Zhang Xiaohui rolled her eyes. “Do I need a reason? Can’t you see what kind of family the Gu family is? All of you are bad elements, and will never raise your heads again in this lifetime. We live in this cowshed and it stinks to high heaven. Tell me, Gu Yunshen, do you think you will ever succeed in this lifetime? I’ve suffered greatly during my years with you.”
Gu Yunshen smiled. “Looks like I’ve let you down!”
“Of course!” Zhang Xiaohui’s manner was matter-of-fact.
Gu Yunshen laughed. “Why don’t I make it up to you in the future?”
Zhang Xiaohui was taken aback and immediately panicked. “No, I must have a divorce. Who cares about you trying to make it up to me? Also, you’re the son of a landlord. What can you do? You’ll be stuck in this village all your life, trying to eke out a living. How can you make it up to me?”
“You sound like you want to find a city dweller to marry!”
Zhang Xiaohui’s lips twitched. “That’s none of your business. In any case, I want to divorce you immediately. I’m fed up with living with your family. I’m here today to inform you that we’re getting a divorce tomorrow.”
“Impossible!” said Gu Yunshen. “I won’t agree to a divorce. Yao Yao and Qing Qing are growing up and they’ll be marrying in a couple of years. If their parents are divorced, it will have a bad effect on them. I will never agree to a divorce.”
“You…” Zhang Xiaohui was infuriated. “What basis do you have for this decision? Gu Yunshen, this time, you have to obey me. If you dare to decide on my behalf, I’ll sue you. Who do you think you are?
“Your family used to be landlords. I only married you because I didn’t know any better. Now, I understand that everyone despises bad elements like you. I’m turning over a new leaf. I’ve decided to divorce you and you cannot stop me, or I’ll report you.”
Gu Yunshen almost laughed out loud.
But he continued to refuse. “You’ve always known that I’m the son of a landlord. You were perfectly clear on that point before you married me. In any case, it’s my father who was the landlord, not me. There’s nothing shameful about being a farmer. You yourself come from a farming family.
“If you really don’t want to live with us and insist on a divorce, of course I won’t force you. But not now. You must wait for at least two years. Once Yao Yao and Qing Qing’s marriages are settled and they’ve moved out, I certainly won’t stand in your way if you want a divorce.
“You are the mother of these children. I believe that you also cannot bear to see them affected?”
“Rubbish!” Zhang Xiaohui was hopping mad. In two years’ time, her child would already be born.
“It’s precisely because they’re growing up that I want to divorce you. Once we’re divorced, Qing Qing will no longer be a descendant of a landlord family. She’ll have better prospects in the future. What advantages will she have if she remains in the Gu family? She’ll just end up marrying a bumpkin in the future.”
Gu Yunshen laughed. “You’re a middle-aged woman from a village who is practically illiterate and can’t do anything. You can’t even do the laundry or cook properly. On what basis do you think you can find a better prospect for Qing Qing?
“My father may be a landlord, but my older brothers and nephews are all doing well. With their connections, Qing Qing will be assured of a good marriage. Why can’t you wait for two years?”
Zhang Xiaohui was tongue-tied.
It was true. Although the Gu family were landlords, the sons and grandsons were all doing well outside the village. But as for her…
How should she put it?
She could not possibly tell him about Wang Guozhu.
Old Madam Zhang was furious. “What nonsense is this? If we tell you to get a divorce, then you just have to get a divorce. Why talk so much? Qing Qing is our Xiaohui’s daughter. Her mother can do whatever she likes. You must divorce her immediately!”