Volume 1, Chapter 31: Divorce Is Such a Hassle; I Just Want to Inherit the Estate

Lu Shennshen: "Is she being this blatant and brazen?"

Jiang Yunyao: "Your nemesis is having another episode."

Lu Shennshen was so shocked her mouth hung open. "Isn't she afraid of karma for cursing herself like that?" She couldn't help but scoff, "Hilarious. Chen Jiaojiao isn't having an episode; she's just being a bitch."

"By the way, did I forget to tell you? Chen Nianke doesn't have depression at all. She lived quite a wild life abroad. Once she left the country, it was as if she’d unlocked a new world; she completely let herself go. She’s never been without a boyfriend. According to incomplete statistics, she’s had at least ten, from all over the world—yellow skin, white skin, she didn’t even spare those with black skin. A time-management master like that has no time to be depressed."

"And according to unreliable sources, one of her ex-boyfriends was found to be HIV-positive."

Jiang Yunyao was truly startled. "Doesn't that mean Duan Yixiao is at risk? Don't scare me!"

"Don't worry. I confirmed it for you—she's fine. But after that incident, everyone started distancing themselves from her. She didn't dare mess around anymore and crawled back to the country, looking like a total wreck," Lu Shennshen quickly reassured her.

Jiang Yunyao sighed. "Sigh, he managed to dodge a bullet."

Lu Shennshen was surprised by her reaction and teased, "Don't tell me you actually wanted old Duan to catch something."

"If I could just inherit the estate directly, I wouldn't have to go through the trouble of a divorce."

"Hahaha, that is so you!" Lu Shennshen’s bold, unrestrained laughter pierced through the night.

Meanwhile, a dramatic performance of life and death was unfolding at the Chen residence.

Duan Yixiao stood at the door of Chen Nianke's room, patiently coaxing her: "Nianke, why don't you come out and eat something? No matter what, you shouldn't let yourself get sick from anger."

Chen Nianke replied in a fit of pique, her voice thick with tears: "Why are you still here? Why do you still care about me? I don't need your concern! Just go!"

"Nianke, be good, listen to me. Come out, alright? I'll take you wherever you want to eat," Duan Yixiao coaxed her gently.

"I have no appetite for food right now. Duan Yixiao, I trusted you so much, yet you lied to me. Do you think it's fun to play with me? Even if my parents were prejudiced against you back then, were they wrong to prioritize their daughter's happiness?" Chen Nianke cried aggrievedly.

"I didn't lie to you. What happened in the past is over; I understand how your parents felt. Duan Mingxian vehemently opposed this collaboration, and then my father intervened. I couldn't change his decision. But believe me, I will find another opportunity for us to work together. Think about your [Dust Charm]—it can open after the New Year. Perhaps after the holiday, it will become a bestselling brand, selling one hit product after another..."

The door clicked open, revealing Chen Nianke’s haggard, pale face and eyes as red as a rabbit's. She stood there, so thin and fragile that a gust of wind seemed capable of knocking her over—a stark contrast to her usual proud and refined image.

Standing to the side, Chen’s mother and father wept with joy. "Daughter, you finally came out! You worried us to death!"

Duan Yixiao let out a sigh of relief, his thin lips curling into a smile of pity.

The next second, Chen Nianke threw herself into his arms. "Duan Yixiao, I suppose I've really fallen into your trap."

What man could resist his "white moonlight" saying such things? Duan Yixiao felt his heart melt, accompanied by a vague sense of vanity. After all, back in the day, Chen Nianke was the goddess in the eyes of so many men, yet she chose him. Years later, she still chose him.

"Duan Yixiao, it's all because of you that people are calling me a mistress," Chen Nianke complained, burying her face in his chest.

Duan Yixiao rested his hand on her waist, a flicker of apology in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Who wants your apology? There's no sincerity in it at all." Her voice was hoarse, like a broken instrument, as if she had been crying for a long time.

"Then what do you want? How about you eat something first?" Duan Yixiao’s words were full of indulgence.

"Then you make it for me," she said, pushing her luck.

"Hmm, no problem."

"How is it?" Duan Yixiao had limited culinary skills and ended up just boiling her a bowl of tomato egg noodles.

Chen Nianke took a slurp of the noodles and asked mischievously, "Have you ever cooked for Jiang Yunyao?"

Duan Yixiao’s gaze dimmed slightly. In his memory, he had indeed never cooked for Jiang Yunyao. On the contrary, Jiang Yunyao had often gone to great lengths to prepare delicious meals for him.

In truth, he knew how to cook basic fare. When he was a child in the countryside, he would often help Zhou Manhua in the kitchen. Over time, he had learned.

"No," he shook his head, a subtle, indescribable emotion rising in his heart.

Chen Nianke instantly beamed. "I knew it. Your skills really aren't that great; you can tell you’ve never practiced."

Hearing her disdainful tone, Duan Yixiao couldn't put a name to the feeling.

He said softly, "If it's not good, don't eat it. I'll have the maid make you something better."

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?" Chen Nianke stared straight at him.

"No. I just don't want you to force yourself to eat it." He was full of tolerance and consideration for her.

"That won't do. You rarely cook; I must give you some credit." Chen Nianke was indeed cooperative, finishing the whole bowl.

Duan Yixiao told her to get some rest, preparing to leave.

Chen Nianke looked reluctant, clutching his arm. "Can you stay a little longer?"

Duan Yixiao checked his watch, but ultimately stayed. "Then I'll stay and chat with you for a while."

Chen Nianke deliberately led him through a trip down memory lane, recalling their sweet past. Back then, she was the school beauty, he was the heartthrob and the top student; everyone envied them.

When they reached the memory of their first kiss at the cinema, Chen Nianke deliberately looked at him with wet, glistening eyes.

Duan Yixiao couldn't help but feel a surge of agitation, and the next moment, Chen Nianke kissed him intensely.

It was past midnight when Duan Yixiao finally left.

"You're just letting him go like that?" Chen’s mother walked down from upstairs, speaking with deep regret.

Chen Nianke was using a makeup wipe to remove her cosmetics. She had specifically applied "sick makeup" to look pale and weak. Fortunately, Duan Yixiao was a dense man and couldn't tell at all.

"Otherwise what? You have to play the long game to catch a big fish. To him, the cost of divorce is too high; he won't do it easily. He currently just feels guilty toward me and fears my depression might relapse. But he hasn't reached the point of giving up his marriage for me yet."

"You need to hurry up. Jiang Yunyao is about to give birth; pregnancy and the lactation period are the best times for you to strike," her mother reminded her.

"Still, Jiang Yunyao is quite composed." According to Chen Nianke’s plan, Jiang Yunyao should have been fighting with Duan Yixiao by now. That would make Duan Yixiao grow increasingly resentful of Jiang Yunyao, and his affections would gradually tilt toward her.

But Jiang Yunyao neither fought nor made a scene, as if she hadn't noticed anything wrong with Duan Yixiao at all.

"Do you think she’s really become 'stupid for three years' because of the pregnancy?" Chen Nianke couldn't quite grasp Jiang Yunyao’s thoughts.