"Let's divorce."
Two thin pieces of paper easily sentenced their four-year marriage to death.
Qin Shunian's delicate fingers were placed on the contract, on the man's flamboyant signature. When she looked up at Li Yichen, her eyes held a hint of unhidden sadness.
"Is there no room for reconsideration?"
Her voice was somewhat husky. The sweat from her temples, due to just finished household chores, hadn't evaporated yet. It stuck to her thick black framed glasses, making her look heavy and clumsy.
Because he said he would be back tonight; because he wanted to have a talk with her...
Eagerly getting up early, personally buying groceries and cooking, tidying up the whole house until it was spick and span. She didn't even have a minute to rest, before this suffocating news arrived.
"It was a transaction from the start," Li Yichen flicked off cigarette ash impatiently, "besides, Wenwen will be back soon."
So that's how it is.
Song Wenwen, Li Yichen's vulnerable spot, his bright moonlight.
Tongue touching the roof of her mouth, the feeling of defeat was similar to four years ago. Qin Shunian bowed her head, somewhat dazedly understanding that once Song Wenwen appeared, Li Yichen would abandon all benefits and principles for her.
Whether it was the forced marriage with her back then, or his unwavering fidelity to Song Wenwen over these four years...
Receiving no answer for a long time, Li Yichen frowned, looking at the compliant woman in front of him with her head lowered.
Qin Shunian's appearance was impeccable. Her skin was as flawless as white jade, her nose was delicate, her rose-petal-like lips embellished by a tiny lip piercing. Even her pair of eyes, hidden behind her black-rimmed glasses, occasionally reflected a colorful sparkle under the light's refraction.
However, she was too boring, even to the point of stiffness.
"The consistent gentle tone, the loving mother and virtuous wife for so many years, bland as if looking to the bottom of a glass of plain water.
Suitable for being Mrs. Li, but not for being his woman.
Casually flicking his cigarette into the ashtray to extinguish it, Li Yichen opened his mouth to speak, "You previously..."
Hesitant, he glanced at Qin Shunian's expression, her head still lowered, a hint of subservient appeasement given off mysteriously causing Li Yichen.
He found another way to phrase it, his voice cool, threaded with a hint of disinterested boredom, "Considering your personal history, future employment difficulties, aside from notarizing assets, I will gift you three extra villas, the limited-edition Ferrari is now yours, I will also personally compensate you fifty million in cash."
Originally, when Song Wénwén went abroad, Li Yichen crossed thousands of miles for love, making the old master of the Li family angry enough to kick him out of the house. But for the sake of regaining power in the Li family, Li Yichen had to begrudgingly accept Grandfather Li's arrangement and marry Qin Shunian who, it was said, had just been released from prison.
Despite not having feelings for this woman, given her diligent and conscientious behavior over the past four years, not causing any trouble for the Li family, and serving him somewhat comfortably, Li Yichen didn't mind rewarding her with some extra money.
Just like how he spends to keep a horse for leisure, it comes at a price.
The man's slender index finger tapped the contract. The special ring, which had never been taken off his finger over the past four years, seemed to sting Qin Shunian's eyes.
"I can give you three days to consider, but don't take too long as my patience has limits ..."
"No need."
Qin Shunian took the pen on the side and stylishly left her signature at the designated location.
"I am self-aware. I will move out today and won't bother you."
Li Yichen nodded without a ripple of emotion, "OK.""
Indeed, she had to admit, even in their current situation, Qin Shunian still behaved as always - graceful and understanding, never causing him any worries other than career-related ones.
To be fair, she could easily be considered the cream of the crop among most of the high society matrons, assuming her role as Mrs. Li.
Unfortunately, feelings can't be forced.
Li Yichen was about to get started on his contract when the door was suddenly pushed open with a "bang". Li Wenzhen, with no regard for courtesy, burst in shouting, "Big bro, I heard you're dumping that penal laborer today, can I have her limited edition Ferrari?"
Unexpectedly bumping into Qin Shunian, who had just turned her head, Li Wenzhen rolled her eyes dramatically.
Li Yichen frowned, "How many times have I told you to knock before entering when I'm discussing official matters in my study! Do you have any manners and respect, like a lady of high society should?"
Leaning on the table, Li Wenzhen cooed, "Alright, alright, I get it. Now give me the car keys, I've arranged for a drive with friends today!"
Always indulging his spoiled sister, Li Yichen nodded towards Qin Shunian, "Hand it to Wenzhen."
Lowering her gaze, Qin Shunian responded calmly, "Didn't you say, that car was mine?"
Her tone, as usual, was light and gentle, yet strangely, it carried a hint of coldness that Li Yichen found unfamiliar.
Impatient as always, Li Wenzhen stepped forward and shoved Qin Shunian hard. "What's this 'mine' and 'yours'? This house is my brother's, why should you have a say? Hand over the keys now!"
Having married into the Li family for so many years, Qin Shunian treated this sister-in-law of hers with kindness and fairness.
But Li Wenzhen was notoriously troublesome, a hysterical girl who always cried for her mother when things went wrong.
At first, she offended the fifth young lady of the Sanctuary and angered the young master of the Sanctuary, Fu Tingchen. He threatened her by holding Li Wenzhen hostage atop the highest tower in the city. Had Qin Shunian not trade alone with Fu Tingchen, Li Wenzhen might have been thrown off the tower and become a cripple long ago.
Regrettably, all her kindness earned her was the title of a "penal laborer".
"No."
Qin Shunian firmly refused, looking directly at Li Yichen, "I want this car! Young Master Li, are you not willing to give even a car?"
Her face remained gentle and demure, even her voice was soft and harmless. Yet suddenly, Li Yichen found the woman in front of him to be entirely different from the previous Qin Shunian who let people trample all over her.
He paused for a moment, coldly telling Li Wenhan, "There are more than a dozen supercars at home, pick one from my garage."
However, Li Wenhan was stubborn. She had been spoiled since childhood. Except for the time when she offended Fu Tingchen, no one had ever dared to make her angry, especially not a woman with a criminal record like the one standing before her.
She raised her hand and pointed at Qin Shunian, "I'll ask you again, will you give it or not?"
"No..."
"Slap!"
A fierce slap landed on Qin Shunian's right cheek.
"Don't be shameless when given face, what makes a nobody like you think you can put up a fight with me? You're not even worthy to carry my shoes!"
Li Yichen’s eyes flickered for a moment, before reverting back to his usual calm, saying lightly, "Wenhan, watch your words."
Qin Shunian covered her face, side-glancing at Li Wenhan, "Seems like you really lack some home training..."
But this made Li Wenhan even more arrogant, lifting her chin and provoking Qin Shunian.
"So what then...Ah!"
Qin Shunian grabbed a vase from the window ledge, and nonchalantly dumped the vase full of water and flowers right on Li Wenhan's head!
"I'll take the liberty to teach you a lesson on your parents’ behalf."
