Chapter 22: The Civil Affairs Bureau

Page 1

"Mo Ran, you're late." At the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Su Qingcheng stood dressed as a modern urban beauty, her left hand holding an LV handbag, face dark with irritation as she looked at the tardy Mo Ran, her tone impatient.

"What’s this? Usually I’m the one waiting for you, but now you can’t stand a few minutes of waiting?" Mo Ran sneered, "Didn’t you notice the staff inside are still getting things ready?"

"Hmph." Su Qingcheng snorted, then turned and strode into the reception hall. She had already made arrangements inside; once both parties arrived, all it took was a signature, and the divorce certificate would be theirs.

The signing was swift and simple. There was no shared property between them; it was merely a formality. As a live-in son-in-law, Mo Ran had never expected to gain anything from her family. The only condition was the hundred thousand and the three years’ salary, thirty-six thousand a year, all written off. He had worked without complaint, endured being treated like a dog for three years, and believed that was not unreasonable.

With the mechanical hum, two divorce certificates were produced. Su Qingcheng’s acquaintance placed one in front of each of them.

"Thank you," Mo Ran said politely, then stood and left without a backward glance.

"Hey, Qingcheng, are you really just going to let go of such a handsome man?" Su Qingcheng’s acquaintance teased, watching Mo Ran’s upright figure retreat.

"Our social status is too different, and you know the real reason for our marriage," Su Qingcheng replied, shaking her head.

But truthfully, her heart was tumultuous. Clearly, Mo Ran had lived off the Su family, eating, drinking, and taking their money. By all rights, she was the one supporting him. Yet he could walk away with such composure, while she felt unsettled inside.

"Alright, alright, you’re the heiress." Her acquaintance chuckled and said no more.

At the doorway, a shaft of sunlight spilled down, landing perfectly on Mo Ran, bathing him in golden light and casting a long shadow.

"Freedom," he murmured, raising his head to the blazing sun, squinting at the warmth and brightness. He felt an indescribable lightness. Three years and over a hundred thousand, he had repaid the orphanage mother's kindness. Now, he could finally live for himself.

Exiting the Civil Affairs Bureau, Mo Ran paused and glanced at Su Qingcheng, trailing behind. This so-called "ex-wife"—he shook his head in self-mockery, turned, and prepared to leave.

Page 2

He had barely taken a few steps when the familiar flash of red caught his eye. With a shrill screech, a roaring sports car came to a halt before him. Mo Ran didn’t need to check the license plate; that ostentatious red could only belong to Liu Chuanfeng, the heir of the Liu Group.

"Are you showing off your driving skills to me?" Mo Ran stopped, frowned, and watched Liu Chuanfeng lower the window.

"Mr. Mo, I have no other business. I’m just here to thank you," Liu Chuanfeng, sunglasses on, leaned back in his seat, looking at Mo Ran with the smugness of a victor.

"No need to thank me. Just drive slower in the city next time. Sports cars have too much power—you might not be able to stop in time." Hearing the mockery in his words, Mo Ran waved his hand dismissively. There was no point in exchanging more words.

"Don’t worry. My car’s good, my driving’s good, day or night—I’m always good. You, though, probably only drive in the daytime, right?" Liu Chuanfeng took off his glasses, his sarcasm growing even sharper.

"That’s fine. I can’t compete with you. At night, I’m just pedaling on my own two feet," Mo Ran replied coolly, referencing his own nighttime journeys, then walked around the sports car and headed for the nearby subway station.

Soon after, Su Qingcheng arrived and slipped into the passenger seat.

"What did you say to Mo Ran just now?" she asked as she fastened her seatbelt.

"Nothing, just chatted a bit with your ex-husband," Liu Chuanfeng replied, glancing at her suspiciously, but ultimately said nothing more. He brushed aside the conversation, floored the accelerator, and the engine roared as the sports car sped away.

Meanwhile, Mo Ran, reaching the subway entrance, received a call from Xiao Xiao.

"Hey, Mo Ran. Got the divorce done yet?" Her brash voice came through the receiver, making Mo Ran smile wryly. Couldn’t she be a little more tactful?

"Come on, Xiao Xiao, couldn’t you be more subtle? You’re going to hurt my feelings," Mo Ran complained, half-joking. Even if he took things lightly, it still stung to have the wound so bluntly exposed.

"Oh, don’t feel bad! I have two gifts for you today to cheer you up," Xiao Xiao replied, her mood instantly brightening.

Page 3

"Cheer me up? Are you planning to show me some crushing moves from Uncle Xiao?" Mo Ran laughed, teasing her.

"No, no, that’s not happening," Xiao Xiao said, exasperated. "All our actions have to stay within the bounds of the law."

"Alright then, just name the place," Mo Ran said, thinking he had nothing else to do anyway, so he might as well go see.

"My uncle’s farmhouse, same as last time. How about it?" Xiao Xiao paused for a few seconds before answering.

"Fine, let’s go there," Mo Ran nodded. He’d left from there that morning; it was just a short subway ride.

Half an hour later, Mo Ran stepped out of the subway and arrived at Zhang Lei’s doorstep. Seeing the little pineapple car parked outside, he grew curious—what exactly did Xiao Xiao do for a living, owning two cars by herself?

Just as he was about to go in, Xiao Xiao came out with a look of excitement, clearly anticipating his arrival. Zhang Lei followed close behind.

"My brother said you saved him last night," Xiao Xiao said as she approached.

"It was just a coincidence," Mo Ran replied modestly, scratching his head.

"Coincidence? I think it’s fate. If that Su family hadn’t kicked you out, you wouldn’t have been there to save me." Zhang Lei disagreed, treating Mo Ran as a benefactor.

"Come inside, see what good things I’ve prepared for you." After a few words outside, Xiao Xiao waved him in with natural familiarity, as if it were her own home. But Mo Ran couldn’t help but notice something odd—why hadn’t he seen Xiao Xiao’s uncle all day, whether coming or going?