Chapter 24: Grandfather

Listening to Fang Jianjun’s desperate and hysterical words, Jiang Xu found herself smiling.

Ever since she had uttered the words, "I want a divorce," she had never felt so light. For years, she had lived a life of oppression and misery, enduring the bullying of the Fang family every single day. She had remained patient only because she wanted to raise her children, Zhiyan and Zhixia. Now, her son Zhiyan had his own career and had become a doctor. What did she have to fear anymore?

Fang Jianjun dared to speak to her this way, but he had severely underestimated her. Yes, a divorced woman might face gossip, but so what? Could gossip break a woman who was protected by her own son and daughter? Absolutely not. Jiang Xu was no longer afraid of anything.

"You actually dare to ask for a divorce?"
"Jiang Xu, have you lost your mind?"
"If I hadn't saved your father back then, he would have been dead long ago!"
"And now, instead of showing gratitude, you want to divorce me? You are nothing but an ungrateful wretch!"

Fang Jianjun ranted and raved. Hearing this, Jiang Zhao grew instantly furious.

"Cut the crap!"
"You saved my father? You didn't do anything; you just happened to see him while you were drunk."
"Even if you had done him a favor, my sister has spent all these years in your house serving you, cleaning, cooking, and doing all the chores, only to be beaten by you!"
"That debt was paid off long ago!"
"Don't you dare talk to me about gratitude! To hell with your gratitude!"

Jiang Zhao was so incensed he was on the verge of striking him. Beside them, Jiang Xu began to choke back sobs. It was precisely because of this so-called "debt of gratitude" that she had suffered for so many years. She had swallowed her pride and worked herself to the bone all this time, all because of this burden. If there had ever been a debt, it had been repaid many times over.

Seeing that he was getting nowhere, Fang Jianjun gave a cold snort. "Fine, have your divorce. But the children stay with me."

As the words fell, Fang Zhixia shook her head repeatedly, retreating to hide behind Jiang Xu. Then, Fang Zhiyan walked slowly toward his father.

"Are you sure you want me to stay with you?"

Fang Jianjun looked over, his face turning deathly pale. Fang Zhiyan was gripping the club that Jiang Zhao had dropped, which was still stained with blood. His demeanor at that moment was like a tiger descending from the mountain. With just a single step forward, he sent Fang Jianjun stumbling back in terror. Seeing this, a look of profound mockery appeared in Fang Zhiyan’s eyes.

"Is this all the courage you have? You only know how to bully those in your own house, is that it?"

Fang Jianjun’s face twisted in shock and rage. "You dare speak to me like this? I am your father, you unfilial brat!"

"Ha! When I was born, you never lifted a finger; it was my mother who raised me. Now you claim to be my father? Where were you all those years?" Fang Zhiyan replied coldly.

Jiang Zhao and the others stepped closer, glaring fiercely at Fang Jianjun. Under their collective gaze, Fang Jianjun turned deathly white. He staggered back a few steps before pointing a trembling finger at his son.

"Fine, you rebellious brat! Don't you ever think about coming home again, or I'll beat you to death!"

After leaving behind this empty threat, Fang Jianjun turned to run. In his haste, he tripped over an old man's walking stick, lost his balance, and fell face-first into the dirt. The crowd surrounding them burst into uproarious laughter. Fang Jianjun’s face turned the color of a bruised liver. He glared at the crowd with hatred before scrambling to his feet and fleeing as if his life depended on it. The mocking laughter only grew louder, but Fang Jianjun didn't dare look back.

Liang Damin, the director of the Women's Federation, looked at Jiang Xu with a cheerful expression. "Sister, if you need anything in the future, just give me a call. There’s no need to pay any mind to a man like that. A divorce is the only way to get rid of him. I support you!"

Jiang Xu nodded, a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes. At the same time, Jiang Zhao walked over.

"Big brother," Jiang Xu said, her expression turning flustered.

"Why didn't you tell us you were moving out? Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Jiang Zhao said, his heart aching. He then looked at his nephew, Fang Zhiyan, and his niece, Fang Zhixia. "You have a job? Where are you working?"

"Uncle, I'm at the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine," Fang Zhiyan explained.

Jiang Zhao paused, looking at Fang Zhiyan with surprise. "You're at the TCM Hospital? That's good. Your grandfather's skills have been passed down, after all." Jiang Zhao sighed with emotion and reached out to pat Fang Zhixia’s head.

In the distance, Xu Qiushuang was hiding in a corner. She had watched the whole scene from start to finish but hadn't felt comfortable stepping out. She had never imagined that Dr. Fang’s home life was in such a state. However, the way he had acted earlier was so masculine and responsible! Xu Qiushuang thought to herself, choosing not to reveal her presence.

At that moment, Jiang Zhao sighed softly. "Father knows about you and the children moving out. I only came today after receiving a call from Director Liang. This Fang Jianjun is truly no good; I can't believe he treated you this way."

Hearing this, Jiang Xu’s eyes reddened, and tears welled up.

"Talk to Father properly. He won't make things difficult for you." In these times, a married daughter was like spilled water. Jiang Xu had rented a place specifically because she was afraid her father would find out she had left the Fang family. Hearing his words, her vision blurred even further.

Just as she was sobbing, a hunched figure emerged from behind the crowd.

"Girl, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Hearing this, Jiang Xu jumped, and her tears flowed even faster. "Father!" She collapsed onto her knees, her voice filled with endless grief and bitterness.

The hunched figure looked deeply at his daughter before letting out a long sigh. "Sigh, never mind. Get up. Let’s go inside and talk."

Fang Zhiyan quickly stepped forward to help Jiang Xu up. The group entered the rented room, which suddenly felt cramped. The old man sat down slowly, his eyes filled with profound sorrow. He was Jiang Xu’s father, Fang Zhiyan’s grandfather—Jiang Tao.

Looking at his daughter living in such a place, Jiang Tao felt a complex, heavy ache in his chest. He looked up and asked helplessly, "Why didn't you tell me Fang Jianjun was hitting you?"

"I married him to repay a debt of gratitude," Jiang Xu said, keeping her head down, her voice choked with emotion.

"Nonsense!" Jiang Tao slapped his thigh in frustration, looking at his daughter with a mix of anger and pity. "You are my daughter! How could I ever let you be the one to repay a debt for me? I only wanted you to have a good life, but I never imagined he was a man like this!"

Jiang Tao let out a long sigh and shook his head slowly. "Enough. It's too late to talk about that now. Tell me, are you truly prepared for this divorce?"