"Da Jiangzi, Li is so willful and naughty, why do you follow her? It's normal for a couple to quarrel, why do you have to get a divorce? Marriage is not a joke. If you break up, what will happen to Jiale and Chunhua in the future? Why don't you think about the children?"

Faced with Li Dajun's condemnation, Ling Jiang felt only guilt.

"Dad, I'm sorry. When we got married, I promised you that I would let Li live a good life and treat her well for the rest of her life. It's my fault that I didn't have the ability to keep my promise."

Ling Jiang raised his hand to squeeze the tears from his eyes, and continued with a slightly choked voice: "Dad, Lidu and I have discussed it. Jiale will go with her, and Chunhua will go with me.

Don't worry, even if we get divorced, I won't ignore them and their son. I will give them 20 yuan for living expenses and 10 kilograms of rice every month until Li gets married again."

When Li Dajun heard these words, his eyes turned red with anxiety. "Dajiangzi, you, what can I say about you guys? Why do you have to make such a fuss?"

Li Dajun tried to persuade his son-in-law for a long time but failed to change his mind, so he got up and went to the kitchen to persuade his daughter.

Li Li was sitting on a small stool peeling a pumpkin. When she heard the noise, she turned her head and was stunned when she met Li Dajun's red eyes.

"Dad, the meal will take a while."

Li Dajun took a small stool, sat opposite his daughter, and sighed heavily.

"What on earth are you arguing about with your son-in-law? Why do you have to get a divorce for no reason?"

While peeling a southern melon, Li Li replied, "I can't live without you."

"How can I not live a good life? My son-in-law is such a down-to-earth and reliable person..."

Li Dajun's advice made Li Li impatient. "Dad, how many times do I have to tell you that Ling Jiang is unlucky in relationships and in marriage? Look at the Ling family. Except for the two brothers, everyone else has been killed! Now it's our Li family's turn. If I continue to live with him, the next person to die will be either me or you!"

"You said that sons-in-law bring bad luck to relatives, so why didn't Chuanzi get bad luck from him?"

Li Li was choked for a moment, then said unconvincedly: "Chuanzi is lucky, Dad, please don't say anything, we can't live together anyway, I have already prepared the divorce certificate, and I will go to the Civil Affairs Bureau this afternoon."

Li Dajun didn't know the reason why his daughter divorced, and the fact that Ling Jiale was not Ling Jiang's biological son, but he still tried his best to persuade his daughter to change her mind.

"Li, listen to others' advice and eat your fill. Don't be like your mother, who has been competitive all her life, but in the end, no one even wanted to give her a ride..."

No matter how hard Li Dajun tried to persuade her, Li Li remained unmoved, which made Li Dajun so worried that his hair almost turned white.

He could only ask his daughter with bitterness and helplessness what her future plans were.

"Because of your mother's funeral, the family now has no surplus food. Now that you are divorced, how are you going to spend the New Year this year..."

Li Dajun's words gave Li Li a reminder. She rolled her eyes and quickly made up her mind.

"Dad, don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Just after lunch, Lingchuan and two tricycles arrived outside the Li family’s door.

Looking at the two tricycles filled with luggage and furniture, Li Dajun suddenly remembered something and asked his daughter, "Where is Jiale? Didn't you say Jiale was with you?"

"I've sent him to kindergarten, and I'll pick him up when I come back in the afternoon."

After hearing what his daughter said, Li Dajun couldn't help but worry, "You brought Jiale back to the countryside, what will he do with school in the future?"

This matter also made Li Li upset.

Originally, she planned to let her son Jiale attend kindergarten in the countryside for a year after the divorce. When he was old enough to go to elementary school, she would ask Ling Jiang to find a way to rent a house in the city for her and Jiale and send Jiale to study in the city.

Unfortunately, the plan is very good, but the reality is very skinny.

After Ling Jiang knew Ling Jiale's background, he refused to help her raise her son anymore. She had to find a way to raise money for her son's education.

After moving the things, Ling Jiang asked Ling Chuan, "Chuanzi, you haven't had lunch yet, right? I'll go ask Dad if there's any noodles left at home, so I can cook some for you..."

"No need, big brother." Ling Chuan held Ling Jiang, "I met a mantou seller on the road, so I bought some and ate them."

Knowing that Ling Chuan had eaten, Ling Jiang nodded with relief, "Then, shall we go back now?"

Ling Chuan asked hurriedly: "Brother, have you got the divorce certificate?"

"It's open. We went to the township government to get a certificate before returning."

Ling Chuan nodded, "That's good, let's go."

“Yeah.”

When seeing them off, Li Dajun held Ling Jiang's hand tightly and refused to let go, his eyes full of reluctance. "Dajiangzi, please come to our house more often when you have time..."

Looking at Li Dajun's thin face and graying temples, Ling Jiang felt uncomfortable.

"Dad, take care of yourself. I will bring Chunhua back to see you when I have time."

"Well, take care, and be sure to come back often..."

Until the group was about to leave the village, Li Dajun was still standing at the door, looking in the direction they left, without moving for a long time.

—

It was already 3:30 in the afternoon when we returned to the Ling family, and there was still an hour and a half before the Civil Affairs Bureau closed.

Time was running out, so Yun Mo took out the printed divorce agreement and handed it to Ling Chuan and Li Li for review.

"I have printed out the agreement. Please take a look. If you have no problem, just sign it and go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to handle the formalities."

Afraid that the two would read too slowly, Yun Mo specifically explained each clause again.

“…That’s all. If there’s no problem, you can sign it now.”

Yun Mo handed the prepared pens to Ling Jiang and Li Li.

Ling Jiang had 100% trust in Yun Mo. He took the pen and quickly wrote his name on it.

Li Li calmly put the pen on the table and said, "Don't worry, we still have something to say."

Yun Mo subconsciously replied, "What?"

Li Li sneered, "Sister-in-law, divorce is between Ling Jiang and I, why are you in such a hurry?"

Yun Mo looked at the watch on her wrist. "It's almost four o'clock. The Civil Affairs Bureau will close in an hour. If you want to complete the divorce procedures today, you have to hurry."

Hearing this, Li Li no longer wasted time and turned to look at Ling Jiang. "20 yuan a month for living expenses, plus 10 kilograms of rice, I accept this condition, but how about the money for festivals and holidays?"

Ling Jiang was stunned by the question.

He only knew that he should honor his elders during the holidays, but he never thought about also honoring his ex-wife.

Seeing Ling Jiang remained silent, Yun Mo suggested, "Brother, I have an idea. We will increase the living expenses by 5 yuan each during the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, and 10 yuan during the Spring Festival. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)