The Whole World Is Waiting for Them to Divorce [Transmigration Into a Book] - Chapter 5

The honeydew, sweet and crisp, melted between her lips and teeth. Looking at the flower-bright smile before her, Lu Xi felt something subtle and indescribable rise in her heart.

This feeling had first appeared the day Si Yu had readily signed the Divorce Agreement, smiling as she told her that she was happy they were divorcing.

In the end, the very next day, this woman went back on her word, hugging her while crying and shouting that she loved her.

She was so dramatic.

Just like the last time she pretended to slit her wrists and commit suicide, tricked Lu Xi into going back, then cried and pleaded in every possible way when Lu Xi left in anger.

And yet, it did not seem entirely the same either.

Grandma was standing at the door, so there were some things Lu Xi could not say.

Si Yu could not read her expression, much less guess what she was thinking. She used the toothpick to spear two more pieces of honeydew, then happily ran to the kitchen doorway. Bending down toward Old Madam Lu, she said, “Grandma, ah—”

Old Madam Lu revealed a mouthful of dentures and bit into the slice of melon. “So sweet.”

Si Yu’s eyes curved into a smile. “Eating more fruit is good for your health.”

“Whatever you say is right.” Old Madam Lu looked utterly indulgent.

Taking advantage of the moment, Si Yu gave the other piece of honeydew to the housekeeper, then took the wheelchair.

The housekeeper was overwhelmed by the favor and said, “Thank you, Miss Si.”

“You’re welcome.” Si Yu turned the wheelchair around and said to the person in the kitchen, “Bring it over, okay?”

Lu Xi: “…”

It had been a very long time since anyone had dared to order her around like this. This woman, Si Yu…

“Eldest Miss, let me do it.”

Lu Xi refused the housekeeper’s help. Looking at the square pieces of honeydew on the plate, she thought of the little “heart” she had eaten just now and pressed her lips together.

Another housekeeper ran over with Lu Xi’s phone and said, “Eldest Miss, you have a call.”

The address “Eldest Miss” gave Si Yu goosebumps. She took the fruit plate from Lu Xi’s hands and said considerately, “Go handle your work. I’ll keep Grandma company.”

Lu Xi looked hesitant.

Si Yu saw a hint of guardedness in her eyes and lowered her voice. “The housekeeper will be watching. What are you still worried about?”

Lu Xi studied her for a few seconds, then took the phone and turned upstairs.

“Qiao Qiao.”

Si Yu withdrew her gaze from Lu Xi and walked toward Old Madam Lu with a face full of smiles. “Grandma.”

Old Madam Lu glanced at the second floor and said, “Xi Xi has had this temper since she was little. Don’t take it to heart.”

Si Yu smiled and said, “I don’t mind. Here, have some melon.”

“You eat some too.”

The grandmother and granddaughter ate one bite after another, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

“Madam is back.”

“Mm.” A richly adorned noblewoman stepped through the front door and handed the new bag and shoes she had just bought to the housekeeper. “Go make me a cup of coffee.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Si Yu looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman dressed like a wealthy madam. A name surfaced in her mind—Tang Jie.

Tang Jie was the wife of Lu Group’s chairman, Lu Zhennan, and Lu Xi’s stepmother. The novel only gave this character a few brief descriptions, so Si Yu did not remember her deeply. However, judging from how the housekeeper had addressed her just now, she quickly guessed the other woman’s identity.

She stood up to greet her. “Stepmom, good afternoon.”

Tang Jie was over forty, but she maintained herself very well. Her makeup was exquisite, and her hips swayed as she walked. She had not noticed there was a guest in the house just now. When she looked closely, her expression turned exaggerated. “Isn’t this Si Yu? Long time no see. I heard Xi Xi wants to divorce you? Since you’re getting divorced, what are you still doing here?”

Si Yu: “…”

A second ago, Si Yu had known absolutely nothing about this stepmother character. Now, she roughly understood a little. This woman was probably a gossipmonger!

The other party’s attitude was not very friendly, but she was an elder after all.

Before Si Yu could figure out how to respond, she suddenly heard Old Madam Lu say, “Qiao Qiao came to see me. Do you have a problem with that?”

The old madam had kind brows and gentle eyes, yet she carried authority without needing to show anger.

Tang Jie immediately changed her expression and gave an awkward smile. “Mom, you’re the head of this family. What problem could I possibly have? I was just… Wait, Mom, what did you call her just now? She’s Si Yu. Why are you calling her Qiao Qiao?”

Old Madam Lu frowned. “What Si Yu? She is Qiao Qiao.”

Tang Jie looked Si Yu up and down with an expression as if she had seen a ghost. “She’s Si Yu! A few months ago, she came to see you and caused you to fall, which is why Xi Xi said she wanted to divorce her!”

