Chapter 59: Divorce Him

As if guided by some ghostly force, Lin Zhiguo drifted to the perimeter of the commander’s residence. Through the fence, he could see the brightly lit interior filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

The seat that should have been his was occupied by Gu Yanbin, who occasionally served Tongtong food, caring for her as if he were her own father.

It seemed as though they were the real family.

That warm, lively scene only made him appear more isolated and wretched.

A surge of bitterness, jealousy, and resentment rushed to his head.

Unable to restrain himself, Lin Zhiguo pushed open the courtyard gate and remarked with a sarcastic tone, “Wanqin, I couldn’t find you at home. I never expected you to be here enjoying yourself. Do you still remember that I’m your husband, Tongtong’s father?”

“I’m injured, lying at home with no one to show any concern, yet here you are having a reunion dinner.”

As he spoke, he deliberately clutched his chest and coughed, hoping to play the victim in front of Commander Liu and portray Yu Wanqin and her daughter as heartless and ungrateful.

The cheerful atmosphere instantly cooled at his words.

Yu Wanqin set down her chopsticks, the smile fading from her face.

Her tone was calm, carrying an unprecedented sense of detachment and sharpness: “Deputy Battalion Commander Lin, you jest. In the past, when you were happily dining with your sister-in-law and her family, enjoying fine food and drink, did you ever think of me and our daughter back in the countryside, eating coarse grains and wild vegetables?”

“Now that you’re sick, you should seek care from your two nephews and your sister-in-law. It’s hardly my place to offer any concern. As for this meal… it’s Commander Liu and Aunt He who have shown us mother and daughter kindness. It’s our good fortune, and there’s no need for you to worry about it.”

He Xiulan’s expression also turned cold, her brows furrowed with displeasure.

Gu Yanbin stood up: “Deputy Battalion Commander Lin, if you’re injured, you shouldn’t be wandering around. Shall I have someone escort you back?”

His tall, imposing figure towered over Lin Zhiguo by a full head, exuding an aura of authority.

It made Lin Zhiguo swallow nervously.

Seeing Commander Liu’s cold expression and silence, the air grew icy.

Lin Zhiguo shuddered, realizing he had once again acted foolishly.

He forced an awkward smile: “I… I was just out for a stroll. Please, continue your meal. I’ll be on my way.”

He slunk away, his retreating figure hurried and flustered.

Yet, resentment still simmered in his heart.

Though he didn’t know how Yu Wanqin had caught the army commander’s eye, since such a connection existed, he naturally intended to make good use of it.

Now that Shen Wei had lost her job and carried a tarnished reputation, she was no longer worthy of him.

He and Yu Wanqin were, after all, legally married…

Lin Zhiguo’s thoughts were a chaotic mess as he made his way home.

Arriving to find the kitchen cold and empty, he flew into a rage but received no response from Shen Wei. This only fueled his anger, making his heart ache, and he lay down on the bed without moving.

…

After the meal, Tongtong and her mother returned to their own home.

The little girl wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, looking up earnestly: “Mom, don’t be afraid of him!”

Yu Wanqin felt a warmth in her heart as she held her daughter’s soft, small body, feeling utterly content: “Mm!”

Tongtong blinked her eyes and tentatively added: “Dry maternal uncle and Godfather and Tongtong will all protect you! Mom, divorce him… If we leave him, we can live a better life!”

Tears immediately welled up in Yu Wanqin’s eyes.

She knew that everything her daughter had done these past days was to help her gain a foothold in the city.

The thought of her little girl, so young, having to worry and strive for her sake made her heart ache unbearably.

Holding the small bundle in her arms, her heart was more resolute than ever before.

“Yes! Mom knows, Mom will think of a way!”

“Okay!”

Tongtong nestled in her mother’s fragrant, soft embrace, took a deep breath, and finally fell asleep peacefully.

…

Two days later, during her break, Yu Wanqin took Tongtong to buy some local specialties from Spring City.

She went to the post office and mailed these specialties along with a letter to the village head of Kaoshan Tun.

In the letter, she briefly explained that she had already found a formal job at the Military District Hospital and hoped the village committee could help issue a job transfer certificate and the relevant household registration transfer documents, as her household registration would be moved to the military district along with her employment.

She also asked the village head to help file a divorce report for her, but she requested that he keep this matter confidential.

The village head was still renting her old family house, so he wouldn’t refuse to help.

However, what Yu Wanqin didn’t expect was that her letter would cause an uproar in Kaoshan Tun.

The villagers were stunned.

No one expected Yu Wanqin to have found a formal job at the Military District Hospital—this was an iron rice bowl, providing commodity grain!

How could this be!

But no one believed Yu Wanqin had earned this opportunity through her own abilities.

They all assumed Lin Zhiguo had connections at the Military District Hospital and had arranged the job for her.

The Lin family was even more furious.

Their son had such a great opportunity, yet instead of helping his own family, he had given it to that bitch Yu Wanqin!

Old Mr. Lin and Old Mrs. Lin immediately called the military district and berated Lin Zhiguo over the phone.

“You good-for-nothing! Such a great job, and you didn’t think of your younger brother—instead, you gave it to that little slut who can’t even bear a son!”

“Hurry up and find a job in the city for your brother too, or don’t call us your parents anymore!”

Lin Zhiguo was utterly overwhelmed and at his wit’s end.

As a mere Deputy Battalion Commander, where would he get such authority?

Besides, he could barely take care of himself now—how could he possibly find a job for someone else?

But his parents wouldn’t listen, convinced he was unwilling to help his family. Even his younger brother had turned against him.

Lin Zhiguo was filled with resentment.

He hung up the phone, dejected, and returned to the storage room where he lived with Shen Wei.

Seeing him in such a disheartened state, Shen Wei flew into a rage and sneered sarcastically, “What? Did you go groveling to your promising wife and precious daughter again, only to get rejected?”

“Are you regretting it now? Too bad! She’s now the god-kin of the Commander’s family—how could she still care about a poor, shabby husband like you!”

Lin Zhiguo’s expression changed drastically, his sore spot struck. He raised his head sharply and retorted, “What nonsense are you talking about? What do I have to regret? She’s my wife and daughter!”

Shen Wei snorted, “That depends on whether they acknowledge you! Does she let you near her? Does your daughter recognize you as her father? I bet she only has eyes for her godfather, the Division Commander!”

These words struck every one of Lin Zhiguo’s sore spots.

An inexplicable anxiety surged within him.

His gaze toward Shen Wei turned cold.

Now, Shen Wei looked haggard, and ever since losing her job, she had been arguing with him constantly.

If it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t have ended up in this situation with Yu Wanqin.

Yu Wanqin was now the god-kin of the Commander, while Shen Wei had nothing left!

Apart from being a burden and causing trouble, she offered him nothing!

She was no longer worthy of him!

The more Lin Zhiguo thought about it, the more resolute his gaze became.

Shen Wei, ever astute, saw right through his little scheme, and alarm bells immediately rang in her heart, stirring a strong sense of crisis.

Her expression shifted repeatedly before she finally adopted a fragile demeanor. Tears came as easily as they went, and she leaned in, attempting to loop her arm through Lin Zhiguo’s.

“Zhi Guo, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way—I’m just feeling miserable… I’ve lost my job now, and all I have left is you and the children. Please don’t be angry with me.”

“You know, I’ve always liked you, all these years, that hasn’t changed. Back then, I was even willing to, for your sake, confront your brother…”

She paused here, and sure enough, she saw a flicker of emotion in Lin Zhiguo’s eyes.