Chapter 323: When to Divorce?

Jiang Yizhu saw the red envelope, his eyes lit up instantly, took back his next question, and received it with both hands, "Thank you, cousin, thank you, Sister Yu, congratulations and prosperity!"

Jiang Yining also politely gave thanks: "Thank you, cousin, thank you, Sister Yu."

Mu Youyu withdrew her gaze, picked up the feed from the ground, "Let's feed the fish."

Jiang Liangjin immediately reached out to take it, opened the seal for her, "Good."

Jiang Yizhu beside them furtively nudged his brother Jiang Yining with his elbow, lowering his voice: "Before, whenever I spoke to cousin, he always acted like he didn't want to deal with me..."

Jiang Yining helplessly glanced at his sister, gave a slight nod, indicating she should speak more softly.

Jiang Yizhu continued speaking softly: "Actually, I also wanted to ask, when they get married, can I be a bridesmaid..."

Jiang Yining looked at his sister's full-of-anticipation expression, had nothing to say, and silently covered her mouth with his hand.

So she wouldn't say something embarrassing again.

Mu Youyu watched the two little ones' small movements, couldn't help but laugh lightly, and the earlier hint of gloom instantly vanished.

She glanced at the boy beside her, gently shook their joined hands, her eyes brimming with smiles.

At least she had him by her side.

The Yu family.

Today is New Year's Eve.

Yu Ci rarely set an alarm for ten o'clock during holidays; usually, even if the house was full of relatives, no one dared to disturb him casually.

After he finished washing up and changing clothes, he raised his hand and knocked on the door of Gu Xingnan next door.

They definitely hadn't gone to the Mu family's place; they had stayed at the villa for a few days and returned yesterday.

After some thought, Yu Ci believed that his childhood friend and Uncle Gu had argued, and he couldn't let his childhood friend lose face by going back.

Instead, he brought his childhood friend back to his own home.

As for the Yu family... having Rong Yu, this troublesome person, it's not a big problem; since Yu Cheng was driven out, this person doesn't dare cause trouble anymore.

Yu Ci's presence at home was practically like that of a king.

The door opened in no more than two seconds.

Gu Xingnan had already changed into a clean set of home clothes, his hair slightly messy, his eyes still showing a hint of just-woken laziness, yet he showed no impatience at all.

Seeing the person at the door, he curled the corner of his mouth ever so slightly and said softly, "Awake?"

"Or what, waiting for you to call me to lunch?" Yu Ci glanced around the room; it was neat and tidy, even the blanket folded squarely, completely unlike his own messy nest.

He clicked his tongue, "Let's go, down to eat something; today's New Year's Eve, the house should be well stocked."

Gu Xingnan nodded, casually pulled the door shut behind him, and followed silently at his side.

The two had grown up together since childhood; living next door had long been the norm, needing no extra words, their steps naturally fell in sync.

Gu Xingnan walked half a step slower, his gaze unintentionally landing on Yu Ci's swaying wrist for a moment, then quickly shifting to the stair railing ahead.

Yu Xing sat on the sofa; seeing the two come down together, he was visibly startled.

He checked his phone several times, his tone tinged with disbelief: "Xiao Ci, you actually managed to get up this early?"

In his impression, his son always slept until afternoon during vacations, New Year's Eve included.

"Good morning, Uncle Yu."

Yu Ci flung open a chair and sat down, leaving the spot beside him for Gu Xingnan by habit, his tone righteous: "Can't we eat if we're hungry?"

The servants went to the kitchen on their own.

He scanned the living room, didn't see that familiar figure, raised his eyebrows and asked, "By the way, where's the old witch?"

The three words "old witch," he shouted without restraint.

Everyone in the Yu household, up and down, knew exactly who he meant.

Yu Xing had long grown accustomed to his son's blunt and impolite address; his face showed no anger, instead he waved his hand in agreement, "Let her go back to her maiden home, so she won't be an eyesore here."

Yu Ci nodded satisfactorily, "At least you have some sense."

Gu Xingnan sat down quietly at the side, lowered his eyes to lift his water cup, fingertips slightly curled.

He knew Yu Ci too well.

On the surface he was arrogant and domineering, seeming to fear nothing, yet deep down he was the softest and most lacking in security.

His mother passed away early, his father remarried, adding a mother‑son pair to the household, and open and covert strife never ceased.

To outsiders, the noble young master appeared splendid and brilliant, but only he knew that Yu Ci had grown accustomed to putting on a façade since childhood.

Yu Ci saw two cups of milk on the table, touched them, and said, "Oh, there's still warm milk."

"Just now your Uncle Gu left, he didn't drink it."

"Oh."

Yu Ci pushed the warm milk on the table toward Gu Xingnan, then casually remarked, "Dad, you and her, how long do you intend to drag this out?"

Yu Xing startled, "What do you mean, how long to drag this out?"

"Divorce."

Yu Xing's sitting motion paused.

"Anyway, you don't like her anyway," Yu Ci lowered his head, stirring the porridge just served, his voice softer but unusually clear, "When you first married her, I knew you were just momentarily muddle‑headed."

"Now that Yu Cheng has been sent away, she remains here, and everyone feels uncomfortable."

The air fell silent for a moment.

Gu Xingnan's hand tightened slightly, he said nothing, merely silently pushing a bit of what Yu Ci liked to eat toward him.

Yu Xing fell silent for a moment, sighed, lowered his voice, tinged with the softness he reserved for his son: "I know you don't like her; you've disliked her since childhood."

He set down his chopsticks, his gaze landing on Yu Ci, filled with guilt: "When your mother left, you were still young; I thought having a woman in the house would somehow set things right."

"It's my failure to consider everything fully that let you suffer injustice."

When his mother was mentioned, Yu Ci's spoon motion paused, he didn't lift his head, his voice flat, devoid of emotion: "I don't feel wronged."

He simply doesn't like having outsiders at home.

He dislikes others taking the position that originally belonged to his mother, even though his impression of that mother is not deep; he resents the term.

He hates people pretending to be a kind mother in front of him all day, and people scheming to take everything that should belong to him.

"I know what to do about the divorce," Yu Xing said, looking at the food on the table, "After the New Year, I'll settle it cleanly and won't let her affect you again."

They still have to keep the New Year's dishes.

Yu Ci only then raised his eyes, glanced at him, and ultimately didn't pursue the question nor say more, just uttering an "en."

Between father and son, there's no need for too many sentimental words.

Gu Xingnan listened quietly, a faint pang of heartache flickering in the depths of his eyes.

He rarely interjects in the Yu family's affairs, but whenever Yu Ci feels unwell, he silently stays by his side.

No need for consolation, no need to speak; as soon as he turns his head, he can see himself.

The servants brought out breakfast one after another, a full table, all of it what Yu Ci likes to eat.

The atmosphere of New Year's Eve, in this villa, isn't lively, but it's rare to be peaceful.

Yu Ci turned his head to look at the person who had been quietly beside him, his tone instantly lighter: "A Nan, what would you like to eat? Let the kitchen make it."

Gu Xingnan lifted his gaze, his eyes meeting his, and gave a slight shake of his head: "No need, I'll just eat what you have."

"Xiao Nan, eat more," Yu Xing said, his tone especially gentle, "Here, just treat it as your own home; don't stand on ceremony."

"Thank you, Uncle Yu," Gu Xingnan replied softly, his demeanor proper yet not stiff.