Volume One, Chapter 27: We Didn’t Make a Mistake; We’re Here to Divorce

It is always congested during the rainy season.

Su Wanqing was having a streak of bad luck today. Her original time estimate had been perfect, but a car accident up ahead caused a delay, making her several minutes late. After finally parking, she dashed toward the Civil Affairs Bureau, clutching her umbrella.

From a distance, she spotted Xie Yanchen standing at the entrance, looking impatient. He was dressed in a bespoke, high-end black suit, one hand tucked into his pocket. Several young women were gathered in front of him, nudging each other and whispering in awe as they pointed at his exceptionally handsome face. Even from afar, Su Wanqing could sense the icy aura radiating from him, though the young women seemed completely oblivious to it.

Wang Zhengzhen, who was holding an umbrella over Xie Yanchen, was just starting to worry that his boss was about to lose his temper when he finally spotted the tardy Su Wanqing.

"Madam!" he called out, waving his hand.

Su Wanqing offered him a polite smile and quickened her pace. As Xie Yanchen looked up and saw her approaching, dressed up with extra care, he was momentarily stunned. Although he had always known she was beautiful, he hadn’t seen her make an effort with her appearance in a long time; at first glance, he almost mistook her for a celebrity. A flicker of admiration crossed his eyes, but he suppressed it instantly, his expression turning impatient. "Why are you so slow?"

His voice was slightly raspy. He had stayed up all night, and then been forced into a two-hour phone call with Su Wanning that morning. Unable to wait any longer, he had arrived early, expecting that Su Wanqing—who usually arrived half an hour ahead of schedule—would be there. To his irritation, not only was she not early, but she was late. He had been standing in the wind and rain for over half an hour!

Thinking of his own misery from the night before and that morning, he looked at Su Wanqing as if she were an enemy. Without hesitation, he turned and headed into the Bureau.

Surprisingly, it seemed to be an auspicious day for weddings, as a long line had already formed. As they walked in, they saw many young couples holding their small red marriage certificates, looking as if they might jump for joy. Their happiness stood in sharp contrast to the divorce line.

Standing at the back of the queue, Xie Yanchen shot an annoyed glance at Wang Zhengzhen. The latter quickly explained, "I apologize, Mr. Xie. I arrived early to get a number, but since Madam was late, our turn passed and we have to re-queue..."

Su Wanqing sensed his impatience. "It’s my fault. Why don't I wait in line, and you go sit somewhere else?"

Xie Yanchen didn't respond, merely standing there and fiddling with his phone with a look of indifference. Su Wanqing glanced over and saw that he seemed to be chatting with Su Wanning on WeChat. She wisely kept her mouth shut, not wanting to disturb their conversation.

She had no idea that Xie Yanchen’s frustration, which had been building all night, had just been significantly eased by her suggestion. He had arrived early not just because of the trouble he’d had the night before, but because he didn't truly believe she would let him go. When nine o'clock had approached and she hadn't appeared, he had secretly felt pleased, thinking she wouldn't really go through with the divorce—only for her to show up after all. Her offer just now convinced him that she was still reluctant to part with him and was constantly focused on his needs.

He nodded to himself with satisfaction, no longer feeling restless as he watched the steady stream of people.

The line moved quickly, and soon it was their turn. The staff member, who had been expressionless, brightened up the moment she saw Xie Yanchen, and brightened even more when she saw Su Wanqing.

"This is the divorce department," she said, frowning. "Weddings are over there." She assumed such a young and attractive couple must have made a mistake.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Su Wanqing’s face, but she sat down, pulled out her marriage certificate and ID card, and explained, "We're in the right place. We are here to get a divorce."

Seeing how eager she was to distance herself, a surge of irritation swept through Xie Yanchen. He took his time retrieving his documents, though he was still faster than Su Wanqing. Watching her search through her bag, he frowned. "What are you doing?"

Su Wanqing was starting to sweat. She distinctly remembered putting the documents in her bag last night; why couldn't she find them now? "Wait... wait a second."

People behind them began to grumble. "What’s going on? Why are you dragging your feet over a divorce?"

"How long does it take to find a marriage certificate and an ID? If you aren't going to do it, move to the back and stop wasting everyone’s time!"

"Exactly! You’ve been in line for so long and you haven't even prepared your documents? Are you even serious about this?"

"Hurry up!"

Seeing the crowd becoming agitated, the staff member, unable to keep waiting just because the couple was easy on the eyes, suggested, "Why don't you swap places with the person behind you?"

The moment she finished speaking, the man standing beside Su Wanqing shot her a cold glare, causing her to shrink back. Xie Yanchen then glanced at the people complaining behind him. "Are you in such a hurry?"

It was a simple question, but the aura he exuded made everyone tremble. The person who had been shouting the loudest lost their nerve. "Well, I... I'm not in that much of a hurry. Take your time. We all took the day off specifically for this, so I can wait."

Xie Yanchen swept his gaze over the others. "He says he can wait. And you all?"

"Oh, it's not that urgent."

"Right, right, no rush. We're all here for the same thing, let's not push! We'll all get our turn today!"

After that brief exchange, the crowd, previously so aggressive, quieted down. Xie Yanchen turned back, but the comments he had heard still echoed in his mind. He lowered his gaze to Su Wanqing, who had been searching for five minutes, a dark, unreadable expression in his eyes.

*A bag that small, and she still can't find them after all this time? Is she waiting for me to say something?*

Xie Yanchen scoffed inwardly. It was his grandmother who had forced him into this marriage, but she was now far away in Ming City. As long as they kept it quiet, she would never know. Even if she found out later and was furious, the deed would be done; at most, he would endure a scolding.

He curled his lip slightly. This divorce was happening today, even if the heavens themselves tried to stop it! Besides, it was Su Wanqing who had brought this up. He would not allow her to go back on it now.