Men Are Inferior to Money

“I’m testing your bottom line.”

“What do you mean?”

“Afterward, you still have to accompany me to meet my mother. We have a long time ahead, and I don’t want us to end up divorcing.”

Zhou Mo’s heart sank, understanding Han Chen’s intention.

“You want to test my tolerance for this marriage?”

“Yes. If you feel dissatisfied and want to end this relationship, I’d prefer it to be before meeting my mother.”

Zhou Mo’s hand, placed on her lap, clenched into a tight fist. Her gaze burned like a torch as she stared at Han Chen intently.

“In that case, I choose to divorce now.”

Han Chen’s gaze darkened. “Have you made up your mind?”

“I have.”

“Aren’t you afraid of your parents knowing what you’ve done with someone else?”

Zhou Mo gritted her teeth, immediately lifting her head defiantly. “I’m not afraid. Say whatever you want. The worst case is to be kicked out of my own home.”

Han Chen’s eyelids drooped slightly. “When do you want to go through with the divorce procedures? You decide on the timing.”

Zhou Mo was taken aback.

Did he agree so quickly?

“Regarding my parents, you...”

“After the divorce, we will no longer have any connection. To me, you’ll be a stranger. I have no reason to bother with strangers.”

Zhou Mo’s heart inexplicably clenched, even though it was the outcome she desired the most. But hearing Han Chen say it like that, she felt an unexpected surge of emotions.

Han Chen stood up. His voice remained cold. “Shall I see you off?”

Zhou Mo nodded.

Han Chen led Zhou Mo to the end of the corridor, where the elevator was. This elevator directly connected to the underground parking lot, Exit C, and there was a bus stop just outside, so they wouldn’t have to walk a long distance.

He raised his hand to press the elevator button for Zhou Mo. The two stood in front and behind without saying a word.

The elevator arrived quickly, and Zhou Mo felt relieved as she stepped inside.

To calm her emotions, she had planned to bid Han Chen farewell calmly and amicably. She just raised her hand to say “goodbye“.

However, Han Chen kept pressing the “up” button outside the elevator. His dark gaze fixed directly on Zhou Mo as he asked, “What is the reason for this breakup? It can’t still be about your cleanliness obsession, right?”

“What?” Zhou Mo didn’t react immediately.

“It’s nothing,” Han Chen lowered his gaze. “Reflect on yourself.”

Han Chen released the elevator button, and the elevator doors slowly closed.

Zhou Mo was left in a state of confusion by Han Chen’s contradictory actions.

Indeed, people continue to grow. The previously simple-minded Han Chen now became difficult to understand.

But when Han Chen mentioned the reason for their previous breakup...

Zhou Mo couldn’t even remember it.

It seemed she had said something random at the time, about her cleanliness obsession and not being able to tolerate him.

The confusion lasted only a moment, and the frustration was also fleeting. Zhou Mo, who was always cold and indifferent, quickly regained her composure.

Relationships were of little importance to her. If it weren’t for her parents’ insistence, she would never have been in a relationship with Yu Yizhou.

The essence of Zhou Mo’s life was making money first, academics second, and relationships... were at last.

Are men ever reliable when it comes to money?

Especially with a prime example like Yu Yizhou.

Just as they came out of the hospital.

Zhou Mo received a call from her mother, Liu Xiangru.

“Mo Mo, have you reached an agreement with that guy?”

“No,” Zhou Mo sounded a bit disheartened.

“I knew it. He has a deceitful nature. Taking advantage of his broken leg, he won’t let go,” Liu Xiangru asked again, “Did he say how much money he wants us to compensate?”

“He didn’t say exactly, but he’ll probably ask for a large sum,” Zhou Mo replied.

“Maybe I can ask him tomorrow. If he names a price, we’ll settle it. With him causing such a fuss, how can we continue living like this?”

