Chapter 371 The Dull Wife in Republic of China Literature (28)

Chapter 371 The Inflexible Wife in a Republic of China-Era Story (28)

"You..."

Fang Zhuo instinctively wanted to say something. This agreement had been revised by Qu Wanran a few days prior.

At the time, he had advised Qu Wanran that there was no need to specify these points in the agreement...

But as soon as he spoke, Qu Wanran felt he was defending Tang Qing.

Thus, the current version came to be.

"Tang Qing..."

Before Fang Zhuo could finish his words, he watched in disbelief as Tang Qing signed her name right away on the agreement!

Her familiar cursive script, with its connected strokes, flowed smooth and effortless, without pause!

She did not hesitate in the slightest!

Tang Qing’s movements were so unhurried and confident that Fang Zhuo suddenly recalled the first time he saw that piece of writing, *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*.

At the time, the family patriarch had remarked... those capable of creating such a work must possess a truly exceptional character.

Qu Wanran’s scheming and concerns were entirely unnecessary.

Tang Qing...

Perhaps she never even considered having any future with the Fang family...

After signing her name, Tang Qing gently put down the pen and said calmly, "We go our separate ways."

"Fang Zhuo, congratulations."

"You’ve finally attained the freedom you desired. May it bring you joy and peace."

As she offered this blessing, Tang Qing’s demeanor was composed, betraying no sadness or emotion.

Strangely enough...

Just hearing her words, that inexplicable feeling welled up in him again!

It was as if something heavy had suddenly dropped!

Yanking at his heart with a strange palpitation...

Fang Zhuo unconsciously clenched his fist, forcibly ignoring the sudden unease, and said stiffly, "Thank you."

"Thank you for being willing to make room for Wan Ran and me..."

"This marriage, in the end, was our Fang family’s..."

The freedom he had longed for was finally here, yet Fang Zhuo suddenly realized he wasn't nearly as happy as he'd expected.

Instead, as he looked at Tang Qing standing before him, his emotions grew more and more complicated.

Tang Qing had been married into the Fang family for three years, while he had been abroad for three years.

This marriage, when you got right down to it, was nothing more than in name only.

She had cost me three years of freedom, while she herself had been stuck in the dreary life within these mansion walls for just as long.

Lost in thought, Fang Zhuo sighed softly.

"If there's ever a chance in the future…"

He was about to speak when Tang Qing cut him off. "There won't be."

"When will the notice run in the newspaper?"

Is she even more eager than I am?

Stunned by her directness in pushing for progress, Fang Zhuo hesitated for a moment before replying, "Uh… it should be soon."

"Wanran is currently working with Shen Bao to secure space."

In this era, there was no formal divorce process.

Wealthy families, educated elites, or nobles often chose to reserve space in newspapers to publicly announce the end of their marital relationships.

"We're waiting for a response from the Shen Bao editor. It might take some time to clear the space."

It could have been faster, but Qu Wanran insisted on going with Shen Bao, the newspaper with the highest circulation at the time.

She was eager to notify everyone that Fang Zhuo had agreed to a mutual divorce, and that she, Qu Wanran, was the real love of the Fang family's young master.

Major newspapers like Shen Bao plan their content way ahead for each issue.

The matter of the Fang family's mutual divorce will probably have to wait for a few editions.

"Alright."

"Thanks for handling this."

With those light, almost careless words, Tang Qing turned and left first, her expression unchanged!

Young Master Fang suddenly realized that from the moment he brought up divorce, Tang Qing's expression hadn't changed one bit!

All his own agitation and sentimentality meant nothing to her, failing to stir even a ripple.

Fang Zhuo's gaze unconsciously drifted to Tang Qing's signature. Just as he remembered, her handwriting was beautiful, with elegant, natural flair.

"It's over."

The young master's soft murmur held a faint hint of regret that somehow stung…

"Yes!"

"You're really mutually divorced!"

As they left Fang Zhuo's room, the system's voice was unmistakably full of excitement. "Hehehe, that fool Fang Zhuo—his affection value is already at 67, and he still hasn't realized it!"

Especially just now, the system had picked up swings in Young Master Fang's affection value several times…

But Fang Zhuo himself… had actively ignored them.

"Tang Qing! You're free now!"

The congratulations were clearly full of the system's glee. "Hehehe, Young Master Fang has left the scene. Next up, now it's Yan Ningcheng’s turn!"

"The 'I'll wait for your divorce' I mentioned back then—it finally happened!"

"Tang Qing! Let's quickly arrange for Xiao He to notify Yan Ningcheng!"

"Yan Ningcheng must be thrilled!"

Tang Qing said, "No need."

"He'll find out about this news eventually."

The freedom that Fang Zhuo longed for was also the outcome Yan Ningcheng had pleaded for repeatedly...

In countless intense looks, Yan Ningcheng was the most eager one.

...

By coincidence, that morning, just after formally signing the divorce papers with Tang Qing, Fang Zhuo received a message from Xu Jing in the afternoon.

In the letter, the translator known as "Nan Xu" had resurfaced!

This time, Nan Xu had translated two more finance classics!

Moreover, Xu Jing had brought along the new translations!

The faint, lingering sadness from the divorce with Tang Qing was instantly replaced by the news Xu Jing brought.

Fang Zhuo hurried to the agreed location.

"Is it really Nan Xu's translation?"

Before sitting down, Fang Zhuo asked urgently, "Has he really appeared again?"

"Absolutely true."

Xu Jing beamed, gesturing for Fang Zhuo to sit. "I was just as surprised. It had been so long without any contact."

"Unexpectedly, he sent me this wonderful surprise!"

"Take a look—you should be familiar with these two books."

The translations had just been printed, with the smell of fresh ink.

Just from the covers, Fang Zhuo immediately recognized them.

These were both required reading from his university days abroad!

Especially that one, "Debt Markets"—when he first arrived overseas, listening to lectures on this book felt like listening to a foreign language.

The language barrier, coupled with no concept whatsoever of "debt" or "markets" back home, made the barrage of specialized terms completely confusing.

It was no exaggeration to say it was like in one ear and out the other.

He never imagined he would see Chinese translations of these two books in his lifetime.

"Who exactly is this Nan Xu..."

Flipping through the book, Fang Zhuo mused in wonder.

From the previous translations, it was clear that this "Nan Xu" possessed remarkable professional skill.

This type of academic/professional book, with its novel concepts and abstruse content, incorporates Nan Xu's unique insights, gradually unraveling the profound complexities within.

It all clicked!

Absolutely brilliant!

"Perhaps there really is a chance... to meet in person."

As if suddenly remembering something, Xu Jing spoke up, "To celebrate its tenth anniversary, the publishing house has sent invitations to all its regular translators."

"Perhaps Ms. Nan Xu might make an appearance."

"Mr. Fang, if you're interested, you could come and join the festivities."

While speaking, Xu Jing handed Fang Zhuo an invitation.