Chapter 112: Going All In

Are you mad? Taking all our family property to bid, if we fail, how will our family live from now on?

Xu Wei's wife Li Shi wept, tears streaming down her face.

"Son, we run an honest business; though we don't earn much, we can live steadily. This time you're too reckless—we can't risk everything we have!"

The elderly father also tried desperately to persuade them from the side.

Xu Wei stood up, slowly walked to the window, gazed at the dark night sky outside, and his thoughts drifted away.

He recalled his destitute state when he first arrived in Chang'an—being bullied, hitting walls everywhere, yet never giving up on his dream.

These years, though his business had improved somewhat, it was still far from his goal.

And this Southern Development Project was the opportunity he had long dreamed of.

"I know what you're worried about."

Xu Wei turned around, looked at his family with firm eyes, and said: "But this is an opportunity that could change our fate and also contribute to the country. I believe the policy proposed by the Son of Heaven is meant to make the Great Han better; I want to follow in the Son of Heaven's footsteps and give it my all."

"But..." Li Shi wanted to say more, but Xu Wei interrupted her.

I believe the Son of Heaven will not disappoint the common people. This bidding is open to all society, giving someone like me a chance to turn things around. If we succeed, we will not only live well but also contribute to the Southern development. If we fail, I accept it—at least I tried.

Li Shi's eye sockets reddened, tears swirling in them; she took a deep breath, tried to calm herself, but couldn't help bursting out.

Xu Wei, let's divorce—I really don't want to keep suffering with you!

Her voice trembled as she said: "I've followed you for so many years—look what I've become! I used to be a youthful, lovely maiden, but now I've been worn into a yellow-faced woman! Every day I circle the stove, the kids spin around, scrimping on firewood, rice, oil, salt, making ends meet—life is unbearably hard."

Now the Son of Heaven advocates women's liberation, urging us to leave the kitchen and work; why should I depend on you for life?

Xu Wei widened his eyes, face full of disbelief, his lips trembling as he tried to speak but was momentarily speechless.

After a while, he came to, stepped forward, tried to grab Li Shi's hand, but she shoved him away.

"My dear, how could you say such things? We've weathered wind and rain together for years—are you going to abandon our feelings and this home just because of this one failure?"

Xu Wei's voice carried a plea: "I've always treated you well, handing over every penny of my monthly salary, respecting your opinions on all household matters—how can you be so heartless?"

Li Shi pointed angrily at Xu Wei, her voice rising: "Being good to me? So what? Can your so-called goodness change our current life? Over these years, I've sacrificed so much for this family—do you even realize?"

I gave up my dreams, gave up socializing, devoted myself to this family—what did I get? I'm busy every day like a spinning top, while you only think about your business, how to get ahead. Have you truly cared about my inner needs?

Do you have any sense of sentiment, any romance?

"I'm doing this not just to let us live better? I want to give you and the children a stable home so you won't worry about money. Although this attempt failed, I won't give up—I will surely find a way to make a comeback." Xu Wei lowered his head, face full of guilt.

"A comeback? Easily said! What do you have to make a comeback with? We now have nothing!"

Li Shi gave a cold laugh and said: "The Son of Heaven encourages women to bravely pursue their own worth and happiness. I don't want to keep binding my life to a hopeless man as before."

"The young lady next door, after leaving the blacksmith and remarrying, no longer worries about livelihood—she dresses in gold and silver, goes out playing every day. And me? I spend every day haggling over a few coins with vendors, trying to save firewood, picking up branches in the bitter cold. I'm also a woman; I also have the right to pursue a better life!"

Xu Wei watched Li Shi's agitated state, feeling a sharp pang in his heart.

He knew that over these years Li Shi had indeed suffered much hardship and injustice following him.

"The young lady next door, the so-called noble son she found—is he a decent person?"

He looked at Li Shi, took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and said: "My dear, I know I've let you down, caused you grievance. But give me one more chance—just this once. I will surely work hard, earn money to support the family, and let you live well. I promise I will henceforth care for you more, look after you, and never let you suffer again."

"Let's just keep living a steady life, okay?"

Li Shi remained unmoved, turned her back to Xu Wei and said: "Opportunity? You've given me too many chances already, but none succeeded. I no longer have the time or energy to keep wasting on you. I don't want to squander my youth on you; I must plan my own future."

The Son of Heaven advocates that women be independent and bravely pursue their own happiness—why should I keep struggling in this painful marriage?

Xu Wei, anxious, sweat beading on his forehead, again approached Li Shi, knelt with a thud, and said: "My dear, please, don't leave us. We still have a child—how could you bear to let the child live in a broken family? For the child's sake, give me one more chance."

Upon hearing about the child, Li Shi's body trembled slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing her eyes.

But recalling what the neighbor's remarried friend said, and seeing others' comfortable lives, she soon firmed her resolve and said angrily: "If the child stays with me, I can raise him well. At least I can give him a stable life without having to suffer with you. Xu Wei, get up—let us part amicably. I no longer want to live like this; I must seek my own happiness."

Xu Wei remained kneeling on the ground, unwilling to rise.

He watched Li Shi's indifferent back, his heart filled with despair.

He didn't know how to salvage this relationship, how to keep the woman who had once shared weal and woe with him.

Meanwhile, Father Xu stood nearby, watching the couple go from argument to final rupture; unable to control his emotions, he wailed loudly and soon fainted.

Li Shi just left him like that, pursuing her so-called happiness.

Xu Wei, meanwhile, resolutely poured all his family's assets into bidding for the overall project planning and construction.