Chapter 12 Her Spirit in Heaven Would Be Angry
Half an hour earlier, Old Master Xie had called her again, forbidding her from divorcing Xie Chengyu and demanding that she live in the old residence with him for the time being. It left Nan Xiao feeling troubled.
âGrandpa has already withdrawn the divorce application and even asked me to live here, butâŠâ
Nan Xiao hesitated. Xie Chengyu lowered his eyes slightly and said, âLetâs go in first. Iâll handle this matter.â
âAlright.â
The two walked side by side. Just as they were about to step inside, Xie Chengyu suddenly asked, âDo you have someone you like?â
Nan Xiaoâs heart skipped. She instinctively replied, âNo⊠why?â
Why was he asking this? Could it be he had realized she liked him?
âNothing,â Xie Chengyu said flatly. âIf you did, you could have him come and pick you up.â
Was he⊠thinking for her?
Nan Xiao closed her eyes briefly, cursing him in her heart as a âfool.â
Upstairs, after asking where Old Master Xie was, Xie Chengyu went straight into the study, while Nan Xiao waited outside.
The door was slightly ajar. She heard him greet his grandfather, then that cold, emotionless voice sounded:
âI want to divorce Nan Xiao. Please donât interfere.â
âYouâyou came here just to anger me!â Old Master Xieâs voice rose.
âYou should learn to uphold a marriage. Do you not even understand thatââ
âWhatâs there to uphold in a marriage without love?â
Xie Chengyuâs voice was frosty, tinged with irritation. Outside, Nan Xiaoâs gentle face paled.
Old Master Xie was furious. âWhat kind of attitude is that? How can you treat marriage as a joke!â
âHeh.â A cold smile touched Xie Chengyuâs lips. âHave you forgotten how this marriage even came about?â
ââŠâŠâ
The words left Old Master Xie choked for a moment. Outside, Nan Xiaoâs fists tightened at her sides.
Unable to contain his anger, Old Master Xie rapped his cane against the floor. âNo matter what, you two are already married. Since youâre married, you should maintain it properlyââ
But Xie Chengyuâs faint impatience had grown into heavy disdain. His voice sank colder:
âMust I spell it out? This marriage was nothing more than a transaction.â
Transactionâthe essence of buying and selling.
The Xie family had given her wealth, bringing her into the household to ward off misfortune.
Nan Xiao knew he hadnât meant to insult her with those words, but the humiliation still stung unbearably. She knocked lightly on the door.
âGrandpa, Iâm coming in!â
The voices inside fell silent. Nan Xiao patted her cheeks, telling herself Itâs alright, I can handle this, then mustered her courage and stepped inside.
There she saw Xie Chengyu standing before the grand rosewood desk, one hand in his pocket, his handsome face shadowed. Lowering her gaze, she walked to Old Master Xie.
âGrandpa.â
Her voice was calm but resolute.
âI have no feelings with Xie Chengyu. Our personalities donât suit each other either. We should divorce. Otherwise, forcing this bond will only make us both miserable.â
What Xu Ruoxin had said wasnât wrongâif they didnât separate, they would only become a resentful couple. Thinking of this, Nan Xiao gave a bitter smile.
Old Master Xie had wanted to refute her. But seeing the loss in her eyes, the words caught in his throat.
Indeedâhis grandson clearly didnât treat her as a wife. How could she continue like this?
After a moment, he waved his hand. âIâll think it over. For now, you two can leave.â
Nan Xiao and Xie Chengyu exited the study. She hurried downstairs, her steps quick.
Just sharing a space with him now made her heart ache. His words from earlier echoed in her ears, making her want to cry.
Watching her retreating back, Xie Chengyuâs gaze darkened.
She seemed so determined to avoid him. Did she really have no one she liked?
After a while, Aunt Zhang came down and said Old Master Xie wanted to see them again. They returned to the study.
This time, Old Master Xie had moved from behind the desk to the rosewood sofa. He sighed heavily. âAlright, fine. If you want to divorce, then divorce. Iâll allow it.â
Nan Xiao froze. Old Master Xie was a notoriously stubborn manâshe had learned this well over the past three years. She hadnât expected him to give in so quickly.
At that moment, she didnât know whether to feel relieved or sad.
âBut,â Old Master Xie continued, shifting the tone, âyou must wait one month. After your grandmother has passed her anniversary, then you can divorce.â
âYour marriage was arranged to ward off her misfortune. If you separate now, her spirit in heaven will be angered.â