Chapter 304: Lu Jiajie's Divorce (1)
Chapter 304: Lu Jiajie's Divorce (1)
Ma's father often complained of chest pains after fainting that one time. A trip to the hospital revealed that he had coronary heart disease, as well as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The doctors recommended hospitalization, but he refused, believing that if the hospital couldn't cure him, he might as well rest at home and save some money. With no choice, the doctors could only prescribe medication and instruct Ma Lili that the patient must avoid stress and overwork.
Ma Lili was afraid of upsetting her father, so she dared not mention the trip to Canton again. However, she missed her children terribly, and seeing that her father was in good spirits that day, she decided to pay Wang Xiaojie a visit.
Seeing her cry her heart out, Wang Xiaojie felt a twinge of guilt. She herself had five children, and she knew how difficult it was when her husband, Lu Ping, was away for work for over a month. Yet, no matter how unbearable it was, she would not ask Lu Jiajie to bring the children back.
"I've tried to persuade Jiajie several times, but he's very determined... Lili, I can't help you with this," Wang Xiaojie said.
Ever since she found out that Xiao Feng hated Lu Jiaxin, she had stopped trying to dissuade Lu Jiajie from divorcing. It was said that those who mediate may not succeed, but Ma Lili's behavior was truly unacceptable. It was one thing that she had exhausted herself to support her paternal family, but to also influence her children in such a way... If the children were not separated from Ma's family, they would be ruined.
Seeing Wang Xiaojie's reluctance, Ma Lili had no choice but to turn to Lu Er Sao, hoping that she could help persuade Lu Jiajie against divorce.
Lu Er Sao lashed out at her, "Ma Jixiang is only your nephew, not your son. You borrowed money and sold jewelry to help him buy a house, have you ever thought about how hard Jiajie works for his money? Have you considered that Qiangqiang and Xiao Feng don't even have their own homes yet? You never think about your husband or put your children first. Now you come here pretending to miss them? Who are you trying to fool?"
"All that hard-earned money, wasted on outsiders because of a family traitor. Who could bear that? I'm a mother-in-law myself, and if my daughters-in-law dared to do such a thing, I would beat them first and then have Jiang and Tao divorce them."
In the countryside, there were many women who blindly supported their paternal families to the detriment of their own households. As a result, their husbands would treat them like thieves, and their children would grow distant, leaving them lonely in their old age.
Ma Lili denied these allegations, insisting that they were mere rumors.
Lu Er Sao scoffed and spat, "You did all that and yet you dare not admit it? Letting your paternal family feast on Jiajie's money and hard work, who would want a wife like you? Jiajie divorcing you is his escape from misery. Don't be too greedy; Jiajie is already being more than generous by offering you the house and an additional 5,000 yuan. If you're still not satisfied, you'll get neither the house nor the money."
Ma Lili left, feeling humiliated.
Upon returning home, Ma's mother saw her red and swollen eyes and sighed, "Lili, Lu Jiajie already has someone else in his heart. If you insist on staying married, he won't give you money or even touch you. What's the point of living like that? It's better to get a divorce, take the money and the house, and find a man who truly cares for you."
Ma Lili's tears fell as she said, "I can't even have children now. Who would want to marry me?"
Ma's mother reassured her that it wasn't a problem. She had already consulted a doctor, and it was possible to restore fertility through surgery even after sterilization, "Lili, Qiangqiang has also drifted apart from you. He only listens to Lu Jiajie and the Lus. Don't count on them when you're old. Xiao Feng is obedient, but she's a girl and will eventually marry into another family. It might be better to have another son and raise him well so he'll be loyal to you."
Ma Lili hung her head and remained silent.
Two days later, Lu Jiajie called Ma Lili at her workplace. Upon hearing her voice, he asked, "Auntie said you agree to the divorce?"
Hearing his cold tone, Ma Lili's heart twisted in pain. However, Lu Jiajie's attitude made it clear that there was no turning back.
Seeing her sobbing and unable to speak, Lu Jiajie said with annoyance, "I am definitely going through with the divorce. If you're unwilling, then keep dragging it out!"
If they didn't divorce, he wouldn't dare bring the two children back to Si Jiu City, and they would have to continue studying here. However, that would mean asking for help to find a school, and he disliked owing people favors. More importantly, he had discovered that the education here was far inferior to that in Si Jiu City.
Ma Lili wiped her tears and asked, "Lu Jiajie, have you found another woman over there?"
Lu Jiajie was almost laughed at the absurd accusation. However, he wasn't foolish enough to admit to something that wasn't true. Otherwise, when the children grew up, she would shift the blame onto him, and given her and her family's behavior, they would definitely do so.
Lu Jiajie suppressed his disgust and said, "The reasons for my divorce are one, I am unwilling to continue filling the bottomless pit that is your Ma family. And two, I refuse to let our two children be brainwashed by you and become blood bags for Ma Jixiang."
Ma Lili habitually refuted, "I know you don't like Jixiang, but he's still a child. You can't frame him like that."
Lu Jiajie was tired of hearing those words and didn't want to waste any more time arguing. "So, will you agree to the divorce or not? If you don't agree, there's no point in continuing this conversation."
Of course, Ma Lili didn't want a divorce, but at this point, there was no possibility of reconciliation. In a cold voice, she said, "In addition to the house, I want two hundred thousand yuan in compensation."
Lu Jiajie scoffed, "The house and five thousand yuan in compensation. Take it or leave it. If you're not happy with that, then keep dragging it out. When you turn forty, I'll go to court to file for divorce. By then, you'll be too old to even think about having more children."
Ma Lili's voice changed as she asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Lu Jiajie replied with disdain, "You know very well what I mean. As always, you refuse to admit your actions and instead bite back afterward. Enough of this nonsense. Are you agreeing to the divorce or not?"
Gritting her teeth, Ma Lili said, "Fine, I agree. When you return, we'll go through with the procedures."
Lu Jiajie wasn't surprised by this outcome. He had made such a large concession, so Ma Lili's parents must have been persuading her in the background. "I'll be back tomorrow."
In fact, there were other ways to get a divorce, but those methods were too extreme to consider. Without a mother, his two children had already suffered enough. If something happened to him, who could they rely on?
"Bring the children back as well."
"That's none of your concern."
After hanging up, Lu Jiajie didn't feel relieved. Instead, he felt a weight on his chest, as if something was blocking his breath.
That evening, Lu Jiajie drank with his friends, trying to drown his sorrows. "Qiangqiang and Xiaofeng are her flesh and blood, yet she allows them to be bullied. Tell me, how can there be such an uncaring mother?"
His friend consoled him, "Not all mothers in this world love their children. Don't be sad. After the divorce, find a woman who will care for your children and treat them with warmth. It's better to live a good life than dwell on the past."
Lu Jiajie shook his head. "How do I know if another woman will be good to my children? I won't remarry for now. Let's talk about it when the children are older."
Knowing that Lu Jiajie was hurting, his friend didn't push the matter further.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