“Divorce?” Tang Jie had said a whole pile of things, but Old Madam Lu only caught that key word and abruptly looked at Si Yu.

Si Yu: “…”

“She and Xi Xi got married two years ago. It was a marriage alliance between the Lu family and the Si family. Have you forgotten?”

Old Madam Lu’s mind was clear sometimes and muddled at others. After Tang Jie said this, she became even more confused. She gripped Si Yu’s hand tightly. “Qiao Qiao, what is going on?”

Si Yu rubbed her nose and said in a small voice, “Grandma, Lu Xi and I really are married.”

In truth, she was quite uneasy.

Old Madam Lu had mistaken her for Yuan Qiao, and Yuan Qiao had once been the fake daughter of the Lu family, while Lu Xi was the real daughter. These two people should have been enemies, or at least people who never had contact again until death. Si Yu was a little worried that if Old Madam Lu was conservative and felt this violated morality, she might be angered into fainting on the spot.

“What did you say???!!!”

Seeing the alarm in Old Madam Lu’s eyes, Si Yu inwardly thought, Oh no.

Old Madam Lu’s grip on her hand unconsciously tightened. In the next instant, the alarm in her eyes vanished, replaced by a face full of joy. She said delightedly, “You and Xi Xi are married!”

“…Huh?” Si Yu was stunned by Old Madam Lu’s rapid change in mood.

“That’s wonderful!”

Wonderful???

What exactly was wonderful about it???

“That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful.” Old Madam Lu’s eyes were bright and spirited as she excitedly patted the back of Si Yu’s hand. “Now that you and Xi Xi are married, you can return to the Lu family openly and properly from now on. You’re still a child of our Lu family!”

Si Yu: “…”

Si Yu went mute.

Si Yu crashed.

She had originally been worried that Old Madam Lu would be unable to accept it, that she would either get angry or curse her in grief and indignation. No matter what, she had never expected the old madam to be this open-minded!

“What’s wonderful about it?” Tang Jie said anxiously. “Mom, have you forgotten that she caused you to fall last time? Back when she and Xi Xi got married, you were the first one to oppose it. Why are you defending her now? Mom, look carefully. She’s Si Yu. She isn’t Qiao Qiao! Besides, Yuan Qiao isn’t part of our Lu family. She’s been abroad for so many years. Has she ever come back to see you? Yuan Qiao is an ingrate. She forgot about you long ago. You say you… Eh, Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Grandma!” Seeing Old Madam Lu’s eyes roll back and her breathing grow rapid, Si Yu’s heart nearly stopped. Forgetting propriety, she shoved Tang Jie away when the other woman tried to approach and shouted, “Call the doctor, quickly!”

When Lu Xi heard the commotion and came downstairs, the scene below was already in complete chaos.

The Lu family had a dedicated family doctor. After receiving the news, he rushed over as quickly as possible.

Old Madam Lu lay in bed while the doctor examined her, holding the hand of Si Yu, who had been frightened pale. She comforted Si Yu, saying, “I’m fine.”

Si Yu held her hand back. Looking at this kind, compassionate face, her heart filled with complicated emotions.

She was not the real “Si Yu,” and Old Madam Lu had no connection to her at all. But every time she saw this face, she could not help thinking of her late grandmother.

She was genuinely worried, without the slightest bit of acting.

After finishing the examination, the doctor told Old Madam Lu to rest properly, then left the room.

Three people were waiting outside the room. Besides Lu Xi and Tang Jie, there was also Lu Zhennan, who had hurried back after hearing the news.

“How is my mother?” Seeing the doctor come out, Lu Zhennan hurriedly asked.

“She’s physically fine. Her emotions are just somewhat unstable,” the doctor said. “Chairman Lu, I already explained the old madam’s condition very clearly to you last week. She needs quiet rest and especially cannot be stimulated.”

Lu Zhennan glared fiercely at Tang Jie.

Tang Jie’s shoulders trembled.

The doctor added, “I’ll prescribe her some calming medicine later. As long as her emotions are stabilized, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

“Thank you, Dr. Chen.”

“You’re welcome.”

Once the doctor left, the courteous smile on Lu Zhennan’s face disappeared. Pointing at Tang Jie’s nose, he said, “This is all your fault!”

While the doctor had been examining the old madam, Lu Zhennan had learned the whole sequence of events from Lu Xi and the housekeeper. After finding out that some of Tang Jie’s words had provoked Old Madam Lu, he was furious.

Tang Jie lowered her head and murmured, “Husband, I was wrong. I won’t dare do it again.”

Lu Zhennan suppressed a stomach full of anger and went in to see Old Madam Lu.

Si Yu shot to her feet and respectfully called out to the dignified, domineering middle-aged man before her, “Dad.”

Lu Zhennan glanced at her and gave a faint “Mm.”

