"So you didn't get a single cent?" If Uncle Li had been paying attention, he would have noticed that his wife was different from her usual meek self. Unfortunately, he was too angry. Her calm tone made him feel ignored and unacknowledged, fueling his rage. He raised his hand to strike her.
The next moment, he was pushed to the ground. Madam Li looked at his pathetic state with disdain. Though she usually acted submissive, she was much stronger than her husband. She had indulged him before because he brought money from the Li family. Now that he was useless, there was no need to tolerate him.
"You've gone too far," Uncle Li said, as if he didn't recognize her. His wife had always been gentle and demure in his eyes. While he looked down on her mediocrity, she had never objected to anything he did, letting him live his life freely outside. He feared marrying a wife who would nag him. No matter how much discord others sowed between them, Madam Li's position in the family remained secure.
"I'm done serving you. Aren't you having a passionate affair with the widow from the village? I heard she advised you to divorce me, and you agreed. Now you have a great opportunity. You don't need to divorce me; I'll leave on my own and take my two sons with me. You can raise the illegitimate children yourself."
Madam Li's background was not bad when she married into the Li family. However, her family had declined in recent years, and her life here was not much better. She had endured it only because there were benefits to be gained. Now that he was useless and kept spending the family's money on his mistress, she might as well make way for them.
"You dare? You can leave, but the sons are mine and must stay with the Li family." Uncle Li immediately understood her intentions. Seeing that his affairs were exposed, he no longer hid his disgust for her. However, his sons were his treasures and the continuation of his bloodline, and he would never let her take them.
"I can leave the sons, but will you sleep soundly at night? They've heard what you did to your brother's family. Perhaps they will follow suit." As Madam Li finished speaking, her two sons revealed fierce gazes, startling Uncle Li.
He instinctively took a few steps back. He had never imagined that his usually well-behaved sons would side with their mother. It was true; he had been absent and negligent in their upbringing. Everything in the household was managed by his wife. He used to think his wife was capable of raising their sons to be obedient, diligent, and well-behaved. Now, he saw they were indeed diligent, but perhaps not aligned with his interests.
"Fine, you've been conspiring against me all along. I see now. Even if I got the money back today, it would end up in your pockets." The events of today had shattered his worldview, making him feel as though he had lost everything overnight.
"Your nephew knows you hurt his parents, and I know what you've done. If you don't agree to a separation today, I will expose your deeds. Of course, if we part on good terms, for the sake of the children, I will not hold it against you or reveal anything." Su Dan Fiction Network.
Madam Li had been prepared. For years, she had never truly trusted her husband and had often set aside a portion of the money, hiding it in a secret place. Now, it would come in handy. Although her family's circumstances were better than theirs, her children were growing up and needed a home. They would eventually marry and have families, and it was essential to have some savings to buy property and land. Knowing she could not extract any more from him, she left without hesitation.
Uncle Li looked from one to the other and lost all his ambition. He felt his life had no future. Anyone could use his past actions as leverage to threaten him, and he had no choice but to comply to save himself.
"I know I've been in the wrong before, but our children are grown, and we'll have grandchildren in a few years. There's no need to make a scene and be ridiculed. Are you unhappy about my involvement with that young widow? I won't see her anymore. Don't be angry." A person under duress has no choice but to bow their head. Uncle Li knew there was no money left in the house, and the rice bin was almost empty. If his wife left, he would be truly desperate. As long as he was here, his father-in-law wouldn't stand by and watch them starve.
"It's too late to say that now. You still have so many sons and daughters to support. We don't want to burden you. Instead of waiting to die here, why not let us have a way out?" Madam Li's attitude softened slightly, not out of kindness, but because after sharing a bed with him for so many years, she knew that pushing him too hard could lead to desperate measures with unforeseen consequences. It was better to offer him a taste of hope.
"I can support you all. Please don't go, alright?" Uncle Li pleaded with them almost desperately.
Their eldest son opened his mouth to speak, but Madam Li quickly tugged his sleeve and stepped forward, blocking him. She said irritably, "With what? The family has no money and no rice. What will we eat? I'll take the two children to my parents' home. At least we'll have food."
Uncle Li opened his mouth, trying to retort several times but finding no reason. At this moment, he suddenly remembered what Li Zixin's father had told him: that everything was earned through hard work. He had scoffed at it then, thinking the man was speaking from a position of privilege. If it weren't for his parents' favoritism, why would the inheritance that should have gone to the eldest son have been given to him? Now, he realized he couldn't survive without his wife.
Torn between his resentment and his wife's demands, he went to the yamen. Under her threatening gaze, he hesitantly pressed his fingerprint onto the separation agreement. What chilled him further was that the mother and her three children left the yamen in a carriage, not even looking back at him. If he wasn't mistaken, they all wore expressions of happiness.
He walked slowly down the street alone. It began to rain. He watched people hurry by, some seeking shelter, others opening umbrellas or donning cloaks and straw hats. He, however, let the rain drench him. Although he knew this could lead to a severe cold and fever, his inner grief had no outlet. The cold rain on his body brought him some comfort. Ignoring the curious glances of passersby, he walked down the street with a composed expression.
"Li Lang, what's wrong? I heard you divorced your wife. When will you marry me?" As soon as he reached the village entrance, the young widow spotted him and rushed out happily.