Lu Xiao had just returned to the family compound when he heard what Su Tang said.
’She’s a really good friend,’ he thought. ’Willing to kick her own husband out of the house for her.’
Lu Xiao shook his head with a helpless smile. But in the end, he didn’t say anything and just stepped forward to back up Su Tang’s words.
"Sister Cui, Su Tang has a point. You and Wang Jianfeng aren’t divorced yet, after all. If he cos looking for trouble with you and Mai Sui, we won’t be able to help in ti if you’re far away."
Hearing Lu Xiao say this, Zhang Cui glanced at Su Tang beside her, thought for a mont, and finally nodded.
She agreed that Lu Xiao and Su Tang were right. The guesthouse wasn’t very safe.
The main issue was that she and Wang Jianfeng weren’t divorced. They were still technically husband and wife.
If Wang Jianfeng tracked her down to the guesthouse, would the comrades there help her or not?
But if she had a divorce petition in hand, it would be a different story. At the very least, they would help her on account of that docunt.
"Then I’ll have to trouble you both. Brother Lu, I’m sorry to make you stay in the dorms for a couple of days."
Zhang Cui said this to Lu Xiao, looking very apologetic. Lu Xiao waved his hand to show it was no problem and then took her luggage from her.
As he led the two of them back to the apartnt next door, Aunt Wang and Sister Li also arrived.
Their concerned expressions ward Zhang Cui’s heart.
She hadn’t found a good man, but her friends were all wonderful.
Aunt Wang, however, was clearly thinking a bit more about the future. Seeing Zhang Cui in this state, she looked worried.
"Wang Jianfeng isn’t the type to just give up, Cui’er. What are your plans from now on?"
"That’s right, Cui’er. Once you’re divorced, you can’t stay in the family compound anymore."
Sister Li chid in. In truth, they both supported Zhang Cui divorcing Wang Jianfeng.
That Wang, he was a real piece of work, always wanting to have his cake and eat it too.
Their indignant words, however, made Zhang Cui break into a relaxed smile.
"So what? If I can’t stay, I’ll just take Mai Sui and go back to my hotown."
"I have hands and feet. For all these years, I’ve kept our ho in perfect order. You think I can’t provide for myself and Mai Sui?"
At this, Zhang Cui looked at Mai Sui, who was being held by Su Tang.
"It’s better to cut ties from the start than to let Mai Sui have a father like that. Mai Sui is my entire world."
The Wang family was very traditional, favoring sons over daughters.
If Mai Sui were left with Wang, Zhang Cui truly couldn’t bear to imagine what kind of life her daughter would have.
It was better for her to take Mai Sui, even if it ant a harder, more tiring life ahead. It would all be worth it.
Seeing her determination, Sister Li quickly said, "Exactly! Life goes on, no matter who you leave. Mai Sui will definitely not suffer if she’s with you, Cui’er."
"Is there anything we can do to help? We’re here for you."
Hearing this, Su Tang took over the conversation. "Aunt Wang, Sister Li, I can help Sister Cui with everything. We’ve already spoken to Mr. Zhao."
"Mr. Zhao gave her the divorce application form. Once it’s filled out, we just have to wait for the organization’s approval."
At these words, smiles appeared on Aunt Wang and Sister Li’s faces.
"Really? That’s wonderful! That two-timing son of a bitch Wang Jianfeng should have known long ago that without Cui’er, he’s nothing."
Sister Li was straightforward and didn’t hold back, cursing him out a few tis, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Who didn’t know about the things Wang Jianfeng had done before Zhang Cui arrived?
Sending letters to the pretty girls in the Song and Dance Troupe, then fawning over the nurses at the hospital.
If it hadn’t been for that one ti he tried to give a gift to a dancer from the troupe and got chewed out for it, no one would have even known he was married.
After all, no matter who asked, he always said he was single.
Aunt Wang had seen through him long ago but had never exposed him.
That’s why she had given Zhang Cui a little warning when she first ca to the family compound.
After expressing their concern and telling her to call on them anyti, the two won left.
Su Tang quickly ushered Zhang Cui inside.
With two extra people, the small apartnt suddenly felt crowded. There wasn’t enough space for anything.
"Sister Cui, sit down. Have so water."
After having Zhang Cui sit down, Su Tang placed Mai Sui in her arms, then deftly poured a glass of water and put away the luggage Lu Xiao had just brought in.
Zhang Cui held Mai Sui, gently patting her daughter, and looked around the clean and tidy room. Thinking back to her own oppressive ho, a storm of emotions churned within her.
She took a deep breath and pulled the divorce application form from her pocket.
"Su Tang, do you have a pen and paper?"
"While Mai Sui is sleeping, I want to get this application written up."
The sooner this was done, the sooner she could relax.
"It’s just... I don’t know many characters. I’ll have to trouble you to help , dear."
"Of course. It’s no trouble at all. I’ll go get a pen. Sister Cui, you can put Mai Sui down in the inner room."
With that, Su Tang went to get so blank paper and a pen, while Zhang Cui carried Mai Sui into the bedroom.
However, when she saw the two separate bedrolls on the bed, she was a little puzzled.
’This couple... why are they sleeping separately?’
’It would be one thing if they’d been together for over a decade like us, but Su Tang and Lu Xiao are newlyweds...’
Zhang Cui found it a bit strange but didn’t say anything. After putting Mai Sui down, she ca back out.
Su Tang knew Zhang Cui wasn’t very literate and that writing this kind of formal docunt would be difficult for her.
The two of them huddled over the table. Su Tang read the requirents on the form aloud while helping Zhang Cui organize her thoughts into words.
Zhang Cui dictated while Su Tang wrote, and the blank paper quickly filled up.
"What should we write for the reason for divorce?"
Su Tang asked, looking at the last few sections of the form.
After Zhang Cui finished speaking, Su Tang thought for a mont and rephrased it more concisely.
"Let’s write: ’Wang Jianfeng has long been irresponsible toward the family, refusing to contribute his wages and disregarding the well-being of his wife and daughter. He has engaged in long-term verbal insults and emotional abuse. Today, he publicly assaulted and humiliated in the cafeteria, threatening to withhold child support and fight for custody after the divorce. The marital bond is completely broken, making it impossible to continue living together.’"
"Yes, dear. Write it just like that."
"As for the custody of our child and the division of assets, I want..."
Zhang Cui sat on the sofa, lost in thought. After a long while, she finally spoke slowly.
"My daughter, Wang Mai Sui, will be raised by , Zhang Cui. Wang Jianfeng must pay monthly child support for Mai Sui, with the amount determined by the organization’s regulations—not one cent less! I don’t want a penny of the family savings, but I will take everything that I brought into the marriage, as well as all of Mai Sui’s things. Furthermore, for everything he has deprived us of over the years, I request the organization’s help in dividing it."
Zhang Cui’s tone was firm and resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
This was the future she had mustered the courage to fight for, and she was determined to see it through to the very end.
"Alright. I’ll read it back to you once. Sister Cui, see if there are any issues. If not, I’ll copy it onto the form."
Just as Su Tang was about to speak, Wang Jianfeng’s voice bood from the doorway.
"Zhang Cui! You heartless bitch! Get your ass back here!"
"Staying at soone else’s house? Have you no sha?!"
"You want a divorce? And run off with my kid? In your dreams! I’ll make sure you never get divorced! I’ll ruin your reputation all over town!"
"And you, Su Tang! You fucking shit-stirrer! This isn’t over between us! You just wait!"
His words were full of threats. It seed Wang Jianfeng had shed his last shred of dignity.
In the inner room, Mai Sui heard the volley of curses and burst into tears.
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