Volume One, Chapter Three: Let's Get a Divorce

She must have thought I would compromise as usual and send her money, but this time, I insisted on asking, “Mom, I can give you money, but you have to tell me what you need it for.”

“I’m your mother. Do I need a reason to ask for money?” she replied impatiently. Yet, I repeated my question insistently, making it clear that I wouldn’t give her money without an explanation.

Seeing my persistence, she cleared her throat and changed her approach.

“Xiao Ze, believe me, this time it’s not for gambling. I’m investing. If it succeeds, I won’t have to ask you for money anymore. I might even be able to give you money!”

I never expected to get any money from her, nor did I believe that a woman who hadn’t even finished elementary school could manage a good investment.

“Mom, investments are risky. You can’t just invest blindly.”

My words were earnest, but she began to wail.

“Xiao Ze, remember when your dad left us drowning in debt? I worked three jobs alone to raise you. Now I’m just asking for one hundred thousand yuan. Is that too small a wish for you to fulfill?”

I sighed. Every time I tried to urge her to be frugal, she would guilt-trip me with these reasons.

Whatever. I don’t have many days left anyway, so I might as well send her the money as my final act of filial piety.

“Alright, I’ll transfer the money now.”

“Make sure you send me the details of the project. I want to take a look.”

Her tone improved noticeably after receiving the money.

“Okay, I’ll send it to you right away.”

“Transfer the money quickly; I need it immediately.”

After hanging up, I closed my eyes wearily.

At that moment, I had to admit that I had failed both in my family of origin and in my married family.

Just then, Secretary Xiao Liu knocked and entered.

“President Gu, Mr. Lu has arrived.”

“Let him in.” I adjusted my posture and sat up straight.

Lu Feng came in smiling, but the moment he saw my expression, his face darkened instantly.

“Gu Ze, are you trying to get yourself killed?”

He rushed over, gripping my collar with a look of bitter disappointment.

I knew he meant well, so I smiled and patted his shoulder.

“I’m fine. Don’t overthink it.”

Lu Feng sighed and skillfully swapped the coffee on my desk for tea.

“How many times have I told you to cut back on coffee?”

“Next time, I promise. Next time,” I joked, but Lu Feng’s expression remained grim.

He pulled several pre-packaged doses of medicine from his backpack and placed them on my desk.

“Why didn’t you come to pick up your medicine yesterday?”

I lowered my head and rubbed my face. “Too busy. I just haven’t gotten around to it.”

His face grew darker still. “Gu Ze, you know what worries me more than your illness? It’s that you’ve lost the will to live.”

“Look at yourself now—what have you become?”

He placed a mirror in front of me. Only then did I see how gaunt and pale my once handsome face had become.

The eyes, once praised for their brightness, were now hollow and lifeless.

“I’ve come to realize that life and death are just... that.”

I gave a bitter smile. Life hadn’t been kind these years. If not for Lu Feng’s constant encouragement, I might have given up long ago.

“Gu Ze, you’re my best friend. I’ve seen how vibrant you used to be, so I can’t bear to watch you spiral down like this.”

“Just listen to me and cooperate with the treatment, okay?”

I didn’t respond, and Lu Feng looked so frustrated he seemed ready to overturn the table.

“Gu Ze, I won’t even mention the foolish things you did for Su Qingya back then, but look at the time now.”

“You’re this sick—did she ever show you any care?”

“After all this time, haven’t you seen what kind of person she really is?”

“You should be focusing all your energy on yourself now, trying to live a few more years. You’re still young!”

I knew Lu Feng meant well. I agreed with every word he said.

Indeed, for the past few years, my life revolved entirely around Su Qingya. Now, I had no energy left. I wanted to live for myself in these final days.

“Lu Feng, I want a divorce.”

For a moment, he didn’t react. After a while, he looked me over in surprise.

“Did I hear you right? You want a divorce?”

Su Qingya did save me in my darkest hour, but thinking carefully, my pain over the years undoubtedly stemmed from her.

I didn’t have many days left. I wanted to see what life would be like without her.

After I confirmed my decision, Lu Feng was visibly moved and gave me two thumbs up.

“I have to say, this is the only right choice you’ve made in your life!”

That evening, I returned home to pack my things and move out. Since I was getting a divorce, I no longer wanted to stay in our marital home.

Having made up my mind, I wanted to call Su Qingya and tell her I was dying and no longer wanted to hold on.

But after more than a dozen calls, no one answered.

Finally, numb, I threw down my phone and turned to pack.

Before leaving, I looked around the home where I’d lived for five years and was surprised to find I felt no attachment.

Perhaps it was because every time I returned, I was overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere.

A few days later, I received a call from Su Qingya.

“Where have you been? Auntie said you haven’t come home for days. What’s going on?”

Her voice carried a faint impatience, as if calling me was a waste of her time.

I didn’t answer her question. Instead, I took a deep breath and said, “Su Qingya, let’s get a divorce.”

There was a long silence on the other end. Just as I thought she had hung up, she let out a disdainful laugh.

“Gu Ze, what are you playing at this time?”

“You’re not trying to use this to force me to cut ties with Zixuan, are you?”

Of course not, I thought silently.

If she were willing to sever ties with Xu Zixuan just because I asked for a divorce, I wouldn’t have come this far.

Just as I was about to reply, the phone suddenly picked up the sound of something heavy falling, followed by panicked voices.

“Miss Su, what’s wrong?”

“What’s happening?” I stood instinctively, clenching my fists.

It seemed someone else had taken the phone, a female voice now reaching my ears.

“Mr. Gu Ze? Miss Su suddenly fainted. Please come quickly!”

My heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, I drove straight back to the villa we once shared.

But when I opened the door, the “fainted” Su Qingya was sitting perfectly fine on the sofa, chatting and laughing with Xu Zixuan.