Early in the morning, Ning Yue received a call from Mu Xiao, who said she didn’t have many cases recently and her assistant Xiao Nie had little to do. Taking responsibility for her clients seriously, she suggested that Ning Yue send her child over to be taken to the forest playground with Assistant Nie for the day, returning him before four in the afternoon.
Ning Yue wanted to decline with dignity, but looking at her listless son and hearing Mu Xiao mention there were other matters to discuss, she finally agreed without pride.
When Tian Qiuzi stopped her at the company building’s entrance, Ning Yue felt a hint of relief. If Hu Ziyuan had been waiting upstairs at this moment, she wouldn’t have had nearly as much patience.
Tian Qiuzi, having shed her previous dejection, informed her with a victorious air that she had already helped Hu Cheng secure a lawyer. Moreover, Hu Cheng’s father had reported to the police that his grandson was missing, telling Ning Yue to expect a police interview soon!
As she listened to Tian Qiuzi speak and watched her animated expression, Ning Yue suddenly realized she wasn’t angry at all. She nodded slightly, “That’s good! Hu Cheng must be very grateful to you. After this incident, his father will surely accept you too. Congratulations.”
Tian Qiuzi froze.
Ning Yue said, “I wish you a swift marriage to Hu Cheng.”
There is a torment called growing old together with white hair.
There is a curse called wishing someone ends up with a scumbag.
All of this was observed by Luo Yating, who stood watching from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the 16th floor with her arms crossed. She watched with interest, imagining the conversation between the two. Inadvertently, Ning Yue raised her head. The distance was too great to see her expression clearly, but her open body language, along with Tian Qiuzi’s twisting movements, told her: that Ning Yue was happy, and Tian Qiuzi was frustrated.
At this moment, wasn’t it the perfect time for a mistress to take her position? Luo Yating held her chin: after all, when Hu Cheng got out, he would still be wealthy, talented, and handsome, remaining an object of women’s admiration. What did an over-the-hill woman like Ning Yue have to be happy about?
All of this was answered when she met with Ning Yue.
Ning Yue looked at her in surprise and said with a smile, “I thought you would understand better than me. No matter how rich or handsome he is, he’s still a scumbag, so what’s there to be sad about losing? Those who think they’ve won a prize, shouldn’t I laugh at them?” She paused, looking at Luo Yating with a half-smile, “When you saw me, didn’t you have similar thoughts?”
Luo Yating blushed and smiled sheepishly: “Yes! But perhaps too much time has passed, and I don’t see it as clearly as you do. So, I’m sorry!” In truth, she hadn’t completely let go. Hu Cheng was a scumbag, but she had left too hastily and still harbored some lingering attachment to his charm.
“It’s alright.”
This was the opening between the ex-wife and the soon-to-be ex-wife.
Although Qin Can refused Luo Yating, she still found Ning Yue and Ning Yue didn’t refuse to meet. They talked in the office for half an hour before Ning Yue came out. At that time, Qin Can was still in a meeting outside. Pan Jie saw Ning Yue walk back to her workstation and looked carefully twice but unfortunately didn’t discover any meaningful expression.
Ning Yue received a phone call and asked Pan Jie to leave, saying she needed to go to the police station. Pan Jie nodded without saying anything. Zhong Tianming asked Ning Yue if she wanted to bring Old Qian along, but was glared at by Pan Jie.
At the police station, Ning Yue saw Hu Cheng’s father with a pained expression. He had indeed reported that his grandson was missing and his daughter-in-law had disappeared, hoping the police would help find them. The station chief mediated, politely but firmly asking Ning Yue to bring the child to meet the elderly man. It seemed that before Ning Yue arrived, they had already heard the family’s side of the story. As for what explanation was given, Ning Yue couldn’t be bothered to guess.
Ning Yue directly opened her phone and played the recording of Hu Cheng’s father shouting outside the company building.
“Ziyuan will always be our Hu family’s child, don’t think about taking him away! I’ll risk my life to get the child back! He will never go with you adulterers!”
Hu Cheng’s father suddenly stood up, reaching to grab the phone, but Ning Yue dodged aside. Hu Cheng’s father crashed into the table and groaned, clutching his waist.
The police station chief, having dealt with many domestic disputes, seeing this situation, both persuaded and supported him, helping Hu Cheng’s father walk outside. Hu Cheng’s father pointed at Ning Yue and said, “She hurt me, make her take me to the hospital!”
Ning Yue’s eyelids drooped, not saying a word.
The chief said, “You’d better go to the hospital, never mind who takes you. If something serious happens, even if your grandson comes back, you won’t be able to see him!”
“You’re the one who’ll have something serious happen!” The old man glared with round eyes, “You police officer, how dare you talk like that! Don’t you know how to respect the elderly? I’m going to report you to your superiors, I’m going to file a complaint!”
The chief remained good-tempered, taking a sip from his teacup, saying, “Fine! You can go to the branch office to complain about me. I have surveillance footage here. If you’re not in a hurry, and since your wife won’t move, why don’t we watch the surveillance footage to see exactly how your waist was injured? Let’s clarify the responsibility before discussing who should bear it, alright?”
Hu Cheng’s father looked at the black circular device in the corner of the ceiling and fell silent.
The farce ended, and the police station didn’t comply with Hu Cheng’s father’s wish to have Ning Yue hand over the child. After apologizing to the chief, Ning Yue prepared to leave. Hu Cheng’s father walked to her side, glaring at her viciously, muttering, “Just you wait! When Hu Cheng gets out, he’ll deal with you!”
Ning Yue stood on the police station steps, watching the old man’s resentful departing figure, and sighed.
Long ago, when she tried to seek support from this elderly couple to bring Hu Cheng back, she only received one lesson: in front of this family, others were always wrong. In these elderly people’s eyes, the daughter-in-law was always wrong.
Ning Yue walked out of the office building, looked up at the azure sky, thought of what Luo Yating had given her, and dialed Mu Xiao’s phone number.
