Chapter 41: Your Head Must Be Spinning, Right?

"Don't worry," Cao Kun said, holding Bai Jing's hand as he observed her anxious expression. "I believe Uncle Wang will agree to the divorce."

At this stage, whether or not to divorce was no longer solely up to Wang Yifu. Having spent ten years in prison, Cao Kun had seen this scenario countless times. Whenever a husband was incarcerated, if the wife went to court to file for divorce, it was almost a certainty that the request would be granted.

Cao Kun had just spoken with the lawyer, explaining the situation and asking him to relay the message to Wang Yifu. If Wang Yifu agreed to the divorce, he could end the marriage with dignity, amicably, and on his own terms. If he refused, a court notice would inevitably be served within six months, informing him that the divorce had been finalized regardless of his wishes. At that point, it would be far less graceful than it could be now.

Therefore, once Wang Yifu realized the outcome was inevitable, surely he would choose the more dignified path?

...

Meanwhile, inside a room at the police station, Wang Yifu sat staring blankly at his lawyer, his expression deeply moved.

"She... she used all the money to secure a letter of forgiveness for me?"

"That is correct," the lawyer nodded. "The letter of forgiveness was drafted here at the station just a short while ago, so I was involved throughout the entire process. Ms. Bai Jing transferred the title of the house you owned to Huang Jianren’s parents as debt repayment. Furthermore, she gave them your entire savings of over two hundred thousand yuan. Additionally, she surrendered her gold earrings, necklace, ring, and other jewelry. All of these assets, valued at eight hundred thousand yuan, were handed over to Huang Jianren’s parents, and only then did they provide the letter of forgiveness. In other words, you can sleep soundly now. With this letter, while I cannot guarantee it one hundred percent, I am ninety-nine percent certain that you will not be sentenced to death."

After hearing the lawyer’s words, Wang Yifu sat in a daze, remaining motionless for a long time. He didn't know how to process his own emotions. Was he happy? He supposed he should be, after all, his life had been spared.

Yet, he couldn't bring himself to feel any joy. Especially knowing that Bai Jing had emptied their home, their savings, and even parted with her personal jewelry to buy his freedom, a surge of indescribable emotion welled up within him. He knew exactly how much money they had; he realized clearly that this letter of forgiveness had cost Bai Jing everything. No home, no savings, not even a single piece of decent jewelry left. She had nothing.

Was this the end for a woman who had been by his side for nearly twenty years? In an instant, Wang Yifu felt like a complete failure as a man—that a woman who had followed him for so long had ended up destitute. At that moment, his resentment over Bai Jing’s affairs with other men simply melted away. While she had wronged him, he had ultimately failed her, and by comparison, he owed her far more.

Seeing Wang Yifu gradually return to his senses, the lawyer continued, "There is one more thing I must tell you, Mr. Wang. Ms. Bai Jing feels that your journey together has reached its end, and therefore, your marriage should also conclude."

As if he had anticipated this, Wang Yifu nodded calmly. As a man, how could he have the face to keep a woman by his side when she had ended up with nothing after so many years? Besides, he would spend the rest of his life in prison, while Bai Jing was still young with a long road ahead; she deserved a fresh start.

"I agree to the divorce," Wang Yifu said. "However, since I cannot leave, I can only write a divorce agreement and ask you to process it on my behalf."

The lawyer nodded. "That is not a problem. Since you have no objections, please proceed with writing it. I assume there are no property disputes between you two anymore, so it shouldn't be too complicated."

Wang Yifu gave a bitter smile. Indeed, all their assets had been traded for his forgiveness; there was nothing left to dispute.

Five or six minutes later, Wang Yifu handed the signed divorce agreement to the lawyer. Only then did he seem to remember something. "By the way, lawyer, after we divorce, what about our daughter, Wang Shanshan..."

He intended to ask who would have custody of Wang Shanshan, but before he could finish, the lawyer interrupted.

"Mr. Wang, I am aware of your daughter, Wang Shanshan. She has already turned eighteen; legally, she is an adult. Therefore, your divorce from Ms. Bai Jing does not involve her. Since she is an adult, there is no question of custody or who she will live with. If she wishes, she is perfectly capable of living on her own."

Wang Yifu opened his mouth, then simply nodded.

The lawyer chatted with Wang Yifu for a while longer, and once he confirmed there was nothing else, he concluded the meeting.

In the police station lounge, Bai Jing saw the lawyer emerge and hurried over. "Lawyer, how did it go? Did he agree to the divorce?"

The lawyer smiled and nodded, producing the agreement Wang Yifu had written. "Ms. Bai, Mr. Wang has agreed to terminate your marriage. However, due to his unique situation, he cannot go to the civil affairs office with you, so I will handle it on his behalf. Also, the office hasn't closed yet; if we are quick, you should be able to receive the divorce certificate today."

Hearing this, Bai Jing nearly wept with joy. "Lawyer, there is no time to lose. Let’s head to the civil affairs office immediately."

...

At 5:30 PM, outside the civil affairs office in Xia County, Bai Jing looked at the divorce certificate in her hand, unable to contain her excitement any longer. She pressed it tightly against her chest, closed her eyes, and took a deep, steadying breath.

It was the scent of freedom—a life without shackles, without restraints. She was free! She had finally cut ties with her past self. From this day forward, she could finally live for herself!

Beside her, Cao Kun watched Bai Jing’s excitement, a smirk playing on his lips. "Aunt Bai, let's head home and tell Shanshan the news. Once she finds out Uncle Wang has secured the letter of forgiveness, she'll surely be overjoyed."

At the thought of Wang Shanshan, Cao Kun felt a surge of anticipation. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she realized what had happened that afternoon. With the house gone, the savings gone, and everything reduced to nothing, her mind would surely be spinning!