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Chen Xiao shook her head, took a deep breath, suppressing her inner emotions, and slowly said, "This isn't about work; it's that we no longer have feelings for each other. I see no hope left in this marriage."
"No feelings? How can you say we have no feelings?" Dong Yifan retorted excitedly, his voice rising unconsciously. "We clearly love each other so much, and we have a child!"
Chen Xiao closed her eyes, memories of their years together flashing through her mind: Dong Yifan's promises repeatedly falling through, his diminishing sense of responsibility towards the family, and his decreasing care for her, even scheming behind her back to ask her family for money. These images played out like a movie, each scene causing her heart to ache.
"Yifan, do you remember why we got married in the first place?" Chen Xiao opened her eyes and looked at the man she once loved deeply, her tone tinged with bitterness.
Dong Yifan paused, his gaze flickering as he couldn't meet Chen Xiao's eyes. "Of course I remember; it was because we loved each other."
"Yes, because we loved each other," Chen Xiao repeated, but disappointment filled her voice. "But do we still have love now? How much love do you have left for me?"
"I..." Dong Yifan was at a loss for words. He couldn't answer Chen Xiao's question because he himself didn't know how much love he had left for her.
"You don't need to say anything; I understand," Chen Xiao interrupted him, a hint of relief in her tone. "I've given you many chances, but you never cherished them. Since that's the case, let's give each other a way out."
"No, Xiao Xiao, please don’t leave me. I can't live without you; our child can't live without you," Dong Yifan pleaded desperately as he grabbed Chen Xiao's arm.
Chen Xiao forcefully shook off his hand and walked over to their child, gently stroking the child's cheek with a tender yet firm tone. "I will take our child with me. Don't worry; I will ensure he grows up healthy and happy."
"Knock knock knock."
A series of knocks interrupted their conversation. Chen Xiao turned to the door and saw Wang Qiang standing outside with a box of snacks in hand.
"Xiao Xiao, I bought your favorite snacks..." Wang Qiang's words were cut short as he noticed Dong Yifan inside the house and froze.
"What are you doing here?" Chen Xiao broke the awkward silence first, her tone slightly flustered.
"I... I brought some snacks, thinking you and the child might like them," Wang Qiang said as he raised the snack box but couldn't help glancing at Dong Yifan, trying to gauge his reaction.
Dong Yifan was already upset about Chen Xiao wanting a divorce; seeing Wang Qiang in their home only fueled his anger. He suddenly stood up, pointing at Wang Qiang and gritting his teeth as he questioned, "What are you doing here? Who let you in?"
"Yifan, calm down!" Chen Xiao quickly stepped forward to stand in front of Wang Qiang, trying to soothe Dong Yifan's emotions.
"Calm down? How can I calm down?" Dong Yifan pushed Chen Xiao aside and shouted at Wang Qiang, "What is your relationship with him? Why is he in our home?"
"I just came to check on Xiao Xiao and the child," Wang Qiang replied calmly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. He understood Dong Yifan's anger and knew that any explanation at this moment would be futile.
"Look at us? What right do you have to look at us?" Dong Yifan shouted furiously, rushing forward and grabbing Wang Qiang by the collar.
"Yifan, what are you doing? Let go of President Wang!" Chen Xiao exclaimed, quickly stepping in to stop him, but was pushed down to the ground by Dong Yifan.
"Ah!" Chen Xiao cried out, startling the child in her arms, who began to wail loudly.
"You two scoundrels!" Dong Yifan yelled, raising his fist and swinging it toward Wang Qiang's face.
Wang Qiang sidestepped and grabbed Dong Yifan's wrist, twisting it forcefully and pinning him to the ground.
"Stop! Don't fight!" Chen Xiao shouted as she picked up the child and rushed between the two men, trying to put an end to the chaos.
"Xiao Xiao, move aside! Let me teach this bastard a lesson!" Dong Yifan struggled to get up but was firmly held down by Wang Qiang.
"Enough! Everyone stop!" Chen Xiao screamed hoarsely, tears streaming down her face.
The room fell silent, with only the sound of the child's cries echoing in the air.
Wang Qiang released Dong Yifan and stood up, looking at Chen Xiao with concern. "Xiao Xiao, are you okay?"
