If not for the inappropriate location, this scene would have been truly touching.

Ji Jiangyuan’s preliminary discussion with George concluded that in their divorce, George would pay Ji Ya alimony based on Chinese living standards – 1,000 yuan monthly… in Chinese currency.

George wanted to pay in dollars, but Ji Jiangyuan deemed it unnecessary.

“Even 1,000 yuan can provide a comfortable life in China. Many people don’t even earn that much in a year.”

Mrs. Wilson didn’t object. Without prenuptial agreements, divorces among wealthy Americans were usually devastating. Even with agreements, men paying alimony until their ex-wives remarried was common.

With Ji Ya now considered ill, George choosing to divorce would carry a moral burden. If a small sum could ease George’s conscience, Mrs. Wilson considered it money well spent!

No one questioned Ji Jiangyuan negotiating Ji Ya’s divorce – she was deemed mentally unfit to handle it herself.

As her son, surely he wouldn’t harm her, despite any dislike?

Mrs. Wilson had viewed Ji Ya as a gold-digger, but Ji Jiangyuan’s lack of greed today pleased her.

Late that night, George summoned his lawyer to draft a divorce agreement.

The agreement was completed by 3 AM.

When Ji Jiangyuan brought it to Ji Ya for signing, she tore it to pieces.

Ji Jiangyuan asked through the door, “Have you changed your mind about divorcing? Then apologize to Uncle George – he still has feelings for you, he might forgive you!”

George held a glimmer of hope.

Ji Ya’s voice came from inside:

“…Why should I apologize? I’m not the one choosing divorce now. I won’t beg any man. I just don’t want his alimony – I won’t be treated like a beggar!”

Ji Jiangyuan laughed, “That’s fine. If you truly don’t want Uncle George’s money, you can donate the alimony. Many people need this money and don’t mind being seen as ‘beggars’ – they just want to survive. It would be doing good deeds on Uncle George’s behalf.”

There was always a solution.

Ji Jiangyuan mercilessly exposed Ji Ya’s excuses.

If she didn’t want a divorce, she could try reconciling, apologizing, and starting fresh with George!

Leaving things ambiguous would be unfair to George and would worsen his mother’s princess syndrome. Without George’s boundless tolerance, his mother’s issues might improve someday.

Undeniably, Ji Jiangyuan understood his mother better than George did.

At these words, Ji Ya gritted her teeth and asked for another divorce agreement:

“You truly are my good son!”

Fighting for such generous alimony!

1,000 yuan monthly?

What good was that pittance – barely enough for beggars?

The hope in George’s eyes was completely extinguished. Mrs. Wilson patted his shoulder, “Oh, George, this too shall pass.”

The second divorce agreement was quickly signed and returned.

George had been extremely generous, not requiring Ji Ya to repay her “loans” since opening her studio at Wangfujing. Of course, the agreement specified that Ji Ya’s debts were unrelated to George’s.

Combined with the agreement Ji Ya signed when going to America, her debts couldn’t touch George under either American or Chinese law – Ji Jiangyuan truly showed conscience by sparing George!

After securing the divorce agreement, Ji Jiangyuan began handling the second matter.

Tonight, Ji Ya would definitely spend the night at the police station – Ji Jiangyuan showed no intention of bailing her out.

George held the divorce agreement, feeling conflicted:

“Couldn’t your mother return to the hotel first?”

“Uncle George, I don’t think that’s appropriate. Dawn breaks in a few hours. I’ll have the bank representatives come to the police station – I think this is quite suitable for serious discussion.”

At least someone would watch his mother, prevent her from running around, and stop her madness from troubling others!

“Will she agree to meet the bank people…”

George was doubtful.

Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t doubtful at all, “Of course she won’t agree easily. That’s why I need another favor – could I borrow your lawyer?”

“You mean to—”

“If she’s diagnosed with mental illness, she can’t conduct normal business activities. I’ll coordinate with the bank as her guardian.”

Mrs. Wilson couldn’t help but give Ji Jiangyuan a second look.

This young man was quite strategic.

What a pity he was Ji Ya’s son!

…

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t expected Ji Jiangyuan to be so ruthless.

When she and Zhou Cheng returned home, it was very late. Too exhausted to talk, she naturally didn’t discuss this with Old Tang.

Early the next morning, Secretary Lai came by, and Xia Xiaolan learned about last night’s developments.

Ji Jiangyuan told Secretary Lai he could leave, but how could he?

Living up to his surname Lai (which sounds like “stay”), he shamelessly stayed at the police station without issue. So Secretary Lai witnessed everything until morning, only coming to report when Ji Jiangyuan called the bank representatives to the police station.

Tang Hongen nodded after hearing this:

“Jiangyuan handled it well. Let’s proceed as he suggested. I trust him.”

Liu Fen hesitated to speak.

Ji Jiangyuan truly surprised her, even pushing through Ji Ya’s divorce from George. That child… was quite pitiful. If Ji Ya weren’t so selfish, Ji Jiangyuan wouldn’t have been forced to mature so early.

Just like Xiaolan.

Because Xia Dajun couldn’t be relied upon, Xiaolan had also matured very early.

“You’re returning to Beijing today with Zhou Cheng – will you help request leave for young Ji?”

After much thought, this was all Liu Fen could say.

Xia Xiaolan glanced at Tang Hongen before nodding, “You want me to interact more with Ji Jiangyuan?”

“Help if you can. Young Ji is alone now.”

Ji Jiangyuan probably wouldn’t seek help himself – the father-son relationship had grown distant, and who knew when it might improve. Liu Fen felt Ji Jiangyuan had it tough. Though not her child, he was Old Tang’s son… This wasn’t excessive sympathy, just a natural extension of care.

Xia Xiaolan smiled and nodded:

“Ji Jiangyuan and I already get along well. If not for Ji Ya’s interference, we’d have become good friends long ago. Mom, Uncle Tang, don’t worry – I’ll handle his leave at school. But with him handling so much in Pengcheng, Uncle Tang, why not take the initiative to show concern?”

Deep ice doesn’t form in a day.

To break the ice, someone must take the first step.

Ji Jiangyuan had done so much – as his father, Old Tang should do something too.

“Do I need you teaching me what to do, girl? If you’re returning to school, hurry and pack. Focus on your studies when you should – don’t get distracted by dating or marriage. No need to rush those things!”