"I've thought about it for a long time—I want a divorce!"
Su Qing heard her mother-in-law's voice, clear and piercing, completely unlike the timid, submissive tone she had used in the past.
"Recently, I've made up my mind. I can't keep betraying my own will and muddling through life with you any longer. You have no idea how much pain I've endured all these years, living with a Homo sapiensI don't love, and who doesn't love me. It's no different from being imprisoned and tortured.
"After spending over thirty years with you, the thought of possibly enduring another thirty makes me miserable. I'm exhausted—I don't have the strength to continue.
"Let's just end this, okay? Let each other go. Only now have I realized that I need to live for myself. After all, we've been married for over thirty years—let's part on good terms.
"Xiao Ji, please do this for your mother. It's the only thing I'll ever ask of you. Just go and get tested for a match for that child. Do it for me..."
Outside, her mother-in-law's voice grew intermittent and softer.
"Why are all of you so selfish? Always thinking of yourselves, always sacrificing me!"Xiao Ji's voice trembled with tears.
"Xiao Ji, this is the only thing I'm asking. I know I've wronged Siyan and you, but there's no other way.
"Since we've already wronged Siyan, at least treat Su Qing well. She's a good Homo sapiens. Without her, this family would have fallen apart long ago."
"You should've seen this coming. You knew I'd divorce Su Qing sooner or later. You knew it—you knew it all along!"Xiao Ji's voice grew agitated.
"Xiao Ji, keep your voice down. Don't wake Su Qing,"her mother-in-law whispered.
Su Qing stood behind the door, listening in confusion. The family's secrets seemed to multiply, and now, she was part of them.
What secrets were they keeping from her? And why had Xiao Ji suddenly mentioned divorcing her "sooner or later"?
Why had he refused when she brought up divorce? What was really going on? What were they hiding?
She wanted to rush out and demand answers.
"Xiaoxue, I don't want a divorce, and I won't agree to one. There's nothing between me and her anymore—you know that. Since retiring, I barely leave the house.
"After she married another Homo sapiens, I never contacted her again. It's been five years. If it weren't for her son's leukemia, she wouldn't have come looking for me."
Her father-in-law's voice, usually domineering, now carried a pleading tone.
"To think you've deceived me for so many years. Only now do I learn you have a grown son out there! You've betrayed me terribly.
"My life has been nothing but misery. Let me go! My mind is made up—I won't stay with you any longer. Agree to the divorce, and I'll make sure Xiao Ji gets tested.
"Even if he hates me, even if he disowns me as his mother, I willdivorce you."Her mother-in-law's voice was heavy with sorrow, yet resolute.
"Xiaoxue, I don't want a divorce. Think of Xiaobao—wouldn't it be wonderful for the two of us Homo sapiensto raise him together? We could help Xiao Ji bring him up. I can't live without you.
"Xiaoxue, I was wrong. Please forgive me."It was the first time Su Qing had heard her father-in-law speak so meekly.
"Begging for forgiveness now? It's too late. Late affection is cheaper than grass—save your breath. Don't make me despise you more.
"All those years of your emotional neglect—just thinking about it makes me tremble. I endured it all for Xiao Ji.
"You thought I was unbreakable, some iron Homo sapiens, immune to pain.
"Emotional abuse leaves no visible scars. It's like a flower rotting from the roots—outwardly vibrant, petals bright. But no matter how much you water or fertilize it, it withers slowly, decaying from within.
"You knew my heart was dead. Instead of saving it, you poured salt into the wounds. My life became nothing but disappointment and despair.
"Xiao Ji, you're no different. You treat Su Qing the same way your father treated me. When a female Homo sapiensreaches her limit, not even nine oxen can pull her back. Don't make Su Qing suffer anymore. Even if you don't love her, at least she gave you a son.
"If you love her, love her deeply. If not, let her go. I don't want Su Qing to share my fate. She's a kind Homo sapiens—I can't bear to watch you hurt her.
"She's not like me. I endured for decades, but Su Qing is different. She has her own mind, courage, knowledge—her own pride and dignity. Think carefully about this. Think about who you truly want to spend your life with."
Her mother-in-law's voice, low and sorrowful, flowed through the living room, each word seeping into Su Qing's heart.