Quan Jiu looked at Chu Rong with defiance.
She sat back down, her expression cold.
Time could pass, but some wounds could not be healed even by time, unless time flowed backward.
Unfortunately, there was no regret medicine in this world.
"What? Can't do it? If you can't, then don't pretend to have a conscience in front of me. If you truly had a conscience, you would sign the divorce agreement and give me the children, and we could part on good terms."
Chu Rong calmly took a sip of tea. "I told you, once I married you, you would be my wife for life. I can agree to anything else besides divorce."
Quan Jiu gave a cold laugh. "Oh? So, if I told you to get lost, you would agree to that too?"
Chu Rong gently tapped his teacup. "That would be contrary to my reality of fulfilling my responsibilities as a husband and father. Other than these two things, anything else is possible."
Quan Jiu's brow furrowed. After thinking for a moment, she continued to question him coldly, "Alright, then I'll ask you, why did you approach me as 'Lin Zhongren'?"
"Before, I just liked your paintings. After visiting the Xiang Garden Pavilion, I learned that you were the painter 'Lin Zhongren'," Chu Rong explained.
"Then what do you want from me?"
Chu Rong slightly raised his eyes and looked at Quan Jiu seriously. "I just want to fulfill the promise I made to you in front of the priest."
"Will you snatch my children away?" Quan Jiu remained unmoved.
Chu Rong paused slightly, his tone softening. "I won't snatch anyone or anything you cherish."
"Then we don't need to see each other again." Quan Jiu stood up. "Since you've made your position clear, and I believe you'll keep your word, as for those responsibilities of husband and father, you haven't fulfilled them for the past seven years, so I don't need them now."
After taking two steps, Quan Jiu stopped again. "Oh, and you'd better sign the divorce agreement. If it goes to court, it won't look good for your Chu family. I'll wait another month. If you still don't sign after a month, I'll have to take legal action."
Chu Rong's gentle gaze gradually turned gloomy. He watched Quan Jiu's retreating back. "Who do you plan to run into after the divorce? Jiang Nanchen? As far as I know, the Jiang and Yun families are discussing a marriage alliance."
A cold smile flickered across Quan Jiu's lips. She opened the door and strode out.
Chu Rong took a deep breath and closed his eyes, lost in thought for a long time before taking out his phone and opening a message.
"You said you hoped I could live with you and the children. Is that still true?"
...
Quan Jiu arrived at the main house. Yuan Zijun and Chu Zhenhua were helping Grandpa Chu out, preparing to receive guests.
"Jiu'er, come, let's go to the front courtyard to meet our guests," Yuan Zijun said with a smile. "As for other matters, we elders don't interfere or comment. You young people can handle it yourselves, don't worry."
Quan Jiu felt a warmth in her heart and smiled slightly. Then, she looked at her son and daughter and was slightly surprised. "Xingdi?"
Xingdi curved his lips. "What a coincidence, boss. Hello."
Quan Jiu thought for a moment, a little confused. "The grandfather from just now, is he your grandfather?"
"Yes, my grandfather misunderstood and startled you just now." Xingdi led Mimi and Tutu to Quan Jiu's side, smiling apologetically.
Quan Jiu shook her head. "No, Grandpa was very kind, and I liked him very much. Where is your grandfather? He was just in the room." She took Mimi's hand.
"He should have gone to the front courtyard."
Quan Jiu nodded slightly and didn't ask further. However, as she walked out the door, she bumped into Chu Rong coming out of another room. She subconsciously averted her gaze and started talking about work with Xingdi.
Chu Rong's brows unconsciously tightened as he watched Xingdi and Quan Jiu chatting and laughing.
Xingdi, who was happily discussing the script with Quan Jiu, suddenly caught a cold glint in his eyes.
A smile played on his lips. He picked up Tutu and coaxed him, "Little Tutu, I didn't expect you to be so good at games. You're quite smart, kid."
Tutu proudly lifted his chin. "Of course, I'm very smart. You haven't seen who my mom is."
Quan Jiu couldn't help but laugh. "Don't praise him too much, or I'm afraid he'll get too big for his britches."
Mimi said unceremoniously, "He's already got his head in the clouds even without praise."
Chu Rong's face turned cold. He strode over and squeezed between Quan Jiu and Xingdi, asking Xingdi, "Are you interested in joining Tianyu? I see you've been lukewarm for several years since your debut. Given the relationship between our Chu and Xing families, I should offer you some support."
Xingdi grinned, his tone quite provocative. "With a beautiful boss like you looking out for me, you don't need to worry." He raised his eyebrows, bypassed Chu Rong, and moved to Quan Jiu's other side.
Quan Jiu pretended not to hear, picked up Mimi, and continued her conversation with Xingdi about work.
Chu Rong's face grew increasingly tense as he watched the two of them chatting and laughing.
Yuan Zijun, seeing her son's displeased expression, reminded him, "There are many guests today, so watch your expression."
Chu Rong had to restrain himself somewhat.
The group proceeded to the front courtyard.
By then, the guests had mostly taken their seats. Upon seeing the birthday star appear, everyone naturally applauded to welcome them. When they saw the mysterious woman and her two children accompanying the birthday star, the guests' eyes became curious, and they all stared.
"Looking at them, the two outfits are indeed identical," a woman sitting at the same table as Yun Shu whispered.
Yun Shu frowned, displeased. "My dress is original. As for hers, I don't know where she got it."
Her voice was not soft. Bai Jing, sitting at the next table, heard this and instinctively retorted, "All the dresses from Yunlan Pavilion are original. And that 'Treading Snow' dress was already shown at the press conference. Everyone has eyes to see the truth."
Yun Shu's face darkened. The anger she had been holding back all morning finally erupted. She angrily shouted at Bai Jing, "You're just a seamstress, how dare you speak to me with such an arrogant attitude."
Jiang Guixiu, sitting beside her, was startled and looked at Yun Shu with surprise. She had seemed like a lady from a good family earlier, but now she was spewing such sharp and malicious words. If she hadn't heard it with her own ears, she wouldn't have believed it.
Seeing Jiang Guixiu's astonished expression, Yong Cuirong quickly kicked her daughter's foot under the table and then said, "Madam Jiang, please don't be offended. Shushu is usually very understanding. She's just been feeling a bit wronged today."
Jiang Guixiu chuckled twice, her gaze involuntarily drifting to Quan Jiu in front. In comparison, she immediately felt a clear difference in status. The initial admiration she had for Yun Shu diminished significantly.
Up front, Grandpa Chu said a few polite and grateful words before being helped to the main seat.
Men would drink and discuss business, while women would chat about household matters, so the male and female guests were naturally seated separately. Chu Zhenhua went to Grandpa Chu's table, while Yuan Zijun pulled Quan Jiu along. "Jiu'er, sit with me."