20demayo Chapter 164 That's all for now.
Chapter 164 That's all for now.
In the city, after the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the New Year celebrations are basically over, and government agencies and enterprises start working again. Only private enterprises and shops will celebrate the New Year more thoroughly, and they will not open for business until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
After eating glutinous rice balls on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Chang Xidi handed Jian Zheng a passport.
Jian Zheng took it, opened the passport's cover page, and asked in surprise, "Is this my passport? Mom, why are you giving me your passport? I need my travel permit to go back to Hong Kong Island, I don't need a passport."
Chang Xidi said in a deep voice, "I know. Take your ticket and buy a flight from the Maldives to Hong Kong Island. That way, you can stay in Hong Kong Island for seven days. After you return to the University of Hong Kong to complete the withdrawal procedures, go directly to the Maldives to find your father. He has already made all the arrangements for you there."
"Why would I go to Malta? I'm not going. After I finish the withdrawal procedures, I'll go back to Xichuan."
"You good child."
"Mom, didn't you promise me you wouldn't interfere in my affairs anymore? You've forgotten, right here before the New Year, you said it yourself."
"It's about you dropping out of school. Mom supports you. I didn't say I'd abandon you in the future."
“Mom…” Jian Zheng drawled, scolding, “How can you go back on your word like this? If you’re being unreasonable, I’ll talk to Dad.”
"Your dad isn't coming back."
"What do you mean? Mom, what do you mean? What do you mean you're not coming back? What are you two planning this time?"
“Sit down and listen to me,” Chang Xidi said sternly and seriously.
Upon hearing the sound, Jian Zheng instinctively sat down with a thud and stared at Chang Xidi with wide eyes.
Chang Xidi turned and went back to their bedroom. Jian Zheng was wondering what was going on when she came out with an iron box, placed it on the table, and said to Jian Zheng, "Open it."
Jian Zheng glanced at Chang Xidi in surprise, dragged the iron box over, and said angrily, "Open it then."
The metal box was opened, revealing two small green booklets inside, each bearing the words "Divorce Certificate." A chill ran down his spine; a sense of foreboding washed over him. He picked up one booklet, flipped it open, and saw the words "Chang Xidi and Jian Fangze, Divorce." He quickly picked up the other booklet, opened it, and saw "Jian Fangze and Chang Xidi, Divorce."
"You two? What happened? You two got divorced? When did this happen? I didn't know that."
Faced with a barrage of questions, Chang Xidi sat down opposite Jian Zheng and calmly said, "Last month, your father and I went through divorce proceedings."
Jian Zheng angrily said, "Why? What happened? You didn't even tell me beforehand, and this family is just gone like this. You parents are so irresponsible. You both said you loved me, is this how you love me?"
After a hysterical outburst, her emotions gradually calmed down. She stared blankly at the two little green books, unsure whether her world had collapsed or her warm home was gone. It seemed like both, yet neither.
Chang Xidi watched Jian Zheng break down, ignoring him and offering no advice. She patiently waited for him to calm down after the breakdown. This process was essential; only after all the emotions had been released could they sit down and start talking about what was to come, because what they were about to discuss was the most important thing.
"You've finished venting your anger, can you listen to me now?" Chang Xidi said slowly.
Jian Zheng lowered his eyelids, stared at the table, and softly hummed in agreement.
Chang Xidi took a deep breath and said with difficulty, "Zheng'er, your father and I are divorced, but our family is not broken up because of you."
She paused, then continued, "Your father and I have already made arrangements for you. You've always been an obedient child, and you won't let us down this time. Tomorrow you'll go back to Hong Kong Island to complete the withdrawal procedures. If the school is on winter break and the Academic Affairs Office isn't open yet, that's okay; you can complete the procedures later. You'll fly directly from Hong Kong Island to the Maldives. Keep your passport handy; we've already processed a Maldives work visa for you, allowing you to stay in the Maldives for a year. Your father will pick you up at the airport, and you'll meet there. Your father has arranged everything. When you get there, listen to your father, okay?"
Jian Zheng raised his head, his eyes welling up with tears. He held them back, not letting them fall. Although it was not shameful to cry in front of his mother, he was now filled with a sense of responsibility and duty. His family had already experienced changes, and now was not the time for him to be vulnerable.
He pursed his lips tightly, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked the question that had been on his mind, "Why did you and Dad make this arrangement? You want me to be obedient, and I can do that, but I'm an adult now. You should tell me why."
“I’ve run into problems at work and have been suspended pending investigation. I will face what I have to face, and I’m willing to cooperate for as long as it takes. But it can’t be that you’re involved. You are my bottom line, and that’s absolutely unacceptable. Your father and I have discussed it, and we’ve decided that someone needs to take care of you and keep you safe. The only person who can do that right now is your father. So we’ve decided to do this.”
Before Jian Zheng could ask any more questions, Chang Xidi quickly added, "I know what you're going to ask. It's nothing more than why I didn't discuss it with you beforehand. If you want to get angry, then go ahead and get angry. Anyone can solve problems by venting their emotions. In fact, it's worthless except for causing trouble."
The next day, following the plan his mother had set for him, Jian Zheng took a midday flight to Hong Kong Island.
As she was leaving, Chang Xidi said to Jian Zheng meaningfully, "Take good care of yourself and your father. I won't go to the airport to see you off; let's say goodbye here."
Jian Zheng gently hugged his mother, not wanting her to be sad, and casually said "BYE-BYE" before leaving the house.
Years later, this scene remains a painful memory for Jian Zheng.
A week later, he had successfully flown to the Maldives via Hong Kong Island and met his father. Jian Fangze and Jian Zheng spent half a month having a blast in this small tropical country.
One morning, the two had just finished breakfast and were discussing where to go swimming when Jian Fangze received a phone call. He hurriedly told Jian Zheng that there was an urgent matter at the company that required him to go on a business trip, which would take a while before he could return. So, he entrusted the unfamiliar Jian Zheng to an auntie at the company...
A month later, Jian received the emails that Chang Xidi sent regularly:
"son,
By the time you read this email, Mom will be gone, gone very, very far away.
Mom made a serious mistake. She knows she's wrong, but there's no chance to correct it. The consequences are unbearable for her. Since it's a mistake, there will be a price to pay. After much thought, the only option seems to be to "desert." It's funny, but several times I made up my mind, but seeing your smiling face, I couldn't bear to leave and gave up. It seems that even "deserting" takes courage.
Son, you know I've never lacked courage to get to where I am today. Even though it dragged on until after the New Year, we had a good year together, which was nice. The new millennium, the beginning of all things—let this be the best memory I can leave for you.
Son, don't stop, keep moving forward. Your mother won't be able to influence you from there, and your path will definitely become wider and wider.
Okay, that's all for now, my son. Mommy loves you!