Chapter 1: Chapter 1: We Are Getting Divorced Chapter 1: Chapter 1: We Are Getting Divorced “Youxi is back!”
At 10 p.m., as soon as Lu Youxi entered the house, Mrs. Lin greeted her with rare enthusiasm.
Upon closer inspection, the entire Lin Family was present.
Lu Youxi scoffed sarcastically, surely it wasn’t to celebrate her becoming the CEO of Lin Group that day?
She had met Lin Jingshen in college, and they had been married for 15 years now.
The Lin Family had always looked down on her for coming from a rural background, never showing her a pleasant face.
Now that an outsider had taken the CEO position at Lin Group, how could these people be happy?
The Lin Family had three sons, with Lin Jingshen being the youngest.
Unfortunately, all three sons were useless; they nearly bankrupted Lin Group, but she had saved it from collapsing.
Before Mr. Lin died, he made a will instructing Lu Youxi to be the CEO of Lin Group, on the condition that she not divorce Lin Jingshen, or she too would be kicked out of Lin’s.
Mr. Lin had a clever plan, enslaving her to work like an ox for the Lin Family, earning money to support them.
The Lin mother and sons still thought she had taken advantage of a great deal.
They always hung on to the notion that everything she had was given by the Lin Family.
Lu Youxi mocked with a laugh. Yet, with her capabilities, she could make a career at any company—why should she settle for the mere Lin’s?
In the vast Imperial Capital, Lin’s truly was insignificant.
“Elder sister-in-law, congratulations on finally getting your wish and becoming the CEO of Lin’s,” the eldest son of the Lin Family said with a veiled sting, even his smile thick with barely hidden schadenfreude.
“Elder sister-in-law, today is truly a double celebration for you!” the Second Son of Lin Family added.
Before Lu Youxi could react, Mrs. Lin gestured toward another direction, “Quick, bring the child over.”
Everyone watched for Lu Youxi’s reaction like they were watching a drama unfold. Lu Youxi turned and saw Lin Jingshen leading a boy who looked to be three or four years old.
The boy was not at all shy; he even looked arrogantly up at Lu Youxi.
“Youxi,” Lin Jingshen cautiously observed her expression, “This is our son.”
Lin Jingshen gently nudged the boy, “Say ‘mom’.”
The boy did not move or make a sound, mockingly watching Lu Youxi.
Mrs. Lin laughed it off, “He’s just too nervous, it’s fine, they’ll get along better over time.”
“How old is the child? Who did you have him with? I certainly haven’t had a child,” said Lu Youxi coldly.
“The child… is three years old,” Lin Jingshen explained cautiously, “Youxi, don’t worry, I’ve already broken up with his mother. I just wanted to have a child.”
“Yes, Youxi, and you see, up until now, you and Jingshen haven’t had children. You are 38 now, if you couldn’t have them when you were younger, then later it becomes even…” the elder sister-in-law of Lin Family said in a manner suggesting there was more to say, covering her mouth with a giggle, “Now Jingshen has brought back a son, saving you the pain of pregnancy and childbirth.”
“Youxi, don’t worry, from now on, there will only be one mom for this child, Jingshen promises to break it off with the other woman,” Mrs. Lin tried to persuade, her gaze glued on the child and a wide grin on her face.
“Lin Jingshen, let’s get a divorce,” Lu Youxi said coldly. “If you think I’ll accept this cuckold, you’re mistaken!”
“Lu Youxi, think carefully. If you divorce, you’ll lose everything in Lin’s!” the Second Son of Lin Family shouted, “You’ve just become the CEO of Lin’s! Everything you have now is given by the Lin Family!”
“Lu Youxi, Jingshen is your husband! You can’t have a child, and you won’t allow him to have one of his own? Do you want the Lin Family to die out happy?” Mrs. Lin accused Lu Youxi with a breakdown.
“How can the Lin Family not have a successor?” Lu Youxi said with a sneer. “The eldest and the second brother have plenty of children, not just those at home; the elder brother also has two sons and one daughter outside, and the second brother has a son and a daughter outside; there should be enough to continue the Lin Family lineage.”
The elder and second sister-in-law who were originally watching Lu Youxi with glee, were all stupefied.
“Is she telling the truth?” the eldest sister-in-law glared at the eldest brother, appearing ready to fight.
“Lin Jingming, clarify this for me now!” the second sister-in-law screamed hysterically at the second brother.
By then, the elder sister-in-law was already grappling with the eldest brother.
“Stop! All of you stop!” Mrs. Lin stomped her feet and screamed until her voice was hoarse, but nobody listened to her.
Seeing the situation degenerate further into chaos, Mrs. Lin bitterly accused Lu Youxi, “Lu Youxi, are you that pleased to see our family in disarray? If you’d just willingly accept this child, none of this would have happened!”
Lu Youxi sneered and ignored her, only telling Lin Jingshen, “Tomorrow, my attorney will discuss the divorce with you.”
After saying that, Lu Youxi left the noisy villa and returned to her own place, situated near the company.
She was busy with work, often working overnight. To make it convenient, she spent most of the year living here.
Once at home, Lu Youxi changed into sportswear.
After a long day at work, and after being disturbed by the Lin Family till 10 p.m., she was physically and mentally drained.
At these times, she relied on exercising to vent.
She started on the treadmill, gradually increasing the speed, and as she ran, she suddenly felt a wave of palpitations so painful she couldn’t move and fell off the treadmill.
A sharp pain radiated from her heart, halting her breath momentarily.
Lu Youxi felt her body lighten and float above the room, observing her body lying on the floor.
She watched the night pass and the sun rise, saw her assistant enter the room with the property manager and the police.
She saw the hospital issue her a death notice.
Then the scene shifted; she saw her younger brother, whom she hadn’t seen in years, limping and hobbling into the Lin Family’s gate.
She saw Lin Jingshen welcoming his lover and the three-year-old boy into the house, a harmonious family scene.
Youxue, with red eyes, charged at Lin Jingshen, knocked him down to the ground, beating him brutally before being thrown out of the villa by the security.
Lu Youxi recalled how, in her family home, her grandparents favored males over females, never treating her as part of the family.
The best food, drink, and items were always reserved for her cousins and brother, never even considering her.
This made Lu Youxi increasingly detest her biological family, and by extension, her brother, whom she hadn’t contacted since marrying Lin Jingshen.
She remembered that her brother had been very affectionate towards her as a child, and it was her repeated cold treatment that pushed him away.
The image of her brother’s young, disappointed face became especially vivid now.
She had thought her brother would hate her, the sister who had never treated him well.
But unexpectedly, after her death, it was still her brother who fought for her rights, who cried for her.
Lu Youxi curled up in midair, heart aching, reliving the palpitations she felt just before her death.
Following that, she was swallowed by darkness once again.