Reborn in 1979, with a female educated youth lying next to me.

Seeing that Liu Jia ignored her, Guo Xiaoyan turned around and went back to the north room.

Liu Jia frowned, washed his hands, and then followed him inside.

If what Guo Xiaoyan said is true, then this marriage won't be dissolved anytime soon.

Guo Xiaoyan doesn't seem to be lying; the information should be accurate.

Liu Jia pondered how to shorten the divorce process as much as possible.

"Don't get angry or stay silent. I called home today, and that's what they said."

"Let's put the divorce on hold for now. Once you've got your job and household registration sorted out, then we can get a divorce."

"After all, we don't want to owe you too much."

Guo Xiaoyan conveyed Guo Zhiyuan's meaning.

"We won't need to change our household registration or find a job. That's not why I married you in the first place. After the exam tomorrow, let's go to the notary office to get it notarized."

Liu Jia spoke with unusual calmness, as if he had given it careful consideration.

Guo Xiaoyan suddenly felt breathless, as if a stone was pressing on her chest.

Is Liu Jia willing to give up her job and household registration just to get a divorce sooner?

Guo Xiaoyan had thought Liu Jia was just saying things out of anger, but now it seemed that Liu Jia was determined to get the divorce done as soon as possible.

For some reason, Guo Xiaoyan's tears welled up again.

Since entering the Liu family, Guo Xiaoyan has rarely cried, but in the past few days, she herself has lost count of how many times she has cried.

"Have you really thought it through?"

"Yes, tomorrow is the last day of the college entrance exam. If we hurry, we can get the divorce done this afternoon."

Guo Xiaoyan didn't say anything, so Liu Jia took it as a yes.

To avoid making Zhang Guilan and Liu Yutian anxious, Liu Jia finished speaking and headed towards the kitchen.

When Liu Jia came over, the couple didn't ask him anything.

After Guo Xiaoyan came out, the family started eating as usual.

"Dad, Mom, after dinner, Xiaoyan and I will go to the brigade to ask Uncle Zhou for two letters of introduction."

After saying that, Liu Jia took a bite of the sweet potato flour bun.

Liu Yutian and Zhang Guilan exchanged a glance, neither knowing what to say.

These days, divorce is a big deal. No matter who it is, their heart feels as heavy as if a stone is pressing down on it.

But when Liu Jia said those words, he acted as if nothing had happened.

Seeing her son like this, Zhang Guilan sighed.

"It will get dark soon, drive carefully."

Liu Jia hummed in agreement, then picked up the bowl.

Village chief Zhou Fengshou's home is very close to the brigade. Except for going home for meals, Zhou Fengshou spends almost all his days in the brigade.

Xili Village is a large village. In addition to publicizing the policies to the villagers, Zhou Fengshou also manages all the village's household affairs.

So, even after dinner, the brigade was still bustling with people.

It's not that Liu Jia needs to rush tonight, but rather that there's really not enough time.

If something happens in the village tomorrow morning, the divorce will have to be postponed.

Therefore, Liu Jia wanted to prepare in advance.

Zhang Guilan looked at Guo Xiaoyan, hesitant to speak, her eyes filled with reluctance.

As soon as Guo Xiaoyan looked up, she met Zhang Guilan's gaze, and her face flushed red again.

Having lived there for nearly three years, Guo Xiaoyan knew better than anyone how good the Liu family had been to her.

It's understandable that I'd be reluctant to part with it.

However, I cannot stay here just because they are kind-hearted. Returning to the city is a life-changing event that will affect the rest of my life.

Despite her inner conflict, Guo Xiaoyan made up her mind.

……

As soon as it got dark, Liu Jia and Guo Xiaoyan arrived at the brigade.

Seeing the two people arrive at this time, a hint of doubt flashed across Zhou Fengshou's face.

"Sanzi, why are you here with Xiaoyan at this time? What's up?"

Zhou Fengshou and Liu Yutian grew up together, and he also watched Liu Jia grow up.

Zhou Fengshou only had two daughters and no sons. In Zhou Fengshou's eyes, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he regarded Liu Jia as half a son.

So every time Zhou Fengshou saw Liu Jia, he would call him "Sanzi" just like Liu Yutian and the others.

Liu Jia smiled, picked up the tobacco next to him, and rolled a cigarette for Zhou Fengshou.

"Uncle Zhou, since you've come all this way, could you please write two letters of introduction?"

"What letter of introduction? What are you up to now?"

While asking questions, Zhou Fengshou's hands were not idle. He took the cigarettes Liu Jia handed him with one hand and started opening the drawer with the other.

"divorce."

