Chapter 23: When Did She Say She Wanted a Divorce?

As soon as Jiang Mi stepped through the door, she saw her mother-in-law grabbing her identification papers and hurrying out. Jiang Mi stopped her immediately. "Mom, what’s going on?"

"Oh, heavens! That reckless boy Wen Zongfu must have gotten into trouble again; I have to go see!" Mrs. Wen’s tone was filled with a mix of frustration and profound embarrassment, terrified that her new daughter-in-law would look down on her son.

He had only been behaving himself for a few days—how had he ended up at the police station again?

"Mom, I'll go with you. Don't worry," Jiang Mi said, soothing her mother-in-law before turning to accompany her out.

The station was several blocks away from the family housing compound. Jiang Mi pushed her bicycle forward and said, "Mom, hop on. I'll give you a ride; it’ll be much faster."

Mrs. Wen knew that Wen Zongfu had spent four hundred yuan on this women’s bicycle for his wife. Ever since it was brought home, everyone in the compound had come to their yard repeatedly just to get a look at it. She didn't begrudge her son the expense, but she had warned Jiang Mi to keep a close eye on the bike, fearing it might attract thieves.

Cycling was indeed faster. Before long, the station came into view. Mrs. Wen hopped off and hurried inside, and Jiang Mi parked the bike and followed.

Inside, Lao Liu was shouting, "You reported us, but was there any cargo in our truck? Was there? Did you find anything? And yet you detain us!"

"Whether you’ve been doing these things or not, you know perfectly well. Don't think you can hide it!"

"Then catch us when you actually find proof! You know how it works—no stolen goods, no case!"

"Stop blathering," Wen Zongfu said from his chair. Hearing this, he kicked Lao Liu in the backside.

He wasn't a thief, and he wasn't going to be treated like one.

As soon as Jiang Mi walked in, she saw Wen Zongfu’s relaxed posture. He didn't look like someone who had been arrested; he looked more like he was the one presiding over the interrogation. Seeing his calm expression, her worries vanished; it was clear he already had a way to resolve the matter.

Mrs. Wen walked in and began greeting people. She knew several officers at the station; after giving Wen Zongfu a sharp glare, she put on a polite smile and went to make inquiries.

Wen Zongfu hadn't reacted much when he saw his mother, but the next second, he locked eyes with Jiang Mi’s calm gaze.

His scalp prickled. He had never felt ashamed in his life, but being hauled into the station only to be seen by the new bride he had just brought home made his face burn instantly.

"Why are you here?" he stood up abruptly, walked over to her, and asked with a frown.

"Hey, what are you doing? Get back there and sit down!" an officer scolded.

Wen Zongfu cast a cold glance at him. "I’m not a prisoner yet."

He then turned back, looking nervously at Jiang Mi. "Don't misunderstand, it’s really nothing serious. Someone was just jealous and filed a report. I just had to come down here to clear things up."

Jiang Mi looked at him with clear, steady eyes. In truth, she hadn't misunderstood at all, nor was she angry—he was just being far too tense.

Before she could speak, Wen Zongfu’s face darkened. "Jiang Mi, if you're thinking of divorcing me over this, that’s not happening."

Jiang Mi: "..." When on earth had she said anything about divorce?

There were plenty of people around, and she didn't want to get into this now. "Just go back and sit down so you can finish your statement."

"Jiang Mi, do you think I’m disgraceful?" He wouldn't move, staring at her intensely.

On the way to the station, Lao Liu had been whispering in his ear, fretting that his new sister-in-law would surely throw a tantrum and run back to her parents' house once she found out. Wen Zongfu had kicked him then, saying, "Shut up, she’s not like that."

But now, his own confidence faltered. He was terrified that she would find his arrest shameful, and he feared the words she had spoken on their wedding night—that if they couldn't get along, they could just divorce.

Wen Zongfu’s gaze was so persistent and earnest that Jiang Mi felt her heart soften.

"Do you think you’re disgraceful?" she asked softly.

Wen Zongfu’s voice was deep. "I don't." He earned his living with his own two hands; he didn't feel any shame in that, even if others saw it as being wayward or unreliable.

He had never cared about the opinions of others before, but he realized now that he cared deeply about what she thought of him.

So he kept his eyes locked on her, waiting for an answer.