Episode 14: Condemning Black and White
Realizing that today was still a workday, Lin Ying quickly stood up and planned to text her boss to explain the situation, but then she realized she had lost her phone...
Aunt Liu comforted her: "Ms. Lin, Mr. Jiang has asked for leave for you, so you don't have to go to work recently. He asked someone to buy you a new phone this morning so that we can contact you more easily."
Lin Ying quickly activated her new phone, downloaded her frequently used social apps, verified her basic information, and immediately logged back into WeChat. Seeing hundreds of red bubbles rising, she felt a surge of unease...
She was afraid that some unpleasant news would come, judging her, cursing her...
She didn't go home last night and changed the locks of the house. Yan Yiming will definitely go crazy. He will definitely tell her parents and even her father Lin Jidong about her affairs.
Then, all the words in my dream last night came to me at once...
However, the news she has received so far is still normal.
Boss: "Lin Ying, I heard you weren't feeling well. You should take a good rest first. You made a great contribution during the Wuzhen event. We have already established a bridge with Tengchun's people."
Xiao Cheng: "Mrs. Xiao Yan, your husband didn't come back until midnight last night. When he saw you were not there, he came to ask about us. I said you opened the door because you were not feeling well. You must have gone to the hospital. Are you okay now? If you need any help, please let me know!"
Jiang Shu: "Use the new phone I bought you for now. Focus on your health and Aunt Liu will take full care of you. As for the divorce, I've asked a lawyer friend I know well to handle it for you. I've sent you his WeChat. Please contact him when you have time."
Ren Jiahui: "Aying, A Ming suddenly called home in the middle of the night yesterday, saying he was going to Jiangxi to collect folk songs again. He sounded so anxious. Why was it so sudden? It was raining heavily, and he left without saying anything. How are you? Aunt Wu can't go now, otherwise I would go with you tomorrow."
Seeing this, Lin Ying was stunned for no reason... Could it be that Yan Yiming didn't tell her about her?
Or was Ren Jiahui deliberately pretending to be innocent in front of her?
Given how much she cared about her son, if Yan Yiming really told her everything, Ren Jiahui, with her petty nature, would definitely scold her to death. But that was unbelievable...
Thinking of this, the other party called me unexpectedly.
Lin Ying's fingers trembled as she decided to face the other party. The other party's words were unexpected, but also reasonable.
"Aying, when did you change the locks? Why didn't you tell Mom? I tried the code several times but it was wrong. Are you home?"
"I'm not at home. I haven't been feeling well lately and have asked for leave."
"Why aren't you resting at home if you're not feeling well? Are you going to collect folk songs with A-Ming?"
"Mom, I'm not feeling well because Yan Yiming locked me up at home for two days and two nights. He took my phone and didn't let me contact anyone. If I hadn't contacted the property management to unlock the door and get out last night, I might have died at home."
After hearing this horrifying statement, the other party took a long time to react.
"Oh my! You...you guys are fine, why are you saying such things like you want to kill yourself? What do you mean? Ming is such a good-tempered kid, how could he do such a thing?"
Lin Ying didn't want to explain the details to her. She obviously didn't want to listen, and she didn't want to recall it either. So she gritted her teeth and said:
"I'm planning to divorce Yan Yiming. You don't need to look for me, and I won't be going back. I've already contacted a lawyer, and the divorce agreement will be mailed to Yan Yiming soon. I'll send a copy to the location where he's collecting materials, and one to his home. Now that things have come to this, I don't want to say anything, and I don't want to hear what you have to say. If you really want to know... you can ask my son, because you'll only believe what he says anyway. As for my dad, you'll handle it on your own."
After saying that, she didn't give the other party any chance to refute and hung up directly.
Liu Ma originally wanted to accompany her to the hospital, but she insisted on avoiding it, saying that they were just superficial injuries and she could just apply medicine at home.
She was afraid to face the crowd, afraid to face the stares, afraid they would ask "How did you get hurt? Why did he hit you?"
But the divorce was urgent. After much hesitation, she took the initiative to make an appointment with lawyer Jin, who was recommended by Jiang Shu. She put on a mask and went out alone to the appointment.
After the meeting, the man explained all the possible scenarios to her, including, but not limited to, emotional damages that could be claimed in a divorce lawsuit, compensation for injuries in the event of domestic violence, and the division of joint property between the couple...
Lin Ying didn't understand any of this, but she didn't care how much compensation she could get, or even how much her own side would have to pay...