In Mu Xiao’s office, a video was playing repeatedly on the computer.
The video was surveillance footage from a certain angle. The gray-blue images recorded Ning Yue’s knife sliding down Hu Cheng’s neck, Ning Yue’s hand trembling, clasping together with Hu Cheng’s hand. Hu Cheng’s face showed terror, Ning Yue seemed to pull once, Hu Cheng instinctively withdrew his hand, and then the two pulled back and forth a few times, Ning Yue dodged aside, and the lens was blocked. Ning Yue bent down, and Hu Cheng repeatedly backed away, holding the slightly blackened knife in his hand.
Mu Xiao watched it twice, pressed pause, and turned to ask Ning Yue what she planned to do.
Obviously, according to this video, Ning Yue’s injury was self-inflicted by pulling Hu Cheng’s hand toward herself. Luo Yating had also called Ning Yue over after seeing this footage. Out of some sensitive psychology, she asked Ning Yue how she should handle it.
Ning Yue frankly admitted it and acknowledged her wrongdoing, hoping Luo Yating would help her. She didn’t need to lie to the police, just not actively hand it over to them or prompt them about it, and if the police requested it, to give her some time if possible.
Luo Yating was clever, “You have another plan?” She immediately showed interest, “What do you plan to do?”
Ning Yue smiled bitterly and denied it, even if she had a plan, she wouldn’t tell Luo Yating. This woman was enjoying the drama, and after being used by Ning Yue, she probably wanted to watch them perform a millennium-end divorce drama worth the price of admission!
As for Mu Xiao, she had seen many such tactics. At times like these, she was grateful for how wise her single lifestyle of not settling for marriage was.
Ning Yue straightened her back and said, “What would happen if Hu Cheng got this video?”
“He’d get out! Proving it wasn’t intentional. However, if you’re willing, this video isn’t enough to prove his innocence, at least accidental injury is still possible. But regarding divorce, there’s no need to continue your marriage relationship.”
“What if he doesn’t get it?”
Mu Xiao looked at Ning Yue and said, “With other related evidence forming a chain of evidence, it depends on your injuries. I don’t need to explain this, right? Serious injury leads to criminal charges, for minor injuries, compensation is the main issue.”
“I should have let him stab more toward the middle.”
“Then you’d only be lying in the hospital, what about the child?”
Ning Yue finally looked directly at Mu Xiao for the first time, emerging from her previous detached state, shaking her head with a bitter smile: “He beat me before. You saw it, it’s in that pile of documents.”
Mu Xiao nodded: “If he wasn’t your husband, it would constitute rape.”
“We don’t support marital rape.” Ning Yue showed a painful expression, “For self-defense, I found a knife. Later I wanted a divorce, but I worried about not getting custody of the child. Looking at the knife, I thought, if Hu Cheng had violent tendencies, then regardless of whether he had money or whether I could earn money, the child would have to be with me?”
Ning Yue’s tone was calm, at this point she closed her eyes, and paused, “I knew Luo Yating was his ex-wife, I discovered it shortly after joining the company. So I always tried to avoid meeting her because I didn’t know what kind of woman she was. Later things seemed to develop step by step, I used Luo Yating to provoke Hu Cheng, then created the fact of Hu Cheng injuring me in a fit of rage. Time, motive, facts, and witnesses were all there, you tell me, could I not execute it?”
Ning Yue took a deep breath, leaning back in her chair: “But truly, I didn’t dare! Even when I took out the knife and held it to his neck, I was hesitating. At that time I even thought, if he showed just a little hesitation, I would give up! I would live like before, as long as he let me work, I would completely accept all his girlfriends! But he knows me too well. He said I wouldn’t dare, he walked forward, the knife was on his neck, he laughed, not caring at all!”
Mu Xiao pushed the teacup in front of Ning Yue, who picked it up and took a big drink before saying: “I didn’t dare! If I hurt him, I would have to bear the responsibility, I would go to jail, I still have a child, how could I dare! So, he was fearless, he pushed me step by step, he mocked me! But he forgot who I am! I pushed the knife into his hand, taking advantage of his panic, pulled his hand, and stabbed it into my own body.”
Ning Yue gave a cold laugh: “I just realized that at this age, I’m still relying on my body to fight for benefits! I studied law for so many years and accumulated so much work experience, but in the end, I still have to rely on selling my body to save myself from failure!”
Silence spread, and Ning Yue’s eyes moistened. But she didn’t wipe them, just stared blankly at the cup in her hand, motionless.
Ning Yue walked into the company building somewhat dazedly, feeling a twinge of pain in her waist. She curled up on the corner sofa and closed her eyes.
Mu Xiao found out from a friend that Hu Cheng’s case wouldn’t be filed and was already going through procedures. Next, did she plan to file a private prosecution? Ning Yue naturally did not. A child’s mother suing the child’s father, then requesting compensation? This wasn’t America! But the opportunity she had gained through bloodshed would not end just like that.
She asked Mu Xiao what were her chances of getting custody of the child, and how much property could she obtain.
Mu Xiao tapped the large pile of documents and said definitively: “A wealthy but violent father with a criminal record is not a qualified guardian. As for property… currently, Hu Cheng’s domestic assets are still negative. The overseas portion would be difficult to execute.”
She gave Ning Yue a meaningful look, but Ning Yue just nodded without saying anything. Mu Xiao felt this was the easiest case she had taken, where the client had handled everything themselves, and she just needed to dress properly and appear in court. However, she had a feeling that this would become another “dangerous” case she had taken on.
However, Ning Yue felt as if she was dreaming. Sunlight filtered through the glass window onto her eyelids, warm and gentle, just like in her youth when she would lazily rest on her desk, staring absent-mindedly out the window. She thought, perhaps all of this was just a dream. When she opened her eyes, she might still see the school’s old green windows, with sparse tree shadows outside.
The phone rang, and Ning Yue didn’t want to open her eyes, lazily putting it to her ear. Zhuo Hao’s voice came through: “That’s all I could find about Hu Cheng’s assets. Sorry!”
