Chapter 282: 282 Liberation
After packing her clothes and belongings, she tied them securely on the back seat of the bike.
The bike was paid for by Lv Beiguang, and the tickets were also arranged by him. She rode away with a clear conscience.
Today, Lv Beiguang took the day off and went straight home to tidy up. He cleaned the kitchen according to his own preferences. As for the bedroom, it was still reserved for Jing Chu; he'd just make do in the side room.
The hundred yuan in his hand was initially meant to hire someone to build a house, but now it would have to wait until next year. However, Lv Beiguang didn't feel the loss; it was best that she could leave.
When he heard about the divorce this morning, he couldn't believe it. It felt like a pleasant surprise had dropped out of the sky.
He didn't even eat lunch, deliberately going to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some treats for the children to enjoy.
"Secretary She."
"Secretary Lv? What brings you here?"
"I came to buy some vegetables. Do you have any eggs?"
She Xiaoyun shook her head, "No eggs, come back tomorrow morning to buy them."
"I can't make it tomorrow morning; never mind then."
"Can't your wife come tomorrow?"
"I got divorced today."
She Xiaoyun looked at Lv Beiguang and didn't know how to describe him. His smile carried a sense of relief.
So immature, treating marriage so lightly. Why did you bother getting married in the first place?
Lv Beiguang noticed the disapproval in She Xiaoyun's eyes.
"Getting married was her and the kids' idea, and it was her idea to divorce too. I'm fine either way."
"How will you live your life like this? In a few years, when the kids grow up and each has their own family, what about you? You'll have no one to accompany you when you're old, and no one will know if you're unwell."
"I haven't thought about that yet. I'll worry about it when the kids are older," Lv Beiguang said with a smile.
She Xiaoyun didn't know how to persuade him; his thinking was truly unusual. Well, she had done her duty as a friend and shouldn't say too much.
Seeing the rice candy, she suddenly remembered it was Jiang Xinyu who prepared such snacks for the children. In the end, he bought two pounds of rice candy and went home.
She Xiaoyun wrote a letter to Jiang Xinyu that evening, mentioning what she had seen about Lv Beiguang today. She remarked, in the end, that such people are rare.
After picking up his two children, the only ones left at home were the three of them. That night, he made sorghum rice porridge for them.
"Don't eat too much; I bought you some rice candy today, and it's in the room."
"Dad, what made you think of buying rice candy?"
"There wasn't much else at the supply and marketing cooperative, so I bought it when I saw it."
"We used to have rice candy because Aunt Jiang bought it for us. I wonder how Aunt Jiang is doing now. Dad, if you were going to find us a stepmother, Aunt Jiang would be great."
Lv Beiguang paused for a moment at his daughter's words, "Why do you think Aunt Jiang would be good?"
"Dad, don't you think Aunt Jiang is wonderful?"
Lv Beiguang nodded, "It's not possible between us; I'm much older than your Aunt Jiang."
Jing Chu just shrugged. In her heart, she wished her father wouldn't find them a stepmother at all.
"Jing Chu, you're older now. I cleaned out the east room today, so you can stay there."
"Where will you stay, Dad?"
"In the side room; it's fine for me."
Guodong put down his chopsticks, "Dad, how about we share a room, or I can stay in the side room."
Lv Beiguang was touched by his son's words, "Alright, we'll share a room."
The matter of Hu Xuefeng had left a shadow in the children's hearts. Now that they were older, thinking back to their childhood with their aunt and now knowing the truth, they realized their aunt was never truly good to them.
Now they understood that the one who truly cared for them was their dad, only their dad, who always showed them such tenderness.
Lv Beiguang lay with his son, the weather still too hot for shirts, both in just shorts.
"Dad, my sister was right today. I also really like Aunt Jiang."
Lv Beiguang turned to his son, "Son, liking her won't make it possible. When you grow up, you'll understand. Your Aunt Jiang will always be your Aunt Jiang."
"Dad, do you mean Aunt Jiang would become like our aunt if she became a stepmother?"
Lv Beiguang laughed, "Certainly not. Your Aunt Jiang has no personal issues. It's just that Dad doesn't deserve her. She's too good."
"Dad, do you like my Aunt Jiang?"
"I once had feelings, but knowing it's impossible, I held back. Son, understand this: when you know something's impossible, don't let yourself fall into it."
"Dad, you're saying Aunt Jiang doesn't like you?"
"Yes, she only sees me as a friend, so I can't mess that up. We'll remain friends in the future."
Guodong didn't agree with his father's words, "Dad, I think anything is possible. You should try, that's what our teacher says."
"Son, remember, feelings aren't something you can achieve just by trying hard."
The two fell into silence. For Lv Beiguang, Jiang Xinyu had truly moved him, in a way even his wife never had.
But he knew it was impossible, with such a big age gap, and himself with two children. He couldn't let himself be indulgent.
Friends can last a lifetime, but if that layer was broken, they might not even remain friends.
That girl was also very rational and wise, and he didn't want her to change due to life's trivialities in the future.
Lv Beiguang thought about their time in Russia together, seeing her pretend strength; it was when he was most moved.
Forget it. It's best to keep things the same.
"Dad, are we going to Grandma and Grandpa's this Saturday?"
"Do you both want to go back? Dad won't force you."
"Dad, we're grown; we can tell right from wrong. Let's go back and see them."
"Of course, your grandparents love you very much. They just don't know how to show it, but you can discover that for yourselves."
"Dad, we were young before, but we'll never be like that again."
"Yes, my daughter and son have grown up. I gave your aunt a hundred yuan, telling her not to disturb the three of us again. When you're grown and if she really is in trouble and finds you, it's up to you to decide to help or not. After all, she did raise you. That's still a kindness."
"I understand. I'll tell Jing Chu."
"Dad, was my mom really harmed by my aunt?"
"No, the main reason was your mother's lack of confidence, not trusting me, and always listening to your aunt.
Since the incident with your mom, I've never interacted with other women. Your Aunt Jiang is the only one I stay in contact with."
"Dad, I agree with you finding another wife, just afraid you might not be good to us anymore."