Chapter 12: My Dear, I Love You!

Mo Han's heart trembled. He hadn’t expected Li Anan to utter the word “divorce.” Five years of love—was it truly so fragile, unable to withstand this trial? The memories of those five years flashed through his mind like a rollercoaster: laughter, happiness, resignation, frustration… After weathering so many storms, their feelings had always endured.

“Anan…”

“Don’t say anything more. My mind is made up. Tomorrow, we’ll get divorced.” Without waiting for Mo Han to speak, Li Anan continued coldly, “And as for the reason we’re divorcing, it’s mainly because you’ve brought trouble upon yourself. So the law will surely rule that you leave with nothing. You’ll end up with nothing…”

“But we were married once. I don’t want to make things too absolute. The one hundred million grandpa transferred to you—give it to me…”

She hesitated; in truth, she only wanted fifty million. She believed Mo Han was certain to be killed by the Tan family, and leaving the money in his account would only be wasted. After some thought, she gritted her teeth and said, “Just transfer the remaining ninety-five million to me. Don’t worry, I won’t squander it, nor will I give it to my parents. I’ll save it, and when Xiao Xiao grows up, it will all be hers!”

Mo Han knew Li Anan was being forced into this divorce, but his heart was still filled with sorrow. “Fine, I’ll transfer the money to you right away. But as for the divorce—let’s talk in three days. If you still want it then, I’ll grant your wish,” Mo Han said.

“No. We must divorce tomorrow!” Li Anan insisted.

They had to make their divorce public, so the Tan family would know her family had nothing more to do with Mo Han. This way, if the Tan family tried to implicate them, they’d have to bear the brunt of public opinion. Families like the Tans cared deeply about their reputation—sometimes it outweighed everything. This was Li Anan’s gamble: that, for the sake of their reputation and to avoid criticism, the Tan family would spare hers.

Mo Han felt a bitter urge to confront the Tan family that very night, but after considering, he decided to act in three days. He believed that in three days, those who needed to come would come.

“Alright. I’ll go with you to the divorce tomorrow. Give me your card number—I’ll transfer the money now,” Mo Han nodded.

Li Anan handed him her bank card without hesitation, and Mo Han transferred the full ninety-five million to her without another word.

After that, the two fell silent.

The next morning, Li Anan had Li Xiaoxiao come to the hospital to take care of Xiao Xiao, and then she went with Mo Han to the Civil Affairs Bureau to complete the divorce procedures.

Since there were no disputes, the process went quickly.

As they left the Bureau together, Mo Han didn’t get into Li Anan’s car, and Li Anan didn’t ask him to.

Now, they had nothing to do with each other. If anything remained, it was only the bond between ex-wife and ex-husband.

Watching Mo Han’s desolate figure disappear, Li Anan sat in the driver’s seat, covering her face as she wept.

“Darling, I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry!”

“Darling, I love you! I really love you!”

Li Anan buried her face in the steering wheel and sobbed uncontrollably. In that moment, her spirit collapsed.

Scenes from five years with Mo Han flashed through her mind.

Five years ago, she fell seriously ill, and the hospital couldn’t help her. She nearly gave up treatment altogether. Then a wandering Taoist said that arranging a marriage would cure her. Mo Han married into her family.

She hadn’t believed it—she thought the Taoist was a fraud who had taken fifty thousand from her family. But to her surprise, a month after marrying Mo Han, her strange illness truly disappeared.

Li Anan believed her recovery was entirely thanks to Mo Han. During that month, he cared for her in every possible way.

So she willingly married Mo Han, ignoring her family’s objections, becoming his wife.

A year later, their daughter Xiao Xiao was born.

With Xiao Xiao, their feelings grew stronger. Mo Han had little ability, but he loved her deeply. Each time her family bullied him, she stood by his side. Mo Han never held grudges against her family, which comforted her greatly.

Memories washed over her—when ignored, she felt fine, but recalling those past happiness and their current separation only deepened her heartbreak.

Her spirit crumbled. She sobbed, filled with resentment. All her emotions erupted, finally fading into helplessness.

Helplessness, quiet crying, then resilience.

Li Anan wiped her tears, started the car, and slowly drove away from the Civil Affairs Bureau.

…

Baiyun District.

The Xie family courtyard.

Mo Han looked up, a bitter smile crossing his face.

Unknowingly, he had arrived at the entrance to the Xie family courtyard.

He was familiar with this place; after all, he had lived here for twelve years.

At eight years old, his adoptive father Jiang Zhizhong brought him here, and he stayed for eight years.

Jiang Zhizhong had served in the military; it was said he’d been on the battlefield. His left foot was wounded by a bullet, and because it wasn’t treated properly, he was left with a permanent limp. People called him “Jiang the Cripple.”

Mo Han remembered, when he was fifteen, someone insulted Jiang Zhizhong with that nickname, and he fought with them. Jiang Zhizhong didn’t praise him, though; instead, he gave him a harsh beating.

These old memories flashed through his mind. Originally, Mo Han was about to leave, but a smile tugged at his lips, and he changed his mind.

“It’s been almost a year since I last came. I’ll take a walk.”

Mo Han turned and entered the alley of the Xie family courtyard.

Inside, rough low houses and randomly strung old wires spoke of the poverty of the area.

The road through the alley was still damp from yesterday’s heavy rain.

Three or five children skipped and laughed as they passed him, and Mo Han remembered his own childhood.

His childhood had two stages. In the first, he was a wealthy young master, able to spend tens of thousands on a single meal. In the second, he was like these children—playful, making mud pies.

Back then, the only companion he had for playing in the mud was his adoptive father’s daughter, Jiang Yiran.

Thinking of Jiang Yiran, he couldn’t help but feel wistful. The taste of childhood always changes as you grow up.

But as an adult, Mo Han never resented Jiang Yiran for changing as she grew. Truthfully, he always hoped she would live better than anyone.

To him, Jiang Yiran would always be his sister.

Soon, Mo Han arrived at the Jiang family’s door.

From a distance, he saw a middle-aged man reclining in a bamboo chair, smoking a pipe…