Li Chen woke up early on the day of the divorce proceedings. He had mixed feelings about the day ahead. Part of him was relieved to finally be ending his association with the Gu family, but he couldn't shake the sense of uncertainty that came with stepping out into the world on his own.
As he prepared himself, Li Chen's mind was unusually quiet. God of War had been uncharacteristically silent, perhaps understanding the gravity of the situation and choosing not to engage in their usual banter.
Li Chen dressed in a plain but neat outfit. He had nothing to prove to the Gu family, and he wanted to keep things simple. Today was about severing ties and moving on.
Once ready, Li Chen left his room and made his way to the living room, where Shang Xiang and the rest of the Gu family were already waiting. Shang Xiang glanced at Li Chen and said, "Good morning. Are you ready to get this process started?"
Li Chen nodded and replied, "Yes, I'm ready. Let's get it over with."
Shang Xiang handed Li Chen a set of documents, which he recognized as the divorce papers. Li Chen took a brief look at them, and Shang Xiang explained, "These are the divorce papers. We'll need to go to the civil affairs office to sign them officially. After that, it will take a month to complete the legal process."
Li Chen agreed, "Let's go to the civil affairs office and get this done."
As Shang Xiang nodded in agreement and turned to leave with Li Chen to the civil affairs office, Madame Gu and Gu Liang remained behind, since they wanted to travel in their own car. Gu Liang couldn't hide the mixed emotions within her. She had, in her own way, enjoyed having Li Chen as a source of frustration and stress relief. His departure marked the end of an era for her, and a part of her was reluctant to let go of her punching bag, even though it was entirely unfair to him.
Madame Gu glanced at her daughter's conflicted expression and spoke in a hushed tone, "Gu Liang, it's for the best that Li Chen is leaving. You'll have to learn to cope with life's challenges without taking them out on him. He's had a hard time here, and it's time for him to find his own path."
Gu Liang nodded, her gaze distant, but it was clear that the adjustment wouldn't be easy for her. She replied, "I understand, Mother. It's just... I've gotten used to having him around, you know?"
Madame Gu offered a reassuring smile, understanding her daughter's reluctance to part with the familiar, no matter how troubling it had been for Li Chen. "Change is never easy, but it often leads to personal growth. You'll find new ways to channel your emotions, dear."
Madame Gu watched Gu Liang with affection, commenting, "Now you can freely date Sun Gang."
Gu Liang blushed and replied, "Come on, Mom. We can't keep Grandpa Shang waiting."
They all got into the car and headed straight to the civil affairs bureau.
Shang Xiang and Li Chen had arrived first and were waiting in the waiting room.
Shang Xiang observed Li Chen and noted, "You seem different."
Li Chen was taken aback and inquired, "Why do you say that, Grandpa Shang?"
Shang Xiang replied, "I don't know, but there is something about you that is different from the last time I saw you at Old Madam Gu's funeral."
Li Chen smiled and philosophised, "Pain makes one stronger."
Shang Xiang agreed, "That is true. So what are your future plans?"
Li Chen revealed, "For now, I just want peace for a few days, and I will start thinking about my future afterwards."
Shang Xiang empathised, "I understand. I wish you all the best, young man. I hope what Old Madam Gu saw in you is really there. Don't disappoint her."
Li Chen smiled and assured him, "I will never disappoint her."
Madame Gu and Gu Liang arrived and spotted Shang Xiang and Li Chen in the waiting room. Shang Xiang also noticed them and gestured for them to follow him to the office. Inside, Li Chen sat down next to Shang Xiang, attempting to avoid Gu Liang as much as possible.
The divorce proceedings were quickly concluded, and the lady who was assisting them informed them, "You will have to wait for a month before collecting your divorce certificate."
Gu Liang inquired, "Does that mean we are still legally married?"
The lady clarified, "No, it's just a procedure. You two are no longer married. This is in place to allow for cases where some couples go through the divorce process and later regret it, coming back here to request that we cancel their divorce. So we decided to extend the waiting period in case of any regrets."
Gu Liang asserted, "I will never regret divorcing him."
The lady offered an awkward smile and responded, "I understand, but it's a procedure we can't bypass."
Madame Gu said with a hint of annoyance. "We are the Gu family, I'm sure you know us very well. Can't you make an exception?"
"Status doesn't work here, ma'am. I am just doing my job, and I can't make exceptions. Please don't make things difficult for me."
Madame Gu said through gritted teeth, clearly angered by the lady's response "Very well."
Shang Xiang attempted to diffuse the tension, "Well, it seems the divorce proceedings are in order now. The money will be transferred to your accounts in about three hours."