“It’s fine! That house is enough.” Ning Yue reluctantly opened her eyes and said, “Thank you!”
“What’s there to thank, you should have done this long ago!” Zhuo Hao’s cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone, spreading like sunlight into Ning Yue’s heart.
“That’s not what I meant.” Ning Yue’s voice was somewhat tired but clear, “It’s what you told me, that if we stayed in that family, Hu Ziyuan would be corrupted by Hu Cheng.”
Ning Yue smiled, remembering how Zhuo Hao’s exasperated casual remark when scolding her for being weak had unexpectedly influenced her immensely, changing her fixed mindset.
Zhuo Hao was surprised: “Did I say that? Sounds like something I would say. If so, you really should thank me properly!”
“Absolutely!” Ning Yue didn’t promise specific thanks. It wasn’t appropriate now, and Zhuo Hao didn’t need it, but she would remember it in her heart. Everyone who had helped her would be treasured, not just by her, but Hu Ziyuan should also thank these uncles and aunts!
“You should get a medical checkup.” A familiar voice said as someone sat down opposite her.
Ning Yue smiled and shook her head, “It’s fine, I know my own body.” She looked beside her, “Are you going out?”
Qin Can wasn’t wearing a jacket, just a white shirt and navy blue trousers, collar open, sitting unceremoniously across from Ning Yue. She knew that in the office cabinet, there was a tie rack with seven ties hanging on it. If he went out, he would put on a tie and suit jacket, making himself look proper. If he wasn’t going out, he’d look like this now. Open collar, and rolled-up sleeves, showing all the wrinkled parts of his shirt. But this version of him rarely appeared outside the office.
Overall, Qin Can was still someone who cared a lot about his appearance.
Ning Yue suddenly remembered a saying: every child lacking security would be particularly conscious of their appearance. What about herself? She seemed to not care much about her dress.
Qin Can clicked his tongue: “Come on! Look at you, spacing out again. Whenever you’re in this soul-absent state, I know you’re tired! Yet you’re still pushing yourself!” He shook his head, showing disdain.
Ning Yue understood, that her body was probably absent-minded too. Whenever she couldn’t hold on, she’d retreat into fantasy, pretending nothing had happened.
After they bantered for a bit, Qin Can asked Ning Yue: “I estimate Hu Cheng will be out in three or four days. Even if you file a private prosecution, Hu Cheng won’t care much. His lawyer will explain it to him, and he can afford to drag it out.”
Ning Yue nodded: “Yes, he has thick cards to play. Even now, I’m not completely confident I can get money from his hands!” Seeing Qin Can’s grimace, Ning Yue continued, “Not because of stinginess, but because of face. Even if Hu Cheng doesn’t care, his parents do. Money is secondary, they’ll do everything in their power to block anything I need.”
Qin Can sneered: “Why does it feel like a battle squadron?”
“Having a family is good!” Ning Yue sighed, “No matter what you do, right or wrong, Mom and Dad will always support you, unconditionally.”
Qin Can fell silent too. Ning Yue paused, putting aside her sentiments, and continued: “So, I want to make it impossible for him to drag it out.”
“Oh? How?” Qin Can looked up, eyes bright.
Seeing his expression, Ning Yue suddenly realized he wasn’t just a friend who had helped her, but also her superior. Pan Jie’s reproach echoed in her ears again, and Ning Yue hesitated, “I’m still considering.”
Qin Can looked a bit disappointed, then tilted his head and pondered himself. Ning Yue looked at his profile, then moved her gaze outside the window. Qin Can grow up to be like this, his mother’s spirit in heaven must be gratified. As one mother to another: I won’t hurt him!
Since Nie Congfeng had taken Hu Ziyuan out to play, Hu Ziyuan had taken him as a confidant, constantly asking to play with Nie Congfeng, even secretly using Ning Yue’s phone to call or video chat with him. Ning Yue could only apologize repeatedly, and then be more careful with her phone. But being alone, how could she have so much energy to watch over a child? Hu Ziyuan still had opportunities to carry out his plans.
Now, according to Nie Congfeng and Hu Ziyuan’s arrangement, Hu Ziyuan would use his pocket money to pay Nie Congfeng to take him out to play. Ning Yue naturally scoffed at this, but seeing Hu Ziyuan’s insistence, she thought about finding a companion for the child but was rejected by Hu Ziyuan. He said: “If you dump me with an auntie, I’ll go find my father myself!”
This was the threat Ning Yue least wanted to hear, and also the most effective one.
Nie Congfeng told Ning Yue that Mu Xiao had instructed him to primarily focus on accompanying and protecting Hu Ziyuan before completing Ning Yue’s divorce matters, with all costs included in the representation fee. Ning Yue accepted Mu Xiao’s kindness, privately breathing a long sigh of relief.
Hu Cheng would find her sooner or later, and keeping Hu Ziyuan by her side wasn’t safe.
In the afternoon when Hu Cheng was released, in the ground parking lot, beside her car, Ning Yue saw Hu Cheng. At that moment, she was very grateful that the child was with Mu Xiao.
“How is it? Is my car driving well? Though it’s a bit fuel-consuming, can you afford it?” Hu Cheng patted the Mercedes’ hood, “And the parking fee, I wonder how much your place costs?”
Ning Yue stood far away, not making a sound.
Hu Cheng was already cleaned up, wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt and pants, handsome as ever, showing no traces of having been detained. Only his pallid complexion revealed deep malevolence.
Seeing Ning Yue’s silence, Hu Cheng sneered: “Weren’t you quite capable? Even got your own husband locked up. Why are you mute now?” He pointed at Ning Yue, “You! Who do you think you are?” He slowly walked closer, “Where is Ziyuan?” Hu Cheng’s voice wasn’t loud, but full of threat.
“With me.” Ning Yue didn’t even raise her eyelids, standing with full resistance.
