Mother Qi sighed and said softly, "Zhijun, it's my fault. I'm not good at managing the household and can't please everyone. You can live your own lives. Just give me your retirement money every month. You and Fangzi, give me seven yuan each. I'm old and can't eat much anymore. Maybe I'll die in a few years..."
"Mom, don't talk nonsense. You'll live to be a hundred. Take a good rest. Fangzi, come out with me for a bit." After saying that, Qi Zhijun waited outside for Qi Zhifang. After a while, she came out looking like she had been drained of all her energy. Qi Zhijun asked, "What happened? Who's causing trouble?"
Qi Zhifang said with a headache, "Fangfang is back. She looks like she's suffered a lot this time. Mom cooked her some hot egg noodle soup. When my sister-in-law came back, she thought we were cooking for her again and made a fuss about wanting eggs. We didn't have any noodles at home. Mom said she would buy some tomorrow, but she got angry and overturned the table."
Qi Zhijun nodded and said, "I understand. You should comfort Mom."
Then she went back to her side room and saw Xiao Cui sitting on the bed with her suitcase at her feet. She rubbed her face with her hands and said weakly, "You mean if we reach an agreement today, we'll go, but if we don't, you'll leave, right?"
Xiao Cui said coldly, "Then what do you expect me to do? Just because I didn't hold it against you for hitting me last time doesn't mean I've given in. But I can't stand your family for even a day longer."
Qi Zhijun, sitting in the chair next to him, asked, "What kind of family do I come from?"
"Unable to distinguish right from wrong, aiding and abetting evil." These eight words, spoken by Xiao Cui, struck Qi Zhijun deeply. He nodded and said, "Do you know what your current demeanor reminds me of?"
Xiao Cui sneered, "Is the truth so hard to accept? Your mother favors someone with a terrible reputation, and the whole family is going to great lengths to support her. I don't understand what she's after. Does she think she can tarnish the family's reputation, or that she can drive people crazy?"
Qi Zhijun looked at Xiao Cui expressionlessly and said, "When you said those things, it reminded me of my ex-wife, Wei Shuqing. Back then, I was really afraid to go home. As soon as I came back, I would hear her complaining and crying, all for a bite to eat or a drink. Especially later on, she became thin and sallow, with high cheekbones, wrinkles on her face, and a look of deep bitterness and resentment. She was sharp-tongued and mean. I suddenly realized that she was really ugly, the ugliest person I had ever seen. I wanted to stay away from her, but she gave birth to my son, so I could only endure it. Do you know what it's like to live with someone who looks and behaves disgustingly?"
Xiao Cui suddenly remembered Wei Shuqing, the woman he met when he first met Qi Zhijun. She was wearing a woolen short coat, was neatly dressed, had fair skin, and was slightly plump.
The Wei Shuqing in Qi Zhijun's mind was not the same person she saw. She suddenly felt that Qi Zhijun was a devil, and the Qi family was devils. Qi Zhijun laughed and said, "You're surprised, aren't you? The Wei Shuqing you met doesn't resemble the person I described." Saying this, she handed Xiao Cui a mirror, gesturing for her to catch it, and then said, "Take a look! See what you look like!"
Xiao Cui's face turned red with anger, while Qi Zhijun said nonchalantly, "You really do look too much like her right now..."
Xiao Cui's voice trembled with anger, "You mean I've disgusted you now, is that it?"
Qi Zhijun looked at her and said, "Look at you now, where is the poised and elegant person you used to be? You're full of petty bourgeois habits, fighting over food and drink, and your face is full of hostility and meanness. You're disgusting!"
Xiao Cui nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, you've finally told me what's on my mind. Why am I like this? It's all because of your family!"
Qi Zhijun angrily said, "What did I force you to do? All you talk about is bok choy and noodles, complaining about the sourness of vinegar and the saltiness of salt. Even porridge, you can distinguish between thick and thin. What's the point of you? At least Wei Shuqing mentions meat, eggs, and old hens when she argues. Why do you argue about such cheap things?"
This time, Xiao Cui was completely speechless with anger. She nodded and only cursed, "Qi Zhijun, you're a bastard! Divorce!"
As he was about to leave, Qi Zhijun shouted sharply, "Stop! You were the one who asked for a divorce, don't regret it!"
Xiao Cui laughed miserably, saying only, "Just consider it all my blindness and all these years of feelings wasted. But I, Cui Shuai, can win and I can lose." After saying that, she picked up her luggage and strode out the door.
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