CH 22

The next day, Han Xiao woke up with a stagger underneath the glaring sun. He sat up, looked at the window for a while, and realized he didn’t know when Jiang Nian, who was supposed to be sleeping next to him, had gotten up.

In fact, Jiang Nian went to sleep later than him last night. Perhaps due to deciding to break it off with him, she was no longer as nervous and restrained as before. She even went on and on about the different aspects of the happy new life she longed for after leaving him.

For example, the house she’d want was a cottage style home with a small garden full of flowers and plants. In the summer, she could relax in the breeze, chat, read books, and entertain guests with her future husband. There would be a large lawn behind the courtyard where her future child would play football. It would be even better to have a small pond since she’d become so fond of fishing with Grandpa Han and would be sad if she had to travel too far to fish in the future.

…That’s quite a happy family. 

Han Xiao fell asleep listening to this, and even saw Jiang Nian and the man beside her running freely in that small house in a dream, looking happy and relaxed.

…This dream is really evil.

Han Xiao shivered, smoothed out his bed hair, and saw that the time was past eight.

Han Xiao went to the bath first, changing into a dark suit with the blazer on his arm. The neckline of his white shirt was slightly open neckline, and he directly threw the bow tie aside.

Arriving downstairs, he saw Jiang Nian wearing a light blue skirt sitting upright at the dining table. Her face was fresh and natural.

Jiang Nian saw Han Xiao come down and called out to him with a smile.

The man was well-groomed. His lazy yet expensive dressing was deliberately sloppy, but, because of the silver-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, he had a slightly bookish atmosphere.

Han Xiao coughed softly and said, “Morning.”

Jiang Nian chirped back, “Good morning.”

This was the most harmonious breakfast between Han Xiao and Jiang Nian in the past year. The relationship between the two had been bad after marriage, with Han Xiao deliberately evading her and the timid Jiang Nian being somewhat afraid of him, especially after his “temptation and lure tactic”1.

After all, “Jiang Nian” liked Han Xiao, who was gentle and powerful to her. Suddenly, he was no longer tender, and even fiercely threatened her to not consent to the marriage. She was so impressed that she didn’t dare to get close to him like before.

One was intentionally alienated, the other was introverted and shy- the situation in the last year could be imagined.

Sitting face to face for breakfast today is really rare.

Even Wang Aunt couldn’t help but double-take, and looked at the sun outside the window to make sure it was out. Who didn’t know that the Han family’s fifth young master was very stubborn, to the point that not even ten horses could pull him back. And his attitude towards Jiang Nian that hadn’t changed in the past year. But, then…what exactly is going on now??

Jiang Nian didn’t care what other people thought and continued with her life happily. She picked up her glass of milk and looked at the man in front of her while saying, “Han Xiaoge, didn’t you sleep last night? You have dark circles.”

Han Xiao raised his eyelids lightly.

“I’m okay.”

“I know you must be worried that Grandpa is hesitant. I will advise him more, don’t worry. Grandpa insists on keeping me with you because he feels guilty and is concerned about me. If he knows that I can live well without you, he won’t be so stubborn.”

Han Xiao nodded. Huh.

That’s certainly true, Jiang Nian is currently the apple of the old man’s eyes.

Jiang Nian took a sip of milk, looked at Han Xiao, and said, “Han Xiaoge, leave Grandpa to me. We will arrange everything. All you’ll have to do is sign a divorce once grandpa agrees.”

Divorce?!! Aunt Wang who was walking over with vegetable porridge was startled.

Divorced so soon? Though, thinking a bit deeper, Han Wushao and Jiang Nian have no feelings, their marriage isn’t harmonious, and they’ve never had any interaction as husband and wife. Divorce was just a matter of time.

But, no matter what, she did not expect the word divorce would come out of Jiang Nian’s mouth. Would a little orphan who lived so well in the Han family and was married to a catch like Han Xiao really be willing to divorce?

Han Xiao looked at Jiang Nian after she spoke.

The girl with looked down as if she was a little sad. Her small face was white and, despite having been raised in the Han family for two years, she was still as thin as a bamboo pole.

