Volume One, Chapter One: Burning Bridges After Crossing

“Autumn Tong, today marks our third wedding anniversary. I secured the Deepwater Bay project for you as a gift—surely that will make you happy.”
On his way home, Xu Qing drove while imagining how delighted his wife would be when he shared the good news. The thought brought a gentle, blissful smile to his lips.
He and Tan Autumn Tong had been married for three years, their relationship always harmonious.
They respected one another, lived in happiness.
Soon, Xu Qing arrived at the gates of their home, where his mother-in-law, He Yan, and his brother-in-law, Tan Fulen, stood by the entrance to the villa, a code-locked suitcase at their side.
“Mother, what are you doing out here?” Xu Qing stopped the car and got out to ask.
“Sign your name here.” He Yan ignored him, thrusting an agreement into his hands.
“What kind of agreement?” Xu Qing frowned slightly, taking the document to read.
The more he read, the colder his expression became.
It was a divorce settlement, demanding he leave with nothing.
“This is Autumn Tong’s wish?” Xu Qing looked up at He Yan.
“If it’s not my sister’s wish, whose could it be? Certainly not my mother’s. Useless fool, hurry up and sign it. You and my sister are from entirely different worlds; you’re not worthy of her,” Tan Fulen sneered.
“Xu Qing, don’t pretend to be ignorant. My daughter is now the most beautiful CEO in Bicheng. In her hands, the Tan family has flourished these past three years. You, a mere househusband, are nothing but dead weight—a hindrance to her progress!” He Yan said coldly, without a trace of sympathy.
“I am her hindrance?”
Xu Qing’s face turned icy. Had he not used his resources to bring one lucrative project after another to the Tan family over the past three years, they would have gone bankrupt long ago. Could they really have what they do now?
“She said that?” Xu Qing asked.
“Does it need to be said? Everyone knows you’re just a parasite in our family, a useless son-in-law. Besides being an eyesore, what benefit do you bring?” He Yan scoffed.
“If it’s divorce you want, let her come and talk to me herself.” Xu Qing didn’t wish to argue further, pulling out a cigarette, lighting it, and leaning against the car door.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Bai Xingbang, who had transferred the Deepwater Bay project to the Tan family earlier that day.
Xu Qing answered, and Bai spoke respectfully: “Doctor Xu, my father collapsed half an hour ago, his body turned dark. I’ve called several experts, but none can diagnose him. Do you have time? Please, come see him.”
Xu Qing pondered. “I have time.”
“That’s wonderful. My daughter was just about to find you; I’ll let her pick you up and bring you to our home.”

Xu Qing ended the call.
He had always maintained a good relationship with the Bai family, often playing chess with Old Bai. The old man was a decent sort—now that he was ill, Xu Qing naturally had to pay him a visit.
“You useless fool, what right do you have to make my sister handle such trivial matters with you? With her beauty and talent, she is destined to stand among the clouds, admired by thousands. You’re not even fit to carry her shoes!
If you’re sensible, sign the papers, take your belongings, and get out of our family, or don’t blame me for being harsh!” Tan Fulen pushed the suitcase toward Xu Qing as a threat.
Xu Qing ignored his brother-in-law.
He was simply stunned that Autumn Tong truly wanted a divorce.
Their relationship had been strong for three years.
He suspected this was He Yan’s idea.
Otherwise, Autumn Tong wouldn’t have left such a serious matter to her mother to deliver, without discussing it with him first.
Seeing Xu Qing ignore him, Tan Fulen grew furious. He raised his hand, aiming to slap Xu Qing’s face. “Useless fool, do you think I won’t beat you?”
“Stop!”
Just as his hand was about to fall, a woman stepped out, dressed in a black fitted dress.
Her features were exquisite, her skin like porcelain, her figure tall and elegant.
Combined with her cool, aloof temperament, she was a rare beauty indeed.
“Sister, this useless fool doesn’t believe you want a divorce, so he insists you come out and tell him. He’s begging for a beating!”
Seeing her appear, Tan Fulen hurried to speak.
“Xu Qing, our fate has run its course. Sign the papers,” Autumn Tong said, her voice cold as she handed him the agreement.
At this sight, both He Yan and Tan Fulen’s expressions changed slightly.
For they knew this divorce settlement included five million in cash and a villa—Autumn Tong’s way of making amends to Xu Qing.
But seeing the merciless look in her eyes, whatever hope Xu Qing had was extinguished.
He finally understood why, three months ago, Autumn Tong had gone alone to abort their child.

Because then, she had already decided to divorce him.

“I want an explanation.” Xu Qing took the agreement, his voice low and heavy.
It was all so sudden, difficult to accept.
Autumn Tong remained silent, unwilling to explain.
He Yan, however, mocked him: “Useless fool, I might as well tell you the truth. Ding Changqing—Young Master Ding—likes Autumn Tong, and in exchange for helping our Tan family secure the Deepwater Bay project, Autumn Tong must divorce you. Is that explanation satisfactory?
Besides, these three years, if not for Young Master Ding secretly supporting us, the Tan family would have been bankrupt long ago. Without Ding’s help, we’d have nothing. Compared to Young Master Ding, you’re nothing but disgusting filth!”
Tan Fulen sneered, “Useless fool, the Ding family has been a pillar of Bicheng for a century. You aren’t even qualified to carry Young Master Ding’s shoes. Sign the papers and get lost, or even if I don’t beat you, Young Master Ding won’t let you off!”
Xu Qing frowned deeply.
The Deepwater Bay project was meant as his third anniversary gift to Autumn Tong—when did it become something Ding Changqing, that notorious playboy who’s been divorced three times in five years, gifted her?
His heart plummeted.
At eight, his family was destroyed; he wandered the streets, nearly starving to death.
On that day, Autumn Tong gave him a meat bun, a glimmer of hope to survive.
Three years ago, he returned in glory, when the Tan family was on the verge of bankruptcy, and married Autumn Tong.
He turned the tide, dragging the Tan family from the mire, and it was his continuous efforts that brought project after project, allowing Tan Enterprises to flourish and reach its zenith.
Yet he never imagined that, once the family prospered, Autumn Tong would betray him.
All his achievements were credited to another man.
A cold light flashed in Xu Qing’s eyes. He realized that for three years, he had been far too modest—so much so that even his own wife believed he was nothing more than a useless parasite.