Chapter 5: Is There a Cooling-Off Period for Divorce?
"What brings you to me today?"
Gu Yuan was unaware that Gu Fei had driven Xun'er away from the mountain the night before. Xun'er herself knew that if others found out, it would be humiliating for her.
Seeing Gu Yuan's reaction, Gu Fei realized that he still didn't know. Initially, Gu Fei intended to be direct, but Xun'er was Gu Yuan's daughter. Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs, so as the clan leader, Gu Yuan might not openly side with his daughter, but he'd surely show some bias in handling the situation.
"I've been married to Xun'er for six months now. Xun'er is a good person. However…"
Recalling Xun'er's actions, Gu Fei, though having already let go emotionally, still felt a bit of bitterness in his tone.
"Perhaps I'm not outstanding enough, as Xun'er doesn't have feelings for me. Maybe we're just not destined to be together. I don't think I'm the right match for her."
Gu Fei stopped there, his gaze falling on Gu Yuan, who had remained silent. Could it be that Gu Fei wanted to end the marriage?
Gu Yuan feels surprised, Emotional Value +5
Gu Yuan quickly concealed his surprise, lowering his gaze to look at Gu Fei sitting below him.
Back then, it was Gu Fei who came to him, insisting on marrying Xun'er. Gu Fei was the leader of the younger generation, someone with a promising future. Gu Yuan had watched him grow up, so he agreed to the marriage. But how could things change so drastically after only six months?
But soon after, Gu Yuan felt a surge of anger.
Even if Xun'er was innocent, a divorce would severely damage her reputation.
Gu Fei silently observed Gu Yuan's reaction, and in the next moment, he received a system notification.
Gu Yuan feels angry, Emotional Value +5
Gu Fei understood that Gu Yuan was probably going to stand up for his daughter. Gu Yuan would surely question him, and Gu Fei would need to prepare his words carefully. His explanation had to be gentle.
Gu Yuan's expression grew stern, and a faint pressure unconsciously emanated from him. He didn't do it on purpose; it was just a reflex.
Just as Gu Yuan was about to ask Gu Fei for the real reason, a female voice arrived.
"Father, I will not divorce Gu Fei!"
The next moment, Xun'er, who hadn't slept all night, hurriedly rushed in, lifting her skirt as she did so.
Xun'er feels excited, Emotional Value +50
Gu Fei suppressed a smile at the corner of his mouth—the ex-wife who kept supplying emotional value had shown up.
Gu Yuan looked at her noisy behavior with a mix of affection and disapproval, giving a soft snort before allowing her to sit down. Xun'er hesitated for a moment before choosing to sit across from Gu Fei. She wanted to sit closer to him, but he was giving her no face at all. It was better not to court further trouble.
Once Xun'er sat down, Gu Yuan straightened up a bit, his concern evident as he hurriedly asked, "Gu Fei came to me early this morning to discuss something. Xun'er, tell your father, has something happened between you and Gu Fei?"
His worried expression made Xun'er feel ashamed, and she lowered her head.
Xun'er feels ashamed, Emotional Value +50
With her head down, Xun'er refused to answer, so Gu Yuan turned his gaze to Gu Fei.
Sighing, Gu Fei reluctantly explained why he wanted to end the marriage.
"Xun'er and I have been married for six months. I had hoped we could be in harmony as a couple. But… in reality, we've never had a true marital relationship."
His first tactful sentence left Gu Yuan stunned. Gu Yuan had anticipated that Xun'er might not fall in love with Gu Fei right away, but he hadn't expected that they hadn't consummated the marriage in six months. He had hoped for a couple of clever and adorable grandchildren, but now that hope was gone.
Gu Yuan saw that Gu Fei had more to say and nodded for him to continue.
"If this were the only issue, I wouldn't consider ending the marriage. Do you remember the Xiao family?"
Xun'er's face changed.
She feared that if Gu Yuan knew about this, he might imprison her, preventing her from seeing Xiao Yan. Worse, she feared Gu Yuan might send someone to deal with Xiao Yan...
Xun'er feels nervous, Emotional Value +50
"Of course I remember. It was I who sent Xun'er to that Xiao family in Wutan City." Gu Yuan responded, puzzled by what Gu Fei was about to say.
"Xiao Yan, the son of the Xiao family leader, was once considered a 'genius' in Wu Tan City. He and Xun'er grew up together and got along exceptionally well—so well that…" Gu Fei closed his eyes briefly.
"So well that even after returning to the Gu clan, she would secretly give him gifts. Perhaps they were just friends, but she might have feared I'd be angry, so she secretly went to see Xiao Yan behind my back."
Xun'er feels ashamed, Emotional Value +100
With her head down, Xun'er listened as Gu Fei gently told her father everything she'd done. She didn't deny it, but her face reddened.
Gu Yuan feels angry, Emotional Value +5
Gu Yuan was furious with Xun'er, but he also understood Gu Fei's feelings. As a man himself, if his woman had done such things, he would be furious—furious enough to want a divorce.
But Gu Yuan's daughter was at fault, and naturally, he wanted to protect her. But he felt sorry for Gu Fei, too, and sighed inwardly.
"Xun'er, how could you do such a thing? Xiao Yan is nowhere near as good as your husband, yet you committed such a disgraceful act? You've truly disappointed me!"
Xun'er feels ashamed, Emotional Value +200
Her father's scolding made Xun'er feel even more ashamed. But then Gu Yuan changed his tone.
"Xun'er surely regrets her actions. How about you both take some time to think things over? If you still insist on divorce after a month, then I'll agree to it."
Gu Fei's expression turned a bit odd. He hadn't expected that even in the Dou Qi Continent, there would be something like a cooling-off period for divorce. Of course, Gu Fei didn't want to agree to such an absurd request. A month? Did Gu Yuan think that would make him forgive Xun'er for betraying him?
But at this moment, Gu Fei couldn't confront Gu Yuan directly; his strength wasn't yet enough to act recklessly within the Gu clan. He had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
"Clan leader, I'll do as you say."
Gu Yuan nodded in satisfaction, but Gu Fei's next words caught him off guard.
"However, I believe that even after a month, my feelings will remain unchanged..."
Gu Yuan, as the clan leader, had considerable authority. Since he had decided to postpone Gu Fei and Xun'er's separation, Gu Fei had to temporarily agree. But as for the future, who could say?
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