Chapter 20: If Divorce Is to Be Brought Up, It Will Be by Me—You Have No Right

“What do you know about adult matters, child?” At those words, Su Qingcheng’s expression shifted slightly, her confidence wavering. Yet she stubbornly held her ground, assuming the posture of an adult and speaking sharply.

“I don’t understand business, true. But I understand how to be a decent person, and I understand even better what it means to be a good wife.” Su Qingxue refused to back down, her tone tinged with disappointment.

“This must be little Qingxue, right? Three years gone and you’ve grown so beautiful. Do you still remember me?” Sensing the tension between them, Liu Chuanfeng hurriedly stepped forward, attempting to mediate and ease the situation.

“Of course I remember you, Liu Chuanfeng. What’s wrong? Three years ago you left so resolutely, as if the world was yours for the taking. Now you come back, hoping to rekindle things with my sister? Do you even have any shame? And don’t call me so familiarly, lest others misunderstand.” With hands on her hips, Su Qingxue unleashed her full force upon Liu Chuanfeng, dredging up old grievances and hurling them at him.

Her piercing words, delivered from unexpected angles, left Liu Chuanfeng’s face alternating between pallor and flush, mortified and awkward. He wished he could dig himself a hole in the marble floor of Su Corporation’s grand hall with his toes and disappear. Her overwhelming presence evoked the reckless bravado of an outlaw, leaving the gathered onlookers stunned.

“That’s enough, Qingxue. No matter what, Ah Feng watched you grow up. You should call him ‘brother.’” Su Qingcheng, seeing her sister’s relentless attack, felt drained and finally stepped protectively in front of Liu Chuanfeng.

“Sister, you…” Seeing her own sister defend another man so openly in front of her brother-in-law, and calling him ‘Ah Feng’ with such intimacy, Su Qingxue felt a nameless anger rise within her. Her veins stood out on her forehead, blood pressure climbing, and she was about to flare up again.

“That’s enough, Mo Ran. Take Qingxue home at once. Tonight, I’ll give you an explanation myself.” Su Qingcheng, fearing that Qingxue would escalate things further, shot a stern look past her sister to Mo Ran, who had been silent all this time.

“Don’t be afraid, brother-in-law. I’d like to see who dares. Normally, I let it go—it’s family business—but today, I won’t.” Facing Su Qingcheng’s formidable presence, Su Qingxue would usually have backed down, but tonight, she found unexpected courage and stood her ground, ready to go down fighting.

“I’ll wait for you at home. Come on, Qingxue, let’s go.” Mo Ran gazed at Su Qingcheng for a long moment, then replied. His eyes flickered with a complex array of emotions before settling into calm. The depths of his gaze held no trace of feeling as he gently patted Qingxue’s shoulder and turned to leave.

“Hey, brother-in-law, don’t be afraid. Hey, why are you walking so fast? I’m on your side…” Su Qingxue tried to call Mo Ran back, but when she turned, he was already several meters away and moving faster.

Helpless, she shot her sister a resentful glance, then threw an icy look at Liu Chuanfeng before running to catch up.

“All right, everyone, let’s disperse.” Seeing the main participants leave, Su Qingcheng’s secretary, ever perceptive, waved her hand and spoke. As her personal aide, she had the authority of a trusted courtier in ancient times; once she spoke, the crowd quickly scattered. Having had their fill of gossip, none dared linger for fear of trouble.

“Qingcheng, this…” At that moment, Liu Chuanfeng was fuming. The situation had seemed so promising, almost within reach, until a girl who hadn’t even finished high school ruined it all.

“Ah Feng, you should go home now.” Su Qingcheng remained silent until everyone had left, then finally spoke, “Give me some time. Go home first.”

“All right.” Liu Chuanfeng nodded and left, leaving a trail of rose petals on the floor.

Su Qingcheng watched him drive away until his car disappeared around the corner. She bent down and gathered the large bouquet of roses in her arms.

“Have the cleaning staff tidy up here,” she said calmly, striding toward the parking lot. Her secretary would take care of the rest.

By the time she arrived home, night had completely fallen. Driving up the lane, Su Qingcheng saw the black sedan parked by the door and the soft lights glowing in her living room. A flicker of guilt crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by resolute determination.

She parked, grabbed her bag, and climbed the stairs.

With a creak, the door swung open. Mo Ran, who had been watching television in the living room, waved the remote in his right hand and looked up toward the entrance.

Soon, Su Qingcheng, now in slippers, turned and walked into the living room.

“Where’s Qingxue?” She cast a cold glance at Mo Ran and asked.

“She came home and immediately quarreled with Mom and Dad. They took her upstairs,” Mo Ran replied softly. “I’m waiting for your explanation about today.”

“Explanation? Mo Ran, do you think you deserve an explanation from me? Do you know why you became the Su family’s son-in-law, my husband? Surely you have some idea.” At the mention of ‘explanation,’ perhaps feeling guilty, Su Qingcheng threw her bag onto the sofa and retorted.

“A good son-in-law, they say, will bring prosperity to the Su family for three generations?” Mo Ran countered, his face calm.

“Yes.” Su Qingcheng nodded firmly. “Do you think you’re worthy of me? Have I ever treated you poorly? Ten thousand a month, premium benefits, and you’ve made a million.”

“Same old tune. Did you major in repetition at university?” Mo Ran smiled wryly. “If Grandpa hadn’t offered ten percent of Su Corporation’s shares and the CEO position in exchange, would you have agreed to marry me and register the marriage? Isn’t it the same thing?”

“I climbed to the top; I proved myself worthy. Unlike you, lazy and indulgent.” Su Qingcheng defended herself.

“Let’s divorce. I’ve had enough of this life.” Mo Ran remained calm.

“Divorce? Are you serious?” Su Qingcheng’s eyelid twitched. Amid a surge of joy, she sensed something amiss and sought clarification.

“Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? Gain shares and power, then kick me aside.” Mo Ran nodded, a playful look on his face.

Today had made it utterly clear: the woman before him had always regarded him as a stepping stone. Three years ago, and again three years later.

“Let’s divorce. But you should know, I’m the one divorcing you—not the other way around. You’re just a man living off a woman. If there’s a divorce to be had, it’s me who raises it; you’re not qualified.” Su Qingcheng sneered.

“For this project at Shanghai Harbor, you’ve certainly gone all out.” Mo Ran laughed, shaking his head, disappointment in his eyes. “Let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow, or if you have connections, have them handle it for us directly.”

“Agreed,” Su Qingcheng replied. “Don’t say I’m heartless; you may make a reasonable request.”

“A reasonable request? Are you sure?” Hearing this, a mysterious smile appeared on Mo Ran’s face.

“Of course.” Su Qingcheng nodded.

“Then let me have your first soup,” Mo Ran said…