Hu Cheng moved closer, his palm suggestively stroking from Ning Yue’s hair to her forehead, to her ears, cheeks, mouth, and chin. Hu Cheng suddenly grabbed Ning Yue’s neck violently, “Give him back to me!”
Then, he was surprised to feel something pressing against his waist. This time, Hu Cheng coldly smiled: “What, you want me to stab you again? Come on! Don’t worry, I’ll stab you to…”
He released his hand and lowered his head to grab what was pressing against his waist, but stopped.
Ning Yue’s voice hadn’t changed, she raised her eyelids, looking at Hu Cheng, saying: “This is just a steel ball gun, it won’t kill you. However…” She suddenly jabbed Hu Cheng’s waist, and the crisp sound of the safety being released fell into Hu Cheng’s ears, making him stagger. Now it was Ning Yue’s turn to press close, “It’s enough to make your internal organs disabled forever!”
Hu Cheng glared at Ning Yue viciously but didn’t dare act rashly. At this moment, someone passed by. Ning Yue’s other hand suddenly pulled her bag over, and she was already far from Hu Cheng.
Hu Cheng pointed at Ning Yue: “You’re tough! Next time, you better watch out!”
Watching Hu Cheng’s departing figure until it disappeared, Ning Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief, her face pale, standing still to recover. When she moved to the car door, preparing to open it and get in, she suddenly stopped.
Ning Yue seemed to remember something and circled the car once, but didn’t find anything unusual. Only then did she open the car door and get in, but just as she was starting the car, she hesitated again. Taking the car key to look carefully, Ning Yue simply turned off the engine and got out.
Ning Yue dialed a number, and Zhuo Hao’s voice came through: “What? Did Hu Cheng find you? Is the child okay?”
“He’s fine. Do you have any way to detect if something like a tracking device has been installed in my car?”
“Who would dare to install that?”
“Hu Cheng was waiting for me in the parking lot. I remember there was still a spare car key at home that wasn’t taken, but in the end, he left without asking for the car. I’m worried he installed something in my car to track my location.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Then I’ll go pick up the child first, see you in an hour.”
Mu Xiao saw Ning Yue and her son off, and Nie Congfeng sighed dramatically: “My goodness! What are children made of? Like perpetual motion machines, never stopping! Boss, this job is too tiring!”
Mu Xiao raised an eyebrow indifferently, walking towards her office. Nie Congfeng followed behind, complaining incessantly. After he’d said enough, he suddenly changed his tone and asked: “Does this Ning Yue have no relatives at all? I remember other clients, in these situations, all send their children back to their hometown.”
Mu Xiao shook her head: “Seems not.” She put her hand thoughtfully on the doorknob, “So-called single parenting, actually always has someone helping, but someone like her—” Mu Xiao shook her head.
Nie Congfeng asked: “If it’s like she said, just wanting the child and not the money, the result—”
“That result would be the worst!” Mu Xiao said firmly, “I believe even Ning Yue herself is trying to avoid this outcome.”
“Her? What can she do?”
Mu Xiao smiled, jerking her head towards her office, “Just looking at that pile of documents, what do you think she can do? She probably has another part, just not convenient for us to see.”
“How do you know?”
“Experience! Stop chatting. Tomorrow I want to meet Hu Cheng, help me organize some things!” Mu Xiao looked relaxed, “I heard he’s handsome!”
“Psh! He’s still a scumbag!” Nie Congfeng grimaced, “And, based on my experience, he definitely won’t agree to anything you say. I suggest you take me along, he might take his anger out on you, remember he has a criminal record!”
A closing door cut off the end of Nie Congfeng’s words as usual. Nie Congfeng grimaced, about to walk away when the door unexpectedly opened again. Mu Xiao handed him a pile of things: “Tomorrow you take Hu Ziyuan mountain climbing, have everything organized by one o’clock the day after tomorrow, the complaint and preservation application should be ready to submit at any time. Hopefully, we can save some effort this time, if not, we can only rush!”
Nie Congfeng flipped through the documents: “You’re applying for such a small amount?”
“Mainly for the car and that credit card repayment account, and the bank repayment records for the house. For the rest, we’ll think of other ways.”
After Mu Xiao left, Nie Congfeng was still muttering: “That’s not much either!”
Hu Ziyuan pressed close to Ning Yue, his little face full of worry. Street lamp after street lamp flashed past the car’s windshield, while uncle and mother remained silent. After several attempts to speak, Hu Ziyuan finally couldn’t help asking: “Can those little boxes installed in the car tell Dad where we are? Mom, why don’t you tell Dad where we live? Why does Dad want to track us? Is he worried about us?” He hugged Ning Yue’s arm tightly, carefully saying, “It’s okay, I’ll tell Dad not to worry, then everything will be fine, right?”
Ning Yue lowered her head to stroke the child’s head, forcing herself to smile. How should she answer? Perhaps better not to answer at all! Her hand reached into her bag, wanting to take out that toy to divert attention, but touched the gun instead.
This was a gift bought for Hu Ziyuan but had been used to scare away Hu Cheng. Now she just wanted to throw it far away, never see it again, and not let the child play with it.
Seeing his mother not answering, Hu Ziyuan lost his usual confidence, instead showing worry beyond his years, staring intently at Ning Yue. Ning Yue tried to make herself relaxed: “Dad…” she paused, how should she say it? Should she continue maintaining the image of this man who had hurt her so deeply in front of their child?
“Your dad wants to snatch you away!” Zhuo Hao impatiently spoke up, while glaring at the hesitating Ning Yue in the rearview mirror, “Your dad doesn’t want you staying with your mom, he wants to take you away and hide you, so you’ll never see your mom again!”
“I don’t want that!” Hu Ziyuan shrunk into Ning Yue’s arms with a crying voice. Ning Yue held him, saying softly, “Don’t worry, Mom will protect you well!”
Hu Ziyuan blinked: “Is it because you’re getting divorced? Didn’t you say you’d both still love me even after the divorce? Why doesn’t Dad want me to see you, and you don’t let me see Dad!” By the end, Hu Ziyuan was crying and collapsed in Ning Yue’s arms.
