Mu Jingzhe added in a warm voice, “After the paperwork is done, such a misunderstanding won’t happen again. Now that Little Bei and Xiao Wu are public figures, there are many people paying attention to them. Everyone is also paying attention to us. If a reporter misunderstands one day like Jiang Feng, there won’t be only a slap. Things might get out of control and directly affect the children.
“Rather than go through that, why don’t we get a divorce first? Although our divorce might invite some criticism and gossip, it’s better than a misunderstanding, right? Everyone might discuss it for two years, but they will slowly forget about it in the future.”
Mu Jingzhe told him the pros and cons. Shao Qihai actually didn’t need her to tell him. Just like before, he didn’t want a divorce, but they had agreed upon this a long time ago. Besides, Mu Jingzhe had even been slapped.
He had once wanted to rely on the fact that they hadn’t gotten a divorce to change their relationship, but reality had proved that nothing had changed.
Shao Qihai also recalled Mu Jingzhe’s recent interactions with Ji Buwang. He could tell that they hadn’t actually gotten together. This was normal. Given Mu Jingzhe’s personality, she wouldn’t accept Ji Buwang’s love before the divorce.
If she wanted to start a relationship with Ji Buwang, she would have a fresh start with him after the divorce.
He had said that they could get a divorce if one of them found someone they liked and wished to marry. Clearly, this wasn’t exactly the case for Jingzhe.
Shao Qihai wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he couldn’t say anything and only nodded. He just said in a deep voice, “Alright.”
If he tried to make excuses, it wouldn’t work. It would only make Jingzhe feel turned off.
When Shao Qihai agreed, the corners of Mu Jingzhe’s mouth twitched. “Since we’ve agreed, why don’t we just go get the paperwork done directly? The officials probably haven’t gotten off work yet.”
Shao Qihai hadn’t expected Mu Jingzhe to be so anxious, but when he thought about it, he felt that it was only right. In the past two years, other than the children, there had been no other ties between them. Since they had agreed to get a divorce, there was no point in delaying it any longer.
“Let’s go then.”
When the two of them arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, the staff member pointed at them. “You can register for marriage over there.”
“We’re not here to get married. We’re here to get a divorce.” Mu Jingzhe quickly explained to the staff member politely that they wanted a divorce, not a marriage certificate.
“A divorce? You two?” The staff member looked suspicious. He felt that the two of them were too calm and didn’t look like they wanted a divorce.
“Yes.” Mu Jingzhe and Shao Qihai followed his instructions and went to settle the paperwork. The staff member tried to talk them out of it a few times, but in the end, it was pointless. Finally, the two of them completed the divorce procedure.
After the divorce procedure was completed and the date was written on the divorce agreement that had been signed long ago, the agreement was effective immediately.
“As far as the children are concerned, let’s leave things as they are.” After they went out, Mu Jingzhe discussed this with Shao Qihai.
Their expressions really didn’t look like those of a divorced couple, as they didn’t resent each other or quarrel, wishing they could kill each other. They didn’t say things like “Let’s never see each other again”, nor were they cold to the extreme. Instead, they were discussing everything calmly.
This was also why the staff member had misunderstood and kept trying to talk them out of it. The two of them really didn’t look like a resentful couple coming to get a divorce. Their relationship didn’t seem broken. It seemed like Shao Qihai still had feelings for Mu Jingzhe.
In that day and age, very few people got a divorce. Unless they truly couldn’t live together anymore, not many people would get a divorce. A divorce was basically a couple’s last resort.
Shao Qihai had also witnessed the divorce between Jiang Feng and his ex-wife. Back then, he was the one who had accompanied Jiang Feng. Jiang Feng had refused to heed advice from others, but he had listened a little to Shao Qihai.
Jiang Feng’s resentful look when he’d gotten a divorce back then was still fresh in his mind. But Mu Jingzhe still looked the same.
