Civil Affairs Bureau.
"No, you heard correctly, I just said I am not going through with this marriage, we are breaking up!"
Xia Chu enunciated each word deliberately and repeated her earlier words to Xu Pei, her voice calm, her demeanor equally serene.
If not for her hand trembling beneath her sleeve, it would have been impossible to tell that just half an hour ago, she had received photos of her fiancé in bed with another woman, her heart currently enduring immense shock and agony.
Xu Pei finally understood Xia Chu's resolution to break up.
Having known and loved each other for five years, how could he not know that once she made a decision, there would be no turning back?
He became more panicked and reached out to grasp Xia Chu's hand, "Panpan, please don't do this... I really had too much to drink that time, I was out of it, but you are the only one in my heart. You can't deny our years of feelings and reject me entirely just because I was momentarily foolish!"
Xia Chu dodged Xu Pei's hand, still maintaining a calm face, "Xu Pei, you don't think I am unaware that a man truly intoxicated beyond awareness can't do anything, do you? In these past few years at the law firm, I've handled quite a few divorce cases, and all those cheating men, doesn't each of them cheat countless times after the first? Do you really think I would believe you are the exception?"
But beneath that calm exterior, only she knew that she was completely numb.
So this is what it feels like to be betrayed and cheated on.
Her blood seemed to be flowing backwards, colder than falling into an ice cave in the dead of winter, more painful than being cut all over by the sharpest blade!
Xu Pei was momentarily guilt-stricken by her words, then quickly retorted, "Not like that, Panpan, I really couldn't control myself... You always refused me, saying to wait until our wedding night, I—I am a normal man, after so many years and having had some drinks, I just..."
Xia Chu had woken up at six in the morning to get dressed early and secure a good early number.
She now felt extremely weary, so weary she could collapse right there.
She said coldly with a forced smile, "Indeed, you are a normal man, making a mistake any man could make, right? But sorry, one breach of faith is one too many, and I will not tolerate it!"
She then tried to walk past Xu Pei, "As for the house, the shares in the law firm, and our joint savings and investment accounts, I will soon provide you with a plan."
Xu Pei immediately stepped in front of her, "Panpan, please don't say things that hurt our feelings... I will really change, thoroughly... My grandma likes you so much, and so does your mom, they all eagerly await our marriage. And we have everything prepared for the wedding next month, if we cancel now, what will people say..."
Xia Chu's hand trembled even more, and she was almost unable to hold back her tears.
He still knew that everything was set, except for the ceremony?
When he was cheating and messing around, how could he not consider that his actions, once uncovered, would cause immense pain and sadness to her and her loved ones, not to consider how people would talk?
Xu Pei saw Xia Chu's pale face and red eyes as if she might waver, and hurriedly continued his plea, "Panpan, I really will change, you can mistrust me, but I can swear. I can transfer all the house, the car, and my shares in the law firm to you, and I can also apologize and make promises in front of your parents..."
Apologize and make promises in front of her parents?
Xia Chu clenched her fists tightly, finally unable to suppress her rage and hatred, "Xu Pei, are you threatening me? You well know that my parents would nearly worship you being their son-in-law, but you speak of apologizing in front of them, you really know how to calculate. You thought my parents would be your staunchest support, so you were reckless, weren't you? You are truly shameless and utterly disgusting!"
Xu Pei shot her a gaze filled with unprecedented cold disdain, driving her to finally become enraged, "How dare I threaten you when it's me who made the mistake? I am merely thinking of a way to make amends. Or you can make a request, as long as you can forgive me, I'll agree to anything."
Xia Chu retorted with a scornful laugh, "I only sensed a threat, not sincerity, which I don't need anyway. All I want is a breakup, and I hope that for the sake of our years together, we can part amicably."
Xu Pei clenched his teeth, "I won't break up with you, I'd rather die than do that!"
Before Xia Chu could respond, he softened his tone, pleading, "Panpan, do our years of affection really mean so little to you? Moreover, this isn't just about us anymore, it's about two families now..."
Xia Chu interrupted him angrily, "Stop calling me Panpan; I've loathed that name for a long time! I also want to know, was our years of affection worthless when you couldn't control yourself? Xu Pei, don't make me look back on this relationship and have nothing but disgusting memories!"
Xu Pei grew furious again, "Xia Chu, must you be this ruthless? I know my mistake, and I will definitely change; what more do you want? Today you might not go through with the marriage certificate with me, but you'll have to come back another day. Why must you hurt both of us like this?"
Xia Chu felt darkness looming before her eyes out of anger.
Because she knew what Xu Pei said was true.
If she didn't get the marriage certificate with him today, once her parents found out, they would force her to go back to the Civil Affairs Bureau and get it done with their crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang themselves.
Then, she would end up like every wife who forgives her husband's first affair, embarking on a painful road of no return, entirely torn apart, destroyed; so much so that if she ever decided to rise from the ashes, she'd first have to undergo drastic pain and sacrifice half her life!
Seeing Xia Chu finally silent, a flicker of triumph flashed across Xu Pei's eyes.
He knew Panpan would definitely forgive him; of course, he also definitely would not make the same mistake in the future, he'd cut it off completely right away.
Xu Pei thought this, preparing to soften his words further.
But then he saw Xia Chu suddenly walk past him, striding toward the outside.
Xu Pei called out to her, "Panpan, where are you going?"
Xia Chu pretended not to hear.
Xu Pei had it figured out that in response to his pleading and threats, her soft and hard tactics, she had no choice but to forgive him, no matter how much she hated and suffered, right?
Fine, she'd go outside and randomly pick a stranger to get a marriage certificate with; at worst, they'd get it today and divorce tomorrow.
If he could disregard five years of affection, so could she.
Then let's see if, wearing the label of a second marriage, he'd still be willing to break up, and whether his parents would still agree to have her as his bride!
When Xia Chu stepped out of the Civil Affairs Bureau's lobby, she immediately began to assess potential candidates.
Early in the morning, everything was still asleep; a mere glass door almost completely isolated the buzzing indoors from the quiet outdoors.
Luckily, after briefly observing a couple and a few hurried passersby, Xia Chu found her target—a young man standing in front of a black Audi, apparently waiting for someone.
Xia Chu walked straight up to him, "Excuse me, sir, sorry to bother you, but do you have a girlfriend? If not, would you mind coming with me to get a marriage certificate right now?"