Volume One, Chapter 13: The Divorce I Could Not Bring Myself to Speak Of

Page 1/3

When Samuel Sang saw Ronan Shaoqin, his expression instantly turned obsequious and ingratiating. “Son-in-law, you’re here to see Haijing too?”

Ronan didn’t even glance at Samuel, walking straight past him.

He maintained a daily fitness routine, his figure tall and well-proportioned.

Custom-tailored black trousers hugged his long, straight legs.

His relaxed yet indifferent demeanor carried an unspoken air of noble elegance.

Even Chloe Shen couldn’t help but admit: this man was truly striking.

Deep-set eyes, a prominent nose bridge, and those thick, sharp, wild eyebrows inherited from his mother.

Both in appearance and bone structure, he was undeniably outstanding.

And rumor had it that men with prominent noses were especially virile.

Comparing Ronan’s robust build to Haijing’s slender and delicate frame, Chloe’s mind flashed with a strange thought.

She shook her head and quickly stepped aside, politely greeting, “Mr. Ronan.”

He gave a slight hum in response.

Ronan took off his jacket, draping it over the chair back, then sat down deliberately, his gaze settling on Haijing’s pale face.

“Don’t drink so much next time.”

It was easy to guess that Haijing’s stomach bleeding from drinking was due to the scandal between him and Lora Qingyao.

Perhaps this was her way of showing she cared about him.

But Ronan no longer wanted to dwell on such matters.

Lately, he felt something was off within himself.

Especially regarding Haijing, his usually steady emotions had become unsettled.

This uncontrollable feeling was unpleasant.

After all, this marriage had never been a happy one from the start.

Maybe a divorce would be a relief for both him and Haijing.

Yet Ronan didn’t bring it up immediately.

His throat felt bitter and oddly constricted; the word “divorce” simply wouldn’t come out.

Besides, since Haijing was ill, he intended to postpone the discussion for now.

He would wait until she recovered before broaching the subject.

Haijing’s lips lost their color, her face transparently pale, fragile as thin paper.

“Don’t listen to Chloe’s nonsense. I just ate something wrong.”

She still carried the faint scent of fruit-infused fine wine, clearly having drunk.

Ronan sensed she was forcing a smile and said gravely, “Don’t talk. Rest a while.”

After a pause, his eyes darkened slightly. “Don’t dwell on today’s events—they’re just rumors the media blew out of proportion.”

Haijing was surprised again.

Surprised that Ronan would even bother to explain.

Little did she know, this was Ronan’s final gesture of respect toward her, even as he contemplated divorce.

Page 2/3

Haijing didn’t think much of it.

After Samuel’s scene, she was truly exhausted.

She had explained to Ronan the real reason she ended up hospitalized.

Ronan didn’t believe her, but there was nothing she could do.

She said understandingly, “If you say so, I’ll believe you. I’m going to sleep now.”

Haijing closed her eyes gently; Ronan reached out to cover her with a blanket.

“Son-in-law.” Samuel, left standing awkwardly aside, forced a stiff smile and shamelessly spoke up, “Actually, I have a business matter to discuss with you…”

Ronan shook the wrinkles off his pants. “Do you want to leave on your own, or should I have my bodyguards escort you out?”

Haijing was still his wife; Samuel had no right to bully her.

Ronan’s cold gaze casually swept over Samuel.

Samuel’s face turned pale.

Chloe snorted, “Neglecting Haijing like that and now trying to profit off her misery? Uncle Samuel, your shamelessness is thicker than the city walls.”

“This is a family matter of the Sang family; an outsider like you has no say,” Samuel retorted darkly, unwilling to argue with Ronan directly and instead picking on the weaker target.

Ronan didn’t want to waste breath arguing and potentially disturbing Haijing’s rest.

He directly called his bodyguards to cover Samuel’s mouth and escort him out.

The ward fell silent again.

Ronan’s deep, calm eyes reflected Haijing’s pale face lying on the bed.

Chloe, observing quietly, felt for the first time that Ronan might not be entirely devoid of feelings for Haijing.

Just as Chloe was about to quietly leave and give them privacy, Ronan spoke.

“I have company matters to attend to. Please take good care of her.”

Chloe paused for a moment.

“Oh, thank you for coming all this way, Mr. Ronan.”

Ronan glanced at her coldly. “Haijing is my wife.”

His tone clearly showed displeasure at Chloe’s thanks, as if he were an outsider.

At least for now, he and Haijing were still married.

And Chloe had no right to thank him.

Chloe forced a smile and tentatively asked, “Mr. Ronan, may I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“The woman who was with you today is…”

“My sworn sister.” Ronan replied flatly.

Chloe’s brow furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Ronan asked, “Anything else?”

Page 3/3

“No, nothing more. Mr. Ronan, take care.”

After Ronan left, Chloe felt a bit worried for Haijing.

The identity of “sworn sister” was complicated.

It could evolve into familial affection or romantic feelings.

Moreover, Ronan seemed quite attached to Lora Qingyao—a bond hard to sever.

Troubles were likely to arise in the future.

When Haijing regained consciousness, Chloe told her about Ronan and Lora’s relationship.

Haijing’s expression remained calm.

Yet beneath that calm was a trace of sudden realization.

“So that’s what their relationship is.”

“You seem so indifferent about it,” Chloe scolded, frustrated at Haijing’s lack of urgency. “Aren’t you afraid Ronan and Lora might develop a romantic relationship and threaten your position as Mrs. Ronan?”

Haijing smiled casually. “When rumors came out about Ronan keeping a mistress, do you know how I reacted?”

“Tell me.”

“I was surprised.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Though Ronan and I have little affection, after spending so much time together, I didn’t think he was the type to fool around. When I heard he had a mistress, it seemed odd, but I didn’t want to dig deeper,” Haijing analyzed rationally.

Because she didn’t care, she never sought the truth.

She simply assumed Ronan really had a mistress.

At least that way, since she had no feelings for him either, they were even.

Until today, when the media sensationalized Ronan traveling with Lora, her earlier suspicions became clearer: their relationship was innocent.

Ronan wouldn’t be so brazen as to publicly bring a so-called mistress out.

Of course, this didn’t matter much to her.

As for Chloe’s worry that Ronan might develop a romantic relationship with Lora and threaten Haijing’s status—

Haijing took it in stride.

“Our marriage wasn’t going to last long anyway. If Ronan ever plans to marry Lora, knowing his nature, he wouldn’t drag things out with me. We could part on good terms.”

“Ah, you… never mind. Happiness is what matters most,” Chloe sighed.

Haijing said seriously, “Right now, I just hope my grandmother, Mrs. Ronan, and you all stay safe and healthy. And that our company quickly turns a profit.”

“Everything will be fine,” Chloe said, patting Haijing’s arm reassuringly.

As they talked, the phone on the bedside table rang.

Haijing glanced and saw it was a call from the old family estate.

Before she could speak, a servant’s anxious voice came through: “Miss Haijing, the matriarch has fallen ill. Please come back quickly.”