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Lin Tingfeng gazed at her with a touch of sadness, his throat suddenly contorted as if he had contracted a severe throat ailment. He slowly said to her, "My mother suffered a lot because my father abandoned her. She has always felt guilty towards me, thinking that I also suffered a lot. However, those hardships actually helped me grow, and I am grateful for those years of suffering. But my mother doesn't see it that way. She forced me to swear an oath not to divorce, not to abandon my first wife and children. So, Xiaoyu, that's why I love you, but I can't divorce my wife to marry you. Of course, I also have my reasons. I love my two children. I never received fatherly love growing up, so I don't want to divorce and deprive them of fatherly love as well."
Ye Wenyu finally understood. Like finding the last link in a chain, the image of Lin Tingfeng's mother's initial attraction to her—a mixture of affection and wariness—resurfaced in her mind, like a photograph slowly revealing an object. At the time, she had been utterly bewildered by the old woman's expression, but now she understood. She liked her because she was her son's true love, someone who brought him happiness; she was wary because the old woman saw her as the mistress who had destroyed her family, leaving her with nothing and kicking her out of the house. She hated that woman, and ultimately, by extension, she hated all third parties who destroy families.
Thinking of this, Ye Wenyu felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She nodded heavily and said in a hoarse voice, "I understand, but I can't—" She understood his hardships since childhood and respected and even admired him as a person, but she also had her own principles for being a person and doing things.
Lin Tingfeng immediately said, "I understand. You're a proud girl, and you can't go on like this forever. So, I've been thinking about this for the past six months. Xiaoyu, I've changed my mind." What? Like a bolt from the blue, Ye Wenyu looked up in astonishment, her eyes wide as she stared at Lin Tingfeng.
A glimmer of hope, like the rising sun, slowly rose from the darkness in her heart.
Would he change for her? Would he defy his mother for her?
She stared at him blankly, feeling both joy and disbelief.
Lin Tingfeng sighed, walked up to her, and took her hand, his heart filled with tenderness. Ye Wenyu was taken aback, but seeing his sincere expression, this time, she did not refuse.
She was filled with panic, wondering what he meant by changing his mind. Would he break the vow he made before the ancestral tablets for her sake?
Will you never leave me or marry again in this lifetime?
Lin Tingfeng said gently yet firmly, "That's right, I've changed my mind. Because I can't lose you, I have to consider things from your perspective. Knowing you as I do, if I don't make changes, you won't stay by my side forever, so I plan to persuade my mother that I want a divorce and then marry you."
For the past two years, she had been unhappy, like a frightened bird perched fearfully on his shoulder. He felt that she might fly away at any moment.
Really? Ye Wenyu looked up, staring blankly at Lin Tingfeng.
At this moment, she felt as if she had transformed into a warm tube, filled with the liquid of emotion.
Happiness came too quickly; her heart pounded wildly, she could hardly bear it. She gazed at him, her big eyes shining like stars.
She never imagined that he, so domineering and authoritarian, would one day consider things from her perspective and change for her! She wasn't stupid; she naturally knew that for wealthy and powerful families, marriage was not a game. Many marriages were for life, because divorce involved too many vested interests.
The wealthier a family is, the less likely they are to get divorced.
A large and prosperous family is like a big tree with many branches and leaves, and its roots are intertwined.
Ye Wenyu's eyes were red with emotion.
Lin Tingfeng nodded earnestly, as if he himself had finally found relief after a period of inner turmoil. He smiled easily and said slowly to her, "My eldest son is already in junior high school, and my youngest daughter is in elementary school. Actually, we're not divorced yet, but their mother has always neglected them, and I'm too busy with other things. I'm afraid the children won't grow up well in such a family environment. Besides, my daughter told me a few days ago that her father is unhappy, and if it's because he's unhappy with his mother, then we should get a divorce. She supports me, and my son heard this and said he supports me too. Considering you as well, I think I should get a divorce." A repressive family environment would make the two children like mushrooms, growing up in a dark environment, and their personalities probably wouldn't develop a sunny disposition.
Ye Wenyu remained silent. Lin Tingfeng gazed at her and said gently, "But Xiaoyu, my mother is a very stubborn person. The hurt my father caused her has affected her for the rest of her life. She will never be able to resolve this issue. Because my father is about to die, she projects that hatred onto me, or onto you."
At this point, Lin Tingfeng looked at Ye Wenyu with some concern.
When Ye Wenyu heard him mention his mother, she recalled the old woman's somewhat neurotic demands and gaze, and a chill ran down her spine, giving her goosebumps.
Lin Tingfeng was silent for a while before continuing, "In her eyes, women and children who are divorced and abandoned are the most pitiful people in the world, and men and women who divorce and abandon others are the most despicable people in the world. She is like a stone, stubborn and unyielding. Her views are forged in iron and blood, and no one can shake them."
Ye Wenyu nodded gently. She understood. Lin Tingfeng's mother had been hurt too deeply back then, and now that she was old, it would probably be difficult to persuade her.
“However, I’m more persistent than her, so you have to believe me.” Lin Tingfeng smiled, held Ye Wenyu’s hand tightly, and said gently to her, “I will definitely divorce my husband for you, but it will take time. Be patient, believe me, give me time, and wait for me, okay?”
As he spoke, Lin Tingfeng's face became sincere, and his voice was almost pleading.
Ye Wenyu was deeply moved, a warm feeling washing over her. It was the first time she had realized that this arrogant and domineering man was actually changing for her. She felt warm and touched, and extremely happy.
She gazed at him, her eyes reddening and filled with tears. She choked out, "Okay, I'll wait for you!" Of course, she believed him. The problems they faced now were nothing compared to the hardships of his childhood. Back then, that little boy had managed to escape his mentally ill mother's constant pursuit, grow up safely, and become incredibly outstanding. As an adult, he was like the Count of Monte Cristo, successfully returning to the Lin family and reclaiming everything that originally belonged to him.
Ye Wenyu paused, stunned. She glanced at Lin Tingfeng and wondered if comparing him to the Count of Monte Cristo was inappropriate. However, he didn't mention how he successfully returned to the Lin family, gained his father's trust, avenged his mother, and obtained the right to inherit the Lin Group. He only briefly mentioned it.
Ye Wenyu was not without curiosity.
She was puzzled when Lin Tingfeng smiled and happily embraced her.
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