Ning Yue could only hold him tight, murmuring: I’m sorry, I’m sorry!
Zhuo Hao glanced over and sighed helplessly.
The next day, Ning Yue took the child directly to Mu Xiao’s law firm. Hu Ziyuan was dressed neatly, ready to go mountain climbing with Nie Congfeng. But his face didn’t have its usual ease. He looked back at his mom, Ning Yue smiled and blew him a kiss, but the child returned one, seeming to think it wasn’t standard enough, he blew another, and another. Ning Yue caught them one by one until the car drove far away and couldn’t be seen.
She lowered her head, there seemed to be many wrinkles on her shoes, and they needed polishing. Mu Xiao looked at her and sighed: “Let’s go!” Ning Yue nodded and got in the car, saying nothing.
Seeing Ning Yue constantly staring at the side mirror, Mu Xiao curiously glanced too but saw nothing unusual.
Ning Yue withdrew her gaze and said to Mu Xiao: “Please call Lawyer Nie, there’s a car following them.”
Mu Xiao was startled and hurriedly did so. After hanging up, she quickly apologized to Ning Yue, who shook her head: “It’s fine. I insisted on bringing the child myself for this reason. Hu Cheng will have people watching you to find where I live.”
Mu Xiao nodded and made a note, focusing on driving.
This meeting was mainly to discuss the divorce. Originally Ning Yue didn’t need to come, but Hu Cheng said there would be no discussion if she didn’t come, so she came along.
If the discussion went well and both parties were willing to reach an agreement on important matters, then directly filing at the Civil Affairs Bureau would be the simplest and most economical solution. Therefore, no matter how tense things got between parties, as long as no one died, Mu Xiao would always suggest everyone sit down and talk.
However, this time, it was Ning Yue who proposed it. To be honest, Mu Xiao didn’t want this in her heart, but if Ning Yue had other cards to play, that would be different.
Sure enough, Hu Cheng’s attitude was arrogant, his face full of malice when he saw them. The elderly couple beside him became very agitated upon seeing Ning Yue. Hu Cheng’s mother especially rushed over without hesitation, shouting: “Where’s my grandson! Where have you hidden my grandson!”
Mu Xiao was extremely grateful she had listened to Nie Congfeng and borrowed a male assistant, Little Lu, from the firm.
Little Lu was a good young man. Just graduated from a famous top domestic university, with ideals, aspirations, and self-discipline. He had excellent judicial examination scores, won the MVP in school basketball competitions, and went to the gym every week. At this moment, Little Lu stepped forward, blocking the way like a mountain. Hu Cheng’s mother was stunned, her distorted face suddenly becoming normal as she looked back at her son.
Hu Cheng came over: “What, you dare to hit my mom?”
Mu Xiao smiled sweetly: “We wouldn’t dare! There are surveillance cameras here, we can check. By the way, this is my assistant, Lawyer Lu.”
Hu Cheng glared at Little Lu and turned away. Seeing her son silent, Hu Cheng’s mother stood there, extremely unwilling.
Ning Yue suddenly spoke: “Hu Cheng, don’t you think being too agitated will affect your health? I remember the doctor saying, if emotions fluctuate too much, you might have to be admitted again.”
“You’re cursing me!” Hu Cheng’s mother’s shrill voice rang out, and Little Lu quickly stepped aside again, blocking the old lady’s attempt to move. Mu Xiao secretly nodded, thinking she needed to give Little Lu a bonus when they got back. The difference between Little Lu and Nie Congfeng was that he had ideals but didn’t reject reality. However, someone like Nie Congfeng who rejected reality to the point of pathological vomiting couldn’t be found anywhere else in the world!
Ning Yue ignored Hu Cheng’s mother and found a place to sit down with Mu Xiao.
Hu Cheng’s face changed expressions, finally pulling his parents aside to whisper something. The old lady looked unwilling, but the old man, after staying silent for a long time, finally nodded. Hu Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, watching his parents walk out of the café door before returning to find Ning Yue.
“Let me tell you, I won’t give you anything. You have no money and no one, how can you take care of the child?” Hu Cheng’s opening was impressive, “But considering our years as husband and wife, and you being the child’s mother, I’ll let you come home.”
“I want custody of the child, and division of marital property.” Ning Yue’s face was expressionless.
“Ridiculous! What right do you have to divide my money? Have you earned a single cent in this family? You’ve been idle at home every day, even money for socks came from me, the credit card records are clear, it’s my salary account!” Hu Cheng said angrily and disdainfully.
Mu Xiao said: “Ms. Ning not working doesn’t mean she doesn’t earn money. According to law, the determination of marital property has little to do with whether Ms. Ning works or not.”
Hu Cheng waved his hand: “Don’t talk about that! I have no money! I don’t have a single cent. If anything, there’s only debt, my company lost money. There’s a huge pile of debt, want to share some?”
Mu Xiao knew those accounts indeed had pitiful amounts of money, especially in recent months, almost nothing.
Ning Yue said: “My conditions are simple, custody of the child, and the property I deserve. I’m not interested in your company investments, I just want two houses.”
“Where would I get houses from? Even where we live now was bought by my parents!”
Mu Xiao took out a pile of documents, “Although the down payment was made in your father’s name, before the payment, there was an identical amount transferred from your account to your father’s account. Here’s the record. Also, these are the house payment records, all paid after your marriage. Therefore, this house can’t be considered a gift, it’s your marital property. However, Ms. Ning is claiming the other two houses, although not in your name, but under your holding company.”
Hu Cheng half-believingly took the records to look: “You can even get bank slips from seven years ago?” He looked suspiciously at Ning Yue, “And this company, how did you know about it? When did you start investigating?”
Ning Yue ignored him: “This is the divorce agreement drafted by Lawyer Mu, if you agree, we can sign and process it.”
