Volume 1, Chapter 47 (Grand Climax): Ye Wu, I Don't Want a Divorce!

Elder Zhou spoke again, "Tell her to come over."

Zhou Yanli nodded.

He walked out of the study with a heavy heart. As a father, he wished for his son's happiness, but now it seemed that Ye Wu would no longer be willing to stay in the Zhou family.

Reflecting further, he resented his wife for her loose tongue and her inability to tolerate others.

The grand hall of the Zhou residence was dead silent. Everyone sat stiffly, having lost all appetite for breakfast.

Zhou Yanli walked in, looked at Ye Wu, and said gently, "Go to the study; the old master is waiting for you."

His wife immediately asked, "Has the old master seen reason? Jinghuai cannot be without an heir."

Zhou Yanli replied with a calm expression, "The old master has spoken: it is only a matter of Ye Wu not wanting Jinghuai; there is no such thing as Jinghuai not wanting Ye Wu."

Zhou Jinghuai's mother slumped into her chair in despair.

Zhou Yanli once again gently urged Ye Wu to go.

Before Ye Wu had taken two steps, Zhou Jinghuai stood up alongside her. "I will go with you."

Zhou Yanli looked at his son with a complicated expression. "The old master did not call for you. He only asked for A-Wu."

Yet Zhou Jinghuai refused to yield.

He grasped Ye Wu's palm, determined to accompany her. He had a premonition that Ye Wu was about to make a crucial decision—one that he, Zhou Jinghuai, would not want to see.

Zhou Jinghuai held her hand tightly, refusing to let go...

Ye Wu lowered her gaze and murmured softly, "If you truly cared about me, how could our marriage have reached this point? That medical report of Bai Qianqian's was even obtained through you. Zhou Jinghuai, I poured my whole heart into you, yet you brought me endless storms."

With those words, she gently pried his fingers loose.

Zhou Jinghuai's hand met only empty air. He watched the retreating figure of Ye Wu, watching as she steadied herself against the doorframe upon leaving, as if she were expending every last ounce of strength she possessed in this lifetime.

Abruptly, he recalled the sunset over the Jiang River.

Back then, Ye Wu had been radiant with spirit. She had asked Zhou Jinghuai if they would be together for life, never parting, and if they were the most important people to one another.

He remembered the love letters she had written. On the large bed in the Emperor's Vista, he had deliberately read them aloud to Ye Wu—

[Although it is difficult, Zhou Jinghuai, I still want to stay by your side.]

[I will love you slowly and for a long, long time.]

[Over and over again.]

……

In truth, they really had shared good times.

Overwhelmed by a tumult of emotions, Zhou Jinghuai blurted out, "Ye Wu, I don't want a divorce."

Ye Wu paused in her steps.

She turned around, gazed quietly at the man she had once loved deeply, and smiled faintly—

Ye Wu turned away and left without a moment's hesitation.

Moments later, she arrived at Elder Zhou's study.

The study was wreathed in the delicate fragrance of tea. On the small tea table were exquisite pastries and two bowls of auspicious New Year porridge. The old master rose personally to greet her, his voice exceptionally gentle as he smiled warmly, "Come here, A-Wu, and keep Grandpa company for breakfast."

Ye Wu obediently complied, accompanying the old master through the meal, though she could tell he was in a very heavy mood.

As soon as they finished, she prepared to speak, but Elder Zhou raised a hand, signaling his intention to transfer the shares registered under his name to her.

Ye Wu froze.

She sat in silence, tears already welling in her eyes. Having married into the Zhou family for four years, she knew all too well how cautious the old master was—

Shares worth thirty billion, given away as easily as if they were nothing. How could Ye Wu remain unmoved?

After a long pause, she spoke in a low voice, "I know you want to compensate me, but everything I did was of my own accord. Furthermore, the one who owes me is Zhou Jinghuai, not the Zhou family. Therefore, I cannot accept these shares."

Hearing this, Elder Zhou guessed Ye Wu's resolve; the child's mind was completely made up to leave.

