Chapter 4: A Condition

Lost in thought, Xie Ming took a deep breath, choosing to release her past and embrace the present. Believing that destiny had granted her a second chance, she felt compelled to cherish every moment. While uncertain about how she arrived at this point, she was determined to make the most of her life.

Pausing to gather her thoughts, she pieced together the information she had. From what she could discern, Xie Ming had been wed to Jin Liwei in an arranged union, but their relationship was strained. Jin Liwei's words suggested that Xie Ming had never truly been content in the marriage.

Yet, why had she attempted to end her life? Wouldn't seeking a divorce have been a more rational choice?

Zhao Ming was no stranger to the concept of divorce.

In her world, divorce was indeed an option, but it often came with heavy constraints, especially for women. Men had the upper hand; they could seek divorce for reasons as trivial as not being given a son or perceived insubordination from their wives. Women, on the other hand, were limited in their reasons — they could only petition for divorce in cases of abuse, and even then, only when they had concrete evidence.

Challenging this system often had severe repercussions for women. Raising a voice against injustice could result in being ostracized by the community, which often culminated in a life of misery and isolation. As a result, many chose the lesser evil: enduring a tumultuous marriage.

Contrastingly, in this new world she found herself in, couples could separate simply due to irreconcilable differences. To her, this seemed a much more humane and reasonable approach, benefiting all parties involved.

Xie Ming mulled over Jin Liwei's proposal to part ways and formalize their separation by signing these papers. The idea of pretending as his wife and cohabiting under one roof felt daunting. Yet, severing ties with him, the only person she knows in the world, without a grip on the workings of this world or Xie Ming's memories could be a gamble, potentially leaving her lost and directionless in this unfamiliar realm.

She cannot do that. At least, not now.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to face Jin Liwei, who was intently watching her, his gaze scrutinizing every nuance of her expression. Clearly, he was trying to decipher the whirlwind of thoughts inside her head. "So, we're married, aren't we? Even if there's no love, surely there should be some decency as a couple who have been married for a year?"

" I have just emerged from a coma after three long months, wrestling with amnesia to the point where even my own name feels unfamiliar to me. Yet, the first thing you ask me isn't about my well-being, but divorce?" she remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Liwei's eyebrows shot up in surprise, clearly taken aback by her revelation. He had been engrossed in a crucial meeting when the hospital's call came through, informing him of Xie Ming's awakening. Without a second thought, he excused himself and rushed to her side, charging the responsibility of speaking with the doctor to his assistant, Gu Shan.

His brow creased further in confusion and concern, but before he could voice any questions or seek clarity from Xie Ming, Gu Shan briskly entered the room. Approaching Liwei, he discreetly relayed the details of Xie Ming's condition in hushed tones.

Xie Ming remained seated on the hospital bed, lost in thought, wondering what she should say next to not make him divorce her immediately. Meanwhile, Gu Shan, Jin Liwei's assistant, quietly briefed him on the specifics of Xie Ming's situation, including her details about the temporary amnesia.

"So that explains it," Jin Liwei murmured, realization dawning on him as he processed her earlier peculiar behavior. The thought that she genuinely couldn't recognize him was unsettling. Yet, doubts nagged at him. Was her amnesia genuine, or just a ploy she was using to toy with him? He pondered.

After Gu Shan exited the room, Xie Ming exhaled deeply, staring at Jin Liwei seriously. "If you want a divorce, I'll grant it," she began, her words making Jin Liwei arch an eyebrow in surprise.

"What's your condition?" he inquired, a hint of astonishment evident in his tone. He studied her closely as if attempting to decipher an intricate puzzle.

The change in her demeanor was striking, almost as if she had become an entirely different person.

It was oddly captivating.

Oblivious to the look of astonishment on Jin Liwei's face, Xie Ming continued, "Given that I can't recall a thing, you could potentially manipulate me into agreeing to things I never did, putting me at a distinct disadvantage. I propose a period of six months. If my memories haven't returned by then and you still want out, I'll grant the divorce, asking nothing in return. Is that agreeable?"

Having voiced her terms, doubt quickly clouded her mind. She wasn't truly Xie Ming but Zhao Ming; the chances of Xie Ming's memories returning were bleak. Divorcing with nothing to her name would leave her vulnerable in this unfamiliar world.

Yet, her pride as an Empress held her back from recanting. At this moment, pride was the one thing she could cling to, the one remnant of her former self.

With a steadying breath, she pushed her reservations aside and met Jin Liwei's gaze unwaveringly, her eyes radiating confidence.

While Xie Ming attempted to maintain a facade of strength, Jin Liwei arched an amused eyebrow. Her reaction and the terms of her deal left him wondering, 'Has she lost her memories or her mind?' She wasn't just exposing her suspicions about his manipulation but was also proposing a divorce in six months with no demands in return if her memories didn't return.

Jin Liwei was well aware that accepting her condition might be an imprudent move, as it could potentially lead to her devising another plan to entangle him and make divorce more challenging. Yet, her transformation intrigued him, making it difficult to refuse the proposal.

With his hands casually tucked in his pockets, he finally spoke, "Deal."