Chapter 242: Chapter 242: Relationship Breakdown

“If you have doubts, you can tell me right away. Honestly, I’m relieved. Let’s keep it this way, shall we?” Jiang Yan finally felt at ease.

Wang Miaomiao witnessed the change in his expression and said with some guilt, “Okay… I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“Never say sorry to me, silly girl.” Jiang Yan laughed helplessly as he ruffled her hair.

“Oh, my hair…” Wang Miaomiao really couldn’t understand why so many men liked to ruffle women’s hair. Why?

Together, they kicked aside a small, inconspicuous stumbling block on the road of emotions. Their feelings flowed smoothly like a gentle stream…

With their relationship better now, Wang Miaomiao couldn’t help but worry about the two people inside the house, “Brother Yan, mom and dad…”

The name “Brother Yan” was chosen on one passionate day after marriage, from the options “Ah Yan, Xiao Yan, Yanyan, Jiang Jiang, Brother Jiang, Brother Yan”.

As a real married couple, it was too distant to still address each other as Brother Jiang during emotional moments, so they chose “Brother Yan,” intimate yet not awkward.

Jiang Yan knew what she wanted to say and sighed, “Miaomiao, it’s not that I want to stand by indifferently. It’s just that mom and dad have been like this for a long time. The issues between them are beyond our help. Even if they gloss over it this time, their issues won’t be solved. The next time they hit this rotten spot, it will still hurt. Maybe the longer it drags on, the more it will fester and worsen…”

Wang Miaomiao paused, then nodded unconsciously.

“The return of the Zheng Family is an opportunity. Their issues should have been resolved long ago. Dragging it out isn’t a solution; it’s not good for anyone.” Jiang Yan saw clearly that their relationship was beyond reconciliation.

In fact, letting go is the best solution.

Wang Miaomiao pondered and nodded. He made sense. Mom and dad are not children; their emotional lives shouldn’t be guided by others. As the younger generation, they just need to support and understand their decisions while still caring for their lives.

In the Jiang Family living room, after they left, the couple had an open and honest discussion.

Zheng Zhen was feeling low, and her question left Jiang Zhongyi hesitant…

That hesitation itself revealed some issues.

“Is it difficult to answer? Ha… Zhongyi, have you ever loved me all these years?” Her tone held a calm yet tense note; no woman truly doesn’t care about this question.

Jiang Zhongyi sighed deeply and said, “Ah Zhen, you’re overthinking it. The problem between us isn’t about love; it’s a problem between two families.”

“An excuse, you just don’t love me.” Zheng Zhen interrupted coldly, “I don’t understand. If you didn’t love me, why did you agree to marry me back then?”

Jiang Zhongyi was silent for a long time. “Back then, our Jiang Family received much from your Zheng Family. Your father proposed the marriage, and I didn’t refuse. In the early years, I considered myself quite good to you. Only in recent years, I’ve grown old, tired, and wanted some peaceful days…”

How many of the old generation got married for love? Jiang Zhongyi and Zheng Zhen came from completely different backgrounds—a rough man and a refined woman. The fact that life went smoothly was due to Jiang Zhongyi’s constant concessions.

No love, but there was affection. Despite ups and downs, they got through. Over the years, he often cleaned up messes and offered help within his means to her family. He felt the debt should be repaid by now.

In recent years, Zheng Zhen became more unreasonable, and Grandma Jiang’s passing was a thorn in Jiang Zhongyi’s heart. How could it be easily removed? Even if it were, the wound would bleed and never heal completely.

The return of the Zheng Family and their requests made him clearly realize that the Zheng Family remained the same; uncouth, anyone entangled with them would be unlucky.

The Zheng Family wanted to return, but he didn’t want to use his family’s connections for such people, nor did he want to be a fool again. Besides, helping them would involve affecting the Jiang Family’s foundations. Who would sacrifice themselves for others?

“So, you don’t love me. You married me just to repay a debt? Ha… What kind of debt do I need from you? If you’re repaying a debt, why couldn’t you always be good to me?” Zheng Zhen was nearly blown apart. She lived her whole life—for what?

“Ah Zhen, I really can’t help the Zheng Family anymore.” Jiang Zhongyi knew she would find it hard to accept, but he had no choice. What needed to be said had to be said, “We talked about this before: when you retire, we divorce. Now that you’ve been retired for over two months, let’s find a time to get the procedures done. Ah Yan is married, and the kids no longer need us to worry. I’ll give you all the savings at home…”

“Enough, stop talking…” Zheng Zhen felt her head buzzing as she covered her ears, not wanting to hear his heartless voice.

Jiang Zhongyi didn’t push further; the room fell silent again.

After a long time, Zheng Zhen looked up with red-rimmed eyes and resolutely said, “Fine, we can divorce, but the savings and the house must be left to me.”

Jiang Zhongyi’s mouth twitched slightly, and he retorted, “This house belongs to dad; I have no right to leave it to you.”

“I agree.”

Just as Jiang Zhongyi was struggling to find a solution, Old Master Jiang’s voice came.

“Dad, you…” Jiang Zhongyi looked at Old Master Jiang at the entrance, full of disagreement, “This house is the reward from the state for a meritorious person to retire, a lifetime of honor. How can it be given away…”

“Enough.” Old Master Jiang interrupted him, speaking earnestly, “It’s just material possession. Ah Zhen hasn’t had it easy all these years, bearing children and managing the household for you. If you plan to divorce, you need to arrange her later life well…”

“Letting her stay with Ah Peng is no solution. Leaving the house to her is compensation.” Old Master Jiang agreed to Zheng Zhen’s request readily because he saw that her relationship with Bai Li was worsening.

Alas, the poor relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law made Jiang Peng’s position difficult; what’s the point?

“Then where will we live?” Jiang Zhongyi’s eyes were red; he hadn’t expected his father, at this great age, to still suffer for his mess.

“Of course, you will live with us.” Jiang Yan and Wang Miaomiao had returned just in time to hear about this. Without hesitation, Jiang Yan said, “The family courtyard doesn’t lack houses. It felt lonely with just the two of us, so we wanted you all to move in with us… What are we waiting for? Let’s move…”

Zheng Zhen clenched her fists tightly… She wouldn’t resign to this.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep