Listening to Fang Jianjun's furious words, Jiang Xu actually smiled.
After uttering the words "I want a divorce," she had never felt so lighthearted before.
Over the past few years, her life had been oppressive and bleak, enduring daily bullying from the Fang family.
She had endured it all, simply to raise her two children, Zhiyan and Zhixia.
But now, Zhiyan, the elder brother, had already found his own path and become a doctor.
What did she have left to fear?
Now, Fang Jianjun dared to speak to her like this—he truly underestimated her.
Yes, a divorced woman might face gossip, but so what?
Could mere gossip break a woman protected by her son and daughter?
Never!
The current Jiang Xu feared nothing.
"You dare to divorce me?"
"Jiang Xu, have you lost your mind?"
"If I hadn't saved your father back then, he would have died!"
"Now, instead of repaying my kindness, you want a divorce? You're nothing but an ungrateful wretch!"
Fang Jianjun hurled curses beside her.
Hearing this, Jiang Zhao flew into a rage.
"That's bullshit!"
"You saved my father? You did nothing—you just happened to be drunk and saw it!"
"Even if you did my father a favor, all these years, my sister has served your family—cooking, cleaning, washing clothes—and you even beat her!"
"That debt was repaid long ago!"
"And now you dare to talk about kindness? What kindness? Nonsense!"
Jiang Zhao was seething, barely restraining himself from throwing another punch.
Beside him, Jiang Xu choked back a sob.
It was because of this so-called "kindness" that she had suffered for so many years.
All this time, she had endured silently, carrying this burden.
If there was any debt, it had long been settled.
Seeing no way to reason with them, Fang Jianjun sneered. "Fine, divorce me if you want. But the kids stay with me."
As soon as he spoke, Fang Zhixia shook her head frantically and retreated behind Jiang Xu.
Fang Zhiyan, however, slowly stepped forward.
"You really want me to stay with you?"
Fang Jianjun turned to look at him, his face instantly paling.
In Zhiyan's hand was the stick Jiang Zhao had dropped earlier, still stained with blood.
At this moment, he looked like a tiger descending the mountain.
A single step forward sent Fang Jianjun stumbling back in fear.
The sight drew a mocking smirk from Zhiyan.
"So this is all the courage you have? Just a bully at home, huh?"
Fang Jianjun's face twisted with shock and anger. "How dare you speak to me like that?"
"I'm your father, you unfilial brat!"
Zhiyan scoffed. "Oh? You never raised me. It was Mom who brought me up."
"Now you claim to be my father? Where were you all this time?"
His voice was icy.
Jiang Zhao and the others closed in, glaring fiercely at Fang Jianjun.
Under their collective gaze, Fang Jianjun's face turned ghostly pale.
He staggered back a few steps before pointing a trembling finger at his son.
"Fine, you rebellious bastard! Don't you dare come home again, or I'll beat you to death!"
With that final threat, he spun around and fled.
But in his haste, he tripped over an old man's cane, wobbled unsteadily, and fell flat on his face.
The crowd burst into laughter.
Fang Jianjun's face flushed crimson with humiliation.
He shot a hateful glance at everyone before scrambling up and bolting away.
The laughter grew louder, but he didn't dare look back.
Liang Damin, the women's association director, turned to Jiang Xu with a bright smile.
"Sister, if you ever need help, just call me."
"That scum isn't worth your time."
"Divorce is the only way to break free. I support you!"
Jiang Xu nodded, gratitude shining in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhao approached her slowly.
"Big Brother..."
Seeing him, Jiang Xu's expression turned uneasy.
"You moved out without telling us?"
"Do you know how worried we were?"
Jiang Zhao spoke with deep sorrow.
Then, he turned to his nephew Zhiyan and niece Zhixia.
"You have a job now? Where?"
"Uncle, I work at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital," Zhiyan explained.
Jiang Zhao blinked in surprise.
"You're at the TCM Hospital?"
"Well, at least Grandpa's skills live on in the family."
He sighed, then gently patted Zhixia's head.
In the distance, Xu Qiusheng hid in a corner, watching everything but too embarrassed to step forward.
She never imagined Dr. Fang's family situation was like this.
But just now, the way he stood up for his mother—so strong, so responsible—was incredibly manly!
Lost in thought, she decided not to reveal herself.
At the same time, Jiang Zhao sighed.
"Dad already knows you and the kids moved out."
"I only came today because Director Liang called me."
"That Fang Jianjun is truly despicable, treating you like this."
Hearing this, Jiang Xu's eyes welled up with tears.
"Just talk to Dad properly. He won't blame you."
In these times, a married daughter was like spilled water—once gone, she belonged to her husband's family.
Jiang Xu had rented a place outside, afraid her father would find out she'd left the Fang household.
Now, her vision blurred even more with tears.
Just as she began to sob, a hunched figure emerged from the crowd.
"Child, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
The moment she heard his voice, Jiang Xu gasped, and her tears fell harder.
"Dad!"
She dropped to her knees, her voice thick with years of pent-up sorrow.
The hunched figure—Jiang Tao, Jiang Xu's father and Zhiyan's grandfather—stared at his daughter for a long moment before sighing deeply.
"Ah, forget it. Get up. Let's talk inside."
Zhiyan quickly helped his mother to her feet.
The group filed into the small rental house, making the already cramped space feel even tighter.
The old man sat down slowly, his eyes filled with grief.
Seeing his daughter living in such conditions, Jiang Tao's heart ached with indescribable bitterness.
He looked up and asked helplessly, "If Fang Jianjun hit you, why didn't you tell me?"
"I married him to repay his kindness to you," Jiang Xu murmured, head bowed, voice trembling.
"Nonsense!"
Jiang Tao smacked his thigh in frustration, glaring at his daughter.
"You're my child! How could I let you suffer to repay a debt for me?"
"I only wanted you to have a good life. I never thought he'd turn out like this!"
With another heavy sigh, he shook his head.
"Enough. There's no point dwelling on it."
"Tell me—are you really prepared for this divorce?"