A week after Gu Jianing issued the certificate proving Chun Xing’s fertility, she heard the news: Chun Xing and Zhang Jianjun had divorced.
Although divorced, Chun Xing could still work at the food factory. After all, she hadn’t gotten the job because of her status as a military wife but because she had saved someone.
The only difference was that after the divorce, she and her child could no longer stay in the military compound.
On the day Chun Xing was preparing to leave with her child, Gu Jianing happened to run into her on her way to work.
“Dr. Gu, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known how much longer I’d have to endure the reputation of being infertile or how much longer I’d be deceived by Zhang Jianjun,” Chun Xing said, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
Gu Jianing observed Chun Xing. The woman’s mental state had visibly improved.
Even her daughter, Zhishu, who stood beside her, looked at Gu Jianing with bright, sparkling eyes.
This auntie—she had heard many people talk about her, and her mother had mentioned her too—was a very capable and outstanding auntie.
Zhishu thought, this auntie wasn’t just outstanding, she was also beautiful.
She decided then that she would study hard and strive to become as remarkable as this auntie when she grew up.
Gu Jianing patted Zhishu’s head, and the little girl’s smile grew even sweeter.
“There’s no need to thank me. Everything was achieved through your own efforts.”
And that was indeed the case.
Whether it was the courage to divorce Zhang Jianjun or securing her job, it was all due to Chun Xing’s own determination.
For anyone else in this era, even knowing it was Zhang Jianjun who was infertile, might not have had the courage to divorce.
Especially since Chun Xing had already been divorced once before.
Divorcing again would inevitably invite gossip, making people assume the problem lay with Chun Xing.
“Where do you plan to move?” Gu Jianing asked.
“I’ve already asked someone to rent a place for us near the food factory. It’s small, only about 10 square meters, but it’s enough for Zhishu and me.”
She had started looking for a place even before deciding to divorce Zhang Jianjun.
Truthfully, she could have chosen not to divorce him.
She could even have used his infertility to threaten him, ensuring she would take charge of the Zhang household from then on.
Moreover, living in the military compound with a husband who was an officer would undoubtedly have been better for her and Zhishu.
As for whether Zhang Jianjun would agree?
Chun Xing figured that men cared deeply about their ability to have children.
Especially someone like Zhang Jianjun, who cared so much that he had shifted the blame for their childlessness onto her to avoid others finding out the truth.
So, he would certainly have compromised.
But after some thought, Chun Xing dismissed the idea.
Because she believed Zhang Jianjun was truly a selfish and hypocritical man.
Even worse, he was vindictive.
He simply wasn’t a good person.
With someone like that, Chun Xing didn’t want to entangle herself or her daughter any further.
So, divorce was the cleanest solution.
Moving out of the military compound and distancing herself from Zhang Jianjun, she had a job, a rented home, and could live peacefully with Zhishu.
Besides, to keep her from revealing his secret, Zhang Jianjun had even given her a sum of hush money during the divorce.
Chun Xing naturally accepted it.
However…
She took the money, but that didn’t mean she agreed to his terms.
If Zhang Jianjun ever tried to deceive another woman in the future, forcing someone else to bear the blame like she had—
She absolutely wouldn’t tolerate it.
As for the hush money? She considered it fair compensation for the three years she had slaved away for the Zhang family, serving him, his mother, and his sister.
Chun Xing accepted it without a shred of guilt.
Gu Jianing listened to Chun Xing’s plans and nodded in approval.
She could tell that Chun Xing was a determined woman with a clear mind. Someone like her could thrive anywhere, no matter the circumstances.
“Then I wish you and Zhi Shu all the best in the future.”
Chun Xing smiled softly. “Thank you, Dr. Gu.”
“By the way, Dr. Gu, are you heading to the county town for work? We’re going the same way—would you like to walk together?”
“Sure.”
And so, Gu Jianing, Chun Xing, and Zhishu chatted and laughed as they made their way toward the county town.
Meanwhile, hidden in a corner behind them, a pair of eyes watched their retreating figures, dark with malice and resentment.
…
Chun Xing and Zhang Jianjun’s divorce became the hottest topic in Huansha Island’s military compound.
After all, not long ago, Zhang Jianjun’s mother, Niu Cui, and his sister, Zhang Qiumei, had caused quite a scene.
Their conflict with Gu Jianing and her husband had also been widely discussed, and only after the disciplinary results were announced—forcing Niu Cui and Zhang Qiumei to leave the military compound—did the gossip finally die down.
Yet now, Chun Xing and Zhang Jianjun’s divorce had reignited the rumors.
Many couldn’t understand why Chun Xing would divorce Zhang Jianjun.
“Don’t you think Chun Xing is a fool? Now that Niu Cui and that troublesome sister-in-law Zhang Qiumei are gone, she could finally take charge of the household. Why would she choose to divorce?”
“Do you think it’s because of her daughter? She did argue with Zhang Jianjun over Zhishu’s schooling before.”
“But didn’t Zhang Jianjun compromise in the end?”
“Could it be because Zhang Jianjun was demoted to battalion-level?”
“That shouldn’t matter much, right? He’s still a soldier with a salary and housing benefits.”
“Maybe Chun Xing has someone else…”
Someone even insinuated that Chun Xing might have been unfaithful, but the suggestion was quickly shot down by disapproving looks.
“Don’t spread baseless rumors. That kind of talk ruins lives.”
“Besides, Chun Xing doesn’t seem like that kind of person. And if it were true, would Zhang Jianjun have agreed to a peaceful divorce and given her so much?”
“Fair point.”
“Do you think it’s because Chun Xing can’t have children…?”
“That can’t be it. If she were infertile, where did Zhi Shu come from?”
“Well, maybe…”
Someone cautiously suggested that perhaps the issue was Zhang Jianjun’s infertility.
The moment this theory was voiced, the group exchanged glances, silently agreeing it made sense.
After all, it couldn’t be a coincidence that both Zhang Jianjun’s ex-wife and Chun Xing were supposedly “infertile.”
Still, no one dared to say it outright. Even if it were true, they feared word might get back to Zhang Jianjun—and no one wanted to risk his retaliation.
“My guess is that something serious happened, and Zhang Jianjun was at fault. That’s why Chun Xing couldn’t stand it anymore and why he had to give her so much in the divorce.”
This explanation gained the most agreement. As for whether the “something serious” was Zhang Jianjun’s infertility—well, that remained unconfirmed.
But the seed of doubt had been planted.
Of course, some people tried asking Chun Xing directly, but she never gave a clear answer.
She only said that they had incompatible personalities and values.
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