Hu Cheng took it, didn’t even look, and tore it to pieces in a few moves: “Go home!”
Mu Xiao looked at Ning Yue, who still showed no emotional fluctuation, reaching up to brush her hair: “Didn’t Tian Qiuzi tell you that Chairman Chen is urging her to return the money?”
Hu Cheng’s face darkened, “What’s that got to do with me?”
“This money was company funds that Chairman Chen misappropriated and gave to Tian Qiuzi for investment. Tian Qiuzi did it as a favor, didn’t even sign a contract, just gave it directly to you, and you used it to buy company shares in your name. Now you’re refusing to return it, Tian Qiuzi can’t explain to Chairman Chen and Chairman Chen? Worried every day about being discovered by the company. And I work at the same company as Chairman Chen, in the legal department.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?” Hu Cheng’s hands formed fists at his sides.
“Even if you don’t care whether Chairman Chen and the others go to prison, what about Ruan Meiying? How about that?” Ning Yue randomly mentioned another name.
Hu Cheng stood up excitedly, saying harshly: “Ning! Don’t think this can scare me! I’m not scared easily. Since you want to fight, let me tell you, we’ll see how this plays out!”
“Sign the agreement and give it to me by three o’clock this afternoon. Lawyer Mu will be waiting at the court, at three o’clock sharp, they’ll arrange to file the lawsuit.” Ning Yue said calmly.
Hu Cheng was too angry to speak, but Mu Xiao could see in his eyes an inexplicable terror.
Hu Cheng left, and Ning Yue didn’t immediately get up. She picked up her teacup and took a sip of water. But for some reason, she held the cup for a long time before bringing it to her mouth. Mu Xiao waited silently, looking at the documents in front of her, giving Ning Yue time to calm down.
After a long while, Ning Yue finally said: “Will he agree?”
Mu Xiao turned her head, but Ning Yue was looking down at her teacup as if she had never spoken. Mu Xiao didn’t fully understand the specific meaning of the previous conversation, but roughly guessed that Ning Yue had some leverage over Hu Cheng’s company, and from the tone, both the taxes and funding sources of Hu Cheng’s company had issues.
Ning Yue suddenly sighed, “Lawyer Mu, are there many divorces like ours?”
Mu Xiao considered carefully, “Not particularly few.”
Ning Yue paused: “If I went abroad, would it be better?”
Mu Xiao could only provide professional advice: “Generally speaking, one shouldn’t interfere with the father’s visitation rights.”
Ning Yue sighed again, smiling and shaking her head: “If time could start over, even if I would still fall in love with Hu Cheng, I definitely wouldn’t have a child.”
“Why not choose not to love him?”
“He’s very charming, his charm with women. I don’t believe I could resist him. Do you understand?” Ning Yue turned to look at Mu Xiao for the first time.
Mu Xiao blinked, remembering a crow who constantly muttered that if there was another life, it would just be falling in love with the same person again, so rebirth wouldn’t have much meaning. Then, she smiled and nodded.
“My current job was found for me by his mistress,” Ning Yue said slowly, head lowered. Her hair fell forward, hiding her face, sunlight falling on it, creating streaks of sharp silver gleams in the black, “At that time he needed money, I refused to sign the mortgage documents unless he could help me find work. Hu Cheng is a proud and selfish person. He knew I couldn’t work wholeheartedly, worried that after introducing me somewhere he’d be blamed, damaging his connections, so he always refused. This time, I just tried, somehow Tian Qiuzi found out, so she stepped in and introduced me to my current company. Later, during an internal audit, I took the opportunity to check files to see things, discovering that the so-called investment company Tian Qiuzi brought to Hu Cheng was a shell. It was the procurement head using the department’s petty cash fund through Tian Qiuzi for outside investment to earn interest, then returning it. And Tian Qiuzi took it upon herself to give this money to Hu Cheng. This money was almost Hu Cheng’s initial capital. He registered many companies to evade taxes.”
Mu Xiao listened quietly. Such things weren’t rare within companies, especially large groups and corporations. Why else say that greed is hard to satisfy?
However, she also found that mistress somewhat amusing. Just because Ning Yue didn’t work, did you think she was an ignorant housewife? She had received formal legal education after all, and worked as a professional lawyer for four years, even while staying home with the child, she still read books and newspapers to understand outside changes. Perhaps her professional skills weren’t up to date with the times, but the foundation remained. In this world, 0 and 1 are completely different.
Ning Yue stopped talking, the tea in her cup had gone cold, Mu Xiao called the waiter to change it, Ning Yue extended her finger above the teacup, watching the misty white vapor wrapping around her fingertip, murmuring: “I thought he would agree on the spot, didn’t expect he would just leave like that. What do you think he’ll do next?”
Mu Xiao waited, seeing Ning Yue truly wasn’t speaking though she didn’t raise her head, cleared her throat, and said: “I’ve already had Xiao Nie prepare the complaint and property preservation application, tomorrow at the appointed time I’ll have Xiao Nie submit it. However, if you’re not sure…”
Ning Yue shook her head, “There’s nothing uncertain. Oh right, one more thing, if possible, see if we can apply to the court to prohibit Hu Cheng from approaching the child, or prohibit his parents from approaching the child.” Ning Yue pondered, somewhat uncertain. Her voice trailed off, but finally, she bit her lip, not changing her mind.
Mu Xiao nodded, she would pay attention to it.
At this point, Ning Yue finally raised her head, taking a deep breath, “Nothing else for now. Anyway, for me, the longer this drags on, the more unfavorable it becomes.”
“Mr. Hu must know this point too.”
Ning Yue gave a cold snort, her eyes fixed on a point in space as if looking through this black hole to see Hu Cheng.
It was almost three o’clock when they left Mu Xiao’s place.
Mu Xiao had obliquely asked Ning Yue if other things needed to be done, but Ning Yue shook her head in refusal. Regarding Mu Xiao’s good intentions, Ning Yue told her that the move not yet played was the most powerful one.
