For Tang Xiao

  Guan Yanhong's hand tightened around the cup, and such a reaction did not escape Jiang Shen's eyes.

  Guan Yanzhi didn't say a word, and Jiang Shen continued: "The Jiang family is so big... it's not like there are many people, just you and your mom. Moreover, your mom can receive proper care in the Jiang family, so you can also feel at ease going to work, right? Xiao Xi can also see you often... he won't keep pestering me for his mom anymore, what do you think?"

  Guan Yan's eyes drooped as she gently stroked the coffee cup, and after a long time, she finally spoke up: "I still... want to move out and live separately, but don't worry... I will go back to visit Xiao Xi. If I keep living in the Jiang family... and Xiao Xi keeps treating me like his mom, then in the future... if you remarry, it might cast a shadow on the child's heart. I'm thinking... from now on, I need to slowly use adult conversation with Xiao Xi and tell him that I'm not his mom."

  "You wouldn't have me tell him that his own mother doesn't want him, would you?" Jiang Shen said with a low smile.

  "It's not what I meant!" Guan Yan furrowed her brow, pursing her lips. "Jiang Shen... when I first entered the Jiang household, it was because of the Guan family, living there... I always felt like I wasn't free."

  Jiang Shen didn't think of that, ah... At first, Guan Yanxi had her heart set on divorcing and leaving for Tang Xiao.

  However, Tang Xiao has now disappeared from her life, staying in Jiang's family or possibly recalling painful memories.

  Jiang Shen gazed deeply at Guan Yanrou, seeing that her eyes were slightly red, but the corners of her mouth still held a gentle smile. This kind of Guan Yanrou... was bitter in heart, Jiang Shen knew.

  "Then... where are you living now?" Jiang Shen asked.

  Mingwan Tonghu Residential Area.

  "Specific address..."

  Guan Yan didn't understand Jiang Shen's meaning, she just stared at him blankly.

  "I think... when I'm free, I can take Xiaoxi to visit you and mom, and Xiaoxi and I will explain that you moved out because of work." Jiang Shen had already made the biggest concession, Guan Yanruo didn't live with him together... at least let him know where Guan Yanruo lived, so... he could go see her anytime.

  "I still think it's better to tell Xiao Xi that I'm not her mother, Jiang Shen. If in the future... you get married..."

  "Guān Yán Xiāo!" Jiāng Shèn furrowed his brow, lit another cigarette, and interrupted Guān Yán Xiāo's words. "Can't you see? I like you... So I only want to make Guān Yán Xiāo my wife, the mother of my child."

  Guan Yanrou was taken aback, the feeling of hearing this sentence before... Guan Yanrou had only heard it before, but now... when Jiang Shen said he liked her again, she felt a different kind of emotion in her heart.

  It was as if the ancient zither, which had been quiet for a few years and covered in dust, was finally plucked by someone, emitting a desolate sound that startled up a cloud of dust.

  "It doesn't matter what we were like before, you already know about Tang Xiao's situation and still want to divorce me, I agree... because I want to start anew, Guan Yan Die... this time, let's pretend we just met... I'm a man who has fallen for you and wants to pursue you, let's start over." Jiang Shen's tone was soft but with an undercurrent of dominance, not allowing any disagreement.

  "Gingerly..."

  "Don't refuse me." Jiang Shen took a drag on his cigarette, "Even if you refuse me, I'll still chase after you. I said... I want you, even if the whole world doesn't want you, I, Jiang Shen, will still want Guan Yanru! To be blunt... I've already decided that Guan Yanru is mine."

  Guan Yan's face fell silent for a long time, she tightly grasped the cup in her hand, her expression complex and struggling: "Jiang Shen... I'm not ready yet, it's too soon... to accept a new feeling."

  Is this a disguised refusal? Is Guan Yanxi just being tactful?

  "It's okay... I'll wait as long as you need." Jiang Shen was quite persistent, "Guan Yan Fei... actually, I feel that heaven arranged our marriage for a reason... perhaps we were already destined to grow old together, and the others in your life are just an episode, it's okay if the process is a bit bumpy... but I don't want you to be sad, when you're sad, I'm even more sad."

  Guan Yanxi listened to Jiang Shen's words, her palms were sweating profusely.

  Jiang Shen saw that Guan Yanrou had been silent for a long time, so he stretched out his hand and covered Guan Yanrou's small hand on the coffee cup with his large hand. Guan Yanrou's body trembled, and she looked up...

