“Mingyuan would never do such a thing.”
When Li Yan heard Yue Mingde say this, she almost breathed a sigh of relief—until he continued, “I’m going to tell Dad.”
“Yue Mingde, have you lost your mind? How could you tell Dad about this? What will he think of our family? What will he think of me? How am I supposed to stay in this household after this?”
“And when you let your family spout nonsense, did you ever stop to think that you’d drag my father down and ruin my family?”
Yue Mingde grabbed Li Yan’s wrist and demanded sharply, “Did you ever consider what would happen if things went wrong? How would I face my parents? How would I face my siblings? How could I stay in this family?”
“I—”
Panic flashed across Li Yan’s face. She hadn’t thought about any of that.
But then she snapped back to her senses and yanked her hand away.
“Yue Mingde, it was just an offhand remark from Yangyang! Why are you making such a big deal out of it? I already told you, a child’s words don’t count. You can’t take them seriously!”
“Today, I just brought Yangyang over to eat. Look at how you’re acting—all high and mighty!”
“This is your home, so you think you’re something special now, huh? First, you laid hands on me, and now you’re yelling at me!”
“What are you yelling for? If you’ve got the guts, go yell at your dad! Go yell at someone else! What kind of man yells at his own wife?”
She pointed at Yue Youxin and Yue Youhui, then gestured toward the banquet tables. “Look at how their full-moon banquet was compared to Mingyuan’s! They’re the eldest grandsons, yet they got less fanfare than a girl!”
“Look at Mingli, look at Mingyuan, and then look at yourself! If you’re not ashamed, I am!”
“If you’re so ashamed, then let’s get a divorce. We’ll file the paperwork tomorrow.”
This sentence had risen to his lips dozens of times. Each time, Yue Mingde swallowed it back, thinking of Youxin and Youhui.
But after what had just happened and after hearing what Li Yang said, he suddenly wondered if divorce might not be a mistake—but the better choice.
“You want a divorce?!”
Li Yan pointed at herself, staring at Yue Mingde in disbelief.
Seeing that he wasn’t speaking out of anger but with cold certainty, her fury exploded. “Fine, Yue Mingde! Divorce it is! Whoever backs out is a damn coward!”
After Li Yan stormed off with Li Yang, Yue Mingde sat down on the steps with Youxin and Youhui. Calmly, he asked them, “Xiao Xin, Xiao Hui, you heard what I said to your mom just now. I want to know what you two think.”
He looked at each of them and sighed. “If your mom hadn’t gone too far, I wouldn’t have considered divorce. But you’ve seen how she treats the three of us.”
“A leopard can’t change its spots.” Your mom won’t change. Neither will your grandma, your uncle, or Li Yang.
“It’s not wrong for your mom to side with her family, but I have to side with yours. Your grandpa just got promoted. There are countless people waiting for him to slip up. We can’t let your grandma’s family drag him down.”
“Nothing’s happened yet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. The fact that they even think this way means it’s only a matter of time.”
He ruffled their hair. “You’re not little kids anymore. I know you don’t say much, but you understand right from wrong.”
“Dad… if you and Mom divorce, do we stay with you?” Youxin and Youhui exchanged a glance before asking.
“Of course. Both of you are coming with me.”
“Dad’s not great at taking care of people, but I’ll learn. I’m also planning to quit my job and start my own business. You know the factory hasn’t been doing well—they haven’t paid us in months.”
His voice carried a tinge of bitterness. No wonder Li Yan called him useless. A man who couldn’t provide was useless.
He couldn’t bring himself to secretly work another job while still technically employed, so he’d rather resign and strike out on his own. At least that way, he’d have peace of mind.
“Dad, we can help you! We can take care of ourselves!” Youxin thumped his chest proudly.
Youhui nodded. “Dad, as long as the three of us work together, we’ll make it!”
“Xiao Xin, Xiao Hui… so you’re okay with me divorcing your mom?”
The boys lowered their eyes and gave a small nod.
If possible, they didn’t want their parents to split up. People said kids of divorce either lost their dad or their mom—for them, it would mean losing their mom.
They wanted a mother… just not one who came with their grandma, uncle, and that annoying Li Yang.
But their mom would never choose them over her family.
“Dad… can we still see Mom after?” Youxin asked softly. Youhui looked up at him too.
“Of course. Divorce just means your mom and I won’t be married anymore. You’ll always be our sons. She’ll always be your mother.”
The two boys exchanged a smile, visibly relieved.
11:30 AM
Yue Guohuai and Wan Jiayin ushered the guests to their seats.
Yue Guohuai held Ya-Ya at the center of the main table, with Wan Jiayin on his left and Huo Jiusi on his right.
Originally, that seat should have gone to Huo Yingnian, but the adults noticed Huo Jiusi holding a crabapple blossom branch for Ya-Ya in one hand and gripping her tiny fingers with the other, refusing to leave her side. So they decided to forgo formalities.
“Jiayin, where are the in-laws?” Tan Yingjun glanced toward the courtyard gate. “Did they get delayed on the way?”
Wan Jiayin had already prepared an excuse, but before she could speak, she saw Shen Daqiang and Wang Fengqin arrive, followed by Chen Can pushing Shen Liya in a wheelchair, with Shen Xiang trailing behind.
“Dad-in-law, Mom-in-law, so sorry we’re late!” Shen Daqiang grinned, shooting Shen Zhiqiu a glare.
“Since you’re here, please take your seats,” Wan Jiayin said, then instructed Yue Mingli and Yue Mingyuan, “Xiao Li, Xiao Yuan, bring some extra chairs.”
“Husband, you’re Zhiqiu’s father—you take the seat of honor. I’ll stand,” Wang Fengqin said, stepping back. “I’m just her stepmother. It wouldn’t be proper.”
“Liya and Xiang’er can sit over there.”
“You are her stepmother, but you’re the one who raised her all these years!” Shen Daqiang grabbed her arm. “If you hadn’t sent her to dance classes, would she have been scouted by the cultural troupe? Would she have met Mingyuan and married into such a good family?”
He called out to Shen Zhiqiu, “Zhiqiu, come help your mother to her seat!”
“She’s done so much for you. If you treat her poorly, you’d be heartless.”
[Ahhh—Grandpa’s trying to guilt-trip Mom again!]
[Mom, don’t fall for it!]