"Thank you, Grandpa Shang."
After this exchange, they all rose from their seats, signaling the end of the official proceedings. Shang Xiang informed them that he had other matters to attend to, so he left, leaving Li Chen and the Gu family to reflect on the changes that lay ahead.
Madame Gu turned her attention to Li Chen and spoke sternly, "You need to pack the few belongings you have and leave my house."
Li Chen responded with a smirk, "With pleasure."
Gu Liang couldn't resist adding, "You really are a good-for-nothing man, moving to live in a house my grandma bought for you."
Li Chen, showing gratitude, replied, "And for that, I will be forever grateful to Old Madam Gu."
Gu Liang clicked her tongue disapprovingly and said, "She should have left you in the streets."
Li Chen just shrugged his shoulders, clearly unbothered by Gu Liang's comments. Gu Liang, growing more frustrated, stated, "From today onwards, I don't ever want to see your face in front of me. Don't use our family name for benefits."
Li Chen retorted, "I never did, and I don't intend on starting now."
Madame Gu, in a final decree, said, "Just stay away from my daughter. She has a great life ahead of her now that she is done with you."
Li Chen, seemingly indifferent, responded with a casual, "Whatever," and left, leaving Madame Gu and Gu Liang seething with rage.
Li Chen continued his slow walk, his thoughts filled with the recent divorce proceedings. Suddenly, he heard the voice of God of War in his head, saying, "Huu, glad that's over." Li Chen was startled, as he hadn't heard the voice since he woke up, and with his mind preoccupied by the divorce proceedings, he had temporarily forgotten about it.
Startled, Li Chen replied, "Hey, you scared me! I thought you were gone." God of War reassured him, "You can't get rid of me that easily, you know."
Curious, Li Chen asked, "What happened? Why were you quiet all this time?" God of War responded with a touch of humor, "I figured I should remain quiet since you were going through something like this. You can't be fully focused if you keep hearing a man's voice in your head."
Li Chen laughed inwardly and said, "I'm already like a madman. Scientists would lock me up and make me a lab rat if they found out about you." God of War, unfamiliar with the term, inquired, "What is a lab rat?" Li Chen explained, "It's someone who is injected and tested on every day."
God of War expressed concern, saying, "That sounds painful." Li Chen nodded and said, "I'm sure it is." God of War then asked, "Why do people do that?" Li Chen replied, "To figure out some things that can't be easily explained, I guess. These scientists get crazy when they can't explain something." God of War responded, "They sound like horrible people."
Li Chen chuckled and said, "Not completely bad. There is good in it. Cures for certain diseases have been found through their procedures." God of War remained skeptical, stating, "Whatever, I still don't like them." Li Chen, trying to ease the conversation, said, "It doesn't concern you since you are already dead."
God of War shifted the topic and asked, "What now?" Li Chen answered, "Moving to the new house and making money. The world is about to witness the new Li Chen."
God of War encouraged Li Chen, saying, "That is the spirit you should have as a man." Li Chen agreed, saying, "We will now have the freedom to continue with our trainings as well." God of War expressed his excitement, saying, "That is exactly what I want to hear." Li Chen smiled confidently and stated, "Don't worry, all those who looked down on me will soon bow to my name."
God of War chuckled and remarked, "You should have gotten divorced long ago. Look at you, all high-spirited now." Li Chen explained, "I couldn't. I had to respect Old Madame Gu." God of War pointed out, "The woman died years ago." Li Chen acknowledged, "I know, but I am grateful to her and will continue being grateful for all my life." God of War asked, "Does that mean you will let the Gu family go for all the mistreatment?"
Li Chen grinned and said, "Oh no, I have something in store for them."
As Li Chen continued his long walk, thoughts swirled in his mind. The divorce marked a new beginning in his life, and he was determined to make it perfect. Although he had some money for a cab, he preferred the solitude of the journey to sort out his thoughts without interruptions. Cars passed by him on the road, and he struck up a conversation with God of War, explaining the mechanisms of the vehicles. It was a lighthearted exchange, and he found solace in the company of the old soul residing within him. He knew he had someone who would never mistreat or betray him, a companion with whom he could share his ideas and experiences.
As Li Chen continued his walk, he couldn't help but notice a black Ferrari truck driving slowly by him. The passenger at the back brought down his window and stared at Li Chen. It was an unusual sight for him, and he found it quite strange. However, he decided to brush it off, thinking that perhaps the person in the car had mistaken him for someone else. After a few seconds, the window went back up, and the car drove away, leaving Li Chen to continue his journey on foot.