Mu Xiao understood the meaning of these words, that either Ning Yue wasn’t completely confident, or there was danger in these matters that could drag Ning Yue down too.
Hu Ziyuan sat yawning in the taxi, pressing close to Ning Yue, unwilling to fall asleep as he rambled incoherently about the fun of mountain climbing, even imagining a little friend surnamed Huang who had raced with him all the way. Ning Yue wondered if Hu Ziyuan missed kindergarten. Before she knew it, the car had stopped.
Just entering the office building lobby, someone came forward to block Ning Yue. Ning Yue first looked at Hu Ziyuan, then said to the person: “Let me take the child upstairs first, whatever you want to say can wait until I come back down.”
Seeing Tian Qiuzi’s distrustful look, Ning Yue smiled coldly: “Is there any need for me to hide now? Or would you like to come with me to the office, to chat in the legal department?”
“Trying to scare me!” Tian Qiuzi didn’t give an inch, “Ning Yue, don’t forget, this job was introduced by me.”
“Yes, and I also know the several times I almost lost my job were thanks to you. However, I still stayed in the end, do you regret it?” Ning Yue looked at Tian Qiuzi provocatively. She felt a tightness at her side, suddenly feeling soft warmth – it was Hu Ziyuan’s small body pressing close to her.
Tian Qiuzi probably also realized that arguing with Ning Yue wouldn’t get her anywhere, the best approach was to cut straight to the point. She said seriously: “I know you’re pretending to have some things to threaten Hu Cheng. But doing this is useless! You have no evidence!”
Ning Yue smiled: “Yes, I have no evidence. Then why are you here?”
Ning Yue felt an unprecedented satisfaction. Was Tian Qiuzi finally tasting her own medicine? Her eager service thinking she could squeeze out Ning Yue had now become the starting point of her complete collapse. Ah, no, her whole life would be finished because of this! If Tian Qiuzi had known those sensual photos would lead to such consequences – like going to prison, would she still have been so proud and persistent in sending them for her to see?
Sure enough, facing Ning Yue’s malicious smile, Tian Qiuzi took several deep breaths, and though unwilling, clearly said: “What if Hu Cheng agrees to give you custody of Hu Ziyuan?”
Ning Yue wondered, was this Tian Qiuzi’s idea, or was Hu Cheng sending her to test her?
Tian Qiuzi impatiently urged: “I’m asking you! This is Hu Cheng’s biggest concession, you’d better accept it!”
Ning Yue was certain. Although Tian Qiuzi was domineering, she was 100% obedient to Hu Cheng. Without Hu Cheng’s intention, she wouldn’t dare to agree or propose such conditions on her own. But Ning Yue didn’t plan to accept this condition. Three months ago, she might have considered it. But now, especially after these few days of turmoil, she deeply understood one principle: for a woman to raise a child well alone, she must sacrifice between companionship and work, and the size of financial resources determines the severity of the sacrifice. She didn’t want her son to suffer even a bit of grievance, so on the property issue, she would strive with all her might!
“My conditions are all written in the agreement. If you’re interested, you can ask Hu Cheng for it to look at.” Ning Yue maintained her composure, trying to keep a peaceful tone while lowering her head to smile at her son. Hu Ziyuan’s upturned little face finally showed a relieved smile.
“Don’t be ungrateful! You think this can hold us?” Tian Qiuzi’s roar startled Hu Ziyuan. Ning Yue held the child, glaring at her disapprovingly. But Tian Qiuzi was too angry to notice, she stepped forward, lowering her voice condescendingly, “You think those things can protect you? Let me tell you, by doing this, you’ve offended many people! It’s hard to say if Hu Ziyuan will even see tomorrow!”
“Slap!” A loud smack startled everyone in the lobby. The coffee shop waiter looked up in this direction, security guards glanced over and started walking over.
Tian Qiuzi held her face, looking at Ning Yue in disbelief. Ning Yue was like a frenzied mother beast, glaring at her fiercely!
Tian Qiuzi tossed her hair, deciding to let loose completely, covering half her face as she said: “You’re scared too, aren’t you? Right! I knew it, this little brat is your weak spot! Ning Yue, let me tell you, you divorcing Hu Cheng, I couldn’t ask for more, but you’d better stay away from me! If you push me too far, I won’t let you be comfortable either! I love Hu Cheng, so I let you cause trouble. But if you dare touch me!” She suddenly reached out, violently pulling Hu Ziyuan, dragging him as she said: “Let’s see if I dare or not!”
Ning Yue’s face changed drastically.
As soon as Tian Qiuzi finished speaking, her chest was heavily struck by the charging Ning Yue, making her fall to the ground. After hitting Tian Qiuzi, Ning Yue immediately steadied the also-staggering Hu Ziyuan, protecting him in her arms as she retreated to the security guard’s side. At this moment, she was extremely grateful for Zhuo Hao’s urging her to keep exercising!
By now Tian Qiuzi had gotten up, cursing: “You dare hit me? You bitch, you think I’m afraid of you? If you want to destroy me, I’ll destroy your little brat first!”
Ning Yue’s almond eyes opened wide like an enraged mother beast. She thrust the child into the hands of the dumbfounded security guard beside her, grabbed a metal aluminum chair nearby, and smashed it down at Tian Qiuzi’s legs. Tian Qiuzi fell to the ground again in pain, crying and screaming. But Ning Yue, teeth clenched without a sound, struck three or four more times before putting down the chair, panting. She grabbed Tian Qiuzi’s hair, half-kneeling on the ground, saying viciously: “Want to bully my son? Your worthless life isn’t worthy!”
Spitting in Tian Qiuzi’s face, Ning Yue dusted off her hands, walked to Hu Ziyuan’s side, patted his shoulder, and said: “See? When dealing with people who bully you, before reasoning with them, you have to hit back first!”
“Mom, hitting people is wrong,” Hu Ziyuan said weakly, though his pale little face had gained some color.
Ning Yue said: “The law allows self-defense.”
