, and she doesn’t understand anything about business. Su Zhe likes leisure and despises labor. If it wasn’t for you, cousin, the Su family would have gone under long ago. You’re so capable and obedient; it’s normal for them to not bear to part with you. If there were a little bit of sincerity, how could they have the heart to let you stay in the Su family alone, working hard without complaining and making money for them, but let Su Zhe have a fling outside? Cousin, you’re an independent person, and you should live for yourself instead of being an accessory to someone!” Li Huairou said loudly.

Mei Xianglan looked at Li Huairou, but Su Zhe’s words came into her mind: “You’re like a beautiful vase. Your body is overwhelmingly old-fashioned, feudal and decadent, and you’re too compliant! What I like is the woman of the new era. They’re independent, brave, and unrestrained!”

Her gaze gradually became firm. Independent? If she could do it, would Su Zhe change his mind?

Li Huairou knew what Mei Xianglan was thinking at a glance, but she wasn’t discouraged. To change a person’s thinking and personality wasn’t something that could happen overnight. What Mei Xianglan lacked was self-confidence. Self-confidence took time and the affirmation of those around her to accumulate.

She’d take it slowly!

But leaving Qingxi was a sure thing.

A month later, the housekeeper of the Su family brought the dowry. “First Madam, this is your dowry. The covert money has been deposited into the HSBC Bank in the provincial capital, according to the miss’s instructions. Here are the details. Please verify them.”

Mei Xianglan took it and looked at it. She could see that the accounts were wrong and there was a lot less, but she wasn’t going to pursue it.

Li Huairou looked at the amount on the deposit certificate. It was similar to what she’d expected, and that was enough.

“Okay, then get divorced!” Li Huairou said.

Su Zhe and Mei Xianglan went through the divorce formalities. Before he could call the editor of a newspaper and magazine, he knew to publish the manuscript he’d written a long time ago to publicize his deeds as the first person to get divorced in China. Li Huairou had long been a step ahead; with the theme of the awakening of female consciousness and female independence, Mei Xianglan and Su Zhe’s divorce had been submitted to major newspapers and published.

The manuscripts written by Li Huairou, who was well-versed in later generations of internet talk, were much more exciting than those clichés of Su Zhe.

Mei Xianglan became the first woman to be independent, to break through the cage of feudal marriage, and the first woman to dare to file for divorce.

As for Su Zhe and Wen Xin, no matter what time it was, that third party was always spurned by others. Although, some people did think they were true loves.

But these things had nothing to do with Mei Xianglan.

At that time, she and Li Huairou had already embarked on a cruise back to England.

Along the way, Mei Xianglan was always uneasy, but she was dazzled by the new things that followed, such as cars, trains, photo studios, and people wearing foreign dresses on the streets.

At this moment, Mei Xianglan was standing in the cabin, looking at the vast sea, and she was very excited. She really felt that she’d lived in vain for more than 20 years, and she’d trapped herself and her heart in that house. But she hadn’t known that the outside world was so wonderful.

Mei Xianglan’s uneasy heart gradually calmed down. Maybe what Huairou said was true. In a new environment, she could also have a different life!

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This translation is presented by Nocturne Translations.

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