He suddenly remembered the dream last night; the girl in the dream was happy and beautiful.

Han Xiao said, “Well, I will do that then.”

Jiang Nian nodded.

“Hmm.”

… There’s no way her small house can be bad with Han Xiao’s taste and financial resources!

Han Xiao left after eating breakfast while Jiang Nian went looking for Grandfather Han. As long as he agreed to the divorce, she was a little rich woman at the level of left-hand Hermes and right-hand Prada.

And, although only one day had passed, the plot had been pushed along quite far, the male lead was in shock, and her heroine aura had already risen to twenty. It seemed that she didn’t need to do anything special for the aura to rise. The biggest difficulty was probably the 60 point bottleneck.

“Grandpa! Grandfather, I’m here!”

****

Han Xiao was sitting in his office as his assistant reported the day’s schedule in his ears. He listened a little absently, raised his hand to interrupt, and said, “Go help me find a small house.”

What problems hadn’t the assistant dealt with? This sudden request did not stumped him at all. He smiled and started planning smoothly, “Yes. Does Mr. Han have any special requirements?”

Han Xiao thought for a while.

“It is better to have a small garden.”

The assistant took notes.

“It is best to set up a pavilion in the garden.”

The assistant nodded, making note that there must be a pavilion.

Han Xiao started thinking aloud.

“Should the backyard be big if you want to play football? Okay, choose a big yard.”

“… Yes, President Han. Do you have any other requirements?”

Han Xiao: “It’s better to have a fishing pond nearby. Well, that’s all for now.”

… That’s all for now? Do you intend to add an amusement park next time?

The assistant felt that the words he wrote were deformed.

Where was this small house? Wasn’t this a mansion?!! The rich man’s worldview was really unpredictable.

And why did President Han want a small house? … Was it to keep a lover?

Anyway, in the circle, who didn’t know that Han Xiao and his newly-married wife had no feelings. Most guessed that, after the death of the old man, Han Xiao would definitely divorce with Jiang Nian!

The assistant chose the house with a complicated mood.

Although Han Xiao felt things were slightly strange, he felt overwhelming relief that his long-awaited divorce was finally about to be realized. After sending the assistant away, he called his personal lawyer and asked him to prepare a divorce agreement that allocated a suitable portion of his property.

Although Jiang Nian said she only wanted a small house, he had to give her more. Otherwise, how could such a small girl live alone?

****

On the other side, Jiang Nian cheerfully went to find Grandfather Han, only to be told that he woke up early, was tired out after walking a few laps around the garden, and went back to his room to rest.

Jiang Nian couldn’t wake the old man so she grabbed a fishing rod and went out to the pond. Grandpa Li and Grandpa Liu were there as always. The ends of their fishing lines bobbed in the water as they played chess on the stone table nearby.

Jiang Nian trotted over and smiled childishly. “Grandpa Li and Grandpa Liu, good morning.”

The two grandpas liked Jiang Nian very much. Jiang Nian had spent more time with them than with Han Xiao in a year of marriage, during which time they became very familiar with each other. They really loved her as a junior, not to mention the fact that the girl was born to be spoiled.

They kindly chatted with Jiang Nian for a few while. Jiang Nian watched them play a game before she squeezed a discarded chess piece nervously and said, “Grandpa Li and Grandpa Liu, I have something I want to ask you to help.”

“What are you saying, why so polite to us?”

“Actually…I would like to ask you to help me comfort Grandpa Han. I told him yesterday that I wanted to divorce Han Xiao, and he was a bit angry after listening. Grandpa Han isn’t in good health, and I’m afraid being too angry might not be good for him.”

Both old men were shocked, and two chess pieces fell to the ground. They never expected Jiang Nian would make such a decision.

“…Niannian, why do you suddenly say you want a divorce? Where will you go afterwards? Han Xiao’s idiot that bastard! He bullied you again?”

