The City’s Strongest Son-in-law Chapter 4 - 4 4 I Won't Divorce

4: Chapter 4: I Won’t Divorce

Everyone, as a matter of course, recognized the person being alluded to, and cast knowing glances toward Tang Qiulu.

The women who had been gossiping earlier also fell silent, chuckling in agreement.

“Goodness me, who says it isn’t so?

This is precisely what they call: a lady’s body, yet a maid’s destiny—”

“Hahaha, truly pathetic!”

“Speaking of which, shouldn’t we be extending our thanks to Su Changfeng?

Thank him for clearing out a rival for us!”

Tang Qiulu kept her head bowed low, her face obscured by strands of her hair, her cheeks burning red.

Meanwhile, Su Changfeng, positioned in a corner, gazed indifferently toward the doorway where the messenger had disappeared. He paid no heed to the women’s mockery, his expression pensive.

Intriguing, profoundly intriguing.

He was fully aware of the sender of these tokens.

Was this a gesture of alliance and goodwill, or perhaps a form of amends?

Yet, could these items possibly compensate for the three years of hardship he endured?

He had no need for them!

“Enough, that is sufficient clamor.”

Old Madam Tang cleared her throat, halting her children and grandchildren from creating any further disturbance. “I shall safeguard these presents for now. Once the principal individual arrives and designates a recipient, they may approach me to claim their betrothal gifts.”

With the Old Madam’s decree, everyone offered nods of assent.

The stir quickly subsided, and the family feast carried on.

Following the meal, Tang Qiulu’s family showed Su Changfeng no further attention and departed immediately.

The indignity they had suffered at the dining table had shattered their pride, and they were disinclined to linger even a moment longer.

Back when Su Changfeng wed Tang Qiulu, he had entered the family as a live-in son-in-law, without the exchange of any betrothal gifts whatsoever.

This circumstance had perpetually lingered in the hearts of Tang Qiulu’s parents, and the events of today only served to intensify their resentment.

Who could possibly endure such profound humiliation?

“What an utter disgrace!”

Witnessing her daughter retreat straight to her bedroom the instant they arrived home, Sun Mei, Tang Qiulu’s mother, was enraged. She directed her fury at her husband, Tang Zhenhua: “How utterly shameful!

This is all because you are so incompetent.

Otherwise, why would Old Master Tang have selected Qiulu from among all the Tang daughters?”

“While the Tang Family might be considered a distinguished lineage, why is it that they reside in opulent villas and command luxurious vehicles, yet I, your wife, am compelled to dwell with you, a spineless man, in this dilapidated neighborhood?

Heaven have mercy, I must have been utterly blind when I chose you.

Ever since my marriage into this family, not a single day has brought me genuine contentment!

Relying on you, a worthless husband, I suspect I won’t even inherit a single cent of the family’s assets later on!”

Tang Zhenhua, subjected to his wife’s tirade, could only nod submissively, refraining from any retort.

He had always been easily influenced and lacked resolve, thus daring not display any temper when confronted by the overbearing Sun Mei.

“A divorce! Qiulu must be divorced from that weakling!”

Sun Mei slammed the table, shrieking, “I care not for the family’s esteemed reputation; you are beyond redemption. Only if Qiulu secures a prosperous marriage can I hope to enjoy a life of comfort!”

“That will not suffice…”

Tang Zhenhua gathered a sliver of courage to softly counter, “Father’s instruction back then was that Qiulu and Chang Feng should maintain their union.

Furthermore, the entire Hai City is privy to their marriage.

If they were to divorce now, would that not invite ridicule upon us from behind our backs…”

“I refuse to yield!”

Sun Mei sank to the floor, weeping uncontrollably. “Tang Zhenhua, are you even a man?

Is the Tang Family’s honor truly so paramount?

Consider the life Qiulu is enduring: a young lady laboring at construction sites, taking orders from Tang family relatives!