After Tang Jie fussed over Old Madam Lu with concern, she apologized to her.

Old Madam Lu did not accept it. Her gaze passed over Tang Jie and landed on Lu Xi, who was standing at the very back. “All of you go out. I have something to say to Xi Xi.”

Old Madam Lu’s status in the Lu family was extremely high. Even Lu Zhennan had to obey her every word. After reminding her a few times to rest properly, he took Tang Jie and left.

Si Yu was about to leave too.

“Qiao Qiao, you stay.” Old Madam Lu stopped her, then motioned for the two of them to come closer. Getting straight to the point, she asked, “Why are you getting divorced?”

Si Yu: “…”

Lu Xi: “…”

Si Yu secretly glanced at Lu Xi, only to crash into the other woman’s icy eyes. Her heart jolted. She bit her lower lip and said, “It isn’t her fault. It’s my own fault for not being good enough.”

“Nonsense. You’re the most sensible and best child.” Old Madam Lu was extremely protective. She turned to Lu Xi and said, “Qiao Qiao is beautiful and kindhearted. You couldn’t find another like her even with a lantern. Why do you want to divorce her?”

Lu Xi subconsciously turned her head to look at the person beside her—there really was nothing to criticize about her features.

Si Yu blinked at her.

“…” Lu Xi silently looked away. She wanted to say, “Grandma, I’m afraid you have some misunderstanding about kindhearted,” but then she thought of the old woman’s reaction after being provoked half an hour ago and swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue. She changed them to, “Our personalities don’t match.”

Si Yu: “…”

Old Madam Lu: “…”

Lu Xi was unwilling to list the details, and Old Madam Lu could not force her. In the end, the matter was dropped.

Old Madam Lu warmly urged Si Yu to stay for dinner.

At the dining table, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the divorce.

After dinner, Si Yu wanted to push Old Madam Lu to the courtyard for some fresh air. Before leaving, she heard Lu Zhennan say to Lu Xi, “Come with me to the study.”

Inside the study, the father and daughter stood and sat, one across from the other.

Lu Xi’s tone was firm. “I am definitely getting divorced.”

Lu Zhennan pondered for a moment, then said, “Your grandmother now sees Si Yu as Qiao Qiao. If you divorce at this critical point, have you thought about the consequences? The doctor said her current physical condition cannot withstand any further stimulation.”

A hint of doubt flashed through Lu Xi’s clear, cold eyes. She fell silent.

Lu Zhennan knew that she already had an idea in mind. Changing the subject, he said, “I heard from people at the company that you and that female artist named Liang Yufei have an unclear relationship. What is going on?”

It took Lu Xi a few seconds to remember who Liang Yufei was. She frowned and said, “They’re all rumors.”

…

The father and daughter talked about company matters for several hours. By the time Lu Xi left the study, it was already very late.

Lu Xi went straight back to her room.

When she pushed open the door, she saw someone sitting in the spot where she usually worked, one hand propped against the desk as she dozed off. Lu Xi’s gaze sharpened. “Who let you in?”

Si Yu jolted awake. Seeing that it was Lu Xi, she wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, stood up, and said, “Grandma said I’m sleeping here tonight. You’re done with work?”

“This is my room. Please leave,” Lu Xi said politely.

Si Yu shook her head and said seriously, “I have to listen to Grandma.”

Sleep in the same room as her? In her dreams.

Lu Xi opened the door.

As soon as she stepped out, she ran straight into Old Madam Lu sitting in her wheelchair in the corridor, with the housekeeper standing behind the wheelchair. Lu Xi froze, then hurried over. “Why are you up?”

Old Madam Lu looked behind her and said, “You and Qiao Qiao are married, so I didn’t have anyone prepare a guest room.”

Lu Xi hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

“Grandma, why haven’t you gone to sleep yet?” Hearing the movement, Si Yu hurriedly ran out.

Old Madam Lu smiled at her and said warmly, “I’ll sleep after the two of you sleep.”

“That won’t do. The doctor said you can’t stay up late.”

“I won’t stay up late, and neither can you two.”

Si Yu hurriedly nodded again and again. “We won’t, we won’t. We’re going to sleep right away, so hurry back.”

Old Madam Lu did not move, nor did she let the housekeeper move the wheelchair. As if she knew Lu Xi was going to leave, she openly blocked the middle of the corridor and looked at Lu Xi. “It’s so late. Where are you still going?”

“I…”

Before Lu Xi could finish, Si Yu pushed her back into the room and said with a grin, “Grandma, we’re going to sleep. Good night!”

When the door closed, Lu Xi’s eyes turned cold.

Si Yu bent in a bow, smiling as brightly as a flower. “My lady, it’s getting late. Let’s bathe and go sleepy-sleep now~”

The corner of Lu Xi’s charming mouth twitched slightly.