Huang Guohua realized it was Li Dalan's idea and could only make a helpless expression: "If the in-laws want to draw up a contract, then let them draw it up! You guys take care of it. I don't know much about that stuff. Xiaoya can take a look at it later. I'll be responsible for signing and putting my fingerprint on it."
Now, a construction team has joined Xixia Village. The clanging and hammering sounds from Huang's courtyard all day long blend into the lively atmosphere around them. For several days in a row, Huang Guohua has taken leave to build a house at home, working extra hard and with undiminished enthusiasm. However, Huang Minghao can't keep up. After several days of hard labor, he can't take it anymore and has almost quit several times, but he doesn't dare to show it in front of his father-in-law.
Over the next two days, not long after he started work, his movements became slow, and he would need to rest after working for a short while. He would run to his room and fall fast asleep. His mother-in-law comforted him with concern and asked about his well-being, preparing delicious food for him every day to nourish his body. Huang Guohua was so angry that he couldn't openly express his anger, so he could only give him meaningful glances and glare at him helplessly.
As the weather grew cooler in the mornings and evenings, the house construction proceeded in full swing. The midday sun was still blazing. On this particular day, Grandpa unexpectedly came over. He stood in the yard and surveyed the area. His imposing gaze and powerful posture made the father and son feel intimidated. The two of them involuntarily quickened their pace, and their fatigue disappeared.
In the days following his appearance, Grandpa would come over every noon to keep watch, making the two men extremely nervous. They had an innate fear of Grandpa and dared not slack off in their work, working diligently and conscientiously.
During this period, Huang Minghao worked during the day and his schedule became normal. He no longer had the energy to go out drinking and playing cards at night. He took the initiative to sleep in the small room next door. Every night after dinner, you could hear him snoring. Perhaps he had never done such heavy work before. It was as if he had shed a layer of skin. His mother-in-law couldn't believe that her son had been transformed and worked so hard without complaint.
His condition reminded her of her younger brother, Shuhuai. The last time she saw him, he was working as a laborer on the big ridge for more than ten days, enduring the high temperature and sweating profusely. He seemed to have inexhaustible energy, yet she never heard him say he was tired.
Construction was nearing completion, and Huang Minghao's vacation was over. He was about to set off to return to his post at sea.
Just like when he came back, he carried the same black bag, which contained several clean clothes. As usual, Jiang Shuya helped him tidy up and put on the nautical uniform. The uniform had been ironed by Jiang Shuya, and the upper body was straight with distinct lines and no wrinkles. The well-fitting uniform perfectly showcased the male figure and highlighted his masculine strength.
The mother-in-law looked reluctant to part with him, her eyes glistening with tears. She filled a suitcase with local specialties and told him that if he missed home while on the ship, he should call home as soon as they reached the shore. She also told him to give some of the Nanjing specialties in the suitcase to his superiors and colleagues, and not to skimp on himself... Huang Minghao put one hand in his pocket, patted Tangtang's head in his mother-in-law's arms, and smiled kindly at her.
Tangtang blinked her adorable big eyes. With a face exactly like Huang Minghao's, she clearly had a good impression of the man she wasn't very familiar with. Sharing the same blood, she danced around, mimicking her grandmother's farewell gesture, and even innocently blew a kiss.
Grandpa stepped forward and encouraged him, saying, "A real man can bend and stretch, and must have a tenacious spirit. Don't become despondent when things happen. The road ahead is long. Only by persevering can you stand out from the crowd."
Seeing the encouraging look his grandfather gave him, Huang Minghao understood and nodded easily: "Grandpa, I will do as you say. Please take good care of yourself and wait for me to come back!"
After saying goodbye to everyone, Huang Minghao reluctantly sat in the car and glanced at Jiang Dao a few times. He pursed his lips and remained silent. Jiang Shuya carried his black bag and dragged her suitcase, following behind like a servant. The suitcase was a bit heavy, and she struggled to carry it, so she simply hung the black bag on the suitcase and dragged it along. Huang Minghao gave her a cold look, without any tenderness or pity, as if she was supposed to serve him like this.
Just like in her previous life, Jiang Shuya escorted him to Zhongshan Wharf. Along the way, she sat next to him, feeling his presence but unable to sense his tenderness. There was no communication between them; they only heard the noise of the traffic and the announcements from the bus announcers.
As Huang Minghao turned his head, he inadvertently noticed the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her fair skin with a rosy glow, her profile with delicate eyebrows and white teeth, her pale pink lips slightly upturned, and the faint fragrance emanating from her body—a delicate floral scent of unknown origin—that entered his nose and mouth, making his breath quicken and his Adam's apple bob involuntarily. In a daze, he realized that he had never really looked at her closely before. Today, she was wearing a beige vest and belted long skirt, revealing her slender neck and snow-white arms, as serene as a pure white lotus flower. Pearl earrings adorned her earlobes, making her look elegant and fashionable, and he was completely captivated by her beauty.
When she realized he was looking at her, he instinctively turned his face away quickly.
Looking at the scenery rushing past the window, she seemed lost in thought. After a moment of contemplation, they finally arrived at Zhongshan Wharf. Seeing that it was still a while before boarding time, she pushed her luggage in front of him, pondered for a moment, took a deep breath, and took the initiative to break the cold atmosphere: "Shall we go to Shanghai Wharf to board the ship?"
He gave a blank "hmm," without looking at her, and leaned against the dock railing, gazing into the distance.
"When will you be back next time? In March?" she asked him hesitantly.
"Didn't I tell you I'm not going back?" He turned his head impatiently to look at the cargo ship in the distance on the river.
Sensing his annoyance, she calmly raised her head, and her clear and firm voice reached his ears.
"Let's get a divorce!" He frowned, incredulous, and looked at her in shock: "What did you say? You want a divorce?"
“Yes, I’ve thought it through carefully. You’ve been busy building the house, so I haven’t told you yet. I think you’ll agree. I’ll wait for you to come back next time so we can go through the formalities together,” Jiang Shuya said casually.
Unexpectedly, Huang Minghao's lips curled into a mocking smile. He looked up at her with a somewhat wicked expression: "You think divorce is that simple? Have you thought this through? Divorce will inevitably have to go through Grandpa's approval, you know that?"
"My grandfather is more satisfied with you, his granddaughter-in-law, than with me, his own grandson." Huang Minghao said, pointing to himself.
Jiang Shuya said firmly, "This is a matter between us and has nothing to do with Grandpa. We are incompatible and there is no need to continue to compromise. Life is long, and if we don't like each other, we will only hate each other. Why not get a divorce quickly?"
Seeing her determined look, Huang Minghao found it somewhat amusing. He then frowned and said in a low voice, "Fine, since you've made up your mind, let's break up! I only have one request: your family has to return the dowry money that my family paid when we got married, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to my grandfather. You can continue to live in my house until I come back, and you also have custody of Tangtang..."
Before Huang Minghao could finish speaking, Jiang Shuya interrupted him: "I will have custody of Tangtang, and I can consider returning the betrothal gifts."
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