Grandfather Zhuang never lived with his children.
Ever since he completely handed over authority to the next generation, he and his wife moved out of the Zhuang Residence.
When not traveling, they vacationed on their private island.
His wife loved collecting antiques and had a penchant for Eastern aesthetics, so Grandfather Zhuang spared no expense building a more secluded and exquisite Chinese courtyard.
The couple shared a deep bond, from their youthful days with black hair to their silver years, their love as enduring as ever.
Because of this, Grandfather Zhuang placed great importance on family values, leading by example.
In Zhuang Qiting’s generation, with seven or eight brothers, not one was divorced or involved in extramarital affairs.
The courtyard itself was modest in size but winding and serene, refined and elegant, with every plant and tree reflecting the owner’s impeccable taste.
Li Yaru had no interest in admiring the expensive flora and stones. She followed Qing Shu straight inside.
In the living room, Mrs. Zhuang sat on the sofa wearing a Dingxiang Purple Floral Qipao, playing an accordion.
The vintage and melodious tune evoked the charm of pre-war Hong Kong Island.
Upon seeing her daughter-in-law arrive, she stopped the music with a smile and invited Li Yaru over: “The matriarch said you’d be coming, so I made your favorite Mocha Cookies. Have some.”
Li Yaru, who could criticize the Zhuang men for every little flaw, deeply admired the Zhuang women.
Each was elegant and beautiful, smart and gracious, exuding great personal charm— whether it was this gentle mother-in-law or her sisters-in-law.
Outside, it was said that women who married into the Zhuang Family were blessed beyond measure— not only loved dearly but also able to enjoy wealth rivaling kingdoms.
Li Yaru didn’t quite buy it. She thought it was the Zhuang men who were lucky in life, lucky in their next life, to have been born to marry such remarkable women.
“I knew Mom loves me!” Li Yaru didn’t hold back, grabbing a cookie and biting into it, then picking up another. “Delicious! I want to pack some to take home. Ming loves the cookies his grandma makes, too!”
Mrs. Zhuang was overjoyed, unable to stop smiling. Among her four daughters-in-law, she favored Li Yaru the most, spoiling her with sweet talk, never the slightest reservation.
She still remembered the first time Li Yaru came to the Zhuang Residence— an almost nineteen-year-old girl, dressed primly and ladylike, but with a loud, bright voice like a freshly cut crisp red watermelon.
When Zhuang Qiting said Li Yaru liked cookies, she made many in advance. Worried the young lady might be shy, she tried to comfort her, but the girl happily finished an entire box all by herself!
Such an open and generous child — how had she come to quarrel with her husband and want a divorce after more than twenty years?
Mrs. Zhuang couldn’t understand it and blamed her eldest son for being a scoundrel.
Li Yaru chatted with her mother-in-law for a bit before taking her leave and heading to the tea room.
The tea room was filled with the elegant scent of Cold Mountain Immortal Trace incense. The high-grade Agarwood and Thuja wood left a more rustic fragrance than similar perfumes.
Grandfather Zhuang sat at the tea table, dressed in a 1940s-style Zhuang suit. A well-aged Gold and Jade Pocket Watch hung from his vest.
At seventy-three, he showed no sign of frailty — alert, dignified, and imposing.
“Dad, you wanted to see me,” Li Yaru smiled softly as she entered, gently closing the door behind her.
Zhuang Shaozhang glanced at his daughter-in-law and gestured for her to sit. Li Yaru took a seat and accepted a cup of hot tea, taking a few thoughtful sips.
Zhuang Shaozhang was not one to beat around the bush. His first words were: “I heard you and Qiting are going through divorce proceedings.”
Li Yaru had expected this but still felt a shock in her chest. She quickly explained, “Dad, you really can’t blame me for this. It’s Qiting who went too far — he bullies me, spies on me, threatens me. I can’t live like this anymore!”
Her eyes closed briefly as she laid out both what should and shouldn’t be said in that one sentence. Naturally, she emphasized how Qiting was mistreating her.
Zhuang Shaozhang snorted heavily, his sharp eyes scrutinizing his eldest daughter-in-law.
Of his four daughters-in-law, he least trusted Li Yaru — not because of her background; the Zhuang Family never needed alliances through wealth or status.
Who could be richer or more powerful than the Zhuang Family?
It was because the moment he saw her, he saw clearly that Li Yaru was spirited, headstrong, and free-spirited — qualities his stubborn, domineering, and controlling son could never manage.
Sooner or later, there would be upheaval.
Therefore, he didn’t approve. To Zhuang Qiting, he said bluntly, “Her personality isn’t right for you. Find a more obedient woman, and your life will be much easier.”
But Zhuang Qiting was stubborn and reckless in youth, determined to marry Li Yaru.
“Dad, I only want her— Li Yaru— in my life. If she’s not suitable, I’ll teach her until she is.”
“You think you have that ability?”
