The Price of Freedom
Nan Jinru entered the kitchen, holding the dishes. Upon seeing several takeout boxes on the counter, he paused for a moment.
Glancing at the labels, he recognized the familiar restaurant that had delivered the food. After a brief silence, he collected the takeout boxes, washed the dishes, and finally left the kitchen.
Xia Luhua sat on the sofa, head lowered, as Nan Jinru took a seat across from her.
Nan Jinru: "Sign the papers. The house will be left to you, and I'll give you an additional fifty million as compensation."
Xia Luhua raised her eyes to look at him, her face streaked with tears.
Xia Luhua: "Jinru, can we not divorce?"
Xia Luhua: "I'll be good, I'll listen to you, and I won't bother you. I don't mind your relationship with Miss Mu, just as long as we don't divorce."
She pleaded humbly, her voice trembling with desperation.
Nan Jinru: "It has nothing to do with Chang'er."
Nan Jinru: "We agreed from the beginning that our marriage was a contract. We made it clear that when I wanted a divorce, it would happen."
For some reason, seeing Xia Luhua's tear-streaked face, Nan Jinru felt a twinge of pity. But remembering that there had never been any love between them, he steeled himself again.
Nan Jinru: "Please, sign it quickly. I don't want to waste any more time. I have other matters to attend to."
Xia Luhua knew exactly what his other matters were—it was clearly for Mu Chang'er, to welcome her back.
Xia Luhua: "Fine, I'll sign."
With a resigned sigh, Xia Luhua closed her eyes for a brief moment, her face a picture of desolation. Nan Jinru, seeing her expression, felt a sense of discomfort stirring within him.
Just as Xia Luhua was about to sign, Nan Jinru stopped her.
Nan Jinru: "Wait."
Xia Luhua's face lit up with hope as she looked up at him.
Xia Luhua: "Jinru, are you having second thoughts?"
Nan Jinru pressed his lips together.
Nan Jinru: "I'll give you another fifty million."
Xia Luhua's gaze turned more sorrowful, her tears falling drop by drop onto the divorce papers. Trembling, she signed them.
Could she not tremble? After all, she was receiving a hundred million—anyone in her shoes would be overwhelmed with emotion.
With this sum, couldn't she go on and indulge herself with a young lover?
Nan Jinru picked up the signed divorce agreement, his eyes lingering on Xia Luhua as she quietly wept on the sofa, head lowered.
Nan Jinru: "The house will be transferred to your name tomorrow. The money has already been deposited into your account."
Nan Jinru: "You…"
Nan Jinru: "You'll meet someone better in the future."
With that, he walked out the door, holding the divorce papers. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, his heart might soften.
The door slammed shut with a resounding thud, and the entire living room fell into a heavy silence.
Xia Luhua slowly raised her head, and there were no tears in sight. Instead, she was barely holding back laughter, her body shaking with suppressed amusement.
Xia Luhua: "System, this money is so easy to make!"
System: ...
Xia Luhua, now dressed in a red spaghetti strap dress, light makeup on her face, and high heels on her feet, drove to the nearest bar.
After all, it was her first night of sudden wealth—surely, she deserved to celebrate.
At the bar, she didn't go to a private room but instead found a spot in the main hall, ordered a drink, and began scanning the crowd, searching for her next target.
After seeing Nan Jinru's face, no other man seemed quite as appealing. Nothing could satisfy her now, as if all others fell short.
After scanning the crowd for a while, she finally spotted a man she was satisfied with. Just as he was about to leave, she quickly stood up and approached him, blocking his path.
Xia Luhua: "Hey there, handsome, how about we go out?"
Looking at the man before her, his face just as handsome as Nan Jinru's, Xia Luhua felt a sense of resolve. After all, Nan Jinru belonged to the female lead. She certainly wouldn't be like the original owner, hanging onto a single tree.
Today, she was here to enjoy herself.