A Marriage in Name Only? My Stepbrother Won't Let Me Go

The more resolute Xue Xingyao was, the more miserable Chen Shujing felt.

He had thought his heart had only ever belonged to Shen Mingxiao. The reason he’d noticed Xue Xingyao, he told himself, was because her eyes resembled Xiaoxiao’s.

But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

He had discovered long before their engagement that Xue Xingyao and Shen Mingxiao were two completely different women.

She was cheerful and open, unafraid to show her emotions. She was incapable of swallowing her grievances just to keep the peace.

Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, had endured a difficult life in the Shen family and often had to swallow her grievances.

She always wore a mask, never revealing her true feelings.

He had realized long ago that Ah Yao and Xiaoxiao were nothing alike.

Yet he had gone through with the engagement anyway.

’Was it really just her similar eyes that he valued?’

A vague answer formed in Chen Shujing’s mind: no.

’Xue Xingyao was Xue Xingyao. She wasn’t a substitute for anyone.’

’Even without eyes like Xiaoxiao’s, she had countless other brilliant qualities.’

’If he could do it all over again, he would still be drawn to her, would still choose to marry her.’

Chen Shujing admitted to himself that there was still a place in his heart for Shen Mingxiao. She was his first love.

Just when their feelings had become mutual, she had suddenly fallen ill and died.

’How could he ever forget that?’

After marrying Ah Yao, her importance in his heart had gradually grown.

He cared for Ah Yao, too.

A lump seemed to form in his chest, making it so hard for Chen Shujing to breathe that he felt utterly miserable.

Chen Shujing finally understood Pei Yan’s relentless persistence.

He didn’t want to be separated from Ah Yao. At this moment, he, too, wanted to use any means necessary to keep her by his side.

Chen Shujing said, enunciating each word, "Ah Yao, we are not getting a divorce. Absolutely not!"

’He would make it up to Ah Yao. He would never again leave her in a helpless and isolated position.’

’There was no obstacle a husband and wife couldn’t overcome together.’

’Everything would get better. With enough time, even the deepest scars would heal!’

Xue Xingyao now understood how Mei Wanying must have felt, and a deep sense of irritation grew within her.

"Don’t even think about acting like His Highness. His heart is pure—he never once deceived Ah Yin. Every time Ah Yin was in danger, he was the first one to rush to her rescue. To put it bluntly, you’re not even in the same league as him."

Pei Yan may have a sharp tongue and act hot and cold toward Ah Yin, but he has also done so much for her.

He was the one who saved the Mei family’s fortune.

Pei Yan never lets Ah Yin walk into danger. Whenever she’s at risk, he’s the first one to lose his mind with worry.

On that point alone, Pei Yan was far more reliable than Chen Shujing.

At least Ah Yin never had to worry that Pei Yan would suddenly stab her in the back.

After this, Xue Xingyao no longer trusted Chen Shujing. If they didn’t divorce, she would have to be on guard against him day after day.

She’d live in fear of him stabbing her in the back again.

’It would be too exhausting.’

"Chen Shujing, let’s part on good terms."

Chen Shujing murmured, "Ah Yao, I don’t want a divorce."

Xue Xingyao replied, "And I didn’t want to be abandoned by my husband, but you did it anyway. Chen Shujing, you can’t have it both ways."

After saying her piece, Xue Xingyao seemed to lose all her strength and collapsed back onto the pillow. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The wound on her back throbbed with greater pain, but she didn’t so much as groan.

’But to get back the people she cared for, this injury was worth it!’

Xue Xingyao closed her eyes, refusing to speak with Chen Shujing any further.

The man stared at her, stunned. He opened his mouth to speak several times, but not a single word came out.

’Ah Yao was already exhausted. If he kept pestering her, it would only hinder her recovery.’

’There’s no rush.’

’They still had a long future ahead of them.’

Chen Shujing tried to console himself with this thought.

Xue Xingyao ignored him, but he didn’t leave. She was his wife; he should be the one to personally care for her.

Seeing her chapped lips, Chen Shujing wanted to moisten them for her.