Zhou Mo rubbed her temples. “Do you think Dad will be willing to pay that amount? He’ll probably get furious. Besides, I don’t want to compensate him. He used my ID card to register a company and incurred losses in his start-up. Now, all the losses are attributed to me. Whom should I ask for that money?”

Liu Xiangru sighed over the phone. “The police station keeps summoning your father for questioning every other day... I’m worried.”

Zhou Mo was also distressed.

Liu Xiangru had a mild temper and was always kind to others. She had never encountered a situation like this before. After some reflection, she blamed herself for everything.

“If only I hadn’t introduced you to that guy.”

“I met him and made the promise myself. It’s not only you who may misjudge people, but me too,” Zhou Mo didn’t like the “if only” remarks. “What’s done is done. We’ll face it as it comes. I’ll ask my mentor if she knows any reliable lawyer. If all else fails, we’ll resort to law.”

Zhou Mo was pursuing a Ph.D. in Disease Prevention and Health Management at Dongjiang University’s College of Medicine. She was currently in her second year of the program. Her mentor was a first-level professor in the college, who was very nice and took good care of Zhou Mo. Although she had a laid-back personality, she was highly capable and received awards from the college every year. The only downside was that she was a bit talkative.

Zhou Mo reported everything truthfully to her mentor, who said she would try to help and granted her a few days off. In fact, Zhou Mo had already taken three days off since the day Yu Yizhou broke his leg.

Yu Yizhou had filed a police report, and unfortunately, their whole family had to cooperate with the police investigation. The forensic examination announced that Yu Yizhou’s injuries were minor, but despite that, Zhou Mo’s father, Zhou Zheng, might still be suspected of assaulting someone and face administrative detention.

The police investigation was still ongoing. Yu Yizhou’s statement contradicted theirs, but considering Zhou Zheng’s old age and the relatively minor nature of the incident, he was allowed to go home for the time being, but he had to be prepared for further investigation.

A few days later, Zhou Zheng called and asked Zhou Mo to come home for dinner. Zhou Mo had been going to the Industrial and Commercial Bureau and the police station the past few days, and Zhou Zheng felt sorry for his daughter.

Zhou Mo wasn’t in a good mood. “Dad, you and Mom have dinner. I have to meet my mentor tomorrow.”

“All right,” Zhou Zheng didn’t urge her and was about to hang up.

Liu Xiangru suddenly took the phone and rambled on, expressing concern for Zhou Mo before mentioning, “Do you remember Aunt Liang who lives across from our house? I ran into her today. Her whole family is moving back, and they brought a renovation team to refurbish their house.”

“You mean Han Chen’s mother?” Zhou Mo suddenly sat up from the sofa, surprised.

“Yes! I talked to her and found out that she had undergone heart surgery six months ago. She narrowly escaped death but has been recovering relatively well. However, she doesn’t look very energetic.”

Suddenly, Zhou Mo understood why Han Chen wanted to marry her. It was probably because Aunt Liang was pressuring him, and with her poor health, Han Chen couldn’t refuse. But things had come to this point, and Zhou Mo had her own troubles to deal with. She couldn’t afford to care about Han Chen’s matters.

It’s better to have one less thing to worry about. She needed to get a divorce quickly, or when Aunt Liang moved across the street... getting a divorce would probably be even more difficult.

Zhou Mo quickly asked Han Chen when they could proceed with the divorce procedure. Han Chen directly sent his work schedule, marking the available dates. The nearest one was tomorrow afternoon.

Zhou Mo was decisive. “Tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock.”

Han Chen didn’t reply.

Zhou Mo assumed he had read the message.

At the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

It was sunny.

Zhou Mo was unlucky.

It was her first divorce, and she had no experience.

Who could have guessed that there would be a cooling-off period for divorces?

The staff informed her to come back thirty days later.

Han Chen remained composed, without a trace of disappointment on his face.

Zhou Mo looked at Han Chen despondently, her eyes silent but filled with doubt.

Han Chen coldly reminded her, “It’s my first divorce.“