After the divorce, my ex-husband's cousin tricked me into getting a marriage certificate.

Lin Mengchuan's face fell, and he was furious. He sneered, "Qiao Ran, don't push your luck. I originally wanted to part ways amicably and still be friends when we meet again."

"Since you're so ungrateful, don't blame me for turning my back on you. I'll grant your wish and pretend we don't know each other from now on. Just don't try to fawn over me or my family like you used to."

Qiao Ran felt a bitter taste in her mouth, and said with a sour laugh, "Very well, we will both remember what we said today."

Lin Mengchuan irritably tugged at his shirt collar and slammed the door shut, making the whole villa shake.

Qiao Ran raised an eyebrow slightly, walked towards the balcony, opened the French windows, and a cool autumn breeze swept in. She took a deep breath and told herself that it was time to end it.

She had had enough of this kind of life, and even if Lin Mengchuan didn't come back today, she was still prepared to leave.

It just needs a good opportunity.

So she was quite grateful to him for making her give up completely, which made it easier to explain to her family.

Qiao Ran was pondering when to go back to her parents' home to tell them about the divorce when she heard the door behind her open. Thinking it was Sister Ju, she said, "Sister Ju, could you please get me a glass of water or some juice?"

After he finished speaking, the person behind him remained silent for a long time.

Qiao Ran turned around, only to see the face she hated most.

Lin Fei scrutinized Qiao Ran and said sarcastically, "I didn't expect that after two years of retiring from the entertainment industry to become a wealthy wife, your acting skills have improved. You think you can fool others, but you can fool me?"

"You pretended to faint just to gain Meng Chuan's sympathy, but unfortunately, he doesn't care about you at all."

Qiao Ran raised her eyebrows. "I can't compare to your superb acting skills. Does Lin Mengchuan know that you're two-faced? You're all smiles and gentle on the surface, but you're a vicious snake inside."

Lin Fei was furious and said excitedly, "Qiao Ran, even at this point, you're still so stubborn. Let me tell you, if you admit that you're not as good as me, then I might consider letting you stay here for a few more days."

"Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite. You'll be getting out of the Lin family first thing tomorrow morning!"

"I don't know when the Lin family changed its head. Do you think I'm dead?" Old Mrs. Xu Ying appeared at the door, supported by Sister Ju, glaring angrily at Lin Fei.

Lin Fei was astonished at where the old lady had come from and how he had been caught in such a coincidence.

Before returning to China, Lin Mengchuan told her that the old lady liked Qiao Ran very much, and that it was the old lady who forced Lin Mengchuan to marry Qiao Ran back then.

Therefore, Lin Mengchuan specifically instructed her to be careful in front of the old lady and to speak less.

"Mom, what's wrong? Who made you so angry?" Lin Mengchuan's mother, Shen Qingzhu, walked over quickly and gave Lin Fei a wink as she passed by.

Shen Qingzhu reached out to help the old lady. "Mom, dinner is ready. Let's eat first. Meng Chuan hasn't been home for two years. It's a rare occasion for our family to get together. Let's talk about everything later."

The old lady glanced at her daughter-in-law, pulled her hand away, and reached out to Qiao Ran, "Girl, come on, let's go eat with Grandma. Grandma asked Aunt Liu to make you some black chicken soup. You're too weak, you need to nourish yourself so you can give me a grandson."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fei subconsciously bit her lip, her face draining of color in that instant.

A hint of displeasure flashed in Shen Qingzhu's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

Qiao Ran hesitated for a few seconds, then walked over and took the old lady's hand, saying, "Grandma, walk slowly."

Qiao Ran thought to herself, "Let's just consider this my last dinner with the old lady." Ever since she married into the Lin family, the old lady had always protected her, especially whenever her mother-in-law, Shen Qingzhu, made things difficult for her, it was always the old lady who stood up for her.

The only thing she was reluctant to leave behind and worried about was the old lady.

Xu Ying suffers from gout and has been tormented by it for many years. Since the beginning of autumn, she has been enduring excruciating pain.

Every night, Qiao Ran would use massage cream to massage the old lady to relieve her pain so that she could fall asleep peacefully.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Lin Mengchuan and his father, Lin Zhihong, were already seated there.

When Lin Mengchuan saw them arrive, he stood up, pulled out the chair next to him, and said, "Feifei, sit here."

The restaurant fell silent. The servants looked at Lin Mengchuan in astonishment.

Qiao Ran remained calm as she pulled out the chair for the old lady and said softly, "Grandma, please sit down."

After the old lady sat down, she took Qiao Ran's hand and said, "Thank you, girl. You still care about me. If you leave this house, I'm afraid I'll die and rot in the house and no one will care. You sit next to Grandma."

Seeing that the old lady and Qiao Ran had already sat down, Shen Qingzhu nudged Lin Fei, indicating that she should sit next to Lin Mengchuan.

She then went around to the opposite side to sit next to her husband, Lin Zhihong.

As the dishes were served one after another, Xu Ying glanced at the food on the table, then turned to Aunt Liu and asked, "Aunt Liu, where's the black chicken soup I asked you to make for Ranran? Hurry up and bring it over for Ranran to drink."

"Yes, Madam, I'll go get it right away," Aunt Liu nodded in response. "I was worried it would get cold, so I put it in a thermos to keep it warm."

A moment later, Aunt Lin returned with the black chicken soup and placed it next to Qiao Ran. She ladled a bowl and put it in front of Qiao Ran, saying, "Young Madam, drink slowly, be careful it's hot. I've already strained the oil out of the pot."

"Thank you, Aunt Lin." Qiao Ran scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and put it in her mouth. "The soup is so sweet and delicious."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingzhu immediately said, "Aunt Lin, make a bowl for Feifei too. Now that she's carrying our Lin family's child, she's the one who needs the most nourishment. Give her the rest."

Aunt Lin looked troubled and glanced at the old lady.

The old lady slammed her chopsticks on the table and glared at her daughter-in-law. "This is the soup I asked Aunt Lin to make for Ranran. Did you ask for my permission? Why did you give the soup to an outsider on your own?"

Shen Qingzhu lowered her head and remained silent.

Seeing that Shen Qingzhu had been scolded, Lin Fei quickly said, "Grandma, please don't scold Auntie. I don't need to drink the soup. There are so many good dishes on the table. I'll just eat what's on the table. Ranran is weak and should be given some nourishment."

"It would be bad if she fainted again."

Qiao Ran's lips twitched slightly as she quietly watched Lin Fei act.

The old lady scoffed and glared at Lin Fei sideways. "When did it become your place, an outsider, to interrupt when the Lin family is talking? Oh, I forgot, what did you say upstairs just now?"

"You said you'd make Ranran get out of the Lin family first thing tomorrow morning."

Lin Zhihong looked at Lin Fei with surprise and questioned, "Did you really say such a thing?"

Lin Fei clenched his fists and looked at Lin Mengchuan for help.

Lin Mengchuan threw his knife and fork onto the plate and said to the old lady, "Grandma, I haven't been home for two years. Do you really have to do this? Can't you let me finish this meal in peace?"

The old lady's face showed anger, and she was about to open her mouth to scold this good-for-nothing grandson, but Qiao Ran held her down.

Qiao Ran shook her head at the old lady, picked up her chopsticks, and placed a piece of stewed pork ribs, which had been cooked until tender, into the old lady's bowl. "Grandma, this is your favorite taro and pork rib stew. It'll get cold if you don't eat it soon."