Mu Yuxin's comfort had a certain effect; Song Qinian was at least less distressed.
"Right, about your divorce, did Shen Chi Yan give you anything?"
Song Qinian shook her head. After she proposed divorce, Shen Chi Yan had left in a rage. She wasn't sure if it was because she brought up divorce first that made him uncomfortable.
Or if he had eagerly rushed off to deliver this good news to Lin Qiutong.
Song Qinian gestured with her hands, "I didn't intend to take anything from him. I told him I was leaving with nothing."
"What?"
Mu Yuxin stood up agitatedly, pointing at Song Qinian and scolding her like she was a disappointment, "My Nian, are you stupid? You wasted three years of your life on him. While you were willing, he also slept with you for so long. How can you possibly want nothing?"
As Song Qinian reached out, Mu Yuxin grabbed her hand, "I know what you're going to say. You don't covet anything from him, but remember this: after leaving the Shen family, you still need to live. Everywhere in life requires money. Without money, you can't move an inch. Also, you can't possibly go back to your mother's place, right? If you don't want to be nagged by her, you need a place to live. Renting a place isn't a long-term solution."
Mu Yuxin looked at Song Qinian seriously and said sternly, "So, the house and the money, you must ask him for it!"
Song Qinian frowned.
"Alright, alright. Even if you don't proactively ask, if Shen Chi Yan offers it to you, you mustn't refuse. Did you hear me?"
Song Qinian was not one to dwell on the past. Since she had decided to divorce, no matter how heartbroken she was, she didn't want any further entanglement with Shen Chi Yan. She had even planned to resign from her job.
If she took Shen Chi Yan's money and house, then...
"Now! Immediately! Instantly, throw away those thoughts from your mind! You're divorced now, you two are strangers from now on. Why are you still worrying about so much? Take what you can get! Besides, if you don't take his money, he'll just spend it on another woman. It's better to take it than let it go to waste."
Seeing Song Qinian nod, Mu Yuxin released her. "Then... when will you go to complete the procedures?"
Song Qinian sighed heavily. "Tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll take a day off tomorrow. I'll accompany you everywhere and celebrate your escape from that scumbag and your return to single life."
Song Qinian smiled and nodded. Having a friend like Mu Yuxin was truly wonderful.
In the evening, Mu Yuxin stayed with Song Qinian at a hotel. Perhaps tired from a day at work, Mu Yuxin's head had barely touched the sofa before she fell asleep.
But Song Qinian, who hadn't slept for two days and one night, couldn't sleep after lying on the bed.
The moon was already high in the sky outside. It was late at night, and though the world was quiet, her heart could not find peace.
The next morning, Mu Yuxin woke up and called her immediate supervisor to request leave. However, her supervisor said that the mall had a last-minute event today and they were short-staffed, so she couldn't take leave. But the event would end early, allowing her to get off work sooner.
Mu Yuxin swore angrily. She was worried that Song Qinian, being unable to speak, and perhaps still having feelings for Shen Chi Yan, might not ask him for anything. She wanted to accompany Song Qinian to the Civil Affairs Bureau to at least provide her with strong support.
Who knew the cursed mall would pull a stunt like this.
Song Qinian patted Mu Yuxin's back, offering a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
They left the hotel together. As they parted ways, Mu Yuxin reminded Song Qinian again not to refuse what was rightfully hers.
...
When Song Qinian arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Shen Chi Yan hadn't arrived yet. She waited on a chair downstairs for a while.
The ground was covered in golden ginkgo leaves. Unknowingly, it was already late autumn.
After a short while, Shen Chi Yan arrived, fashionably late.
He was wearing a black casual suit and a black tie, and walked slowly towards her.
Song Qinian had imagined Shen Chi Yan walking towards her against the light countless times, but she never expected it to be under these circumstances.
They had never been here when they got married, but they were here now for their divorce.
Song Qinian had assumed Shen Chi Yan would send Gao Kunlun to handle this, but she didn't expect him to come in person.
His complexion was poor, and his entire being exuded a cold, gloomy aura.
They had only been apart for one night, yet Song Qinian felt as if she hadn't seen him for a very, very long time.
Seeing Song Qinian, Shen Chi Yan's mood worsened. Even though he had drunk alcohol and should have slept well, he had actually suffered from insomnia last night.
But Song Qinian looked so vibrant and energetic, clearly having slept well.
Was she that happy to divorce him?
Without any words exchanged, they entered the elevator together.
There were only Song Qinian and Shen Chi Yan in the elevator. The space was large, but Song Qinian felt suffocated.
The pleasant scent of Shen Chi Yan was everywhere. Even if she held her breath, it would seep into her body through her pores. It was difficult for her to ignore.
The elevator stopped at the divorce registration office. As Song Qinian was about to exit, Shen Chi Yan's deep, hoarse voice rang out, "Song Qinian, I'm giving you one last chance. Are you really determined to divorce?"
Song Qinian felt like laughing. At this point, Shen Chi Yan was still asking such a question.
If she said no to the divorce, would he really not divorce? Would he let go of such a good opportunity to get rid of her?
Song Qinian remained silent and walked directly towards the divorce registration desk.
Seeing this, Shen Chi Yan's expression grew even worse.
"Divorce cooling-off period?"
Song Qinian blinked, looking at the registrar in disbelief.
"Yes. The latest marriage law stipulates that divorced couples have a one-month cooling-off period. The purpose of establishing a divorce cooling-off period is that within 30 days after submitting the divorce agreement, either party can withdraw the divorce registration application if they regret the divorce."
Song Qinian truly hadn't expected a one-month cooling-off period. She wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to the registrar, "Is a cooling-off period mandatory? Can't we divorce now?"
The moment Shen Chi Yan saw this, he almost had a heart attack. This woman, who had insisted on not divorcing before, now couldn't even wait a single day.
"The cooling-off period is a mandatory procedural stage for divorce by agreement. If both parties voluntarily agree to divorce, they must personally come to the marriage registration office to apply for divorce registration after thirty days from the date the marriage registration authority receives the divorce registration application."
Song Qinian pursed her lips, unsure of what to say.
Shen Chi Yan, witnessing Song Qinian's every reaction, snorted with extreme displeasure, "What? Do you want to challenge the legal limits?"
Song Qinian shook her head.
After they both signed the cooling-off period agreement, the registrar handed another document to Song Qinian. "Miss Song, this is the divorce agreement drafted by Mr. Shen. You can review it, and if there are no issues, please sign it."
Song Qinian took it and her eyes widened abruptly.