Chapter 3

Madam Yue let out a relieved breath.

“At least you’ve got some sense.”

A moment later, my banking app notified me that five million yuan had arrived.

She gave a thin smile.

“Spend the other three million making yourself presentable. Think carefully about how to keep Feihong’s heart.”

“Compared with that little vixen, you’re at least a respectable woman.”

I turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To see the private detective.”

I did not turn back to argue. All I felt was a weight lifting from my heart.

I had my identification documents. The divorce papers had been submitted. And now I had five million yuan.

I sent Lin Xianya’s messages to a lawyer to preserve as evidence and arranged for them to be forwarded to Madam Yue at a later time.

Then I walked toward the hospital exit. Outside, the sunlight was brilliant.

The promise none of them had believed was finally about to come true.

### 5

When Madam Yue entered the VIP room, Yue Feihong was gently soothing Lin Xianya.

“Yaya, does it still hurt?”

“Shall I get the doctor to give you another thorough examination?”

Madam Yue gave a cold snort. He saw her and frowned, his voice cooling.

“Mother, have you been to see Qi Ran?”

“Yes.”

She wanted to tell him immediately that Lin Xianya had arranged the crash. But Qi Ran had not sent her the evidence yet. She doubted Yue Feihong would believe her without it.

So she said nothing.

After a few curt instructions, she left.

Watching her go, Lin Xianya’s eyes flickered with calculation. She tugged at Yue Feihong’s sleeve, tears streaming down her face. She wept so pitifully that anyone might have felt sorry for her.

“Feihong… If Miss Qi dared pay someone to kill me this time, will she come and do it herself next time?”

“What am I going to do? I’m so scared…”

“Or… why don’t we leave and let her stay? From now on, it can be just us and Nianci. We won’t need anyone else. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Yue Feihong pulled his sleeve free. A faint, unreadable smile touched his lips.

“You mean a divorce?”

Lin Xianya nodded quickly.

“Yes, Feihong. Once you’re divorced, we can—”

He cut her off with a wave of his hand.

“Lin Xianya, did you know?”

“Qi Ran was an outstanding student at Harbor City University. A major international organization was willing to make an exception to hire her as a researcher. She never needed to look for work. She had more offers than she could count.”

Lin Xianya’s heart sank.

“Miss Qi… was that accomplished?” she asked hoarsely.

Yue Feihong adjusted his cuff.

“Yes. That accomplished.”

“That’s why I was willing to make her Mrs. Yue.”

“A woman like that has good genes. Good looks.”

“She has made a few bad moves lately, done a few foolish things. But indirectly, that proves something too.”

His lips curved.

“She cares so much she’s lost her head.”

“So, Yaya. Remember your place.”

He stroked her face, but the smile did not reach his eyes. They were cold and merciless. Frightened by his gaze, Lin Xianya nodded hastily.

“I… I’ll remember.”

The coldness on Yue Feihong’s face melted into a smile. He glanced at Yue Nianci, who sat huddled in a corner clutching his backpack.

“What is it, Nianci?” he asked gently. “You’ve been so quiet.”

Yue Nianci looked at him.

“Nothing, Dad…”

Remembering the divorce papers, Yue Feihong went over and crouched down.

“Nianci, was your mother telling the truth about those divorce papers?”

Yue Nianci met his eyes. He remembered his father saying he would have the papers destroyed. The truth he had been about to speak died on his tongue.

“I don’t know anything…”

Yue Feihong breathed a sigh of relief. Qi Ran had been restless these past few years. He knew he had wronged her.

Once things here were settled, he would take her and Nianci away for a few days. The trip would cheer them both up, and he could use it to mend their relationship.

With that thought, he reached out to stroke Yue Nianci’s head, every inch the loving father.

Watching his expression soften, Yue Nianci pressed his lips together. At last, he asked the question he had been wondering about.

“Dad, what if Mrs. Qi… I mean, Mom, really does leave?”

### 6

Yue Feihong’s expression changed.

He remembered the strict rule his grandfather had set for the heirs years ago.

“Feihong, by the time you’re thirty-five, you’ll understand that sincerity is one of the rarest things in this world.”

“You and your cousins are all outstanding members of the Yue family. But there is only one position as heir to the group.”

“So I’m setting you a rule.”

“From the age of twenty-five until thirty-five, if you keep a harmonious household for those ten years, without things deteriorating into divorce, you’ll qualify for the next round of selection.”

Because of that rule, Yue Feihong had not chosen a wife of equal family standing, as his cousins had.

He had chosen Qi Ran.

He liked her. That was part of it.

But she was also easy to control.