Looking at Elder Li's frail appearance, Jiang Wanyi felt a tight constriction in her chest.
Yet she had no intention of compromising herself.
The tragedy of her past life was still vivid in her mind. She knew full well what her fate would be if she refused to divorce. The same tragedy could not be allowed to happen a second time.
"Grandfather, whether we divorce or not is not up to me; it depends on Li Cheng'an's attitude. For now, I have no intention of changing my mind."
Elder Li naturally knew that the Li Family had wronged her, but he truly did not want to lose such a fine granddaughter-in-law.
"Cheng'an is being foolish. I will have a proper talk with him. If possible, Grandfather hopes you can give him a chance."
Jiang Wanyi did not want to cause the old man grief, so she had no choice but to nod. "Very well."
In truth, their divorce was not a question of whether or not to give a chance.
Over the years, she had already given far too many chances.
Yet her blind forbearance had only brought in return escalating mistreatment.
Jiang Wanyi looked back at Li Cheng'an, who was standing in the doorway with a gloomy expression. He had clearly heard every word just now.
"Get some rest, Grandfather. I will come to visit you another day." Jiang Wanyi turned around and tenderly tucked the blanket in for the old man.
"Go on then." Knowing her temper, Elder Li did not stop her. He merely gazed at her departing figure and let out a long sigh.
As Jiang Wanyi passed by Li Cheng'an, she did not even slow her pace.
It was as if Li Cheng'an were some filthy object to be avoided at all costs.
The moment Jiang Wanyi left, all affection vanished from Elder Li's eyes. "You still have the nerve to show your face here!"
"Grandfather, Jiang Wanyi is just deliberately making a scene now. She simply can't stand to see the family at peace." Li Cheng'an walked forward impatiently, his mind filled with the look Jiang Wanyi had just given him.
In the past, those eyes had always looked at him with deep affection and tenderness.
Now, however, there was only coldness and resentment.
Regrettably, Li Cheng'an still refused to believe that Jiang Wanyi was serious. After all, this woman had once loved him to the point of obsession, and he was convinced she could not bear to divorce him.
Everything she was doing now was merely an attempt to draw his attention.
"Crack!"
A sharp slap interrupted Li Cheng'an's words.
Elder Li trembled with rage. "You ungrateful wretch! Have you forgotten how much Wanyi has sacrificed for you all these years?"
Li Cheng'an clutched his face, staring at his grandfather in disbelief.
This was the very first time Elder Li had ever raised a hand against him.
"Right from the start of your venture, it was Wanyi who begged her maternal grandfather to pull strings and pave the way for you! When your company's capital chain was on the verge of snapping, it was she who mortgaged her own dowry!" Elder Li's voice trembled. "And how do you repay her? By philandering with Jiang Jiaojiao?"
"Grandfather!" Li Cheng'an defended himself. "She did all of that of her own free will! Besides, Jiaojiao and I aren't as despicable as you make us out to be!"
Li Cheng'an was quick to defend Jiang Jiaojiao.
Yet his attitude toward his own lawful wife was worlds apart.
Elder Li might have been old, but he was not senile. He instantly understood why Jiang Wanyi was so determined to get a divorce.
"Shut your mouth!" he roared, before breaking into a violent fit of coughing.
In a panic, Li Cheng'an hurried forward to steady him. "Please don't get so worked up. The doctor said you mustn't fly into a rage."
"If you want me to get better, go and apologize to Wanyi!"
The refusal still lingered on Li Cheng'an's lips, but when he saw the old man's frail and weakened state, he swallowed his words and fell silent.
After catching his breath, Elder Li closed his eyes in exhaustion. "Cheng'an, Grandfather is old and can no longer manage the affairs of you young people. But think carefully—without Wanyi, would you and your son have what you have today?"
"If you truly divorce, you and An'an will never know another good day. That Jiang Jiaojiao is clearly no good; she is not cut out to be a wife!"
"Yes, Grandfather, you're right." Li Cheng'an lowered his head, though a flash of impatience crossed his eyes.
"Go find Wanyi and make amends. Show her your sincerity, and perhaps things won't have to reach the point of divorce," Elder Li said earnestly.
Li Cheng'an nodded perfunctorily. "I know. Rest assured and focus on recovering."
Stepping out of the hospital room, Li Cheng'an's expression immediately darkened.
Apologize to Jiang Wanyi? Never. That woman simply needed a lesson in obedience!
Jiang Wanyi knew nothing of this. After leaving the hospital, she went straight to her newly rented apartment. Before she even had a chance to steep a cup of tea, her phone rang.
The caller ID showed "Li Cheng'an." She deliberately let it ring almost to the end before answering.
"Where are you?" Li Cheng'an's voice came through the receiver.
"I've gone home," Jiang Wanyi replied with a hint of impatience.
Li Cheng'an's tone carried his habitual command. "I called the Jiang Family, and you haven't gone back at all. Jiang Wanyi, even self-will has its limits. What kind of game is playing disappearing act supposed to be?"
"In what capacity is President Li inquiring about my whereabouts?" Jiang Wanyi poured herself a glass of water at a leisurely pace.
Ever since letting go of Li Cheng'an, she felt a great weight lift from her world, and she paid no mind to the implication in his words.
A sharp intake of breath came clearly from the other end of the line. Clearly, Li Cheng'an had been infuriated by her words.
Suppressing his rising anger, Li Cheng'an said, "Stop acting out. Give me your address, and I'll send someone to pick you up and bring you home."
"Home?" Jiang Wanyi gave a light laugh. "Li Cheng'an, haven't you grasped the reality of the situation yet? That place stopped being my home a long time ago."
"Must you be so stubborn?" Li Cheng'an's voice turned cold. "Without the Li Family to back you up, do you think the Jiang Family will treat you with any civility? Don't forget your standing in the Jiang Family!"
Those words struck like a knife straight into Jiang Wanyi's heart.
It was true—ever since her grandfather passed away, her status in the Jiang Family had plummeted.
So what if it had?
She was no longer the soft, easily manipulated pushover she used to be. Nor did she need these hypocritical ties; cutting off useless social connections was far cleaner.
"How I live my life requires no trouble on President Li's part." Jiang Wanyi's voice was calm, yet every word was like ice. "Instead of fretting over this, you'd better figure out how to sign the divorce papers."
"Divorce?" Li Cheng'an laughed out of anger. "Jiang Wanyi, let me tell you—this divorce is not happening! Don't even dream of it without my consent."
Jiang Wanyi frowned deeply. Was this man out of his mind?
Once they divorced, he would be free to openly marry Jiang Jiaojiao. What was wrong with that? Did he enjoy sneaking around in a clandestine affair?
"I will contact a lawyer. Whether we divorce or not is not up to you to decide," Jiang Wanyi said, and hung up the phone.
Some people were better off out of sight and out of mind.
Li Cheng'an never expected Jiang Wanyi to hang up on him so bluntly, and his face turned livid with rage.
She had been the one desperate to marry into the family in the first place, and now she was making a fuss over wanting a divorce. Did she take the Li Family for fools to be played with?
Just as Li Cheng'an was flying into a rage, Li Cheng'an suddenly pushed open the door and entered tearfully. "Daddy! My tooth hurts."