Chapter 179: Outbreak

Chapter 179

On the afternoon of Chinese New Year's Eve, the women of the Qi family were preparing the New Year's Eve dinner in the kitchen, while the men were smoking and chatting outside.

Qi Anlu wanted to help in the kitchen but was stopped by his grandfather.

"Anlu, your mother and aunts are busy in the kitchen, they don't need you. You're still a child," said Grandpa Qi.

In Qi Anlu's memories, Grandpa Qi had always seemed different from Qi Wenhan. His grandfather had always been gentle with him, and it was his grandfather who had given him his name.

But now, Qi Anlu wasn't so sure anymore - was his grandfather really different from his father?

Later, Qi Anlu still found an opportunity to enter the kitchen.

"Mom, let me help you," he said, moving to wash the vegetables.

Zhou Xinfang pushed her son out, saying, "We don't need you. Your aunts and I have got this covered. The kitchen is too small, and you'll just be in the way."

Zhou Xinfang whispered something in her son's ear before pushing him out of the kitchen.

Back in his room, Qi Anlu sat down and began to ponder what his mother had just told him.

"We can go back soon."

Qi Anlu didn't understand what his mother meant by that, until—

During the New Year's Eve dinner.

The dinner table was packed with people, looking like one big happy family.

Before the meal, Grandpa Qi gave a speech, listing the Qi Family's achievements over the years and their bright prospects for the future.

"I have something to say too."

Just as everyone was about to start eating after the "patriarch's" speech, Zhou Xinfang suddenly spoke up, drawing all eyes to her.

"Xinfang, whatever you want to say can wait until we get home," Qi Wenhan forced a smile as he addressed her.

Qi Anlu suddenly tensed up, gripping his hands tightly, inexplicably nervous.

Facing Qi Wenhan's attempt to stop her, Zhou Xinfang didn't even glance at him. Instead, she stood up expressionlessly and delivered words that would shock the entire Qi Family.

"I want a divorce from Qi Wenhan."

Perhaps because it was so sudden, no one reacted for a moment.

Qi Wenhan's face showed disbelief before he instinctively raised his hand to strike his wife.

Qi Anlu, who had been watching him closely, quickly rushed forward to push him away while shielding his mother.

"Xinfang!" Grandpa Qi spoke up sternly, "What are you doing on New Year's Eve? If you have issues with Wenhan, settle them behind closed doors. This is not the time or place for such nonsense!"

The aunt handed Qi Anlu a bag of steamed buns and stuffed some money into Zhou Xinfang's pocket.

Before they could react, she hurried back, saying, "It's chaos inside, I need to go back and clean up."

Zhou Xinfang opened her hand to find 435 yuan, still warm from her sister-in-law's pocket.

Putting the money in her pocket, Zhou Xinfang wiped her tears and told her son, "There's a small inn in town. We can stay there tonight and head back early tomorrow morning."

Within five minutes of leaving, Zhou Xinfang's mother: Qi Anlu's maternal grandmother: called, but she didn't answer.

"Your grandmother must know about this now. We can't stay at the inn anymore." There was only one inn in town, and they couldn't leave at this hour, so it had been their only option.

Zhou Xinfang knew her mother would scold her and then force her to apologize to the Qi Family and beg them not to divorce.

Having chosen to break ties in such a dramatic way, Zhou Xinfang had no intention of turning back.

She led Qi Anlu through an alley to a house and knocked on the door.

A woman who appeared to be about her age opened the door. Qi Anlu didn't recognize her.

The woman let them in without a word. "Anlu, this is Mom's friend, Aunt Xiaowen."

After Qi Anlu greeted her, Zhou Xinfang pulled Aunt Xiaowen aside to talk, probably explaining why they had shown up at her house on New Year's Eve.

Qi Anlu sat quietly and took out his phone. His friends in the group chat were wondering why he wasn't responding.

Qi Anlu briefly explained to his friends what had happened that night, telling them he would be back tomorrow and not to worry.

His three friends sent many comforting messages, which helped him relax a bit.

But he didn't know that the three friends were far less calm than they appeared. Upon hearing that Qi Anlu had been thrown out of his home, all three were pacing anxiously in their respective homes.

They created a separate group chat for the three of them and after much discussion, they unanimously decided—

To act on impulse and go pick up Qi Anlu together.

[Chu Mingyan: If we want to get there tonight, we'd have to drive ourselves, but none of us knows how to drive]

[Gu Zhijing: If worst comes to worst, I could ask my dad to drive]

[Qu Zizhou: You're such a daddy's boy. Why can't we just take a taxi or hire a designated driver?! Are you all stupid?!]

[Gu Zhijing: ...]

[Chu Mingyan: Since when did you get so smart, Zizhou?]

After making their plans, each of them confronted their families about going out.

At this moment, Qi Anlu was still unaware that his friends were planning to come and get him.