On July 12th, which was a Friday, Shu Jiao and Ruan Jianguo went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to process their divorce as planned.

Before signing, Shu Jiao asked Ruan Jianguo again, "Are you sure about this?"

Ruan Jianguo smiled at her, nodded, and then meticulously signed his name.

Seeing him sign so decisively, Shu Jiao’s face turned a bit colder, and she also signed her name.

From then on, their more than twenty-year marriage came to an end.

When Ruan Jianguo received the divorce certificate, he touched the word "divorce" repeatedly. Then he put the document in his pocket and said to Shu Jiao, "For the last time, let me drive you home."

Shu Jiao stood up in her high heels, glanced at him, and said coldly, "No need." Then she turned and left in her high heels, with the Shu family’s driver waiting outside.

Ruan Jianguo was a few steps behind her, watching her leave without hesitation. He placed his hand over his left chest, rubbed it, then forced a wry smile and drove away in the opposite direction. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Ruan Jiaojiao also knew about their divorce today. When she saw Ruan Jianguo come back and go into the room he shared with Shu Jiao downstairs without coming out, she understood they were truly divorced.

Ruan Jiaojiao couldn’t quite describe how she felt, but it was far less painful than she had imagined. Perhaps she had gotten used to it over the past year.

Lu Xian left the country in mid-August.

From July to August, although the two families were just neighbors, Ruan Jiaojiao saw Lu Xian only a handful of times. It wasn’t until the day he left the country that she saw him briefly.

On the day Lu Xian left the country, she went to the airport too, but with Duan Xi, and didn’t show herself. She watched from outside the waiting lounge as Lu Zishu, Lu Zhiwei, and Zhao Li saw him off.

Even though Lu Xian was already an adult and not at all young, Zhao Li couldn’t hold back her tears when he left.

Lu Zishu’s eyes were also red with guilt.

He felt it was because he drove Lu Xian to leave the country.

Lu Xian hugged Zhao Li and turned to see Lu Zishu crying too. Instantly, he kicked him in annoyance, causing Lu Zishu to stagger back several steps. He scolded, "What are you crying for? Are you a woman or something?!"

Lu Zishu protested, "You’re leaving, and you can’t resist kicking me a few times. Are you afraid you’ll miss the chance to kick me in the future?"

"You little brat...," Lu Xian raised his hand as if to hit him, and Lu Zishu quickly hid behind Zhao Li.

Watching the two brothers fooling around, Lu Zhiwei felt a bit sad too. But being a man, he didn’t show it. He just patted Lu Xian’s shoulder and advised, "Take care of yourself while you’re away. If the money runs low, just let us know."

"Alright," Lu Xian nodded.

Lu Zhiwei continued to remind him of several things while Lu Zishu slowly edged out from behind Zhao Li. At this moment, the boarding announcement was being made repeatedly.

Lu Zishu quickly ran over to hug Lu Xian, who also patted his back and advised, "Take care of Mom and Dad."

"Hmm!" Lu Zishu nodded firmly.

Lu Xian wanted to tell him to look out for Ruan Jiaojiao as well, but the words got stuck in his throat.

Seeing his hesitance to speak, Lu Zishu took the initiative and said, "Big brother, don’t worry."