Chapter 32: Let’s get a divorce
Huo Zhenheng believed he understood Huo Qingyan very well.
His son was proud and only listened when someone made a move against someone he cared about.
Controlling Huo Qingyan wasn’t difficult.
Huo Zhenheng gave his instructions and hung up. There was no warmth between father and son.
After the call, Huo Qingyan’s expression became unusually gloomy.
Everyone knew Jiang Su’s grandmother had passed away.
Except for him.
He had to see for himself what Jiang Su was up to.
Seeing Huo Qingyan’s expression, Zhou Fu quietly backed away: “If Mr. Huo doesn’t have any other instructions, I’ll leave?”
Huo Qingyan simply raised his hand, signaling him to leave.
…
At the funeral home…
Jiang Su, dressed in black, stood before the coffin.
“My condolences.” Jiang Lichuan approached.
Jiang Su didn’t speak, only nodding silently.
Jiang Lichuan glanced casually and noticed Jiang Su’s neck.
Jiang Su noticed Jiang Lichuan’s gaze and turned his head: “What?”
“What’s wrong with your neck? Why is there such a big bruise?” Jiang Lichuan said, about to get closer to look.
Jiang Su had been wearing turtlenecks to cover his neck.
Today, he wore a shirt and suit, revealing part of his neck and the handprint left by Huo Qingyan.
Huo Qingyan had squeezed his neck hard, leaving a clear bruise even after several days.
Jiang Su’s face changed slightly; he covered his neck, “I fell down the mountain that day. I’ll go see if Big Brother is busy.”
Jiang Lichuan stood there, looking down at his own palm.
After a long while, he murmured, “It looks like a handprint…”
…
The first mourners were the Jiang family.
Jiang Su’s grandmother’s death was sudden, and his father, Jiang Xianlin, rushed back afterward.
All the Jiang family who could come were there.
Then a familiar voice rang out.
“Xianlin, my condolences…”
Jiang Su recognized Huo Zhenheng’s voice.
When he looked in Huo Zhenheng’s direction, he first saw a pair of dark, deep eyes.
Huo Qingyan… he had come too.
Huo Qingyan was the first to look away from their gaze, turning to Jiang Xianlin: “Dad.”
Jiang Xianlin’s expression was neither enthusiastic nor overly cold: “Qingyan is here.”
After his mother’s death, Jiang Xianlin moved to the city where he first met his mother and rarely cared about other things. He treated everyone this way, not just Huo Qingyan.
“Xiao Qi,” Jiang Xianlin looked at Jiang Su, gesturing for him to come over.
Jiang Su approached and, like Huo Qingyan, addressed Huo Zhenheng: “Dad.”
Huo Zhenheng said the same thing: “My condolences, Xiao Qi.”
Jiang Su merely nodded.
…
Until the funeral ended, Jiang Su didn’t speak to Huo Qingyan.
During this time, Jiang Su was busy greeting the mourners.
Huo Qingyan stood not far away, coldly observing Jiang Su.
He looked thinner, his face pale and bloodless, appearing even more haggard and frail against his black clothes.
The collar of his wool coat, worn over his suit, was turned up, but the bruise on his neck was vaguely visible as he moved.
Huo Qingyan’s eyes darkened.
Had he squeezed that hard?
Jiang Su was six years younger and had been spoiled, acting impulsively and without considering the consequences. He could teach him later.
Moreover, his grandmother had just passed away…
Huo Qingyan decided to give Jiang Su a way out.
So, when Jiang Su came out, he saw Huo Qingyan waiting outside.
Realizing Huo Qingyan’s gaze was fixed on him, Jiang Su understood he was waiting.
He strode towards Huo Qingyan.
“Get in the car,” Huo Qingyan said, opening the car door.
He knew Jiang Su was waiting for him to make a move.
As long as he showed some willingness, Jiang Su would obediently go home.
“In a couple of days, I’ll go to your house,” Jiang Su didn’t get in the car.
Huo Qingyan turned to look at him: “What are you saying?”
He had made a concession as Jiang Su wished, yet Jiang Su still wasn’t willing to go home?
He was getting too demanding!
Jiang Su looked at the man he had loved for ten years without emotion.
His gaze swept across Huo Qingyan’s face, meticulously observing him.
This was the Huo Qingyan he loved.
Because of his love for Huo Qingyan, he had given up his dreams, quit the entertainment industry, and messed up his life.
Because of his love for Huo Qingyan, Cheng Xishi almost had his new film delayed because of him.
Because of his love for Huo Qingyan, he didn’t see his grandmother one last time.
None of this was Huo Qingyan’s fault.
It was his fault. He shouldn’t have loved Huo Qingyan.
This was a wrong relationship.
It should have ended long ago.
Jiang Su’s eyes became firm: “Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, the day after tomorrow is New Year’s Day, the night after that, at seven o’clock, I’ll come to you.”
His face was devoid of smiles, his eyes held no expectation. This made Huo Qingyan feel like a stranger to Jiang Su.
After speaking, Jiang Su turned and left.
For the first time, Huo Qingyan watched Jiang Su’s back.
After a while, Huo Qingyan sneered.
He had given Jiang Su a chance, but Jiang Su didn’t take it.
Fine, he wanted to see what tricks Jiang Su was playing!
…
Jiang Su returned to Jiang Zhaoyu’s house.
Jiang Zhaoyu was surprised but didn’t say anything: “Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, let’s go back to the Jiang family’s old house together.”
Jiang Su nodded, appearing obedient: “Okay.”
Jiang Zhaoyu wanted to ask about him and Huo Qingyan, but he swallowed his words.
Jiang Su would speak when he was ready.
He was about to leave when he heard Jiang Su call him.
“Brother.”
“What?”
“Can you ask your lawyer to help me with something?”
“What?”
“Help me draft a divorce agreement.”
Jiang Zhaoyu was so shocked that he almost dropped his water glass, reflexively replying, “Okay.”
Jiang Zhaoyu’s lawyer worked efficiently, drafting the divorce agreement on New Year’s Eve.
Jiang Su spent the New Year at the Jiang family’s old house. On the night of the second day of the New Year, he went to Huo Qingyan’s house.
Huo Qingyan had waited two days, eager to see what Jiang Su would do.
Jiang Su sat opposite him, calmly placing the divorce agreement before him: “Let’s get a divorce.”
Huo Qingyan was silent for half a minute: “What?”
Jiang Su repeated, “Divorce.”
Huo Qingyan sneered, “Jiang Su, you should know when to stop. My patience is limited.”
“Sign here, and you won’t have to put up with me anymore,” Jiang Su thoughtfully placed the pen in his hand.
Huo Qingyan was also proud. He had made the first move, giving Jiang Su a way out, but Jiang Su not only didn’t return home, he presented him with divorce papers.
Huo Qingyan looked at him with a grim expression: “Don’t regret this!”
Jiang Su merely smiled.
Huo Qingyan was completely enraged, picked up the pen, and signed his name.