It was no wonder everyone looked at them so strangely. Jiang Feng and his ex-wife looked just like a divorced couple should look like. Shao Qihai and Mu Jingzhe looked way too different from the other couples who came to get a divorce.
Shao Qihai thought that perhaps it was because they didn’t have any feelings for each other. Only people who had feelings for each other would feel such hatred for one another. However, he and Mu Jingzhe weren’t even a normal couple. No wonder Mu Jingzhe was so calm.
Shao Qihai was in a daze and didn’t say anything for a moment, making Mu Jingzhe a little nervous. “Shao Qihai, why aren’t you saying anything? Could you perhaps regret it?”
Shao Qihai came back to his senses. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something. Regarding the children… we’ll do as you say.”
Shao Qihai smiled bitterly as he fumbled around with the freshly-printed divorce certificate in his hand. He had guessed that this day would come after signing the divorce agreement previously. However, now that this day had really come, he still felt very conflicted. There was no quarrel between them, no hatred. Their marriage had ended with a slap from Jiang Feng.
Shao Qihai felt quite terrible. Mu Jingzhe wasn’t happy either. In fact, she didn’t even feel relieved. Instead, her feelings were quite complicated.
When she saw Shao Qihai’s expression, she felt quite upset. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Although Shao Qihai claimed that he was fine, Mu Jingzhe felt that he was about to cry when she saw his gaze. “Are you really fine? You’re not… about to cry, are you?” Upon recalling Shao Qihai hiding away to cry previously, Mu Jingzhe was a little worried. She was afraid that Shao Qihai would burst into tears on the spot or hide somewhere and wail.
To be honest, he really wanted to cry, but it was impossible for him to really cry. Upon hearing Mu Jingzhe’s words, Shao Qihai froze for a moment. “No.”
“That’s good. Let’s go back quickly. The kids’ classes should be ending soon. We have to talk to them.”
“Okay…”
While they still had time, they went to the market to buy some groceries. Shao Qihai and Mu Jingzhe split up the work and whipped up a big table of dishes. It was a sumptuous meal. It was rare for everyone to gather, so it seemed like they were there to make up for not having a New Year’s celebration.
Shao Xi and Little Bei were amused as they watched. Shao Dong also had a smile on his face. On the other hand, Shao Nan looked at Shao Qihai and then at Mu Jingzhe, his eyes filled with suspicion.
“Dad, Mom, what’s going on? Is there something you want to announce?” Something didn’t seem right.
Mu Jingzhe, who had just eaten a mouthful of food, couldn’t speak.
“…”
Wait, why was Shao Nan so sensitive?
“Announce what? Hurry up and eat. We’ll talk after you finish eating.” Mu Jingzhe swallowed the food and stroked Shao Nan’s head.
“We can also eat after you’re done talking. I won’t feel at ease if you don’t tell me.” Shao Nan looked at Mu Jingzhe seriously. “No matter what you say, I can calmly accept it.”
“Let’s eat first, in case the food gets cold and doesn’t taste good.” Mu Jingzhe was a little surprised, but she still felt that they should eat first.
Seeing that Mu Jingzhe wasn’t saying anything, Shao Nan stopped talking. However, halfway through the meal, Shao Nan looked at Mu Jingzhe and then at Shao Qihai before blurting out some shocking words. “Dad, Mom, did you go to get a divorce?”
Shao Qihai was stunned. The food that Mu Jingzhe had picked up fell back on her plate. She looked at Shao Nan in shock and horror.
How did Shao Nan know?
Shao Nan looked at them and acknowledged this. “Looks like I guessed right. Sigh… I knew this day would come when Uncle Jiang Feng hit Mommy.”
Xiao Wu and Little Bei looked at Mu Jingzhe and Shao Qihai in surprise. Shao Xi choked and spat his rice into Shao Nan’s face and Shao Dong’s bowl. “Really? Mommy, you and Daddy really got a divorce?”
