Chapter 23 You don't want a divorce either? That's a good thing!

Chen Ang set down his water glass, not dodging her gaze.

That look was back—no anger, no guilty conscience, just a quiet scrutiny.

Wen Huilin felt a chill down her spine, but she held her ground.

"What am I hiding from you?" His tone was very flat. "I just figured some things out recently. I was too tired before, and now I don't want to be that tired anymore."

"Then where did your money come from?"

"What money?"

"The X5, plus the enrichment classes. The way you've been spending money lately doesn't look like someone who has no money."

"Didn't I tell you? My mom transferred a bit, and then loans, online loans. If you think I can't pay them back, why don't you just transfer me some money and be done with it?"

He looked at Wen Huilin, a trace of a smile on his lips.

Wen Huilin stood in front of the sofa, her face devoid of any angry expression; instead, she seemed to be lost in thought.

After a few seconds, she took a light breath: "Chen Ang, do you have a woman on the outside?"

She was smart enough not to mention Director Xu Qingwan; she knew that was the phrase Chen Ang was least willing to hear.

Chen Ang paused, not detecting the implication behind her words; he only felt that Wen Huilin's reaction was unexpected.

"You didn't come back all night yesterday, and you haven't changed your clothes." Her tone was flat, so flat it didn't sound like an interrogation. "If you have someone else, just tell me directly. I don't want to fight with you, and I don't want to make a scene. I just want us to be able to be honest with each other."

"No."

Chen Ang looked at her, suddenly a bit unsure of what she was thinking.

Wen Huilin knew she wouldn't get anything out of him, so she stopped dwelling on it.

She lowered her head and was silent for a moment. When she looked up again, her eyes were red—red from having held back for so long and finally failing to control it.

"Chen Ang." Her voice was a bit hoarse. "We've been married for seven years. In these seven years, I might not have been a good wife. I haven't been good enough to you, I know that. You might hate me, I know that too. But..."

She paused, her voice thick with tears. "But have you ever thought about why I became like this?"

Chen Ang didn't speak.

"All these years you've been sending money home, six thousand a month; I know that's for your mother. But have you ever thought about our little family? Have you ever thought about how I felt every month when I was calculating living expenses, utility bills, and Chen Zetian's tuition?"

Her tears finally started rolling out of her eyes, one by one.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't take care of your parents, but it's been seven years. You send six thousand every month, and with over four million in debt weighing on you alone, what do you want me to do? You want me to live my life with a man who might not even be able to pay off his debts in a lifetime—can you understand my fear?"

She wiped her eyes with the back of her right hand and turned her head away.

"I know you have issues with me. You've been ignoring me, not coming home, and spending money recklessly lately—it's all to spite me. But..." She turned her head back, looking at Chen Ang. "But what if I told you that I still want us to have a good life together?"

Chen Ang walked to the sofa and sat down slowly, then remained still, re-evaluating this woman in his heart.

Every word she said today was off the track of his predictions.

She didn't explode, didn't make a scene, didn't dig up old history, and didn't mention his job, his loans, or his Huabei.

She showed weakness—a woman who hadn't shown weakness in seven years suddenly showed it.

When things are abnormal, there must be something sinister afoot.

But he wasn't in a hurry to expose her; he just wanted to see what she was really up to.

"How do you want to have a good life together?" he suddenly asked.

Wen Huilin pulled out a tissue and pressed it to the corner of her eyes: "I want to start over, just like before. I know you're angry, and I know I haven't done well enough. But Chen Ang, we still have Chen Zetian. That is our child. No matter what, he calls you Dad; he is your son."

She took a step forward and sat down beside Chen Ang, her voice soft and gentle: "Give me a chance, and give us both a chance. We can start over."

Chen Ang studied her face and found that her tears were real; her eyes were red, and the tip of her nose was red too.

But the look in her eyes was wrong. She was crying, but there was no sense of grievance or a plea for him to comfort her in her eyes; it was more like a calm observation of his expression.

He suddenly understood; this woman didn't want to make up, she was probing for information.

"Fine." Chen Ang was crisp and direct.

Wen Huilin paused for a second: "You... agreed?"

"You're right." Chen Ang spread his hands. "After all, we've been a married couple for seven years. If you want to have a good life together, then let's have a good life together. That's what I've been thinking too."

His expression was extremely sincere.

Wen Huilin opened her mouth, but the words she had prepared suddenly didn't know how to follow.

She had originally thought he would refuse, mock her, or look at her with that look of seeing a clown, just like before.

She was prepared: if he refused, she would take the opportunity to continue questioning him about his background.

If he was sarcastic, she would continue to use how aggrieved she had been over the past seven years to soften him.

And if he flipped out, she would push Chen Zetian forward, using moral kidnapping to force him to concede.

But he did none of that; he agreed directly.

This was completely unexpected for Wen Huilin; he was simply not playing by the rules at all.

"You..." Wen Huilin hesitated. "Are you being sincere?"

"Of course." Chen Ang stood up from the sofa. "I've always said I didn't want a divorce; it was you who wanted to. Now that you've come to your senses, that's a good thing."

"From now on, let's live a good life. You go to work as you should, and I'll stay at home to take care of the child. You worry more about the household matters; I'll handle the domestic affairs, and you'll handle the external ones. It's happily decided."

Wen Huilin's eyelid twitched wildly, and a surge of evil fire rushed straight to her crown.

You handle the domestic affairs, and I handle the external ones?

Do you even want to hear what you, a grown man, are saying?

And "happily decided"... is that deciding that I should head down the path of a drudge?

Besides, it would be one thing if I were handling external affairs, but to also have to worry more about household matters...

Does this mean I should work like an ox or a horse to serve you and our son?

Wen Huilin's worldview was about to explode; she couldn't understand how Chen Ang could say such things.

At this moment, she was even more convinced of her judgment: Chen Ang was trying to force her into a divorce, and a divorce where she wouldn't get any of his assets.

She must absolutely not let him have his way.

Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being unrighteous.

"Fine." Secretly gritting her teeth, Wen Huilin agreed. "Then let's live well in the future, and don't mind my previous impulses. After all, it was all for Chen Zetian."

"Hmm, as long as our goals are aligned, it'll be easy to handle. The matter of me quitting my job is actually because I want to spend more time with Chen Zetian. A child only grows up once; I don't want to miss it. You can understand that, right?"

Chen Ang nodded upon hearing this. Since you want to act, then I'll play along.

Wen Huilin was stunned, her gaze scrutinizing Chen Ang's expression, trying to discern how he could say such a shameless thing.

"Fine, you've been tired these past few years, so just consider it giving yourself a vacation. It won't be too late to go back to work after you've rested well. There are still some savings at home, so we don't have to worry about running out of food."

After gritting her teeth and finishing, Wen Huilin immediately stood up; she was afraid she wouldn't be able to resist slapping him.

"I knew you were still reasonable." Chen Ang grinned. "Oh... right, transfer me some money. I overspent on my card at dinner last night, and my Huabei limit is gone. I can't be without a penny every time I go out to meet friends, can I?"

"You... fine, it really wouldn't do to always have your friends treat you." Wen Huilin suppressed her emotions, the pressure making the temples on her forehead throb slightly.

She took out her phone, transferred three thousand to Chen Ang, moved her feet, and headed straight to the room.

At this moment, she felt dizzy, and her breasts ached; she was afraid that if she stayed any longer, breast cancer would come looking for her.