Chapter 21: Signing and Affixing the Seal

Li Qi felt as if something had struck his brain, a complex and indescribable emotion welling up within him.

His eldest sister wanted a divorce?

Just the day before yesterday, she had been sobbing and wailing, claiming they couldn't survive if they divorced. How had she changed her mind so quickly? Women’s hearts were as deep as the ocean and as fickle as the weather in June—rain one moment and sunshine the next. If she had intended to divorce all along, why had she gone through all this trouble today?

"Big sister, what is this all about?"

Gao Jianye was equally bewildered by her words, doubting for a moment if he were hallucinating. His wife had always been submissive, never uttering a word of dissent, and had served his entire family without complaint. How could the word "divorce" possibly cross her lips?

He reached out to touch Li Li’s face. "Wife, don't be like this. I truly know I was wrong this time. I promise I’ll change. I won’t see that cheap woman again. Let’s go home and live a good life."

Though he spoke these words, in his heart, he was already planning to find another woman once the storm blew over. He had lived his whole life without a son, and he wasn't about to settle for that. Since Li Li couldn't give him a male heir, she had no right to stop him from looking elsewhere. He was certain that today’s events were orchestrated by Li Qi—that good-for-nothing brother-in-law was a total troublemaker who never did anything decent. If it weren't for him, the timid Li Li would never have dared to challenge him. He’d have to find a chance to teach the brat a lesson later. What a piece of work.

Li Li slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me! After such a disgraceful act, how could I possibly continue to live with you? This divorce is happening!"

With that, ignoring the shock of everyone in the room, she wiped her tears, ran out the door, and disappeared.

Mo Chunfeng, finally reacting, struggled free from the miner’s grasp and huddled in the corner of the room, wrapped in a quilt. "You bunch of shameless scoundrels, picking on a woman like me! Don't touch me again, or I’ll start charging money!"

Lin Zhiqiang looked at Li Qi. With his sister gone, the situation was becoming difficult to manage.

Li Qi stepped up to Gao Jianye and shook his head. "Old Gao, since things have reached this point, I won't say much more. Two conditions. First, since my sister wants a divorce, you will agree to it. Don't play the rogue."

Gao Jianye’s face darkened. "You’re just a kid, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? Your sister is just angry; she’s just saying it. How could she divorce me? If she gets divorced, where will she save face?"

Li Qi was so angry he laughed. Where did this man get the audacity to be so righteous, especially after getting caught with a mistress he wanted to marry? Truly, there is no one more invincible than a shameless person.

"I’m not asking for your permission; I’m telling you my sister’s decision. If you don't agree, I’ll take these photos to your mine and the town police station tomorrow. You’ll lose your job and end up in a cell. Then we’ll sue for divorce in court—let’s see how that turns out."

Feeling the weight of Li Qi’s resolve, Gao Jianye’s bravado crumbled. If this jerk really followed through, his future would be ruined. He changed his tone, pleading, "Brother-in-law, we’re family, after all. Don't talk like a stranger. Your sister and I have been together for years, and Junmei is already a teenager. How can we divorce? I know I was wrong. Can’t you just let me off this once?"

Li Qi sneered. He didn’t know he was wrong; he was just terrified of the consequences. In his previous life, he remembered vividly how Gao Jianye had forced Li Li into a divorce, with the entire Gao family acting as accomplices, slandering her as an unfilial wife and a barren hen. They had pushed her to the brink of suicide. Now that the roles were reversed, Li Qi felt no satisfaction at all.

"You realize your daughter is a teenager now? What were you thinking when you were cheating? Give me a straight answer—yes or no. If not, I’m going to develop these photos right now."

Li Qi stood up, finished with the stalling. Gao Jianye quickly agreed, though he still believed Li Qi was merely bluffing to save face in front of the others. After all, the Li family should be honored that their daughter married into his; she had benefited so much from him over the years that she couldn't possibly truly want a divorce.

Li Qi continued, "Second, you will hand over one-third of your monthly salary as child support for Junmei."

Gao Jianye nodded repeatedly. He figured since the divorce wouldn't actually happen, this was a moot point anyway. Besides, who needed money to raise a girl? In a couple of years, she’d be married off, and he would even make a profit from the dowry.

Li Qi had Wang Cheng draft an agreement for Gao Jianye to sign. Gao frowned, hesitant. "Brother-in-law, what’s this? My word is my bond; I’m not going to renege on it. There’s no need to sign this."

"You don't want to sign? Fine. I’ll take these photos to your mine manager this afternoon."

"Don't, don't! I’ll sign, I’ll sign, alright?"

Gao Jianye was completely beaten. Being seen by a dozen colleagues was one thing—they were all miners, and everyone had been to a place like this before—but if it reached the mine manager, the situation would escalate. To save his job, he stopped arguing and signed his name. Wang Cheng, ever thorough, pulled out an ink pad and had him press his thumbprint as well.

Li Qi tucked the agreement away and said to Gao Jianye, "Tomorrow, get the referral letter ready. We’re heading to the town office at noon to finalize the divorce."

He then bowed to the men around him, thanking them for their help. The group left in high spirits.

"That was too good! No need to go down into the mine today, got a show to watch, and the pay still comes through—pure bliss."

"Did you feel how soft that woman was when you touched her?"

"Look at you, pathetic. Come back after work; eighty cents and you can touch all you want, maybe even taste a bit of the salt."

"My mom handles my salary, where would I get the money? Can you lend me eighty cents?"

"Get lost!"

Wang Cheng regretted everything—he had been too busy taking photos and hadn't gotten a feel! He didn't have eighty cents either, so he leaned toward Li Qi, acting shamelessly. "Brother, since I worked so hard taking those pictures, how about lending me eighty cents?"

"No problem. I’ll lend you five yuan so you can come for a whole week. Then I’ll go to your house and collect the debt from your sister."

"Have a heart, man! My sister would beat me to a pulp."

Lin Zhiqiang glared at Wang Cheng. "Kid, don't be a fool. This place is for those married men who have no sense of shame. You’re young and work in the office; don't ruin yourself like this. I know things are hard at home, but you’ve done a great service today. By the end of the year, the mine will surely allocate housing to you. Then you can find a decent girl and live a proper life. With your credentials, you could even marry a local school teacher or a woman from the brewery or pharmaceutical plant. If you get a bad reputation in a place like this, what good family would ever let their daughter marry you?"

Wang Cheng nodded repeatedly, the crooked thoughts fading from his mind.

Back at the mine, Wang Cheng took Li Qi to the propaganda department to develop two sets of the photos. Lin Zhiqiang promised that the bonus would be ready in a couple of days and would be delivered to his home personally. Li Qi felt good—in this era, the mines were truly wealthy. Since Lin Zhiqiang had promised a bonus, it wouldn't be a measly sum.

Having saved dozens of lives and with money on the way, Li Qi pedaled his creaky bicycle home, feeling content. When he entered the house, Li Li was sitting on the edge of the kang, staring blankly at the ceiling, holding their father’s wine bottle. It looked like she had already had a few sips.

Li Qi frowned. "Sister, what is it that you’re really thinking?"