Boohoo, I committed a grave sin by marrying you; can you not at least show some concern for your own daughter!”

Indeed, owing to Tang Zhenhua’s feeble and unsuccessful disposition, their branch of the family consistently occupied the lowest rung within the household’s hierarchy, subjected to disdain from other relatives.

The Tang Family’s primary enterprise lay in construction materials, and the arduous, unsavory tasks invariably fell to Tang Qiulu, largely a consequence of their low standing within the clan.

Listening to his wife’s mournful declarations, Tang Zhenhua emitted a heavy sigh and lowered his head in despair.

He acknowledged his own inadequacy; otherwise, Old Master Tang would not have imposed such a feeble son-in-law as Su Changfeng upon their family.

However, regardless of the perceived unfairness or the burgeoning resentment, how could they possibly proceed with a divorce?

With Old Madam Tang now wielding the reins of family authority, Tang Zhenhua was acutely aware that she held the family’s reputation in the highest regard.

When the Tang Family had initially accepted Su Changfeng, they had already faced considerable mockery.

After enduring three years with the hope that the gossip would subside, if Tang Qiulu were to divorce Su Changfeng at this juncture, the Tang Family would undoubtedly become the laughingstock of Hai City once more!

Old Madam Tang would never permit such a scenario!

…”

Outside the door, Su Changfeng remained leaning against the wall, the cigarette butt he'd been holding now extinguished.

The sounds of crying continued from within, and his gaze turned utterly frigid.

"I will not divorce."

Suddenly, a voice he recognized reached his ears, causing Su Changfeng to pause in surprise.

It was Tang Qiulu!

"Are you out of your mind!"

Sun Mei stared at her daughter in disbelief. "He's just a spineless coward! How much longer do you intend to let him drag you down?"

"I am perfectly clear-headed," Tang Qiulu stated firmly. "Over these past three years, what difficult or unpleasant task hasn't been handled by Su Changfeng? Yes, I might look down on his lack of backbone, but I won't come to hate him for it. It was Grandpa's decision, and this isn't Su Changfeng's fault. People possess empathy; even if Su Changfeng hasn't achieved much in three years, his diligence must earn some consideration, wouldn't you agree?"

Time truly possessed a wondrous quality.

Su Changfeng's lips curved slightly. Only now did he grasp that in Tang Qiulu's heart, he wasn't solely perceived as a burden or detestable; she held these other sentiments for him.

"I truly am a disappointing fool..."

As Tang Qiulu spoke, her eyes began to moisten. "I thought I wouldn't develop any feelings..."

Indeed, she had frequently contemplated divorcing Su Changfeng after enduring countless slights. Yet, when the possibility was genuinely presented, Tang Qiulu discovered she couldn't simply let Su Changfeng go.

She had always maintained a deliberate distance, always treated him with coldness, always...

Though Su Changfeng had slept on the floor of the bedroom for three years, his presence had somehow become an ingrained habit for Tang Qiulu, impossible to eradicate.

The door creaked open, and Su Changfeng entered silently. He extended a hand, intending to wipe away Tang Qiulu's tears, but ultimately stopped a meter away, not closing the distance.

"Su Changfeng, didn't you ask me before if I wanted to see a changed you?"

Stepping forward, Tang Qiulu gently tugged on his sleeve. "My answer is, yes! I no longer want to be bullied by the Tang family; I want to see you live with dignity!"

"Very well, I promise you."

...

Golden City Hotel, the VIP rooftop lounge.

"Chang Feng, you've arrived!"

Seated elegantly on a plush leather sofa was a noblewoman, her makeup impeccable, adorned in a luxurious suit dress. Her meticulously maintained skin defied any easy estimation of her true age.

The moment she spotted Su Changfeng approaching from a distance, the woman beckoned cheerfully, her face alight with joy.

However, Su Changfeng sat opposite her with a chilling indifference, not even bothering to lift his eyelids. This was his mother, whom he had not seen in three years.

"Chang Feng..."