Compared to these, she cared more about whether Yan Yiming would make a big fuss about her cheating, whether both families could accept this, and if he refused to divorce and both parents refused to compromise, then what else should she do to make the divorce go through.
After explaining all this, Lin Ying hesitated for a moment before asking:
"I want to know, regarding matters like infidelity...does the third party need to be confronted personally?"
Lawyer Jin did not hide his feelings and spoke directly about the matter:
"As for the third party's involvement, it's usually done privately and isn't necessary. It depends on the extent of your dispute. Normally, once infidelity is confirmed, the offending party will inevitably be required to pay compensation. However, judging from your current situation, there's more evidence to support the claim that the other party is committing domestic violence.
Even if you were at fault, since you're fighting for assets and don't have any specific requirements, I can help mitigate the claims for infidelity by citing the other party's violence. Of course, this assumes your resolve and cooperation.
“…Of course I will cooperate, but I’m afraid the other party won’t cooperate.”
I heard from Jiang Shu a long time ago that his sister always doubts more than makes decisions, is timid and hesitant - this is not surprising, as this is also the mentality commonly seen among the parties involved in many divorce cases.
"We have limited influence on the other side's attitude. But as long as you are determined, we only need to present the facts and your attitude, and play a game of ping-pong with them. Success is just a matter of time."
"So... as long as I'm determined to get a divorce, I can definitely get one."
"Based on your request, it is indeed the case. As long as you can endure the repeated evidence and questioning during this period without emotional collapse."
After these words were spoken, Lin Ying's heart felt relieved - he finally saw hope.
When we returned to the villa that night, Jiang Shu had already returned early.
When Aunt Liu invited her to dinner, Jiang Shu's face was gloomy and unhappy, so much so that as soon as she sat down, she had to ask - "Why don't you go to the hospital for a check-up?"
"I have an appointment with Lawyer Jin today. We talked for a long time. I'm busy now."
"Then go tomorrow."
"What's there to check?"
"You want a divorce, but you don't go to the hospital for a comprehensive physical examination. How can you prove how much violence you have suffered at home?"
"I took pictures of all my skin injuries and showed them to Lawyer Jin today. He said they were sufficient."
"It's enough to be evidence of domestic violence, but not enough to prove you're in good health."
"Are you annoying?"
Lin Ying couldn't help but drop the chopsticks. Aunt Liu, who was still tinkering with the dishwasher in the kitchen, came back to her senses and hurried over to pick up the chopsticks. However, Lin Ying reacted faster than her - not only did she stand up and pick them up first, she also apologized to Aunt Liu.
Jiang Shu was annoyed, but he still suppressed his resentment and let her vent.
With the nanny around, Lin Ying didn't want to continue being angry. She took new chopsticks, returned to her seat, and swallowed her food silently.
After a few bites, I felt particularly disgusted...
He stood up again and went to the sink to dry heave some gastric juice.
Aunt Liu hurried to find the medicine box and said she wanted to get her some stomach-strengthening and digestion-promoting medicine, but Lin Ying waved her hand and refused. "No, I can't eat anything. Let's go back to my room and rest for a while."
She didn't eat a single bite of food and went straight back to the bedroom.
Jiang Shu looked at all this, wanting to say something several times but stopping himself. In the end, he could only silently look away, mechanically picking up the food and eating, and told Liu Ma - "Leave some food for her. If she's hungry at night, heat it up for her."
Aunt Liu agreed and took away her chopsticks, "Mr. Jiang, I'm not saying you..."
Seeing that Jiang Shu's expression remained unchanged, she finally spoke out:
"Ms. Lin is already quite good-natured. She's a girl, and she's getting a divorce. Which elder in her family would side with her? Her current situation isn't about her body, but her heartbreak. If you truly like her, just show some concern and say some tender words. You young people are nothing but impetuous...you talk less and do more!"
After saying that, she threw away the rag and left the kitchen.
After dinner, Jiang Shu worked in the study as usual.
In recent years, various project contracts of the Hong Kong branch have expired and been terminated, which is indeed a huge loss to the group's total output value. Jiang Yueling intends to hand this matter over to him to test his attitude and ability. When he officially takes over the position of general manager, he will have made some achievements, which will convince others.
This is also the problem that has been giving Jiang Shu the most headache lately. Even after work every day, he has to attend meetings and negotiate with the executive department, and even Jiang Yueling himself often intervenes...
He was busy until after nine o'clock, and the villa was always particularly peaceful at night.
The slightest noise could distract him, especially these days when Lin Ying was staying at home, which would distract him from time to time.
