Volume 1, Chapter 33: Things That Have Grown Old Should Be Replaced

Su Wanqing turned back to see Xie Yanchen standing up from the floor. Clad in black, he exuded an overwhelming sense of oppression, his gaze sharp and predatory. He repeated, word by word, "I do not agree, Grandmother."

Su Wanqing’s eyes turned red, her lips trembling. "You... you don't even love Kexin, why would you want her..."

After the divorce, she would only have Xie Kexin to rely on in this world.

Xie Yanchen could still go out and find his true love, have his own children, and even if he wished, he could beckon and have countless women vying to climb into his bed. He wouldn't even have to lift a finger to have many children. Why was he fighting to take Xie Kexin?

She clenched her fists in anger, silently calculating the odds of success if she were to take this to court.

Min Yanhua cast a cold glare at her grandson, warning, "This is my final concession. If you do not agree, I will never let anyone finalize this divorce for you!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanchen grew anxious. "Grandmother! Do you have any idea how much ten percent of the Xie Group’s shares is worth? She could receive billions annually just in dividends! It’s absurd! It’s not just me—the rest of the Xie family and the company will never agree to this!"

It wasn't that he was being stingy; ten percent was simply an astronomical figure. Even his aunt only held ten percent, his younger sister a mere five percent, and other relatives held no more than three percent. With so many partners and shareholders, if he gave ten percent to Su Wanqing, he wouldn't even be alive to see her receive it!

Min Yanhua, aware of his concerns, said flatly, "With me in charge, no one will dare touch her. Besides, you two were husband and wife; logically, you should be splitting everything with her. It’s only ten percent—what is there to fuss about?"

She still held onto old-fashioned views, unaware that modern marriage laws had changed, and that any property owned by the husband before marriage would not be shared with the wife upon divorce.

Xie Yanchen pressed his lips together, knowing that even if he explained the law to his grandmother, she wouldn't listen. He shifted his gaze to Su Wanqing.

Catching his signal, Su Wanqing hurriedly waved her hands. "Grandmother, ten percent is too much. I don't need it. I’ve already found a job and can support Kexin and myself. You don't need to give me so much..."

As long as they weren't fighting her for custody of Xie Kexin, anything else was fine.

*Slap!* Min Yanhua slammed her hand on the table. "Enough! Things will be done as I say! Xie Yanchen, I have already agreed to your divorce; you must give that ten percent. As for the others, you are a grown man—I don't believe you can't handle them yourself!"

"If anyone in the Xie family has an objection, tell them to come and confront me face-to-face!"

Though Min Yanhua had never been on the battlefield, she had served as a rescue worker on the front lines. Those of her generation carried a natural air of heroism, and having traveled far and wide with Xie Yanchen’s grandfather, her temperament was truly unique.

Her unwavering authority now left those around her breathless. Su Wanqing was startled and dared not say another word.

***

Xie Yanchen’s chest heaved, his eyes filled with resentment, but he dared not speak.

After a long silence, he muttered, "Understood, Grandmother."

The discussion finally ended. Su Wanqing, thinking of buying a new phone and getting a new SIM card, didn't want to delay any longer. She followed Xie Yanchen, preparing to leave.

"Qingqing," Min Yanhua said, suddenly remembering something. She opened a drawer, took out an item, and handed it to Su Wanqing. "Your phone."

Xie Yanchen, who had already reached the door, stopped abruptly. He turned and saw Min Yanhua returning the phone to Su Wanqing.

As for how the phone ended up with Min Yanhua, he made the connection immediately.

His dark eyes were filled with fury. He clenched his fists, suppressing his rage, and stormed out.

No wonder Su Wanqing had dared to ignore his calls yesterday. She didn't want the divorce, so she had gone to Min Yanhua to scheme. Even this morning at the Civil Affairs Bureau, she had been stalling on purpose. She had planned this with Min Yanhua all along—this divorce was never going to happen today!

Perhaps even the ten-percent stake was her own idea, one she couldn't bring up to him directly, so she used Min Yanhua to pressure him!

To think she had acted so convincingly just moments ago!

All that talk about only wanting the divorce, not wanting money, only wanting the child—it was all a charade!

Thinking of this, Xie Yanchen’s expression grew even gloomier. A violent aura radiated from him, as if he were burning from within. If Wang Zheng were here, his legs would surely have turned to jelly.

Back in the study, Su Wanqing looked at her recovered phone in a daze, blinking in confusion. "This... how did it end up with you?"

She thought she had left it in a taxi yesterday!

Min Yanhua replied, "When I called you this morning, a stranger answered. They said your phone was left in their taxi yesterday and asked us to send someone to retrieve it. I had someone go get it, so I’m giving it to you now that you’re here."

Su Wanqing stared at the phone, feeling dazed.

She had thought it was lost forever. Since she was getting a divorce anyway, she had planned to use that as a way to bid farewell to the past.

But she hadn't expected the divorce to fail, leaving her forced to spend another thirty days in his presence, and now, even the phone she thought she’d lost had returned.

***

"What are you doing?"

While she was lost in thought, Min Yanhua waved a hand in front of her face and smiled kindly. "Didn't expect to get it back, did you? It’s already charged. Open it and check; maybe someone has been looking for you."

"I’ll have someone draft the divorce agreement immediately. Let me tell you, you can't spoil a man the way you have in the past. Look at how he’s turned out! He couldn't even manage something as simple as providing for his own wife! It makes me angry just looking at him!"

"I will help you discipline him over these next thirty days. Don't give up yet; give him one more chance."

Su Wanqing lowered her head. She knew in her heart that it wasn't that Xie Yanchen couldn't afford the money. If it had been Su Wanning, he would have brushed aside any opposition to give her whatever she wanted.

But because it was her, he found it difficult.

Surprisingly, even knowing the truth, Su Wanqing felt no pain.

Clutching the phone, she watched the screen light up and thought to herself: How could her ending with Xie Yanchen possibly change because of a mere thirty days?

This phone was old after all, and things that are old should be replaced.

After a brief exchange with Min Yanhua, Su Wanqing took her leave.

There was no sign of Xie Yanchen at the entrance; she knew he wouldn't have waited for her.

Looking back at the Xie residence, she let out a soft sigh, hoping these thirty days would pass smoothly.

However, just as she turned a corner, a pair of powerful hands suddenly dragged her into the shadows.

"Ah!"