Just as he poured a cup of warm water, Mrs. Xue returned, carrying a bowl of dark, murky medicine.

The concoction gave off a foul odor, and Xue Xingyao wrinkled her nose even from a distance.

’I have to take better care of myself from now on,’ she decided silently.

’No more medicine!’

"Mother, please make him leave."

In front of the person she was closest to, Xue Xingyao allowed a rare hint of her grievance to show.

She didn’t want to see Chen Shujing.

Not at all!

A mother always treasures her own child, so Mrs. Xue naturally sided with her daughter.

"Ah Yao has already told us about the divorce. I support her decision."

If Chen Shujing hadn’t done something so outrageous, Mrs. Xue would never have agreed to her daughter’s divorce.

She had thought her son-in-law was a modest and kind gentleman, and that was why he couldn’t bring himself to cut ties with the Shen family.

Who would have thought he could be so cruel to Ah Yao, leaving her all alone in the Capital City and coldly watching as she struggled with fear and helplessness.

It was too heartless.

And too terrifying.

Mrs. Xue was terrified. What if Chen Shujing did something foolish again in the future and tried to oppress Ah Yao? Without the backing of her maiden family, how could Ah Yao possibly stand up to him?

It was better to take advantage of Chen Shujing’s guilt and secure the divorce as soon as possible.

Chen Shujing was miserable. He felt as if everyone was ganging up on him. "Mother, I don’t want a divorce."

Mrs. Xue said, "For the sake of the child Ah Yao lost because of you, can’t you be considerate and let her go?"

Chen Shujing was already consumed with guilt toward Xue Xingyao. At the mention of the child, he suddenly felt too ashamed to stay and trouble them any longer.

"Mother, please try to persuade her. I’ll never do anything to hurt Ah Yao again. Please, believe me."

Leaving those words behind, Chen Shujing fled in a panic. His hurried steps and retreating figure spoke of his utter discomposure.

Gone was the proud, noble bearing of a refined young lord.

Mrs. Xue sighed to herself.

When the Duke Mansion first fell into ruin, Chen Shujing had rushed about, pleading on their behalf and trying every possible solution.

Thanks to his connections, they hadn’t suffered much during their time in prison.

She had thought her daughter had married a reliable young man, but it turned out he was a fool as well.

And in his foolishness, he had dared to oppress Ah Yao.

He had acted so brazenly because he thought the Xue Family was finished, that Ah Yao had no choice but to stay by his side if she wanted a good life.

How utterly humiliating!

If he looked down on Ah Yao, then it was better to end the marriage.

Mrs. Xue had lived a long life and seen a great deal. She understood that it wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing for her daughter to remain with the Chen Family.

Even if Chen Shujing didn’t oppress her, the Chen Family’s elders, his siblings, his sisters-in-law, and even the younger generation would likely look down on Ah Yao.

Now that the Xue Family and the Chen Family were no longer social equals, Ah Yao had no one to back her. In the long run, life in the Chen Family would be truly difficult for her.

"Then a divorce it is. Mother supports you."

Xue Xingyao’s eyes welled with tears. "As a divorced woman, will I tarnish our family’s reputation?"

Mrs. Xue scooped up a spoonful of the bitter medicine, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to her daughter’s lips. "You’re more capable than your mother!"

She herself had been overly cautious, wasting most of her life away in the Duke Mansion. Now, as the relative of a criminal, she had still failed to get a divorce in the end.

It was Mrs. Xue’s greatest regret.

Now that her daughter was bravely taking this step, she had to give her full support.

Otherwise, she would just be letting her daughter follow in her own unfortunate footsteps.

"Even young Wanying dared to have her child. You’re just getting a divorce. You’re not stealing, robbing, or hurting anyone. Why are you overthinking it?"

"Besides, we’re going to Jiangnan. We don’t know anyone there, and no one knows us. With no one around to kick you when you’re down, what does a divorce even matter?"

"Ah Yao, one must live life to the fullest. You’re strong enough to commit and strong enough to let go. That’s truly remarkable!"