The dinner was quite enjoyable, but afterward, the whole family fell silent.
Zhuo Jian eagerly anticipated getting her hands on the household register, but when she saw everyone's faces suddenly fall, she couldn't help asking, "What's wrong?"
Everyone ignored her, their gazes shifting to the composed and serious patriarch seated at the head of the table.
The old man, unable to bear being the center of attention, finally raised his eyes, "The household register might take a few more days to get here; it's needed for something else, too. A few more days shouldn't make a difference, right?"
"..."
Zhuo Jian was at a loss for words.
"Exactly! A few more days don't matter. After all, we're family, and our Jianjian isn't in a hurry to get married again, right?"
The mother of Fu Yanye, Wang Yue, asked while holding Zhuo Jian's hand.
Zhuo Jian could only offer an awkward, yet polite smile.
"Jianjian, darling, rest assured, no matter who you take a fancy to, grandma will definitely convince your grandpa to snatch him up and bring him to you to be your husband," the old lady also assured her.
Zhuo Jian really didn't know what to say, given what everyone was saying.
Looking at Fu Yanye, he sat there throughout as if he were someone of no importance.
However, when he heard grandma talk about giving her away to someone else, Fu Yanye still lifted his head, "Grandma, we're not divorced yet!"
"Isn't it only a matter of time before you are?"
The old lady didn't seem surprised by her grandson's words and even questioned him in return.
Fu Yanye suddenly became agitated and turned his head to look away.
"You brat, still talking that nonsense about not being divorced. Your father and I are both faithful to the end. How did our family end up with a shameless wretch like you?" the patriarch suddenly asked heatedly, glaring at him.
Fu Yanye: "..."
Zhuo Jian was taken aback. Seeing the patriarch's punch-ready stance, she couldn't help but speak up, "Grandpa, we parted on good terms, don't blame Yanye!"
"Listen to that, how deeply must you have hurt your wife for her to address you like that?" the old lady couldn't refrain from scolding further.
Fu Yanye was at even more of a loss for words; every time he came back, he was sure to be lectured.
This time, Zhuo Jian kept her mouth shut, not daring to say more for fear of being picked on again.
"Jianjian, darling, do you have someone you fancy now? Let me tell you, when it comes to marriage, it's important to find someone of a similar age. Be careful not to be dazzled by the flashy outside world, understand?" the old lady cautioned Zhuo Jian, gripping her hand.
"Yes, you've just started working at the television station. It's a mixed bag there, and with your good looks, you need to be extra careful. With our family's status, we can't afford to sully ourselves," Wang Yue added, aware that many people had been sending flowers to Zhuo Jian, and felt it was necessary to remind her.
Zhuo Jian nodded after hearing this, "I understand!"
Fu Yanye didn't expect Zhuo Jian to be so compliant with his elders' advice, which somewhat pleased him.
But his phone soon rang again; it was Ruxiang.
There wasn't a name associated with the number, but he knew who it was at a glance.
As his phone rang, the vast living room plunged into sudden silence.
He looked instinctively at the people in front of him, then got up conscientiously, "I'll go outside to answer."
"Is it that woman again? You're not allowed to answer her calls tonight," the old patriarch immediately ordered, placing his teacup down with a heavy thud.
Fu Yanye looked at him, "You're well aware of her health condition. If I don't answer, she'll start worrying unnecessarily, which is bad for her health!"
"How many years has it been? Health condition, health condition; she still hasn't died yet!" the old patriarch remarked.
"..."
Zhuo Jian listened to the conversation nervously. If someone else had said such things, Fu Yanye might have already resorted to violence.
But this time, he just clenched his phone, without any retort, and walked out with his long legs.
"Enough, enough, I see this kid's beyond saving. Jianjian, wait here, I'll go get the household register for you."
"..."
Everyone was shocked.
Moments ago, when the old patriarch fabricated an excuse that the household register was still at his workplace, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Now, they found themselves holding their breath again.
Zhuo Jian was even more surprised, the household registration book at home?
The elderly lady watched her husband rise and leave, shifting in her seat. She was hesitant to leave, fearing Zhuo Jian might go, so she stayed put, torn with indecision.
"It's really not right for us to keep Jianjian in this limbo. She's still young; after a divorce, she can still find a new love, marry someone she likes, and lead a normal life."
Fu Yanye's father spoke up suddenly.
Three women sat on the sofa, two of them lost in their disappointment.
Zhuo Jian held her breath, feeling a bit relieved at this moment.
This family had truly been good to her, always protecting her and considering her feelings.
When Zhuo Jian left the Fu Family home, she held the household registration book in her hand, both excited and nervous.
This meant they could divorce now, right?
Looking at the thick household registration book, she flipped through it page by page on the ride home, and to her surprise, her page was above Fu Yanye's. Her heart warmed involuntarily, and she held the book to her chest.
Even in divorce, she would remain grateful!
Fu Yanye was still in the hospital. After the Doctor had checked on Ruxiang and left, and with Ruxiang asleep, he took out his phone and started browsing.
It wasn't until after ten that his phone buzzed.
The person in the bed also quietly opened her eyes.
"Got the household registration book!"
Zhuo Jian had sent him a WeChat message, a photo of the household registration book, and those five words.
Fu Yanye's grip tightened on the phone, his dark eyes fixing on the photo on the screen.
For some reason, at that moment, his heart felt so chaotic it was nearly bursting.
Was she that eager to get a divorce?
Did she have someone she liked?
Li Yuqing?
He was just a TV station director—how could he compare to him?
He didn't understand what she was thinking—her vision was so poor.
"Yanye!"
The weak voice of the woman in the bed called out to him.
"Yanye!"
After calling him twice, he still didn't hear.
Ruxiang sat up, looking feebly at him: "Yanye!"
Fu Yanye snapped back to reality and turned to look: "You're awake!"
"I'm really a burden, constantly causing you trouble!"
Ruxiang nodded her head and then started to cry with her eyes lowered.
Fu Yanye sighed, "You're not a burden. I was just thinking about work."
He got up, sat on the edge of the bed, and comforted her.
"But if it wasn't for me, you and Jianjian..."
"Jianjian and I could never be, no matter what. You know that, so stop guessing!"
"But grandfather and grandmother, they don't want you two to divorce either."
Ruxiang continued to sob.
"Zhuo Jian has already got the household registration book!"
Fu Yanye said.
"What? Really?"
Ruxiang lifted her head, her eyes pitiable, looking at him, filled with hope.
Fu Yanye's throat caught for a moment.
It was true!
That little thing was excitedly waiting to divorce him.
This woman was also waiting for him to give her a marriage.
And what about him?