novelraw Chapter 308 - 288 Freed_1
Chapter 308 - 288 Freed_1
Zhang Zhentian gazed forlornly at the sky. What was once an endless expanse of blue sky and white clouds had now, because of his dismal mood, become a world shrouded in gray. The sky turned colorless, the whole world plunged into darkness; he could not see a trace of light; his end had come.
Xia Jing saw Zhang Zhentian standing motionless at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau. She knew her husband was reluctant, yet it was she who had forcefully brought him here. So what right did she have to turn back now? They had both played a part in the situation reaching this point; it was unfair and selfish to place the blame solely on any one person...
Xia Jing felt a profound discomfort seeing her husband stand so still. How she wished time could stop at this very moment, so they would never have to step through the doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau, so there would never be a day of divorce, and she could just quietly watch her dear husband!
The two had loved each other for so long, yet fate’s design for them seemed inescapable. They could only surrender and proceed with the divorce.
When Zhang Zhentian saw Xia Jing also looked hesitant, he said to her, "Let’s not get a divorce. Just give me another chance. Let’s go home together, happy and content. Isn’t living together better? Why should it come to this?"
"Since the words have been spoken, why take a step back? As the saying goes, ’A good horse doesn’t eat grass that it’s passed.’ Since a decision has been made, you must follow through even on your knees. We’ve been through so much together. Forgetting each other would certainly not be easy. But now, there really is no path left to follow. Since this is the destined end, let’s let go of each other’s hands and give each other another chance. Trust me, I won’t let you be heartbroken."
"What’s the use of saying all this now? It’s too late for everything. We don’t have a road back, we can’t take anymore. Since we are both here, why not just step through this door easily and give each other the desired outcome?"
"Xia Jing, you should know that I don’t want to divorce you. I don’t want to enter the doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau; I don’t want to see you leaving me. Every time I see you turn away, do you know how sad my heart feels watching your retreating figure? Why can’t you understand my heart for you? After so many years as husband and wife, do you really not understand me at all? Everything I’ve done was to give us a better life, to live the life we wanted, to make both of us happy for the rest of our lives. But why are you so unwilling to understand me? Often, if only you’d understand me a little more, things would have turned out differently, but you didn’t."
"What’s the use of saying this now? There used to be a way back, but you’ve cut it off yourself. I pleaded with you not to divorce me. It was you who resolutely chose to abandon me, to abandon the emotions we shared for over a decade, to abandon the intimacy of our years together! Since you were so ruthless then, don’t lower your head now asking me to return to your side. It’s really meaningless and makes me feel you’re not worthy of being a man. You’ve scorned the bond between us, so why should I insist on seeing you as part of my life, when it only brings me more pain? Enough, let’s say no more. We’ve come this far; let’s just go in and settle what needs to be dealt with, lest we have to come back to deal with this again. That would only be more trouble."
After saying this, Xia Jing turned and walked towards the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Seeing Xia Jing’s resolute departure, Zhang Zhentian felt uncomfortable. Xia Jing turned back and saw Zhang Zhentian standing still. She reached out to pull him towards the gate, but no matter what, she couldn’t move him.
"Why won’t you give me one more chance? Am I really so insignificant in your heart? If you give me one more chance, what’s the harm? I don’t want anything else; all I want is a simple, happy family!"
"Is it because in your heart, over these past years, I haven’t given you the feeling of a home, haven’t given you the atmosphere a happy family should have, and that’s why you choose to treat me this way? Tell me, when you say now that if I go back with you, you won’t divorce me again, how credible do you think your words are? Since you could be so cruel to propose divorce this time, there will be a second and third time. I don’t want to suffer such blows over and over again. Since you can hear it this time, let’s just resolve this matter completely, so we don’t make each other so sad."
Xia Jing went straight into the Civil Affairs Bureau’s entrance after speaking. She had no intention of waiting for Zhang Zhentian. Feeling helpless, Zhentian could only slowly walk into the bureau.
The two argued loudly for a good while in the Civil Affairs Bureau before finally quieting down. After the silence, Xia Jing signed her full name on the divorce agreement. Watching Xia sign without hesitation, Zhentian knew that his actions had truly chilled her heart. Since Xia had made this decision, he shouldn’t force her to live with him any longer. Perhaps it was time for him to let go of Xia’s hand and let her fly solo.
After Zhentian had finished his thoughts, he signed his name on the divorce agreement. The official handed over the divorce certificates to Zhentian and Xia. Holding her divorce certificate, Xia grinned at Zhentian and said, "Congratulations, you’ve finally gotten rid of me. You can go on to live a happy life with our son and your father. And as for myself, it’s time I flew solo as well, without any burdens or excess baggage!"
"You too. From now on, you can fly solo without worrying that the lies you told will be exposed by me!"
"Now that we’ve finished all the formalities, you are free. We go back to our separate homes and from this day on, we won’t see or contact each other ever again... our paths shall never cross."
After saying this, Xia turned to leave. The moment she turned, a large tear rolled down from the corner of her eye, sliding down her cheek. She felt a chill on her face from the wind, even though it was a hot day, but to her, it felt as cold as winter.
Zhentian knew Xia was crying, but he said nothing because speaking only brought more sorrow. Inside, he felt terrible, yet he had to comfort his ex-wife. From today, they would no longer have any marital relationship, and they wouldn’t need to worry about any conflicts between them. Each could live the life they wanted happily. But why did his heart feel so heavy?