“No, Han Xiao is very good; he just doesn’t like me. Before, my mom and dad left me in a car accident and my grandfather and I depended on each other. And later, my grandfather also left me…Suddenly Grandpa Han and Han Xiaoge became my lifesaving straws. I was afraid I would have no one if I left the Han family, and persisted in marrying Han Xiaoge despite knowing he was obviously unwilling.”

She smiled.

“But now I think I should face it bravely! I shouldn’t drag Han Xiaoge anymore. It’s also time for Grandpa Han to let go of his heart knot. The past is the past!”

Grandpa Li liked Jiang Nian’s obedience and pitied her poor life experience. Listening to her now, he felt she was too sensible. Another person might not necessarily be able to make the same decision.

Grandpa Liu felt the same: “Niannian, your thoughts are good, but what will you do after you leave the Han family?”

They all understood that, once Jiang Nian and Han Xiao divorced, what reason did she have to stay in the Han family? As Grandpa’s granddaughter? Han Xiao’s ex-wife turned sister? Neither made any sense, and it wasn’t good for Jiang Nian’s future.

“It’s okay, I can go to work and Han Xiaoge also promised to give me a small house. I can live fine alone; I just might trouble the two grandfathers to help me comfort Han Grandpa.”

At a glance, Jiang Nian, such a well-behaved and lovely girl, suffered too much. The two grandfathers promised immediately, reassuring her that they would look at Han Lao2. Jiang Nian quickly thanked them again, and then caught several big fish for the two old men to go back and eat.

Of course, because of this, Grandpa Liu couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. Jiang Nian was only 23 years-old this year, two or three years younger than his grandson. And yet, look at the gap between the two? Jiang Nian was sensible; after experiencing family changes, she was so brave and strong. Liu Zhengyang only knew to eat, drink, play, and make troubles every day!

When Liu Zhengyang came home for dinner at night, he was met with his grandfather’s sharp glare all night, feeling almost choked to death.

“Grandpa, what do you think of me?”

Grandpa Liu hummed once, saying, “What did that Han Wu boy do recently?”

Liu Zhengyang said, “Did he do anything special? Isn’t it all the same as usual?”

“Hmm, that Han Wu boy must have hurt Niannian’s heart so much that she wants to get divorced. This child has a terrible life!”

” What? Divorce?!”

This time, Liu Zhengyang came later than Han Xiao. It seemed he was trapped by his grandfather at home under the complaint that he only knew to play, and would panic when he didn’t go out one day. Liu Zhengyang had to wait until the old man fell asleep before sneaking out the window.

When he arrived, he was immediately besieged and ridiculed by countless people. He waved his hands impatiently: “Go and go, play with you, Lao Tzu4 and Wushao have serious business to discuss.”

Li Fei replied, “You are a prodigal5 until death, what could you possibly have to talk to him about?”

Liu Zhengyang said, “Get out of this young master’s way.”

Han Xiao laughed and said coldly, “I also think we should have nothing serious to talk about. ”

Liu Zhengyang said, “How could you say that? It’s major business. I escaped especially to congratulate you in person on climbing out of the grave of marriage and embracing a free life!”

Han Xiao stared at Liu Zhengyang for a long while before reacting to the fact that he was just congratulated on his divorce???

……This matter was still secret so how could he know?!

Liu Zhengyang continued undaunted, “Of course I heard it from my grandfather. He said your little wife found him and Grandpa Li, hoping that they could keep your grandfather company. Apparently, she was afraid that later, after she left the Han family, he’d be too lonely at home alone. If nothing else, Jiang Nian is really a good woman. Even when she’s divorcing, she’s still thinking of your family and always says good things about you. Alas, it’s a pity.”

Han Xiao: “………”

Go home! He is going home!

He is going home now!

1. I’m assuming this refers to when he tempted her to divorce and then got cold/angry and (possibly) threatened her? ^

2. Lao = old man. Refers to the grandpa(s). ^

3. Friends who don’t do anything constructive. Usually for groups that play around/drink a lot, but can also go up to groups of borderline criminals. ^

4. Cocky way of referring to yourself. I think it translates to ‘this grandpa’.

^

5. Good for nothing, usually relying on his/her parents’ wealth to do what s/he wants. ^