Chapter 404 Divorced

Chapter 404 Time to Part Ways

On the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan went to Song Guangjing’s house for a meal in the morning with her two older brothers.

In the afternoon, Ye Changning took Ye Changsheng and left, while Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan returned to the military compound.

Lu Hanchuan would be returning to the military the next day. He’d made a quick trip back a few days prior, but this time, he’d be gone for a long stretch.

Lu Hanchuan said, “When it warms up in a few days, I’ll accompany you back to Baishi Village. Your parents mentioned they still wanted to hold a banquet there, right?”

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, “Oh right, I forgot about that.”

The purpose of the banquet was to keep up with village traditions.

“But it probably won’t be a big event—just a small village affair.”

Lu Hanchuan said, “Either way, we’re going.”

Actually, during this return to the military, Lu Hanchuan had received news that he might be reassigned. He might not stay in the capital and could be transferred elsewhere.

He wondered if Xiao Xiao would go with him.

If they could live in the military compound, they could see each other daily.

But he still wanted to hear Xiao Xiao’s thoughts.

From Lu Hanchuan’s observations, their Xiao Xiao was a fiercely ambitious young woman.

He didn’t mention this for now, deciding to wait until the news was confirmed before bringing it up.

Regarding Lu Hanchuan accompanying Xiao Xiao back home, Yun Chengxiu also felt it should be arranged as soon as possible.

They would bring plenty of gifts when the time came—they had to mind their manners.

Lu Hanchuan left early the next morning. Xiao Xiao was still asleep when he left. He kissed his wife’s forehead and bid her farewell.

...

Ye Changsheng was leaving after the Lantern Festival too.

Over the past two days, Su Tong had kept asking to see him, and this time, Xiao Xiao didn’t even have to play middleman.

“So… are we hearing wedding bells soon?”

Ye Changsheng was packing his luggage while Ye Xiaoxiao paced behind him, hands behind her back.

Ye Changsheng stood up and patted Xiao Xiao’s head. “I already told you, kid, don’t stick your nose in.”

Ye Xiaoxiao protested, “Hey—who’s a little kid? I’m already married. I’ve been around the block.”

Ye Changsheng teased, “What experience do you have? You only said yes to Lu Hanchuan for his pretty face, didn’t you?”

Someone actually accused Ye Xiaoxiao of being swayed by looks.

“That’s not true at all!”

Though she said this, she didn’t sound so sure.

Ye Changsheng turned down Ye Changning’s offer of a car and opted for the train back instead.

Ye Changning: "Why don’t I get you a car? It'll be convenient for you to go out when you're at school."

Ye Changsheng: "No thanks, I wouldn’t use it."

Ye Changning: "Of course you’ll use it! Go get your driver’s license first when you’re back, and I’ll transfer the money for the car to you."

Ye Changning really gave off that overbearing CEO vibe now.

Ye Xiaoxiao also thought Ye Changsheng should have a car. "Don’t stand on ceremony, Fourth Brother. Third Brother’s garage is full of cars—just grab one if you like."

Ye Changning had his own money and certainly wouldn’t forget his younger siblings.

"Take your pick—I won’t mind."

If Ye Changsheng’s train wasn’t leaving soon, Ye Changning would have dragged him to choose a car right then.

"Got it. I’ll get my license when I’m back. I’m leaving now—be careful heading back."

Ye Changsheng waved and boarded the train with his luggage.

As the family went their separate ways, the New Year’s cheer slowly faded away.

Ye Changning also had a business trip out of town, while Ye Xiaoxiao continued with her work.

After the New Year, Duan Hong was assigned other tasks and hadn’t returned to the courtyard for the time being.

The housekeeper came daily to cook, and when cooking wasn’t needed, she cleaned or fed the dog.

Liu Yuan and his wife returned to Rende Pharmacy for a follow-up.

The swelling in Zhao Xiaoli’s legs was completely gone, and she could walk like a normal person again.

Ye Xiaoxiao adjusted the prescription and gave her another three months’ worth of medicine.

Zhao Xiaoli: "Thank you, Dr. Ye. You’re a miracle worker. We’ve been to so many places without a cure, but here, the medicine fixed me right up."

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled faintly. "I just gave you the right medicine. Although the other meds didn’t do much, you took good care of yourself."

Zhao Xiaoli glanced at her husband—it was his unwavering support over the years that she would always remember.

After getting the medicine, the couple thanked Ye Xiaoxiao over and over before heading out.

……

The compound.

Hao Yanyan and Xu Jianwen hadn’t spoken in two weeks.

Hao Yanyan no longer seemed willing to accommodate or please Xu Jianwen, with no chance of making up.

Even Hao Chengbing and Xu Guochang came back to step in.

Xu Guochang confronted Xu Jianwen: "What’s this divorce really about? Your Uncle Hao and I were once brothers in arms. How am I supposed to look him in the eye now?"

Xu Jianwen: "Dad, don’t throw away my happiness just to save face. If you and Mom hadn’t pushed me, I wouldn’t have gotten married so quickly."

Xu Guochang was so mad he grabbed an ashtray off the table.

Zhao Hongxia grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Xu, what's going on? Don’t just hit the kid without knowing the full story."

Zhao Hongxia signaled to Xu Jianwen with her eyes, "Talk to your dad calmly. We can understand you."

Xu Jianwen pursed his lips, "I found out some things. Aunt He might’ve been involved in some shady stuff."

At these words, even Zhao Hongxia was stunned.

So He Qiaoxiang is mixed up in this too?

Moreover, He Qiaoxiang never had a job. If she’s up to no good, who else is tangled up in it?

"She participated in some schemes involving bribes and embezzlement."

Xu Guochang: "..."

Zhao Hongxia: "Jianwen, how do you know about this? Is there already an investigation from higher-ups?"

Xu Jianwen: "Anyway, there will be relevant measures from above this year. Our family should distance ourselves now."

Xu Guochang: "Hao Chengbing’s probably in the dark about this."

Xu Guochang and Hao Chengbing were army buddies. He still understood Hao Chengbing's temper.

Although he had some luck, after being transferred back to the capital, he’s been coasting. In the army, he just rode on seniority and never got far.

He was rigid and stubborn, not the type to kiss up to the brass.

If you said he had any crooked ideas, definitely not.

But He Qiaoxiang was a different story—a well-connected socialite in their circles with complicated ties to many people.

Seeing his parents' reactions, Xu Jianwen dropped another bombshell.

"The collapse of the He family's company was done by Lu Hanchuan."

Zhao Hongxia: "Why? What’s his beef with the He family? Could it be..."

"He Jinghong went to jail for hiring a hitman to take out Ye Xiaoxiao, which is why the He family collapsed so badly."

"Hao Yanyan’s clothing business going under before probably had something to do with it too."

That incident never made waves, so many people didn’t know Ye Xiaoxiao had been targeted for assassination.

Now that Xu Jianwen spilled everything, the Xu parents were utterly shocked.

"Jianwen, this divorce is for the best. Get it over with fast. Don’t let this sink our family."

This time, Xu Guochang stayed silent. How could brotherhood outweigh tangled interests?

"If divorce is what you want, then do it."