Chapter 20: Divorce – Why Does Father Sound So Jealous?

Lin Guilan froze for a moment, then met Jiang Qingshi’s encouraging gaze. Gathering courage, she recounted everything that had happened that day. The more Jiang Qingshi listened, the darker his eyes became. After she finished, he remained silent.

Having been married to Jiang Qingshi for two or three years, Lin Guilan could detect every shift in her husband’s mood. Seeing his expression darken, she stammered nervously, “H-Husband, are you angry?”

Jiang Zhimiao was also secretly observing Jiang Qingshi’s expression. Seeing how unpleasant his father looked, he thought: How outrageous! Mother suffered such great injustice, and Father only cares about being angry! What a petty man!

Suddenly feeling energized, Jiang Zhimiao pattered over with quick little steps, spreading his arms to shield Lin Guilan. His round eyes glared fiercely at Jiang Qingshi.

Jiang Qingshi was slightly surprised. He had thought Guilan’s claim that Jiang Zhimiao could walk was just a diversion, but it turned out the boy really could walk.

Meeting his father’s gaze, Jiang Zhimiao puffed out his small chest like a real man.

He wasn’t afraid of his father! Don’t even think about bullying Mother!

Though touched by Jiang Zhimiao’s protective gesture, Lin Guilan was more concerned about Jiang Qingshi’s mood at this moment… Oh no, after carefully hiding it for so long, her husband finally discovered she knew martial arts… What should she do now…

“Wife,” Jiang Qingshi finally spoke, staring at her slowly. “Such a major incident happened, and you still wanted to hide it from me. Do you see me as so useless in your eyes that you have to bear everything alone, no matter how big?”

While Lin Guilan was anxiously waiting, he continued, “Since marrying me, not only have you had to work outside, but you also take care of me and Miao Ge’er. Now when you suffer injustice, you bear it alone too. Wife, it seems you’ve gained no benefits from marrying me. Since that’s the case, perhaps we should divorce!”

Lin Guilan’s face instantly turned pale. So… her husband wanted to divorce her! But… the reason for divorce wasn’t what she had expected!

What did her husband mean by those words?

“No, no, I don’t want to divorce you.” Lin Guilan waved her hands frantically, then paused. “Husband… you’re not divorcing me because I know martial arts?”

Jiang Qingshi, who had been forcing a stern expression, nearly lost his composure at this. His brother-in-law was right – his wife’s thinking was too unpredictable. Sometimes he really wanted to pry open her skull to see what was inside.

“Why would I divorce you for knowing martial arts?”

Jiang Qingshi shook his head helplessly, then remembered he was supposed to be angry and immediately resumed his cold, stern expression.

“That’s right, I should be angry. My wife is so capable, yet I knew nothing about it. From now on, I suppose I’ll have to hear about my wife’s affairs from others!”

Jiang Zhimiao suddenly sensed something odd and lowered his protective arms. Though he had never been in love in either of his lifetimes, he wasn’t foolish. As he listened, he thought: Why does Father sound so jealous?

“Husband, I never meant that,” Lin Guilan hurriedly clarified her intentions. “It was Mother and Sister-in-law who told me I must keep my skills hidden… They said no man would like a rough woman who fights and kills…”

“I only think my wife is incredibly impressive.” Jiang Qingshi’s expression finally softened, his eyes filled with tenderness. “If a man were like this, he’d be praised as a great hero. You being a woman and striving to master martial arts is even more difficult—this makes you more accomplished than many men.”

“Really?” Lin Guilan’s eyes lit up. “Husband, to be honest, I’ve always loved martial arts, but could only practice in secret. These past two years without practice, I’ve actually regressed quite a bit. How strange this must sound—I’ve been so afraid others would find out… and laugh at you for marrying such a woman…”

“What a coincidence,” Jiang Qingshi’s tone held rare humor, “I fear others’ ridicule the least. I’m already known as a pretty boy who lives off his wife—what other mockery could possibly bother me? However…”

Jiang Qingshi suddenly straightened his face again: “But if my wife insists on divorcing me, I’m afraid I’ll soon lose even the qualification to be ridiculed!”

Lin Guilan panicked once more: “Husband, I don’t want to divorce you! Today was my fault—I promise I won’t be like this again!”

“Wife, it’s not that I’m making trouble. Your behavior makes me feel useless, like I’m only holding you back.” Jiang Qingshi took Lin Guilan’s hand. “If you keep hiding things from me like this, keeping me in the dark, I’d be too ashamed to face anyone. The only honorable path would be to divorce you and set you free.”

“No more secrets! No more!” Lin Guilan urgently responded. “From now on, I’ll tell you everything!”

“Truly?”

“Truly!”

Finally satisfied, Jiang Qingshi smiled and pulled Lin Guilan into his embrace.

Listening nearby, Jiang Zhimiao’s face turned green. After hearing all this, he finally understood.

His father was truly a cunning fox!