3

I stayed in Qingcheng for a month, and the winter came faster there. When I stepped on the land of C City, I even felt it was unexpectedly warm.

"Why did it take so long?" Si Nian looked unhappy.

I lazily yawned, glanced at him, and walked inside.

"What, are you divorcing and bringing along a lover? Once we're divorced, you'll marry her?" The sight of Qiao Xin standing timidly behind him annoyed me, and my words carried a sharp edge.

"Mind your language. Qiao Xin isn't feeling well today; I need to take her to the hospital."

I covered my hand, even more irritated, "Oh, well, you go ahead and take her for a check-up. I'm not in a hurry. I can wait."

Si Nian reached out to pull me, "Hurry up, stop being difficult."

I stubbornly stood my ground, "Are you forcing me? Are you not ashamed of doing this in public?"

Qiao Xin started shedding tears behind him, whispering, "Stop arguing, please."

A wave of nausea hit me, "Si Nian, if you hadn't treated me so terribly, I would have divorced you immediately. Now either you knock me out and drag me in, or get lost!"

Si Nian's face turned purple with rage. He shot me a fierce glance, pulled Qiao Xin, and walked away.

I was still seething with anger, and after some thought, I bought a nearby baseball bat, tested it, and hailed a taxi to Qiao Xin's place.

I called for a locksmith, and also for the property management.

"Who owns this house?"

The property manager respectfully replied, "Mr. Si Nian."

I smiled and showed my marriage certificate, "This is our jointly-owned property. Please open the door for me."

The locksmith skillfully opened the door, and I dismissed them both before stepping inside.

Si Nian seemed to enjoy taking pictures with her. There were many photos, even though he wasn't smiling in any of them.

After we graduated, Si Nian was always busy, so we rarely took photos together. We started sleeping back to back, then in separate rooms, until we finally separated. That's when I realized that our relationship was broken. Si Nian started bringing different women back to his place.

I strolled around and casually smashed a purple jade ornament, a gift that I had originally bought for my grandmother who liked it. She unfortunately didn't survive that winter.

I chuckled bitterly, no longer hesitating as I swung the baseball bat around, quickly turning everything in the room into ruins.

Perhaps I had used too much force, as droplets began to fall onto the floor. I tilted my head back to wipe away the blood, and when I lowered it again, I was met with the surprised eyes of Qiao Xin and the angry gaze of Si Nian.

"Lin! Shui! Xin!"

"Ugh!" I pretended to retch, "Don't call my name, it makes me want to throw up."

I pointed the baseball bat at Si Nian's chest, "Tomorrow, we meet at the civil affairs bureau."

I felt a sense of relief. I didn't want to maintain this marriage for another day.

"Lin Shui Xin, I've been patient with you for so long!" Si Nian's veins bulged as he forcefully pushed me into a corner. My nose started bleeding again, and I tilted my head back to keep the blood from flowing out.

"What's wrong with you?" Si Nian's grip loosened, and I easily stepped back.

"I'm angry, thanks to you and your little mistress." I rested the baseball bat on my shoulder and said, "Si Nian, I've been patient with you for too long too. Let's divorce and go our separate ways. I hope to never see you again in this life."

And in the next one... let's not meet either.

It hurts too much, it really... hurts too much.

Learning from the previous experience, Si Nian came alone the next day. We didn't exchange a single word before signing the divorce papers. As the stamp fell, we finally received the divorce certificate.

Si Nian didn't want to say another word to me. He turned around and walked away without looking back.

I stared at his retreating figure for a long time, remembering a winter night long ago when he put a warm hot water bag in my hand and said, "Xiao Xin, you go first. I'll watch you leave."

Those warm hands, those fervent eyes, they made several winter nights not so cold.

I let out a sigh, wiped my tears, and got on the car leaving C City.

Si Nian, we probably... won't meet again.