“Dad, do you really think I can’t control a little woman? Besides, she’s very obedient now. She willingly married me— she likes me.”
“………………”
Zhuang Shaozhang felt like splitting his son’s head open to see if it was filled with water or mush.
Was that the look of a woman who willingly married him? It was obviously the look of someone crushed under tyranny, angry but silent.
He knew exactly what methods were used — threats and bribes, honey mixed with the stick.
Yet, because he cared for his son, despite his own discomfort, he approved the marriage and even colluded with Qiting to bully an innocent nineteen-year-old girl.
That was probably the most unscrupulous thing Zhuang Shaozhang had ever done in his life — helping his son torment a naive young girl.
…………
“How… does he treat you badly?”
“Dad, I know you’re trying to advise me, but this time I really can’t take it anymore. If I keep living with him, we’ll just become resentful enemies. There’s no other way.” Li Yaru knew at this point there was no need to be polite.
Even if Grandfather Zhuang forbade the divorce, she would fight for it.
“What else could there be…” Li Yaru gave a bitter laugh, moistened her throat with hot tea, and lowered her voice, “Playing hard to get? Trying to force me to obey by other means? Dad, I’m already over forty. He still treats me like I’m young — controlling and suppressing me. If I talk to another man even once, he’ll destroy him. Do you think I can endure that?”
“He promised to divorce publicly but is really just forcing me to submit. All my Shenghui assets have been frozen by him. The properties and shops have been repossessed. Even the jewelry he gave me over the years — the haute couture pieces — I’m not allowed to take them all. Don’t worry, I signed that agreement. Even if he gives me Zhuang family assets, I can’t take them.”
Zhuang Shaozhang was silent for a long while before sighing slowly, “That…”
Li Yaru nodded, feeling the pain deep down. It wasn’t a small sum — it was hundreds of billions. “If you can let go, great. If not, what can I do? It’s still better than staying his submissive wife.”
Zhuang Shaozhang glanced at his daughter-in-law with displeasure. He had never met anyone who dared speak to him like that.
Zhuang Qiting said he would eventually make a proper lady out of her. Look at what kind of ‘lady’ this was turning out to be.
“Watch your words when speaking before elders.”
Li Yaru pursed her lips and lowered her head shyly. She thought, haven’t I been this way all these years?
Then, rebellious as ever, she gave up trying to be careful: “Dad, I know you’ve never liked me. You should be happy I’m divorcing Qiting. If you want me to submit to him, you might as well kill me.”
“……………”
Zhuang Shaozhang set down his tea cup, and even with all his restraint and maturity, he glared fiercely. “You’re already a mother of three, yet you keep talking nonsense! When did I ever say I disliked you? If I disliked you, would I have allowed you into the Zhuang Family? I gave your father over three hundred million in betrothal gifts back then. Which other daughter-in-law in the family compares to you?”
Li Yaru fell silent, realizing she had misspoken, but her expression still looked wronged.
Zhuang Shaozhang sighed heavily. How could he dislike Li Yaru? He had watched her grow from a naïve nineteen-year-old girl to a woman who, at least on the surface, was an elegant noblewife.
She carried the burden of matriarch of the Zhuang Family well, never making mistakes. That was beyond what he had expected, and it gave him comfort and pride.
He rose and walked to a Huanghuali Wood Cabinet, pulling out several documents from a drawer. “Little girl, don’t say I’m biased toward my son. When have I ever favored him?”
Li Yaru took the documents skeptically. Upon reading the English title on the papers clearly, she froze, her fingertips trembling. She looked at Zhuang Shaozhang in disbelief: “Is this a Divorce Decree?”
Stamped with the official red seal of the Court of Hong Kong and dated, this was Hong Kong Island’s official Divorce Certificate.
“Since you’ve decided not to live with Qiting anymore, I’ll grant your wish.”
“Dad…”
Li Yaru was stunned. This was the decree she had longed for and hoped to receive for months, now held in her hands. The feeling was surreal, like waves crashing over her.
Had she truly divorced Zhuang Qiting? Completely divorced? This marriage of over twenty years was quietly, silently over?
A sudden chill ran through her. For once, she felt lost and helpless.
Her entire life had been deeply marked by Zhuang Qiting, occupying almost her whole existence.
Now that the marriage was over, it felt like a drawn-out holographic simulation had suddenly collapsed.
The heroine was escaping the second dimension, returning to the real world.
Zhuang Shaozhang said, “That brat Qiting went too far using the prenuptial agreement to threaten you. I’ll educate him on that. Even after divorce, you’ll retain all the benefits of being a Zhuang daughter-in-law. The family trust’s share that belongs to you will remain unchanged. Your mother-in-law feels for you and promised to transfer eight million monthly from her account to you. You like living by the sea— the three properties in Shallow Water Bay and Stanley still belong to you. The two buildings Qiting gave you when you had Ming are yours too. How does that sound?”