Volume One, Chapter 11: Annul the Marriage

The old mansion, which should have been lively, carried an unsettling heaviness.

Grandma Rong sat at the head of the dining table, her usually kind and gentle face as cold as ice.

Just moments ago, while Grandma Rong was browsing the internet, watching short videos of beautiful women dancing with Sang Haining, she accidentally came across gossip about her grandson: the only son of the Rong family’s fourth branch was spotted buying a diamond ring with a mysterious woman at the mall, sparking rumors of an impending wedding.

Accompanying the gossip were several photos showing Rong Shaoqin selecting diamond rings with Luo Qingyao at the counter.

Since Sang Haining and Rong Shaoqin were secretly married and Sang Haining never appeared publicly, the outside world still assumed Rong Shaoqin was unmarried.

Therefore, the trending search about Rong Shaoqin buying a diamond ring with a woman was marked with a glaring “Explosive” label.

After reading it, Grandma Rong trembled with rage.

The dishes on the table sat untouched, as if mere decorations.

At that moment, Sang Haining received a message from Rong Shaoqin saying he would accompany Luo Qingyao to the hospital and wouldn't be back for lunch.

In the past, Sang Haining would have put on a show, asking a few questions about Luo Qingyao’s condition and then telling Rong Shaoqin not to worry, promising to cover for him.

But this time, since Rong Shaoqin had been so reckless as to anger Grandma Rong so deeply, Sang Haining couldn’t help but feel some anger herself.

So she didn’t bother with pleasantries and replied coldly.

When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer.

Because of Rong Shaoqin, Grandma Rong not only dragged the late Grandpa Rong from memory and scolded him but also berated every man present.

“At home, the wife is as beautiful as a goddess, yet you’re all cozying up with fox spirits outside. You’ve picked up such corrupt and unruly habits from your wicked elders, dragging both the fragrant and the foul into your beds. Each of you is a bastard who deserves a good thrashing. There’s not a single decent man among you!”

Her curses were filthy and relentless, lasting a full ten minutes without pause.

Everyone present was left with bowed heads, not daring to draw a breath.

Worried that Grandma might hurt her throat, Sang Haining quickly handed her a glass of water. “Grandma, since it’s my birthday today, please don’t be angry.”

After drinking half the cup, Grandma Rong’s anger gave way to guilt as she looked at Sang Haining. “I promised your grandmother I wouldn’t let you suffer even a bit, but I have broken my word.”

“Don’t think like that,” Sang Haining said as she brought a bowl of lotus seed and white fungus porridge to Grandma Rong. “I don’t feel wronged—not when I have you backing me up.”

“Child, I truly feel sorry for you,” Grandma sighed. “Maybe I shouldn’t have forced you two to marry in the first place.”

---

“Grandma, let’s not talk about that. Look, I made this lotus seed and white fungus porridge myself. You said you wanted to eat it before, so I picked fresh ingredients specially for you. Please try it.”

Sang Haining did her best to soothe Grandma Rong but didn’t defend Rong Shaoqin in the slightest.

It could only be said that if Rong Shaoqin ended up getting scolded mercilessly by Grandma, it was well deserved.

“You’re a filial child,” Grandma Rong said, no longer angry.

Then she turned to the younger generation. “Everyone, eat now.”

The heavy atmosphere finally eased. Except for Grandma Rong and Sang Haining, everyone else wore faces of residual fear, clearly still intimidated by Grandma’s reprimand.

The lunch went by quietly.

After seeing off the elders and coaxing Grandma Rong to sleep in the old mansion, Sang Haining went to visit her grandmother.

Her grandmother was well cared for, which put her mind at ease.

At three in the afternoon, Sang Haining went to find Shen Chuyi.

Shen Chuyi had deliberately cleared her afternoon and evening to celebrate Sang Haining’s birthday.

Carrying bags and packages, Shen Chuyi said exasperatedly, “You never hung out with me before or after, but today on your birthday you drag me along shopping with San’er, and you even got on the hot search. Rong Shaoqin really has no sense. No wonder Grandma Rong is angry. If it were me, I would’ve quit already.”

Sang Haining casually picked out desserts, replying as she chose, “Grandma Rong worked so hard to bring us together. Even if I want a divorce, it can’t be me who initiates it. Besides, realistically speaking, it’s better for me not to divorce. The company is still unstable, funds haven’t been recovered, and my grandmother’s hospitalization and medication costs are high. We can’t afford drastic changes. Moreover, if my grandmother knew I was divorcing, it would definitely affect her health. Neither my grandmother nor Grandma Rong wants us to divorce.”

“And what about you?” Shen Chuyi asked.

Sang Haining was momentarily taken aback. “Me?”

Shen Chuyi looked at her sympathetically. “Have you ever thought about what kind of life you want?”

Sang Haining had never given it much thought.

After a moment’s reflection, she said, “Probably a free and easy life, where I can take a spontaneous trip anytime, anywhere.”

Shen Chuyi hugged her.

Sang Haining smiled wryly. “What’s this for? I’m not sad.”

“I’m sad for you,” Shen Chuyi said, her eyes reddening.

Sang Haining couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. “I’m not really upset at all. The only thing that makes me angry is that this whole thing has upset Grandma Rong. You could look at it this way: I didn’t marry Rong Shaoqin—I married Grandma Rong.”

---

Shen Chuyi felt somewhat relieved. “Grandma Rong truly cares about you. Otherwise, I’d really be worried.”

“Mm, since you’re worried about me, you’re paying for everything today. I want the most expensive desserts,” Sang Haining said, pointing to the exquisite pastries inside. “Miss, please pack me five of those, and ten of those.”

Shen Chuyi’s eyes widened. “You really know how to milk me.”

“It’s my birthday, so I’m the biggest.”

“Just you wait, on my birthday, I’ll make sure to get back at you twice as hard.” Shen Chuyi paid the bill with mock menace.

Meanwhile, at the city hospital.

After treatment, Luo Qingyao was finally out of danger.

Lying in bed, she saw Rong Shaoqin constantly looking down at his phone. Gently, she said, “Shaoqin, I’m fine now. Go celebrate your wife’s birthday.”

It was already past six in the evening, and Grandma was probably having dinner.

Rong Shaoqin tried to contact Sang Haining, but she didn’t answer his calls.

Knowing he was at fault, he didn’t get angry.

Before leaving, he reminded Luo Qingyao to rest well, then drove to the old mansion.

Upon seeing Rong Shaoqin, Grandma Rong’s normally calm expression turned sour, and she sneered coldly, “With women all around, I thought you’d never come back.”

Rong Shaoqin couldn’t help but smile. “Grandma, it’s not what you think. The woman in the photo is Qingyao.”

The photos online were blurry, so Grandma Rong hadn’t realized it was Luo Qingyao.

Now, with Rong Shaoqin’s explanation, she understood.

She vaguely recalled that today was indeed Luo Qingyao’s birthday.

In previous years, Rong Shaoqin always took time to celebrate Qingyao’s birthday.

Though her anger had cooled, Grandma Rong remained stern. “Luo Qingyao is a sworn sister; Sang Haining is your real wife. You can’t even tell family from strangers. I told you before to treat Haining well, but you didn’t listen and caused this mess. If you don’t want to live happily with Haining, go to the civil affairs bureau tomorrow and get divorced. If you don’t care for Haining, I do.”