Mu Jingzhe hadn’t expected Shao Nan to be so sharp. She nodded and admitted, “Mm, really. I wanted to tell you after dinner.”

  She looked at Shao Dong’s bowl, wanting to say something, but stopped herself. The rice that Shao Xi had spat out was in Shao Dong’s bowl. “Shao Dong, your bowl…”

  “I know.” Shao Dong calmly poured the rice in his bowl into Shao Xi’s bowl and let him eat it himself. He looked at Shao Nan with a helpless gaze. “Dad and Mom said we’d talk after dinner, but you insisted on talking about it now.”

  “Big Brother, couldn’t you guess? I was just really curious. Besides, Daddy looks like he’s about to cry, so…” Shao Nan’s face was numb as he removed the rice from his face. “I’ve already suffered retribution. I’ll definitely talk when Second Brother isn’t eating next time.”

  Shao Xi wiped his mouth. “Is this the real problem? Dad, Mom, why didn’t you tell me before leaving?”

  “What would be the point of telling you?” Shao Dong asked in return.

  Shao Xi paused for a moment. “If you had told me, I would’ve gone with you. I’ve never been to the Civil Affairs Bureau…”

  “If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute.” Shao Dong stuffed a steamed bun into Shao Xi’s mouth and looked at Shao Qihai. “Dad, are you alright?”

  “I’m fine.” Shao Qihai shook his head reluctantly.

  Little Bei, who was sitting beside him, wiped the surprise off her face. She then patted his shoulder. “Yes, it’s fine. Daddy, don’t be so sad. You still have us. I’m your little sweetheart and I will always warm you up.”

  Shao Qihai: “Alright, thank you, Little Bei.” This little cotton-padded jacket[1] was indeed very warm. Only when Mu Jingzhe was involved would wind enter his jacket. Apart from that, it was usually very warm.

  Although Shao Xi’s words were very mischievous, Shao Qihai saw that Shao Xi was actually worried about him, so he deliberately livened up the atmosphere.

  In short, they still ended up getting a divorce. It was really a pity that he didn’t have the time to win back Mu Jingzhe’s heart. He had spent most of his time and energy on the children and his work. The children were growing up, and there were many things going on with them. Because they were so outstanding and they kept growing up faster than their peers, they also required more money and energy.

  \r \r \r

  He wanted to give the children something better, so he had to keep working hard. When the children had been growing up previously, he had gone missing for too long, so he wanted to make up for it.

  The effect was obvious. The children were much closer to him now, and he wouldn’t act like he had in the beginning, completely ignorant regarding the children’s situation. Now, although he didn’t know the children like the back of his hand, he knew everything that he should know.

  He understood some of their thoughts, as well as their plans for the future, and so on. Gradually, he became what a father should be like. He was now a qualified father. The children also admitted it themselves.

  He had participated in their growth, which was a very gratifying thing.

  At the same time, because he had limited energy, to a certain extent, he had also missed the opportunity to pursue Mu Jingzhe. He and Mu Jingzhe had both been busy, so he hadn’t been able to just chase after her without a care. It was impossible for him to be like Ji Buwang, who nurtured his relationship with Mu Jingzhe whenever he had nothing to do.

  Mu Jingzhe also cared more about the children’s growth, which was why they had taken this step today. He and Mu Jingzhe were like two parallel lines that kept moving toward the same goal but never met. There were very few opportunities for them to meet.

  It would be a lie to say that he didn’t regret it, but he couldn’t really ignore the kids either. He couldn’t be like that little monkey in the elementary school textbook who lost everything and ended up with nothing.

  If that happened, Jingzhe would look down on him. He would also feel guilty and despise himself.

  Although they had gotten a divorce, he had also gained something. In the future, he might still have a chance because of the children.

  Shao Qihai calmed himself down and said, “Although Daddy and Mommy are divorced, we’re still your parents. There won’t be a big change in your lives. You kids will still take turns staying with us.”

  “Okay.” Shao Dong then added, “I stand by what I said previously. I just hope that Dad and Mom will be happy.”

  “They’ll definitely be happy. With us around, how can they not be happy? They’ll live a good life in the future,” Shao Xi added. “Daddy, Mommy, you’re the best parents.”

  When Shao Qihai heard Shao Xi’s words, he felt that this was his only comfort today.

  The first day of the divorce passed just like that. After telling the children, Mu Jingzhe had to talk to Li Zhaodi. The next day, Li Zhaodi happened to come over, so Mu Jingzhe showed her the divorce certificate.

  Li Zhaodi looked at it and sighed. “In the end, you still ended up getting a divorce. My little heart…” She patted her chest. “If you were useless and we were not in business, I would have been worried to death. Fortunately, everything is fine now.”

  As she spoke, she became a little sad. “It’s all because we were useless back then. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had to snatch the husband that Mu Xue didn’t want. After being criticized so much, you still ended up getting a divorce.”

  “Mom, why did you suddenly think of this?”

  “I just remembered and realized that I was quite useless. I couldn’t even help you much, so I let you be criticized. Fortunately, everything is fine now.”

  Li Zhaodi was sad for a second before she became nervous again. “No, no, I don’t have time to be sad. You’re already 24 years old. You’re practically an old lady. You have to remarry as soon as possible. I’ll find a man for you right away. There must be many people who are willing to marry you. However, Buwang is the most good-looking and rich one. What do you think of him now? When can you hold a wedding? Will it happen by the end of the year?”

  The way Li Zhaodi wished she could immediately marry Mu Jingzhe off left Mu Jingzhe speechless. “Mom, if you continue to do this, I’ll regret the divorce. Take it slow and calm down.”

  Mu Jingzhe fled.

  She didn’t want to get misunderstood again, nor did she want to be scolded or beaten up, so she didn’t hide the news. The news of her divorce from Shao Qihai quickly spread.

  Shao Qiyang was stunned for a moment when he heard that. Back then, the two of them had not gotten a divorce. He had thought that they wouldn’t get a divorce anymore.

  Mu Xue was also stunned. Then, she intentionally or unintentionally stared at Shao Qiyang, afraid that he would go back on his word.

  The people of Great Eastern Village were shocked, as they didn’t know why they had gotten a divorce.

  The person who was the happiest about Mu Jingzhe’s divorce was probably Ji Buwang. He couldn’t wait to share this good news with Old Master Ji.

  Old Master Ji was just as happy and asked him to seize this opportunity and hold the wedding before the New Year.

  At that moment, Old Master Ji and Li Zhaodi’s thoughts miraculously synchronized.

  This time, Ji Buwang didn’t retort to Old Master Ji, because holding a wedding at the end of the year would be like a dream come true.

  Ji Buwang had been quite diligent while looking for Mu Jingzhe previously. Now that he no longer had any scruples, he was even more diligent. He even learned how to look for opportunities to interact with Mu Jingzhe naturally. It wasn’t sudden, so it was very natural. They would bump into each other many times.

  Mu Jingzhe only felt that it was a coincidence and was unaware that all these coincidences were the result of hard work on Ji Buwang’s part.

  [1] little sweetheart