Still, the old master felt compelled to ask, "And Jinghuai? Do you intend to cast him aside as well?"

Ye Wu lowered her eyes submissively. "It depends on his wishes—whenever he is willing to let go, we will go obtain our divorce certificate."

Having laid her intentions bare, Elder Zhou slumped back, instantly drained of energy.

Yet he could find no fault with Ye Wu. From beginning to end, the girl had not put a single foot wrong; the fault lay entirely with Jinghuai!

Pulling himself together, the old master managed a strained smile. "Then pick again. We have other young men in the Zhou family; surely there is one who catches your eye."

Ye Wu was torn between tears and laughter. "Grandpa!"

Elder Zhou sighed with sorrow. "I simply cannot bear to part with you."

And how could Ye Wu bear to leave?

Her origins had been so desolate; her grandmother had rescued her and raised her single-handedly. During her time in the Zhou family, the old master had been one of the few sources of warmth she knew—a profound kindness she could never hope to repay.

Ye Wu stood up, approached the old master, and presented him with a cup of tea.

With the first cup of tea, she thanked the old master for four years of cultivation and care.

With the second cup of tea, she expressed her gratitude for his tolerance and acceptance.

With the third cup of tea, she honored the bond between herself and the old master—though not his biological granddaughter, he had treated her far better than one.

……

Ye Wu knelt before Elder Zhou and touched her forehead to the floor.

She said, "A-Wu only wishes that the old master may find all his wishes fulfilled and enjoy peace through the passing years."

Her forehead remained pressed against the ground for a long time, and she did not rise.

Elder Zhou finally broke down.

Having weathered storms and trials throughout his long life, he now found himself blinded by tears at the hands of a young girl. Waving a trembling hand, his voice grew hoarse, "Get up, quickly get up. It's the New Year, and the floor is cold."

After sipping the tea, the old master fished a red envelope from his pocket and handed it to Ye Wu.

"No one else has this."

Only A-Wu had it; only his capable and deserving granddaughter-in-law had it.

Clutching the red envelope tightly, tears shining in her eyes, Ye Wu was deeply moved. "Thank you, Grandpa."

She did not linger, rising slowly to back out of the room.

At the doorway, she unexpectedly bumped into Zhou Jingyao.

Zhou Jingyao had already caught wind of the news. With a complicated expression, the moment he saw Ye Wu emerge, he could not resist a sarcastic remark, "You and Zhou Jinghuai really are a perfect match, putting on such a grand performance. Was Bai Qianqian an actress hired by the two of you? A single theatrical production in exchange for thirty billion—what a lucrative deal."

Before Ye Wu could retort, Elder Zhou's voice rang out from within the study.

The old master roared angrily, "Are you a dog? Your nose is sharper than anyone's!"

Zhou Jingyao rubbed his nose and pushed the door open to step inside.

Inside the study, Elder Zhou was speaking with his confidant, pointing toward the doorway and holding nothing back. "Jinghuai's wife is beyond reproach—magnanimous and broad-minded. Among all our descendants, there are few who can compare to her."

Zhou Jingyao felt a sour twist in his gut. "The old master handing over shares is even more magnanimous."

Elder Zhou sneered, "She didn't want them."

Shocked, Zhou Jingyao stared in disbelief. How could that be? How could Ye Wu possibly refuse?

Elder Zhou seated himself slowly, letting out a soft sigh. "When she first entered this family, it was for Jinghuai's sake. Now that she wants to leave, it is likewise because of Jinghuai. She cares nothing for the wealth of the Zhou family."

With a cynical smirk, Zhou Jingyao remarked, "Then she must be leaving for the sake of my cousin himself."

Though he spoke with apparent indifference, an uncomfortable knot formed in his chest. He even felt a twinge of envy toward Zhou Jinghuai—why was it always Zhou Jinghuai who managed to obtain the very best?

The executive power over the Rong'en Group.

And, above all, Ye Wu's deep affection...