  Her clear pupils were filled with confusion, looking at Jiang Shen in a flustered manner, but... when she collided with his deep and mysterious black eyes, Guan Yanrou's heart suddenly sprouted an inexplicable sense of security.

  "Jiang Shen, I don't know how long it will take... and it will delay you." Guan Yan Hong advised with good intentions, because she knew that she had been moved since eight years ago. Tang Xiao was not by her side, but his traces were all over her life. Wanting to forget... Guan Yan Hong didn't know how long she needed.

  Well... during this time, Jiang Xirui needs a mother... and Jiang Shen also needs a wife, he needs a woman by his side... and besides, there's also You Huan Yan by his side.

  "Miss You... should make a good mother, Jiang Shen..."

  "Guān Yán Qiè, I said before... don't talk nonsense about who I like... whether I'm suitable with someone or not, it's my own business and I know better than you." Jiāng Shèn became somewhat anxious, he took a deep drag on his cigarette and extinguished the butt. "Alright... I'll send you back, having just moved in, there must be many things to tidy up."

  "It's okay......" Guan Yanhong also stood up and waved her hand repeatedly, "I can take the bus back myself, don't bother, your company is still so busy."

  "Nothing is more important than you, let's go..." Jiang Shen put down the two red Mao bills and picked up the key to head out.

  Guan Yan stood still, watching Jiang Shen's back, her eyes moistening again... She took a deep breath and lowered her head, her feet not moving, she didn't want to owe Jiang Shen from the bottom of her heart.

  "Guān Yán Hóng... Do you mind if I walk you home? If you don't want me to go up, I won't go upstairs... Can I just see you home? Even if we're just ordinary friends..." Jiāng Shèn pushed open the door and turned around to look at Guān Yán Hóng, who was standing still.

  This time, whether Guan Yanxi agreed or not... Jiang Shen had made up his mind to force his way into Guan Yanxi's life with a tough attitude, making her get used to relying on him... falling in love with him!

  Guan Yan Hong hesitated for a moment before picking up her bag and following Jiang Shen.

  On the way back, Guan Yanxi didn't say much except for giving Jiang Shen directions.

  Actually, it has to be said... Jiang Shen is like a ray of light that pierces through the fog and haze in Guan Yanrou's dark world after losing Tang Xiao, although very weak, but at least... makes Guan Yanrou feel warm.

  Just thinking about what happened last night, Guan Yan's heart beats faster... After asking Jiang Shen to do something like that, facing Jiang Shen... I really feel a little powerless.

  Too embarrassing.

  The longer I stay with Jiang Shen, the stronger this feeling becomes.

  Jiang Shen's car had just reached the entrance of the residential area when Guan Yanruo undid her seatbelt and said, "You can drop me off here."

  After Jiang Shen pulled the car over and stopped, he took a closer look at the neighborhood. His brow furrowed as he asked, "Is this neighborhood safe?"

  Jiang Shen always felt that this residential area was old and worn out, the main gate was also casually open... allowing others to enter and exit freely, not even a decent security guard.

  "It's okay, because the people living here are all poor and won't attract thieves or bad guys, it's pretty good......" Guan Yan smiled slightly at Jiang Shen, "Thanks for your trouble today... I'll take my leave first."

  "Alas!"

  Just as Guan Yanrou was about to push the door and get off, Jiang Shen grabbed her small hand and pulled her back.

  "Huh?"

  "If there's anything, remember to call me, don't be stubborn..." said Jiang Shen.

  "Mm." Guan Yanhong nodded.

  "Go ahead..." Jiang Shen finally let go of Guan Yan's small hand and allowed her to get off the carriage.

  Guan Yanrou hesitated for a moment in front of the car door on Guan's side, bowed her head and said to Jiang Shen: "Drive carefully on the road."

  "Alright, I understand."

  Jiang Shen watched as Guan Yanru walked into the neighborhood, and only when her figure disappeared from his line of sight did he start the car and head to the company.

  A thousand dividing lines

  When Guan Yan ascended the stairs, she couldn't help but think of Jiang Shen's words. She thought...Jiang Shen was just sympathizing with her and wanted to take care of her out of pity; once this period passed, he would probably give up on her.

  Guan Yan Hong took out the key and opened the door: "Mom... I'm back."

  Yan Ruhua heard that and immediately shouted: "Yan Hong, come quickly and help Mom!"

  A voice came from the bathroom, Guan Yanrou put down the key and rushed over: "Mom!"