Tian Qiuzi was still moaning on the ground, but Ning Yue didn’t even look at her as she left with her son. The security guard stepped forward to stop them, looking awkwardly between Tian Qiuzi and Ning Yue.
Ning Yue thought for a moment, walked to Tian Qiuzi’s side, and asked with raised eyebrows: “Want me to call someone you know to come out?” How would Chairman Chen react if he knew Tian Qiuzi was beaten in the company lobby? Or perhaps Chairman Chen didn’t know that Ning Yue was already aware of his relationship with Tian Qiuzi?
Tian Qiuzi stood up trembling, enduring the pain, “Crazy woman!” She wanted to hit back the same way, but obviously not now. In terms of youth and strength, she wasn’t inferior to Ning Yue, she lost because Ning Yue’s attack was sudden and resolute, like a rabid dog suddenly attacking, wanting nothing but to bite her! Tian Qiuzi suddenly understood why Hu Cheng was so passive, Ning Yue was simply crazy!
Ning Yue gave her a cold glance, then left with her child without looking back. The security guard watched Tian Qiuzi leave, barely able to close his gaping mouth.
An hour later, the entire group had heard the news. A female lawyer from the legal department had beaten up a mistress who came looking for trouble in the building lobby. Two hours later, the mistress’s background was dug up, revealing she even had business dealings with the company. The news spread between employees of different companies via email…
At this time, Ning Yue was in Qin Can’s office, listening to another unexpected matter. Through the half-obscured glass wall, Ning Yue could see Hu Ziyuan absorbed in playing with Lego. It was a toy Qin Can had brought back for him, promising that if he could build two different things, he would give him a new one. The little boy had found a new way to play and was concentrating intently.
Ning Yue didn’t know how much of the earlier scene remained in his memory, how much negative impact such violent, crazy scenes would leave on the child, but when Tian Qiuzi dragged Hu Ziyuan away, showing her hideous face, Ning Yue’s mind buzzed, and everything around seemed to freeze! In that instant, she felt extraordinarily calm. So calm that she only saw Tian Qiuzi’s body, so calm that it took just a moment to judge how to take her down. When she acted, she had only one thought: to make Tian Qiuzi never dare threaten her child again!
“Are you listening?” Qin Can’s question brought Ning Yue back. Ning Yue smiled apologetically, looking at Qin Can questioningly.
Qin Can sighed, never mind, it wasn’t as if there was really any work to assign. He just wanted to ask about the divorce progress, but feeling it inappropriate, he was just making conversation!
Following her gaze to the concentrated Hu Ziyuan, Qin Can suddenly asked: “Will you change the child’s surname?”
“If it’s too troublesome, forget it.” Ning Yue naturally understood the level of provocation changing the surname would be to the Hu family. She had her own goals; these minor details didn’t matter. After all, there was plenty of time ahead.
Qin Can make a thoughtful “oh” sound: “My mother’s surname was Qin.” He glanced at Ning Yue, “Although my mother never said anything bad about my father, I never changed it back after I returned. The fact is the fact, I’ve always felt that facing reality is the most appropriate solution—including for children.”
Ning Yue was startled inside. She had long decided that no matter how things turned out with Hu Cheng, Hu Ziyuan would never hear a bad word about his father from her mouth.
But how would the child think? They know everything, they have their own judgment ability. Thinking of Zhuo Hao’s words to Hu Ziyuan last night, perhaps for a growing boy, they also need to bear the truth of reality, and experience full trust. Qin Can was right, as the child’s mother she couldn’t disparage the father, but excessive beautification was just another kind of lie. Children would see and understand for themselves, what would happen then?
Ning Yue didn’t dare risk it. How to raise her son remained an uncertainty in her heart. But one thought leads to ten thousand; at least now, Qin Can’s reminiscence reminded her that Hu Ziyuan was an independent person. Though young, he had his cognition and experiences, his own needs and judgments. Ning Yue suddenly regretted her earlier frenzy, becoming increasingly uneasy.
Ning Yue’s unease showed through, and Qin Can, thinking he had been too abrupt, also felt awkward. After a brief silence, Qin Can cleared his throat, returning to business.
“What’s the situation with Chairman Chen?” This was the main reason he had called Ning Yue over.
Ning Yue was stunned for a moment, remembering she had forgotten to tell Mu Xiao not to tell others, feeling somewhat annoyed.
But Qin Can continued, “I checked the records of the files you’ve been organizing in the archives recently. Though numerous, knowing your husband’s relationship with Tian Qiuzi, plus Tian Qiuzi’s business relationship with our company, finding your point of focus wasn’t difficult. And I’m not the only one looking. Luo Yating is watching too.”
So it wasn’t Mu Xiao who told. But Ning Yue frowned.
Qin Can said: “It’s not related to you. Luo Yating is the company’s general legal counsel, also an office member. Kicking someone when they’re down has always been the office’s iron rule. You just happened to trigger this matter. Since you were laid off last time, Luo Yating has been watching the procurement center.”
Qin Can glanced at Ning Yue, thinking: “Luo Yating has been watching Chairman Chen of the procurement center. And Chairman Chen came up from our subsidiary. Before he went up, all the business was coordinated by us. If Luo Yating finds any problems we didn’t check, then it won’t just be a passive issue.”
If Chairman Chen’s behavior was problematic, many contracts and documents recording his behavior trajectories had been approved by legal. This responsibility was indeed not small!
Something stirred in Ning Yue’s heart, but she didn’t speak immediately. This was one of her few advantages; she didn’t want to give it up just like that.
Qin Can didn’t rush her, “I’ve already opened the procurement center’s system permissions to you, sort things out recently, I don’t want to be beaten to it by Luo.” He glanced at Ning Yue, seeming to see through her thoughts, “Strike first for the advantage, we need to strive for merit.”
Ning Yue breathed a sigh of relief; Qin Can hadn’t forced her to give up. For the method and path, Qin Can have found, Ning Yue had no choice but to cooperate fully!