Wang Lin was greatly struck but still pretended to be strong, "Besides the child, I want nothing."
Zhao Yunshen shifted his body to the side, letting Wang Lin enter the house. "Bring your identification documents. We're going to the Civil Affairs Bureau right now."
"Ah Shen, I hope you don't regret this."
"I've already made up my mind."
Wang Lin entered the house and rummaged for her documents. She was in a predicament; whether she wanted to or not, the divorce had to happen.
Zhao Yunshen's assets were mostly pre-marital. Wang Lin could indeed claim a share of the profits earned during their brief marriage.
However, to maintain her cultivated image, she chose to leave with nothing. With Sui Sui, it wasn't impossible for them to reconcile in the future.
Shortly after, the two emerged from the Civil Affairs Bureau, coincidentally meeting Zhao Yunhua and Xu Liuying.
Zhao Yunhua, upon seeing them, was furious. He grabbed Zhao Yunshen's hand, "You actually divorced Wang Lin. Do you have any sense of responsibility?"
Zhao Yunshen unceremoniously shook off his hand, holding the divorce certificate in his hand.
"My affairs are none of your business."
Wang Lin spoke up to mediate, "Yunhua ge, you don't need to stand up for me. The divorce was my choice, and I truly wronged Ah Shen."
"Even now, you're still speaking up for him. You did nothing wrong. When you fall in love with someone, your heart is beyond control. It's just fate playing tricks."
Wang Lin wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and replied with a slight choke in her voice:
"The moment I wove my lies, I was already wrong. I am willing to accept any of Ah Shen's choices and pay the price for my irrational behavior."
Xu Liuying and her younger cousin were qualified spectators. However, standing at the entrance like this made Xu Liuying uncomfortable.
Xu Liuying checked her watch and cleared her throat.
"Can you perhaps discuss this later? After we finish our business at the Civil Affairs Bureau, I have other things to attend to."
Wang Lin hurried onto the road, looking like a delicate flower being bullied.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Xu. I didn't mean to delay your time. Please go ahead with Yunhua ge; you have important matters to attend to."
Zhao Yunhua glared unhappily at Xu Liuying, "You don't have a job. What urgent matters could you possibly have?"
The younger cousin retorted, "What's wrong with you? This time belongs to my cousin, it's precious. Wasting it is wrong."
"Exactly, exactly. Hurry up and get things done. Just the thought of being associated with someone like you makes me feel sick."
"Miss Xu, I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I'll leave now and won't delay your business."
"Xu Liuying, don't push it too far."
The younger cousin scoffed, "Giving you face and you're acting? Sister, I've watched so many palace dramas for nothing. You're not a green tea, not a white lotus, just jumping out and seeking attention?
And you, are you perhaps reluctant to part with the money and want to go back on your word? I'm telling you, there's no such easy deal in this world. If you don't go in soon, I'll call for help!"
Wang Lin was forced to retreat by the younger cousin's imposing demeanor. She covered her face and ran. The younger cousin's voice was quite loud, and several passersby were already looking in their direction.
Xu Liuying secretly gave her cousin a thumbs-up. The younger cousin, delighted like a victorious rooster, linked arms with Xu Liuying and entered the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Zhao Yunhua wanted to chase after Wang Lin, but seeing that Xu Liuying and her sister had already gone in, he dismissed the idea.
He turned to Zhao Yunshen and said, "Go after her quickly and check if anything happens."
Zhao Yunshen ignored him completely and headed for the parking lot, driving away in his car.
After all the procedures were completed, Zhao Yunhua left in a hurry. Xu Liuying and her sister went to have a celebratory meal.
"Cousin, your future days will be much better. If I don't do well in the future, you'll have to support me."
"Don't worry, don't worry, you won't starve."
Upon returning home, Sister Xu kindly asked if she needed lunch prepared. Unaware of the situation, she still addressed Xu Liuying as "Madam."
"Sister Xu, you don't need to call me Madam anymore. I'm divorced now, and everything in this house belongs to me.
However, I need to move back to the Xu family residence. Are you still willing to stay by my side and take care of me?"
"Of course, I must follow you, Miss."
"Good. Then you go pack your things too. Once I'm done, we'll leave together."
"Alright."
The Xu family had a dedicated cook. Xu Liuying dismissed the cook from the villa, taking only Sister Xu with her.
