This was a decision Du Liya had to make for herself. As an outsider, she couldn’t say anything at a time like this.

Shen Yi, however, took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his mother’s tears. He said softly, "Mom, he has his son. He doesn’t want us anymore. I’ll take care of you from now on."

"He has a son that old... He can’t even be bothered to lie to me anymore..."

Du Liya let out a wail and burst into tears. She cried so hard she passed out. Shen Yi and Qin Zhonghui quickly worked together to get her to a clinic.

Qin Jiao picked up Du Liya’s handbag, glanced back at the mess in the room, and then turned to leave as well.

**

Fortunately, Du Liya had only fainted from crying so hard. She came to after a little while and sat in a daze on a bed in the clinic, her gaze vacant and unfocused.

Shen Yi knew that Qin Jiao and her father were still waiting nearby, so he said to his mother, "Mom, go wash your face and pull yourself together. Let’s head home for now. No matter what happens, you still have me and Grandpa. You have to be strong. If you aren’t, Grandma will scold you from her grave for being an unfilial daughter."

Her son’s words seemed to snap Du Liya out of her daze, but her expression was a little strange.

’She thought for a moment. It was true. Her father was getting old and wasn’t in good health. He must be at home right now, too worried to sleep.’

Du Liya nodded. "Alright, let’s go home first."

The small motor-tricycle was too small to fit everyone, so Shen Yi and Qin Jiao ended up walking back. They let Du Liya sit in the passenger seat since she wasn’t in good condition.

The night air was frigid. The wind blew snowflakes from the tree branches, and they stung a little as they hit their faces.

Shen Yi noticed Qin Jiao was only wearing a small scarf, leaving most of her face exposed. He immediately unwrapped his own and wound it around her neck until only her eyes were peeking out.

"It’s fine, I’m not cold," she said, at a loss for words.

"Keep it on so you don’t get cold. I’d be..." The words *worried sick* circled on the tip of his tongue, but Shen Yi ultimately didn’t dare say them; they were too intimate. He paused for a moment before continuing, "...guilty. After all, I was the one who asked you and Uncle Qin for help tonight. I was worried I couldn’t handle it alone. And now I’m making you walk back with me since there’s no room in the car."

Qin Jiao stopped protesting. Fortunately, when she looked ahead, she could already see the row of small apartment buildings where she lived, not too far in the distance. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The two of them walked side-by-side, their footsteps making a CRUNCH, CRUNCH sound on the snow.

A brilliant, full moon hung overhead. Though the air was cold, the moonlight seemed incredibly gentle.

Shen Yi’s cheeks ached from the cold, but his heart felt warm. He looked up at the stars and said, "I hope my parents get a divorce."

Qin Jiao remained silent.

’In truth, she supported Du Liya divorcing Shen Zhengfeng. It was obvious that man had never loved Du Liya. Just a moment ago, back in the house, he hadn’t even deigned to lie to her.’

’In her past life, Du Liya had eventually been driven to an early grave by Shen Zhengfeng’s provocations. Qin Jiao didn’t know the specific details, but she knew that man was no good for her.’

’But if they divorced now, Du Liya would be able to get some compensation, right?’

’And what about Shen Yi? Would he still have the right to inherit the Shen Family’s assets?’

Several thoughts ran through Qin Jiao’s mind, but she kept them to herself. She knew this was Shen Yi’s family business and had nothing to do with her.

But then Shen Yi spoke up on his own. "Grandpa made him sign an agreement," he said. "If they divorce within five years, he has to give my mom and me nearly half of the family’s assets."

Qin Jiao was stunned. She asked subconsciously, "Grandpa Du didn’t want them to get a divorce?"

"No," Shen Yi replied. "Grandpa saw this day coming long ago. He was just securing a future for my mom and me in advance."