It Doesn't Matter, It's All in the Past

Inside the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Fu Hanjiang didn't come alone; he brought along Su Xingzhi.

"It's like this."

Su Xingzhi glanced at Fu Er Ye, who seemed indifferent, and took out a stack of documents from his briefcase.

"Sheng Xiangsi, these... were given to you by Mr. Fu. Previously, you didn't handle the procedures. Take this opportunity to sign where necessary. I'll take care of the rest."

Alimony?

Sheng Xiangsi shook her head, "I can't accept it."

It wasn't her being pretentious or falsely noble.

Back then, she had nowhere to go, and the Fu family took her in.

She had to admit, the years she spent with the Fu family were carefully taken care of.

In fact, the Fu family had no obligation. This marriage was her way of repaying their kindness.

One couldn't seek rewards for repaying kindness.

"Tsk!"

Fu Hanjiang became impatient, "Just take it!"

Afraid she might refuse again, he said coldly, "This is from me! It's from Fu Hanjiang to his ex-wife, it has nothing to do with the Fu family or Grandma!"

Sheng Xiangsi was surprised. With him saying that, she didn't know how to refuse.

"Hurry up! Let her sign."

Fu Hanjiang, annoyed, took out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket, but smoking wasn't allowed in the hall.

"I'll go smoke."

He stood up and went to the smoking room.

"Sheng Xiangsi."

Su Xingzhi handed her the pen, "Come on, sign. If you don't sign, we might not be able to get the divorce certificate today."

It seemed that was the case.

"Alright."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded, took the pen, and signed her name on each document.

"Here." Su Xingzhi handed her the inkpad, "You need to put your fingerprint."

"Okay."

After signing and fingerprinting everything, Sheng Xiangsi wiped her hands with a wet tissue just as Fu Hanjiang returned.

Su Xingzhi checked their documents again, "Everything is in order. You can go ahead with the procedures."

They had been separated for years, and the divorce was amicable, with no property disputes or children involved. The procedures were quickly completed.

"Here, take it."

The clerk placed two red booklets in front of them.

"Thank you."

Sheng Xiangsi held the one that belonged to her, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Was there something to be happy about? Fu Hanjiang watched her, feeling a strange emotion he couldn't quite name.

He had been waiting for this divorce for so many years.

But now that it was finally happening, it seemed like she, Sheng Xiangsi, was the one feeling relieved?

"Well..."

Sheng Xiangsi carefully put the booklet into her backpack, pursing her lips with a hint of a smile, "I have nothing else to do, so I'll leave first."

"Sheng Xiangsi."

But Fu Hanjiang stopped her.

"Yes?" Sheng Xiangsi was no longer as afraid of him. There was even a bit of brightness in her eyes, "Is there something else?"

"I'm sorry."

For a moment, Sheng Xiangsi was stunned, almost unable to react. Was he... apologizing to her?

Fu Hanjiang furrowed his brows, his expression not quite good, but he smiled when he spoke.

A self-deprecating smile, "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not a good husband, I know that."

So what?

Not every apology deserved forgiveness.

Sheng Xiangsi forced a smile, "It doesn't matter, it's all in the past."

Yes, it's all in the past...

Fu Hanjiang took a deep breath, smiled faintly, and said, "You might not believe it, but—"

"What?" Sheng Xiangsi was puzzled.

"When we got married..."

Fu Hanjiang looked at her face, still beautiful without makeup, and said hoarsely, "I really wanted to try to make it work with you..."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have touched her...

Although he didn't exactly like her at the time, responsibility could keep a couple together, couldn't it?

If it wasn't for Yao Leyi's "miscarriage" later on...

Was it?

Sheng Xiangsi smiled faintly. She might have believed this before, but now, she didn't believe a word of it.

She gestured outside, "Can I go now?"

"Yeah." Fu Hanjiang nodded slightly, "You can go."

"Goodbye."

Sheng Xiangsi waved her hand, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked out. Her steps were light at first, then gradually quickened, until she was practically running out the door!

"Haha..."

Running too fast, Sheng Xiangsi gasped for breath as she ran.

Outside the door, Zhong Pei saw her and hurriedly got out of the car, "Xiangsi!"

"Zhong Pei!"

Sheng Xiangsi smiled and ran towards him.

At this moment, she needed a friend to share her joy!

She stopped in front of Zhong Pei, who held out his arms, worried she might fall.

"Be careful."

"It's okay!"

Sheng Xiangsi grinned, revealing her white teeth.

"I'm so happy! I'm really happy!"

"Yeah, I know." Zhong Pei looked down at her, smiling and nodding, "I saw it all."

Although she was clearly smiling, there were tears in her eyes.

Was this what they called tears of joy?

"Sob, sob..."

Finally, Sheng Xiangsi couldn't hold back anymore. She covered her cheeks and cried out. Gradually, her shoulders trembled slightly.

"Xiangsi?"

Zhong Pei was taken aback, feeling helpless.

What should he do in this situation?

He groped in his pocket, realizing he didn't have tissues. "Wait here."

He hurriedly opened the car door and fetched a tissue box from inside, tearing off a tissue and handing it to her.

"Xiangsi, take it."

"No, I don't want it!"

Sheng Xiangsi shook her head, crying, "I want to cry... I want to cry my heart out..."

So, Zhong Pei stopped persuading her.

Though he wasn't her, he tried to understand her, ending a loveless marriage that had long been dead.

Maybe, she just wanted to cry tears of joy.

"Go ahead and cry," Zhong Pei said quietly, "I'll be here with you."

...

Fu Hanjiang sat in the car, watching them from a distance for quite a while.

Suddenly, he felt it was quite meaningless, so he withdrew his gaze expressionlessly.

"Uncle Chen, let's go."

"Uh, okay."

The car drove away, and from the corner of his eye, Zhong Pei held a tissue, carefully wiping Sheng Xiangsi's tears... as if she were as fragile as glass.

...

Lightning Dance Troupe.

After getting familiar with everything these past few days, Gu Shaohua finally made arrangements for Sheng Xiangsi.

"Alright, get ready. You'll start practicing with Group D of 'Qing Huan Du'. You'll be leading."

"!"

Gu Shaohua's indifferent tone was like a thunderclap to Sheng Xiangsi's ears, leaving her stunned.

Sheng Xiangsi didn't react for a while because she couldn't believe it!

"What's wrong?"

Gu Shaohua frowned, "Are you unwilling?"

"?"

Sheng Xiangsi was shocked, then suddenly snapped out of it, "No, of course not!"

Where would she be unwilling?

"Teacher Gu..." Sheng Xiangsi spoke truthfully, "I've just joined the troupe. Will this... make others resentful?"

"Hmm?"

Gu Shaohua chuckled, "That's something you should figure out. If you're afraid they'll resent you, then make them respect you!"

"But..."

"But what?"

Gu Shaohua raised an eyebrow, "You're so hesitant. Do you plan to just be a nobody in the troupe? Then you might as well leave! I have plenty of people here who can do the grunt work!"