He could even hear Aunt Liu knocking on Lin Ying's bedroom before going to bed, asking her if she wanted to eat, but Lin Ying still said no.
However, an hour later, the stubborn man finally couldn't stand it anymore.
Lin Ying put on a nightgown and walked out of the bedroom. It was late at night. She tiptoed downstairs in her slippers, making almost no sound. When she reached the kitchen, she didn't turn on the light, but opened the refrigerator directly and took out the food that Liu Ma had asked her to leave for her to heat up.
Just as she was waiting for the meal to be ready, the kitchen's aperture ceiling light suddenly came on brightly... She was startled and almost jumped up in fright -
"Why are you scaring me?"
"Does not turning on the lights save me money on electricity?"
Lin Ying was dissatisfied, "I'm afraid of disturbing Aunt Liu." "My room is well soundproofed. Your little noise can't even disturb the cat."
"I don't think so... I heard everything you and Xiao Lu said before."
She muttered a few words in defiance, but the other party didn't pay any attention.
bite--
The microwave finished heating and Lin Ying unplugged the socket and tried to take out the bowl, but Jiang Shu stopped her hand from behind, preventing her from getting burned by the residual heat from the bowl.
He told Lin Ying not to worry about it, and he took out the food with his heat-insulating gloves and placed it on the dining table. He gestured for Lin Ying to eat first, and then he went to bring over the red date and bird's nest porridge he had personally cooked after dinner...
"Since you haven't had a good stomach lately, I made some porridge for you. Drink some after dinner before going to bed. You'll feel better."
Hearing this, Lin Ying finally let down his guard and tentatively scooped a spoonful of porridge and put it into his mouth...
The bird's nest is finely minced and chewy, the red dates are soft and glutinous, and the cores are thoughtfully removed.
"Did you cook this yourself? Or did Aunt Liu make it?"
"I'll handle the ingredients that Aunt Liu bought."
Lin Ying joked, "You're quite versatile. You can hook a lot of girls with just your cooking skills."
Jiang Shu reiterated: "I said it last time, I'm not what you think..."
"It's not as romantic as I thought. Even if we're just bed partners, there are three rules. There's no love involved, and we each get what we need."
She took over the conversation, actively delivering the message, holding the hot porridge in her palm, and smiled at Jiang Shu with relief. "My mind has been very confused recently, and I'm easily overwhelmed. During dinner... I know you're concerned about me. I'll go for a physical checkup in a few days when I feel better."
Jiang Shu originally wanted to touch her face, but remembering that they had agreed to draw a clear line between them, he just nodded obediently.
Lin Ying took the initiative to mention: "I met with Lawyer Jin today. He said that as long as I am determined to divorce, everything else will not be difficult, and you don't need to intervene."
"What do you mean you don't need me to show up?"
She lowered her eyes slightly and pursed her lips to explain, "Yiming hurt me because he knew about our relationship. So I felt that this excuse was unavoidable, so I told Lawyer Jin... But don't worry, I didn't say it was you. I only said that I did it, but I have already drawn a clear line between us."
Jin Ze had talked to him earlier and said that the biggest obstacle at the moment was not the divorce itself, but her emotions.
"Why are you being so serious? Jin Ze is my friend. He rarely loses cases he handles. I asked him to help you because I didn't want you to worry too much. Besides, cheating requires evidence. Do you think Yan Yiming has any substantial evidence? Videos, photos? Or even audio recordings?"
That's right... He wasn't that perceptive. He was just unilaterally suspicious, and she was forced to comply.
"Even if he found out we were chatting on other WeChat accounts, the content wouldn't be too disgusting. With Jin Ze's mouth, what could he do? Besides, Yan Yiming is a man of many words but little substance. Even if he knew something, he wouldn't have the guts to make a big fuss."
Lin Ying was puzzled: "Why?"
"Jianglin Group belongs to our family. Even if Yan Song is a veteran, he's still my mother's subordinate and relies on the company for his livelihood. His son is usually submissive, and suddenly he wants a divorce. Even if he can't figure it out and reveals that there's a problem between you and me, do you think my parents will abandon us two children and the reputation of the company to save the Yan family's reputation?"
"But we two do..."
"These are not the most important things, Aying."
Looking at the bruises on her wrist, Jiang Shu sighed: "The important thing is that you need a divorce."
"The world isn't black and white. No one is perfect, so there's no need to dwell on your flaws. When you're hurt, don't think you deserve it. Instead, make the person who hurt you pay the price and stay away from them."
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