Chapter 21: I’m Willing to Leave with Her
Li Qi’s movements faltered. He glanced back at Chen Jiamu, and with that single glance, Chen Jiamu released his hand…
Tears welled up in Li Qi’s eyes, his eye sockets red…
In truth, Li Qi wasn’t unaware of the situation, but the painful memories were deeply etched into his mind.
They had tormented him day and night for many years…
Li Qi worked for a long time, finally managing to set up the frame, but the rope had broken, beyond repair.
Li Qi let go of the rope and stood calmly to the side. Chen Jiamu sat quietly, silently watching him.
“Let’s go.”
A cool breeze swept by, and Li Qi let out a long sigh, walking behind Chen Jiamu and pushing him forward.
“When my leg gets better, how about I take you to the North? I heard there’s a lot of fun stuff there during summer vacation.”
“Or, if that doesn’t work, we can go to Su Town. The scenery there is beautiful.”
Li Qi was unusually quiet on the road, pushing him silently. Chen Jiamu tried to liven up the atmosphere, initiating conversations.
But Li Qi remained silent until they hailed a taxi and got in. Only then did Li Qi speak, “Okay.”
Chen Jiamu was stunned, then suddenly realized he was responding to his earlier suggestion.
“Okay.”
They exchanged a silent promise. Because it was inconvenient for Chen Jiamu to return home, Li Qi asked the driver to take them to Chen Jiamu’s house first.
Dusk had fallen, and the streetlights had come on.
Li Qi got out of the car and pushed Chen Jiamu towards the house, Chen Jiamu guiding the way. Halfway there, Chen Cheng returned and was surprised to see them together.
“Xiao Li?”
Li Qi glanced at Chen Cheng and subconsciously loosened his grip on the wheelchair handle, “Sister Chen.”
“It’s really you.”
“Want to come in for a while?”
Chen Cheng, sitting in her car, warmly invited Li Qi to visit. But Li Qi shook his head, “No, I have to go back.”
He then pushed Chen Jiamu through the gate. The butler, hearing the car, peeked out and saw Chen Jiamu.
He rushed forward, “Young Master.”
Chen Jiamu turned to Li Qi, asking nervously, “Aren’t you going to stay for a while?”
“No, I have something to do back home.”
Li Qi’s gaze flickered, but he still declined the invitation. After checking the time, he greeted them and turned to leave the gate.
“Wait, Xiao Li, I’ll drive you back.”
Their houses were some distance apart, and Chen Cheng, seeing it was getting dark, worried about him walking alone at night, so she drove her car to him.
Li Qi couldn’t refuse such kindness. He offered a slight smile, “Thank you.”
Chen Cheng found his smile amusing, suppressing her laughter as she drove him back.
At the gate, Li Qi got out and thanked her politely, “Thank you, Sister Chen.”
“It’s nothing. Come visit anytime.”
Then, Chen Cheng drove away. Li Qi retracted his smile and silently walked into his courtyard.
Back home, Song Jin was applying a face mask in the living room. Seeing him, she quickly removed it, “You’re back. Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner.”
Li Qi wanted to say he wasn’t hungry, but seeing her expression, he didn’t refuse.
Only the two of them were home. Li Qi didn’t ask about Li Ru’s whereabouts; it didn’t matter whether he was home or not.
After dinner, Li Qi returned to his room. Song Jin sat in the hall, seemingly waiting for Li Ru…
Back in his room, Li Qi lay down on the bed, exhausted. Chen Jiamu’s words from that afternoon echoed in his mind.
He said people should look forward, not back.
Closing his eyes, Li Qi’s brows furrowed slightly, then slowly relaxed…
Downstairs, Song Jin watched Li Ru arrive late. She had texted him earlier, asking him to return early, but he had delayed.
“Busy at the company, I got back late.”
Song Jin sat stiffly, her face grim. Seeing her expression, Li Ru’s tone became slightly apprehensive.
“Really busy or pretending to be busy? I don’t care.”
“Look at this and sign it.”
Song Jin didn’t get angry, coldly looking at him. She pushed a document across the table to him.
Li Ru’s eyes widened, a bad feeling washing over him. He picked up the document, and the words “Divorce Agreement” immediately caught his eye.
“What does this mean?”
Li Ru’s eyes widened, his heart trembling, his voice shaking.
“What does it mean? Can’t you read?”
“I’m saying, I want a divorce.”
Song Jin’s voice was unexpectedly relieved, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
“Are you crazy?”
“Why get a divorce out of the blue?”
“Besides, do you think my parents will agree?”
Song Jin’s expression was frighteningly serious, and Li Ru felt a sudden pang of fear. Knowing he had done wrong, he immediately mentioned Song Jin’s parents.
They had opposed their divorce years ago, which had calmed Song Jin down. Now, after only three years, she was starting to cause trouble again.
“For the sake of their so-called reputation, I endured and endured. Now I don’t want to endure anymore.”
“Three years is enough.”
“Don’t give me excuses. Read the document and sign it. You can still do what you want.”
“Even if it gets exposed, you won’t have the stigma of betraying your family. How convenient.”
Li Qi felt thirsty and went downstairs to get some water. He heard the arguing from downstairs as he reached the stairwell.
He paused, his mind telling him to go back to his room, but his feet wouldn’t move.
“What are you talking about!”
“If Zhang Yongmei’s appearance is bothering you, I promise I’ll handle it, and it won’t happen again.”
“I think we can let this go. Don’t keep bringing it up.”
Li Ru’s voice was filled with helplessness, as if he were the wronged party.
“Li Ru, I suddenly feel like I’ve never truly understood you in these ten years.”
“Your hypocrisy is terrifying. Talking to you is a waste of time. I’m getting a divorce. I’ll take Xiao Qi with me. Do whatever you want.”
“I’m tired.”
Song Jin’s anger was about to explode, but facing the man she had loved passionately in her youth, all her feelings vanished.
The young man she loved had died the moment he cheated with Zhang Yongmei. The man standing before her was simply a typical middle-aged man.
A liar full of lies…
“Regardless of the divorce, do you think Xiao Qi will leave with you?”
“You probably know his situation better than I do.”
Knowing it wasn’t the time to argue with Song Jin, Li Ru changed the subject to Li Qi.
Trying to make Song Jin give up this absurd idea.
“He…”
Speaking of Li Qi, Song Jin hesitated. She couldn’t guarantee Li Qi would leave with her. If he refused… her plan…
“I’m willing to leave with her.”