She won't clear her name; she'll throw away all the scum.

After taking the divorce certificate, Grandma Xia ignored the dissatisfaction and sadness of others, including her children, and went straight to the textile factory's office. She put the certificate on their table and said, "I'm divorced and have nowhere to live. Will the factory arrange accommodation for me?"

The office director was a woman about the same age as Old Lady Xia, known as Director Yuan. She was the one who led a few people to persuade Old Lady Xia and Old Chen to get a divorce during the Spring Festival. She was also the one who advised Old Lady Xia not to make a scene when she went to Old Chen's factory to fight with him. In short, you can always find her to handle any miscellaneous matters in the factory.

Director Yuan picked up the divorce certificate, shocked: "Comrade Xia, you're really divorced? So quickly? Have you thought this through? This is a big deal! How could you be so foolish? Why did you get a divorce?"

Upon hearing such a rare news item as divorce, everyone in the office gathered around, chattering and expressing their opinions.

Old Mrs. Xia was impatient to listen. It was the same few sentences over and over again. People in her compound had said them, and people from the Civil Affairs Bureau had said them too. She was tired of hearing it. "The certificates have been issued, and the stamps have been affixed. Would I lie to you? Stop talking. First, arrange a place for me to stay. The factory has regulations, right? They have to ensure that we workers have a place to live. I know that newly recruited workers can stay in dormitories, and married workers are given independent housing. So how are you going to arrange things for me? If you really can't allocate independent housing, then put me in the dormitory."

Director Yuan was somewhat embarrassed. "This... the dormitories are all arranged for young workers. Besides, if those young workers get married, they will move out soon. If you move in, are you going to live there indefinitely?"

Grandma Xia spread her hands. "Director Yuan, what's the factory's rule? It's that every worker is guaranteed a place to live. That's something you should consider for me. First of all, with my seniority and rank, I should be allocated an independent apartment. It's just that I used to live with Comrade Chen Weiguo after we got married. But now I'm divorced and have nowhere to live. No matter how difficult it is, as the director, you have to come up with a plan. You can't expect me to sleep at the gate of our factory, can you?"

Director Yuan: ...This stubborn woman, is she threatening me? If she doesn't get her a place to stay, she'll really sleep at the entrance of the unit, and then they'll get criticized?

Grandma Xia: "I was actually thinking of you. If you really can't arrange a house, I can stay in the dormitory temporarily. But if you won't even let me stay in the dormitory, then I'm going to the factory manager's office right now to demand an explanation. I've worked diligently and conscientiously in the factory, and finally made it to the sixth-level worker level. I didn't expect that I wouldn't even have a place to live. This treatment is worse than that of a newly arrived intern. I wonder if other factories treat their senior employees like this. I'll go and ask after work today."

Director Yuan: ...She didn't say she wouldn't arrange it, so she's already planning to go outside and smear their factory?

"Comrade Xia, come see me again before you leave work. I'll definitely arrange it for you. Go pack your things first. Didn't you take a day off today?" Director Yuan was bitter. Why did he have to get a divorce? If the whole unit was full of people like this, where would their factory find people to replace them?

Thinking of this, Director Yuan suddenly felt a pang of unease. Could someone be trying to take advantage of the situation and get an extra house for themselves by faking a divorce? This is... not a simple matter.

If things aren't handled properly, others will follow suit, and how will they carry out their work in the future? This needs to be reported.

When Grandma Xia returned to the compound, she first went to Grandma Yin's place and told her about her arrangements.

Grandma Yin: "You don't need to be in such a hurry. Stay here for a few more days. We can find a place to stay later. Don't argue with your boss."

Grandma Xia: "How can I stay here with you every day? We have a good relationship, but I can't always take advantage of you. Ah Sheng already has a girlfriend, right? I wonder when he'll bring her over. If I stay here, he'll have to consider me. You've already been a lot of trouble, so please move out as soon as possible."

Grandma Yin: "You're overthinking it. How could he possibly have any objections?"

Grandma Xia: "I feel bad about staying at your house for the whole year. If you still care about me, could you help me move my things to my new place and help me move? How about that?"

Grandma Yin: "I would have helped even if you hadn't asked. Ah Sheng is strong, we can ask him to come along. By the way, where are you moving to? Have you made arrangements?"

Grandma Xia shook her head. "I'll go to the factory and ask the director later. Anyway, there'll always be a place for me to stay."

Grandma Yin sighed, "Luckily you're a worker."

Grandma Xia: "I'll go over there first to divide the family property, and then I'll bring some things back later."

Grandma Yin: "Then I'll go with you."

Grandma Xia: "No, they'll start gossiping about you. What if they say you were stirring things up behind my back? How will you ever face anyone in this compound again? Help me pack my things, I can manage on my own."

When Grandma Xia arrived, Old Chen and the children were sitting at home. Grandma Xia ignored them and simply took out some money from her pocket. "We agreed at the Civil Affairs Bureau that I don't want any of the children. You can take half of the money, and I'll take my own things and some pots and pans."

“You’ll have to raise Xiangbei yourself until he gets a job. The other children will still live with you. Don’t let any of them come to live with me. Remember to set aside Xianghong’s dowry, and don’t let Xiangbei’s dowry get swindled away. I won’t say anything else. This half of the money I’m giving you is for these children, so don’t feel it’s unfair. All the money I’ve spent over the years has gone to these children, and a lot of it was at your request. If you really think about it, you still owe me a lot of money.”

"Mom—" Chen Xianghong's eyes were blurry with tears.

"Mom—" Chen Xiangbei pouted, on the verge of tears.

"Mom—" Chen Xiangnan thought of what was said outside, and the thought that his mother would really not care about them anymore. He was very flustered and couldn't accept it.

Tang Jiao stepped forward and took Grandma Xia's hand, "Mom, where will you live from now on? Can I come to visit you? I can help you pack."

Grandma Xia patted her hand, "You're a good girl, but it's alright. Just live a good life with your second son. I have a place to stay."

"Second son, you should settle down too. Tang Jiao is good to you, so don't forget the vow you made. Xiang Hong, think about yourselves more, don't let yourself be bullied without even realizing it. Third son, be more sensible from now on. From now on, if any of you have any trouble, don't come to me. I've already said this much, so you should all plan for yourselves." Old Mrs. Xia's throat seemed to be blocked by something, and her voice was a little hoarse.

Old Chen suddenly erupted: "You're the one who wanted a divorce, you're the one who didn't want to take care of the children. Now you're saying all this, putting on this act of reluctance. What are you trying to do? You don't want to make any sacrifices, but you want the children to remember your good deeds? Get out of here, the door is right there."

Grandma Xia gripped the bag tightly, turned around, and went out the door.

No turning back, Xia Yue'e. We finally got a divorce, we absolutely cannot turn back.