She only took a few items she liked. The Xu family residence was fully equipped, so she didn't need to worry about anything.
Zhao Yunshen also started packing his things upon returning home. He decided to leave this oppressive place and go somewhere to relax.
Mother Zhao said, "Xiao Shen, you've finally come back, where are you going again? Mom is getting old and just hopes you can spend more time with us."
"You still have Big Brother. If you miss me, you can call or video chat. You know I don't like the infighting in the business world. I yearn for freedom. Staying at home will only make me uncomfortable."
"You and your Big Brother are different. You've never settled down all these years. You finally got married and had a child.
I thought we could finally live a normal mother-son life. Your leaving is like twisting a knife in my heart."
Zhao Yunshen finished packing and hugged the crying Mother Zhao, "Mom, I'm sorry, I'm too selfish."
"Don't go, don't go. If you leave, what about Sui Sui? That's your own flesh and blood. How can you bear it?"
Zhao Yunshen stopped and turned to his mother with a smile.
"Mom, Sui Sui will be taken care of by Wang Lin. I'll pay child support regularly. Although it won't be as much as Big Brother gives, I'll do my best.
Wang Lin deceived me, and her character is questionable. But I can see she is a good mother. I'm very relieved to leave Sui Sui with her."
"You're relieved, you're relieved of nonsense! Haven't you heard the saying 'a new father means a new stepmother'? Sui Sui is a child of the Zhao family, and I will never let an outsider take her away."
Wang Lin, who had just entered, happened to hear this. Like an enraged lion, she rushed to Zhao Yunshen.
"You promised me, you'd let me take Sui Sui. I have nothing left; I only want Sui Sui.
She is the one I carried for ten months and gave birth to with great hardship. No one can take her away from me."
"Wang Lin, calm down. I won't fight you for custody. We're divorced, and Sui Sui is so young, she should definitely stay with you.
Mom, don't overthink it. The child will not suffer with Wang Lin. If you're still worried, you can visit her often."
"I can't manage all that. Sui Sui is a child of the Zhao family, and no one can take her away.
Wang Lin, can you provide Sui Sui with a good life? Aren't you afraid Sui Sui will resent you when she grows up?"
Wang Lin looked devastated, almost falling onto Zhao Yunshen as she lost her footing. Seeing Zhao Yunshen's avoidance, Wang Lin was filled with hatred.
"Mom, Sui Sui is Zhao family's child and also my child. As her mother, I will never mistreat her.
I don't have much money, so I can't provide the good conditions that the Zhao family can. But money isn't everything; I will raise Sui Sui to be a good person with love."
Mother Zhao scoffed at her words and adamantly refused to let her go upstairs to hold the child. Zhao Yunshen's attempts to persuade her were all in vain.
Father Zhao, annoyed by the commotion, came out to mediate.
"If she wants to hold her, let her. She gave birth to her; there's no point in stopping her."
"Old man, but..."
Mother Zhao was glared at by Old Man Zhao and, with extreme reluctance, moved aside. Wang Lin breathed a sigh of relief and went upstairs to get the child.
Zhao Yunshen, unable to leave at this moment, took the child to help, asking Wang Lin to pack her things.
Mother Zhao was unhappy and watched Wang Lin pack her belongings the entire time. Wang Lin was also quite resolute, taking only a few sets of clothes.
She didn't touch any of the jewelry or accessories. Zhao Yunshen tried to persuade her a few times, but Mother Zhao retorted.
Wang Lin, holding a small suitcase in one hand and Zhao Sui Sui in the other, walked out of the Zhao family's main door without looking back.
Zhao Yunshen followed closely behind, and Mother Zhao couldn't stop him. With his long legs and quick pace, he caught up with Wang Lin, who was walking ahead.
Just as Wang Lin was hoping he would say something soft, Zhao Yunshen spoke.
"It's inconvenient for you to hold the child alone. Where are you going? I'll help you get a taxi."
Wang Lin sniffled and replied in a muffled voice, "We're divorced. I don't need your help."
"Alright, then take good care of Sui Sui."
With that, Zhao Yunshen quickly walked away. The taxi he had called arrived, and he got in, heading straight for the airport.
By the time Wang Lin reached the main gate, there was no sign of him, which angered her to the point of rolling her eyes.