Chen Xiao ignored Wang Qiang, holding the child tightly in her arms, her eyes filled with disappointment and despair. She slowly stood up and looked at Dong Yifan coldly. "Let's get a divorce."
Dong Yifan was stunned, staring at Chen Xiao in disbelief as if he had heard something unbelievable.
"What did you say?"
"I said, let's get a divorce," Chen Xiao repeated firmly, leaving no room for doubt.
"No! I don't agree!" Dong Yifan shot up, trying to grab Chen Xiao, but she evaded him.
"I've made my decision." Chen Xiao turned and walked toward the door with the child in her arms.
"Xiao Xiao! Xiao Xiao!" Dong Yifan chased her to the door but could only watch helplessly as she left without looking back.
Wang Qiang stood silently to the side, witnessing everything with mixed emotions. He walked over to Dong Yifan and patted his shoulder gently. "Let it go; a forced fruit is not sweet."
Dong Yifan slumped helplessly to the ground, overwhelmed by regret, anger, and sadness as various emotions engulfed him.
Wang Qiang didn't say anything more and turned to leave Chen Xiao's home. He walked downstairs, looking up in the direction where Chen Xiao had gone, his eyes filled with pain and concern. He knew that there was still a long road ahead for Chen Xiao, but he believed she would walk on with strength.
Wang Qiang took out his phone and dialed a number. "Help me arrange something; I want to buy an apartment in Yangpu District as soon as possible."
Chen Xiao did not look back as she hurried down the stairs, the sound of a taxi engine drowning out Dong Yifan's calls behind her. Wang Qiang's words echoed in her ears; indeed, a forced relationship is never sweet. This marriage had ultimately been her naivety. As the taxi drove past the bustling Huaihai Road, the shadows of the sycamore trees fell dappled across Chen Xiao's face. Tears silently slipped down her cheeks, mixed with regret, grievance, and a hint of relief.
After some time, Chen Xiao rented a small apartment in Yangpu District. It wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy. After settling her child, Chen Xiao sat wearily on the edge of the bed, gazing at the unfamiliar street view outside the window. An unprecedented sense of loneliness enveloped her. This was the first time she truly felt the weight of independent living since leaving her parents' home. She took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and resolved that from this moment on, she would face life alone and provide for herself and her child.
The next morning, Chen Xiao entrusted her child to a neighbor for care and hurried to the office. As soon as she entered, she felt the unusual gazes of her colleagues; whispers surrounded her like a cloud. "Xiao Xiao, are you okay?" asked her colleague Xiaoli with concern as she approached. Chen Xiao forced a smile and replied, "I'm fine, thank you for your concern." She lowered her head, holding back tears in her eyes as she began her day’s work.
Wang Qiang walked into the office and immediately noticed Chen Xiao's red-rimmed eyes and haggard face, a wave of sympathy surged within him. He approached her and softly asked, "Xiao Xiao, have you moved?" Surprised that Wang Qiang knew about it, Chen Xiao looked up and nodded slightly. "Yes, I moved yesterday." Wang Qiang didn’t ask further questions; instead, he handed her a document. "This is the planning proposal for the new project; please take a look when you have time." Chen Xiao accepted the document and gratefully glanced at Wang Qiang. "Thank you, Mr. Wang."
In the following days, Chen Xiao devoted herself entirely to work; she needed this job to support herself and her child. Wang Qiang quietly watched over Chen Xiao, offering her much assistance at work and driving her home after hours. Although Chen Xiao noticed Wang Qiang's concern for her, she deliberately kept him at arm's length; she had no mood or energy to consider matters of the heart.
One evening, after dropping Chen Xiao off downstairs and seeing her weary figure, Wang Qiang couldn't help but say, "Xiao Xiao, it's too hard for you to take care of your child alone. If you need any help, just let me know; don’t hesitate." Chen Xiao paused and turned to look at Wang Qiang with slightly reddened eyes. "Mr. Wang, thank you; you've really helped me during this time." Wang Qiang looked into Chen Xiao's sincere eyes and felt a stir in his heart; just as he was about to say something more, Chen Xiao lowered her head and turned to walk into the building.
Wang Qiang stood there watching Chen Xiao's disappearing figure with mixed emotions swirling inside him. He understood that what Chen Xiao needed most right now was time and space; all he could do was silently protect her and wait for the day she would emerge from the shadows.
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