CHAPTER 628: CHAPTER 375: DIVORCED

Qiao Aimin switched to slippers and sat down opposite mother and daughter, his gaze first lingered on Qiao Xiaowan’s face for a moment, he sighed, then looked at Lian Qinghua: "Are we really getting a divorce?"

"Did your dad call?" Lian Qinghua asked.

Qiao Aimin shook his head: "No, this kind of thing, you can’t ask for it."

Lian Qinghua nodded grimly: "Fine, then let’s divorce. Just to be clear, when the time comes that you beg me to come back, don’t blame me for not giving you face."

"I’ll prepare the divorce agreement. Since the decision to divorce has been made, let’s get it done while I’m still in Beijing," Qiao Aimin said, standing up to walk to the study.

Qiao Xiaowan hurriedly said, "Dad, I really don’t want you and Mom to reach this point because of me. How about you two separate for a while and see how it goes?"

"Once it’s decided, dragging it out is pointless," Qiao Aimin looked back at her: "In the future, if you still acknowledge me as your father, come and visit me."

"I will." Qiao Xiaowan slumped back down into her seat, hesitated for a while, then looked at Lian Qinghua: "Mom, I feel so anxious inside."

"No matter what, he is still your father. It’s normal to feel anxious," Lian Qinghua patted her: "Go to sleep. For now, things are as they are. Tomorrow your father and I will go through with the divorce, and in the afternoon, we’ll go back to France, to show him my determination and to facilitate your grandpa’s actions."

"Understood." Qiao Xiaowan sighed and returned to her bedroom, silently praying in her heart, hoping everything was just her overthinking, and hoping that Grandpa’s analysis was all correct.

...

After preparing the divorce agreement, Qiao Aimin moved his belongings back to his parents’ house overnight. The house belonged uncontestedly to Lian Qinghua, bought by her father, and Qiao Aimin also gave up all the savings, leaving him clean-handed. From now on, Qiao Aimin’s residence in Beijing would be at the home of Old Sir Qiao and his wife.

He hadn’t lived much in Beijing over the years. Two large suitcases contained all of his belongings, which were easy enough to move. The Qiao family’s old couple were still awake, and upon seeing Qiao Aimin dragging his suitcases back, they sighed and instructed him to rest right away, leaving the sorting of his things to the housekeeper the next day.

Qiao Aimin smiled: "Dad, Mom, this is a good thing. You both also go and rest, don’t think too much. Since we’ve decided to fight, there’s nothing to be afraid of."

Old Lady Qiao held onto her son’s arm, wiping her tears: "Aimin, Dad and I just feel sorry for you. No matter how bad Lian Qinghua is, at least you had a family. Now you’re alone, how can we not worry."

"Mom, don’t I still have you and dad? Wherever you and dad are, that’s my home," Qiao Aimin embraced Old Lady Qiao: "I actually feel much lighter."

Old Master Qiao waved his hand: "Well, once decided, there’s nothing to regret. You’re not even fifty, you’ll meet someone who truly appreciates your warmth."

"Dad, I won’t marry again in this lifetime, don’t want to wrong another person," Qiao Aimin sighed: "Everyone must be responsible for their own mistakes. Whatever I’m experiencing, it’s the heavens punishing me."

Old Lady Qiao finally showed sympathy for her son, hesitated a bit, and said: "Aimin, you could try to find Luo Xiang, now that you’re free, try to bring her back."

"Mom, Dad, not to hide from you, I’ve looked, but there’s no news of her at all," a profound sadness flashed in Qiao Aimin’s eyes: "She’s deliberately avoiding me. I’ve been asking people to help search for her, but there’s not a single piece of news. She must have left the country long ago. That last time she saw me, it was probably to never see me again."

Old Master Qiao sighed deeply: "They say heartlessness is the worst, but you, because you’re too emotionally invested, too responsible, have ended up like this today. Never mind, you’ve just divorced, don’t think too much about it. If it’s fated, you will meet again. If not, it’s the destiny of this lifetime!"

Qiao Aimin nodded: "Dad, you’re right. I’ve just divorced, no rush to think about these things. You all go and rest, I’ll go wash up and sleep too."

...

Early the next morning, Qiao Aimin and Lian Qinghua rushed to the Civil Affairs Bureau and handled the divorce proceedings without a hitch. As they stepped out the door, Qiao Aimin looked at her: "I have a meeting in the afternoon, need to hurry back to my parents’ to grab my things and leave, can’t see you off."

"I’ve already called a car to pick me up, so don’t worry about me. I’ve never relied on you before, and now that we’re divorced, even less so," she said, and as a Bentley pulled up, Lian Qinghua glanced sideways at Qiao Aimin: "When I was with you, I always had to be careful not to make a bad impression. Qiao Aimin, without you, I’m only going to live better!"