  As soon as Guan Yanru entered the bathroom, she saw Yan Ruhua with one hand on the wheelchair and the other on the toilet, unable to move up or sit down. Both hands were trembling violently. Just as Guan Yanru entered, Yan Ruhua let out a sigh of relief and fell to the ground, her forehead... hitting the cabinet under the sink with a "thud".

  "Mom!" Guan Yanhong was so frightened that she rushed over to help up Yan Ruhua, "Mom... are you okay?!"

  Yan's face turned bright red as if she had been hit on the head, and stars were flashing before her eyes.

  Guan Yan looked at Yan Ruhua as she felt a warm and moist sensation spreading from below.

  Originally... Yan Ruhua wanted to come to the bathroom to pee, but alone, she couldn't sit on the toilet no matter what, and as a result, she was unable to go up or down... until Guan Yuxi came back, Yan Ruhua had almost exhausted all her strength.

  Guan Yan helped Yan Huatong change into a new set of clothes while sitting in her wheelchair.

  During this time, Yan Ruhua didn't utter a single word...

  Never had this feeling before, but today's trip to the bathroom... actually made Yan Ruhua feel like a total waste of space, unable to even take care of herself going to the bathroom.

  Yan Ruhua stuffed her clothes into the washing machine and then started tidying up the room.

  She poured a glass of water for Yan Ru Hua and reminded her: "Mom... I'll clean the living room outside, the dust is quite big... it's choking, you just stay inside and don't come out. After I finish cleaning outside, you can go out for a while... then I'll come back to clean the room inside."

  After finishing speaking, Guan Yanhong put on her gloves and was about to go out when Yan Ruhua grabbed her wrist.

  "What's wrong, Mother? Do you want anything else?" Guan Yan asked, squatting down.

  Yan Ruhua looked deeply at her daughter and asked, "You mentioned... that Tang Xiao, didn't he tell you to divorce Jiang Shen? Shouldn't we take you to live with him now?"

  Yan Ruhua just listened to Guan Yanhong mention Tang Xiao, saying that... Tang Xiao was going to give her 200 million to pay off the debt to the Guan family, so it means that Tang Xiao's conditions must be very good, and his family should have servants.

  Since Guan Yanxi's divorce was for being with Tang Xiao, then... even if she moves in now, it's not a big deal. Anyway, they will get married eventually. By moving in... she can also be taken care of and doesn't have to be like a little kid who needs Guan Yanxi to help her change her soiled clothes.

  Today is urine, what will tomorrow be?

  Living here... Guan Yanrou goes to work, and at home there's only myself left, it's inconvenient to do anything, if there was a servant around, all these problems would be solved.

  But when Guan Yan heard the name Tang Xiao, her eyes suddenly turned red. She hastily lowered her eyelids to avoid Yan Ruhua's gaze, not wanting Yan Ruhua to see her sadness.

  "Guān Yán Hóng......" Yan's eyebrows furrowed, "As a woman, don't be too proud. It was he who made you divorce Jiang Shen... So now he should take responsibility for you. We should move into Tang Xiao's house, not live in this trash heap!"

  What should Guan Yan say to her mother... Tang Xiao is already married, does Tang Xiao no longer want her?!

  Just thinking about it makes Guan Yanxi's heart ache even more, let alone saying it out loud to Yan Ruhua.

  "Guanyan Hong, look up at me!" Yan Ruhua's voice was stern.

  Guan Yan's eyes welled up with tears, but she swallowed them back and looked up at Yan Ruhua with a hint of a smile on her lips.

  "Think about it... Mom is inconvenient to move around, there isn't even a servant by her side, even going to the toilet is a problem."

  "Mom, I've got you, and... it's a different era now, why do women have to rely on men? I can take care of mom just as well."

  "Go ahead! Don't go to work anymore... Come back and take care of me, do you think that's possible?" Yan Ruhua was furious.

  "Mom... I can take good care of you! I can also work at the same time!" Guan Yanrou's eyes had already turned slightly red.

  "How are you taking care of things?! You go to work... I'm at home and can't even use the toilet! Your mom is so old... because she couldn't use the toilet, today she urinated in her pants, what about tomorrow?!" Yan Ruhua saw that Guan Yan's eyes were red and her lips were pursed, and she didn't dare to scold her harshly anymore. She took a deep breath and said, "You bring that Tang Xiao out for me to see, don't say I'm the one who asked you to!"

  Guan Yan's palm tightened, aching and itching...

  "Mom..."

  Words unspoken, tears flow first.