Zhou Fengshou was stunned when Liu Jia said those two words.

The drawer, which was half-open, slammed shut with a loud "bang!"

"What? Divorce? Don't mess around with me, go home right now!"

As Zhou Fengshou spoke, he pushed Liu Jia out.

He didn't forget to add a sentence under his breath.

"You're so bold, always making jokes like this with me. Go do what you're supposed to do!"

Liu Jia was pushed to the doorway and finally managed to stand firm.

"Uncle Zhou, I'm not joking. Guo Xiaoyan and I really want to get a divorce. We'll go through the formalities tomorrow afternoon, and I can't do it without your letter of introduction."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.

Taking the opportunity, Liu Jia told Guo Xiaoyan about his father's exoneration and the fact that the procedures for returning to the city were almost completed, and they were just waiting to get a divorce.

Zhou Fengshou also knew something about Guo Xiaoyan's situation.

My father was a teacher, and it seemed like he was in a pretty high position. He was rehabilitated for historical reasons.

The children naturally wouldn't stay in the countryside.

Zhou Fengshou's face slowly darkened, but he knew in his heart that he definitely couldn't keep Liu Jia as his wife.

"Well... I'll start now."

"open it."

Liu Jia spoke naturally, while Guo Xiaoyan remained silent.

Only after Zhou Fengshou handed the letter of introduction to Guo Xiaoyan did Guo Xiaoyan whisper, "Thank you, village chief."

"No need to thank me. I've been here for almost three years, and I've long considered you all as one of the villagers."

Guo Xiaoyan's voice was a little choked up.

The educated youth who came to Xili Village received a lot of care from Zhou Fengshou, and now that Zhou Fengshou said this, Guo Xiaoyan felt sad too.

"Alright, thank you, Uncle Zhou. Go home and rest for a while. I'll have a few drinks with you."

Seeing how easily Liu Jia spoke, Zhou Fengshou said something in an annoyed tone.

"I really don't know what you're thinking, acting like nothing's wrong at a time like this."

"Even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up, right? We're not afraid."

After saying that, Liu Jia smiled and left.

Zhou Fengshou placed the unlit cigarettes on the table.

What's wrong with this kid?

In the past, if something like this had happened, wouldn't he have panicked and been running around the world in a panic? Divorcing Guo Xiaoyan would have been like taking his life.

Today, however, I feel completely relaxed, as if nothing has happened.

On the contrary, Guo Xiaoyan seemed preoccupied.

……

That night, Guo Xiaoyan couldn't sleep.

On the second day of the college entrance examination, Liu Jia answered the questions very smoothly, and Guo Xiaoyan handed in her paper a little early in the afternoon session.

The two arrived at the notary office, handed over their letters of introduction, and waited to complete the formalities.

The staff handling the divorce proceedings didn't ask any further questions.

After all, many people have returned to the city in the past two years, and we've seen many divorces for various reasons, so it's not surprising.

The two soon received the notarized divorce papers.

Just as Guo Xiaoyan stepped out the door, before she could even put away the notarized letter, she heard Liu Jia remark with emotion.

"We're finally divorced!"

Guo Xiaoyan turned her head.

"Liu Jia, are you so happy to divorce me?"

"If anyone should be happy, it should be you, not me. Isn't this something you've been hoping for all along?"

Liu Jia did not answer Guo Xiaoyan's question, but instead asked a question in return.

"you……"

"Stop with all this 'you' and 'me' stuff. From now on, let's go our separate ways and not interfere with each other. It'll be easier for both of us."

Liu Jia strode forward, talking as he walked.

Guo Xiaoyan was stunned once again.

divorced.

I have nothing to do with Liu Jia anymore.

But why do I feel so empty inside?

Looking at Liu Jia again, he didn't cry and wail as I had imagined, nor did he mention wanting to be Lao Guo's son-in-law again.

Is this how they got divorced?

"Liu Jia, I need to stay at your house for a few more days. The notice to return to the city will take two more days to be issued."

"I know."

Liu Jia didn't turn his head.

Guo Xiaoyan remained silent for the rest of the journey.

Liu Jia's mood did not seem to be affected by the divorce.

Guo Xiaoyan always felt that Liu Jia's steps became lighter after receiving the notarized divorce certificate.

The sun is about to set.

Liu Jia and Guo Xiaoyan then returned to Xili Village.

From afar, Guo Xiaoyan saw a figure standing on tiptoe, looking in their direction.

As soon as Guo Xiaoyan turned to look at Liu Jia after seeing the person clearly, before she could even speak, a clear voice rang out.

"Third Brother, you're finally back!"

We've been waiting for you here for ages!