Chapter 314: Divorce, Then Divorce

When Lu Beitang spoke, everyone who entered the courtyard burst into an uproar.

Impossible! We've already signed the Marriage Certificate; at most we just need a make‑up wedding. No matter how high an official the other side is, they must recognize this marriage. How could we divorce suddenly!

"Beitang, don't get angry. Is it that the bride price hasn't been settled, how much is missing? If it really doesn't work, the big guy can give you some exchange, but we can't let the two children divorce…"

It's not like in later times, where a young couple can divorce over a single disagreement; divorce has become commonplace, not even shameful, and a second marriage demands an even larger bride price.

But in this era, divorce is absolutely disgraceful; even a drop of spit could drown a person.

Lu Beitang, in his fury, faced the neighbors' inquiries and, seemingly no longer fearing shame, shouted that sentence.

But the now‑calm Chen Xianglan hurriedly grabbed her husband: "Look at you, what are you doing, spouting nonsense?"

"It's nothing, big guy. It's not about the bride price; some other matter hasn't been settled, but we definitely won't divorce. No need for the big guy to worry, ha."

Chen Xianglan quickly explained to everyone that she was already worried enough; she had no mind to deal with the neighbors' endless questions.

Wu Guiwen actively tried to disperse the big guy: "Alright, alright, there's nothing, everyone can go home, go home."

When the big guy slowly left, Chen Xianglan dragged Lu Beitang into the house and shut the door.

"What nonsense did you just say? How could you directly talk about the children divorcing?"

Lu Beitang sat on the bench, fuming: "If I didn't say it like that, what else could I say? Didn't you hear what the Lin Family said just now? Whether explicit or implicit, they're basically saying that our Lu Cheng is unfit to be their son‑in‑law, and our Lu family has no right to become in‑laws with the Lin family…"

Chen Xianglan wasn't foolish; she could of course hear it. To be honest, she was angry too, but she couldn't speak like that to the neighbors; it would make them laugh at us.

"She said it herself, what good does that do! What does Qing Yan think? We don't know, right? I don't believe Qing Yan suggested divorce; it must be her mother stirring it up."

Lu Beitang kept a stern face: "I just can't figure it out; does she think the family status doesn't match, that a respectable worker like me is still unfit for her family?"

"When the Lin Family was toppled before, they never said the family status didn't match. Now that the Lin Family is fine, they start looking down on us. Do they really handle things like this?"

The Lin Family's actions are indeed disheartening, but Chen Xianglan only cares about her son; she can't allow a divorce, otherwise the son would be mocked even more.

"I think we should ask Qing Yan for her opinion on this matter."

Lu Beitang said disapprovingly: "What are we supposed to ask? The Lin Family looks down on us; I don't even want to become in‑laws with them! As for divorce, I don't believe it. Our Lu Cheng has looks and a job; why would we fear not finding a daughter‑in‑law? We'll cut ties with the Lin Family!"

"Look at you, saying things like that! Can you calm down?" Chen Xianglan knew her husband was still fuming and wouldn't listen to anything.

Mainly, Lu Beitang is a worker respected by everyone; he's never been looked down upon like this before.

It's downright insulting; if our son has to keep taking the abuse, we'd rather divorce.

"I can't calm down; I haven't even mentioned you. Can you have some backbone? They've plainly said our family doesn't match theirs, yet you still want to become in‑laws!"

Chen Xianglan was choked by a remark: "Look at you, why are you angry at me? What do you mean I want to climb onto other families? I'm doing this for our son; he doesn't even know about this. Yet you, with a single sentence, divorce our son's marriage! When Lu Cheng returns, he'll blame us!"

Lu Beitang sighed; indeed, whatever they say here is useless—they still need to ask their son's opinion.

"Where's Lu Cheng?"

"He went to Shencheng, didn't he?"

"Tell him to come back immediately."

Chen Xianglan opened her mouth: "How can I contact him? Let's wait for Ying Ying to return; she knows people at the train station, can have them send a message to Lu Cheng. He'll be back a few days later."

"Now go find Ying Ying right now!"

"You see... fine, fine, I'm going, I'm going!"

Chen Xianglan irritably opened the door, and Wu Guiwen staggered, nearly falling in.

"Ouch, Teacher Wu, you scared me! Why are you just standing here?" Chen Xianglan covered her chest.

Wu Guiwen chuckled: "I... I'm not eavesdropping; I'm just worried you might argue and break my plate again."

Chen Xianglan was speechless: "No, no, it won't get that loud. The plate is on the table; you can take it away."

Wu Guiwen leaned forward: "So... do you still eat peanuts?"

"No." Chen Xianglan had no appetite for peanuts now.

Wu Guiwen: "If you don't eat them, will we not handle Gui Yun's work target matter?"

Chen Xianglan took a deep breath: "Don't worry, Teacher Wu, we'll definitely take care of what we promised you."

Wu Guiwen then nodded happily: "Alright, alright, I'll take the peanuts away. You two shouldn't get too heated."

Actually, the one who most doesn't want Lu Cheng to divorce is Wu Guiwen.

If the Lu family were happy, they'd have the mood to handle Gui Yun's affairs.

But in this state, the Lu family has no mind to worry about Gui Yun's matters.

The Lin family's return really couldn't be more untimely! Wu Guiwen shook his head, carried the plate, and went home.

……

At this moment in the Lin family, Lin Qingyan had just quarreled with her mother.

"Mother, how could you say that to Uncle Lu? Saying Lu Cheng doesn't match me—how sad that would make Uncle Lu."

Yu Wanrong was unmoved: "What I'm saying is factual. Our Lin family needs an in‑law who can provide resources, not one who relies on us for support; that would be disadvantageous to the Lin family."

Lin Qingyan nodded painfully: "Mother, you finally spoke the truth. You're not doing this for me; you're clearly doing it for your political future."

"Yan Yan, you can't say it like that. We're family; you're a Lin. When the Lin family prospers, you naturally prosper. In the end, it's still for you."

"That's sophistry! Mother, why must my happiness be sacrificed for your political future?"

"Yan Yan, you must obey. Mother won't hurt you. You and Lu Cheng are from two different worlds; forcing you together won't bring happiness. Mother has been through this, has more experience in this regard; trust your mother."

Yu Wanrong tried to step forward and grab her daughter's hand, but Lin Qingyan slowly stepped back, shaking her head, her eyes brimming with tears.

Seeing her daughter's painful expression, Yu Wanrong's heart softened briefly, but she quickly forced the feeling away.

"Yan Yan, Mother has already made it clear to you; don't be so stubborn, okay? Even if you hate Mother, you should at least think about your father."

"We've already received news today that your father is being transferred to Ha City, supposedly a routine reassignment, but in that place, the Lin family has no foothold."

"Yan Yan, only if we remain in Capital City and become in‑laws with the Qin Family can your father be promoted. You must understand that our Lin family can't withstand any more turmoil now; think of the overall situation…"

Listening to her mother's words, Lin Qingyan's tears fell in a splash; she felt both pain and conflict inside.