  Guan Yanxi's tears were like pearls on a broken string, she kept telling herself to hold on... but facing Yan Ruhua's interrogation, every word and sentence was like a sharp blade stabbing into Guan Yanxi's already bloody wound, in and out... in and out.

  Yan Ru Hua was taken aback, her voice weakened: "Why are you crying?"

  "Mom..." Guan Yanhong grasped Yan Ruhua's hands tightly and asked, "Haven't I taken good care of you?"

  Yan Ruhua looked at Guan Yanhong seriously, after a long time... She trembled all over and grabbed Guan Yanhong's hand, asking: "You won't tell me... that Tang Xiao doesn't exist, will you?!"

  Guan Yan shook her head and said: "I... can't be with Tang Xiao anymore?"

  The room was dead silent, Yan Ru's face was drained of energy, she sat weakly in her wheelchair staring at Guan Yue: "Why can't we be together anymore?"

  "Mom..." Guan Yanqiu forced herself not to cry out loud, she struggled to suppress the tremble in her voice, "Tang Xiao is already married, he has two kids, I saw them yesterday."

  This time... Yan Ruhua was really stunned.

  She looked at Guan Yanxi's bowed head and trembling body, heart aching... yet angry that she didn't fight back!

  Her own daughter... how did she end up on the same path as herself, falling for a married man.

  Is it destined for all women in their family to walk this path until the end?

  Why is it like this?!

  She gritted her teeth and her eyes turned red. She asked: "Did you know that Tang Xiao was getting married before, or didn't you?"

  Guan Yan shook her head: "I don't know..."

  Guan Yan was still full of joy until she saw Tang Xiao yesterday... She thought Tang Xiao would give her a surprise, or... propose to her.

  However... after seeing Tang Xiao, she was shocked but not happy. She was shocked to discover that the man she loved had already gotten married and had such a big child.

  This is indeed the biggest "surprise" Tang Xiao gave Guan Yanxi in this life.

  Her face was as pale as a painting, and her eyes were also red. No wonder... After she and Jiang Shen divorced, she brought her here!

  Yan Ruhua had thought that the man named Tang Xiao could bring happiness to Guan Yanhong, so... she was willing to leave her beloved's side, but in the end why did it turn out like this?!

  Is this heaven taking revenge on itself, or is Guan Yu and Diaochan taking revenge on themselves?!

  Yan Ruhua took a deep breath, grasped Guan Yanruo's chin and lifted her pretty face: "Guan Yanruo... is this all you're capable of?! He's married... then go steal him away!"

  Her eyes trembled, her throat moved: "Mom... he and his wife have two children, I can't... I couldn't let those two children be fatherless, and... Tang Xiao has already made up his mind."

  "You're stupid!" Yan Ruhua shouted, "At first your father had already decided to be with me and divorce Tang Juan, but in the end... it was still Tang Juan who used her tricks to cheat him back! That's why my daughter and I have been drifting outside for over 20 years! If a woman doesn't have some tricks up her sleeve... she'll eventually die without a complete corpse in this society that swallows people whole!"

  "No... it's not possible!"

  Her face was like a painting, she was furious, she flung open the door and scolded: "How did I give birth to such a useless daughter like you!"

  Guan Yan struggled to hold back her tears, but they kept falling. She grasped Yan Ruhua's hands and said: "Mom... don't worry, I'll take good care of you. You need someone by your side to take care of you... okay, I'll find a nanny to take care of you. I will prove to you that even without relying on men, we can still live very well."

  Guan Yanxi was too exhausted to listen to Yan Ruhua's scolding, she got up and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her... She leaned against the door, covering her mouth tightly, tears blurring her vision.

  The house was also eerily quiet, and Yan Ruhua felt uncomfortable in her heart... If Guan Yanzhi married that man named Tang Xiao, then it would be fine, at least... she would be taken care of and wouldn't become a burden to Guan Yanzhi.

  Now in such a situation, I have become Guan Yan's burden and encumbrance.

  Yan Ruhua herself would also calculate this account, hiring a nanny for her, plus rent, utilities and daily expenses... How much salary does Guan Yanhong have?!

  Just hiring a nanny and paying rent is not enough, let alone food, drink, and other expenses?

  Guan Yuen is still young now, she needs to buy clothes and cosmetics...

  A thousand dividing lines

  PS: Today's update is here...... Also, Qianqian's "Love After Marriage: Wife, Divorce is Invalid!" has been shortlisted for the Romance Awards...... Hope you all like Yanruo and Qianqian, please give Qianqian a vote, love you guys......