Chapter 182: The Non-Negotiable Property Agreement

“We can stay married!”

This was Song Qingtian’s biggest concession, yet it seemed as though her heart ached—she was in excruciating pain, her eyes growing dim.

Ling Hanyu narrowed his eyes slightly. Was this woman really determined to get a divorce?

“Then what’s the point of even talking about this?”

“It’s like this: I want to be independent; we don’t have to get divorced.” Song Qingtian seized the opportunity to speak up.

Ling Hanyu looked at her. “I still don’t get it.”

“Exactly—I want financial independence,” Song Qingtian continued.

Ling Hanyu leaned back on the sofa, his cold gaze fixed on Song Qingtian.

Song Qingtian said, “Before, whenever I wanted to buy clothes or anything else, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. And when you got angry, you’d throw my clothes away and even threaten me.”

“Get to the point!”

“This is the point! Being controlled by someone, always having to watch their mood—that’s not something I like. I want to be independent. My money belongs to me, and I’m not greedy for your money either. If we don’t get divorced, let’s draw up a written agreement: during the marriage, neither of us is allowed to cheat or have an affair. We’ll work together only where it’s truly necessary for Nuonuo’s sake; otherwise, we can go our separate ways. If you don’t want to be my husband anymore, then we can get divorced, and our finances won’t be intertwined—each of us will take care of our own affairs. That’s it.”

“Are you reading my mind?”

At this remark, Ling Hanyu’s temper flared.

When did this happen?

Song Qingtian knew all too well: people who’ve made a mistake never admit they’re wrong. They always blame everyone else.

“Do I not have any rights at all? A marital relationship is supposed to be one of equality… You’re the husband, I’m the wife; you’re up in the sky, I’m down on earth. We’re supposed to support each other and respect one another—when one prospers, the other prospers too; when one suffers, the other suffers as well. But so far, it’s always been you high above, and me humbly below.”

Ling Hanyu laughed bitterly. “Isn’t that just how the world works?”

“Not at all!”

Song Qingtian was unhappy—this was like talking to a brick wall.

Ling Hanyu said coldly, “Go on.”

“Between heaven and earth, heaven is the universe, embracing everything; earth is the land, nurturing all living things. The children born between heaven and earth can be happy because of the harmony between us—but you refuse to even glance at me. No matter how many times I look up to you, what good does it do? It’s no use!”

Ling Hanyu stared coldly at Song Qingtian without saying a word.

“When my parents had problems, you didn’t help them. You simply didn’t see our family at all. When my parents were in trouble, you took their property—this is outright plunder. You never integrated with us, yet you still want to take the money that belongs to us. You never care about whether we live or die, but you still try to control our very lifeline. Do you really love us? No—you’re just trying to control us, keeping us in your grip. I don’t want that. In the past, I could have given it all up, handed everything over to you. I could earn my own living; the rest would belong to me—that’s all.”

Ling Hanyu stared coldly at Song Qingtian. “Is money really that important?”

“It’s not just about the money. Without money, I’m nothing. My parents taught me the importance of money when I was young, but after they passed away…”

Thinking of her parents made Song Qingtian feel miserable.

Ling Hanyu asked, “Was it really that hard when your parents died?”

Song Qingtian lowered her head and nodded. “It was hard!”

Ling Hanyu felt a sharp pang in his chest, as if he’d been stabbed.

He thought of how Song Qingtian had been cherished by the Song Haichao couple since childhood, and even after getting married, it was always the Song Family parents who provided her with money to spend.

She just used it, without ever thinking about where it came from.

But none of it was from him.

She probably didn’t even realize how important money was herself.

It wasn’t until her parents were gone that she experienced a complete transformation.

Thinking of how she couldn’t even afford sanitary napkins, how pitiful she was, Ling Hanyu let out a light laugh.

How absurd!

“I’ll give you money. Starting today, whatever I earn, you can manage it.”

Ling Hanyu made a concession.

“I don’t want it. Even if it’s in my name, it’s just a passing windfall. Why should I explain myself to you after I’ve spent it? I wouldn’t even know how to explain it!”

“Who’s asking you to explain?”

The more Ling Hanyu listened, the angrier he became.

In Ling Hanyu’s view, Song Qingtian was clearly preparing for a divorce. Only when women are financially strong enough will they leave no room for compromise when they decide to split.

Song Qingtian grew impatient. “Then why don’t you write all your assets in my name? Then I won’t have to explain myself.”

Aunt Chen stood across the living room, hiding by the kitchen door.

Her eyes were filled with worry as she listened.

Aunt Chen could tell that lately Mr. had been paying close attention to Madam, but he hadn’t gone so far as to transfer all his assets to Song Qingtian.

That was taking things a bit too far.

But the next moment, Ling Hanyu said coldly, “You think you’re so bold, huh? Dare you accept it?”

Song Qingtian was a bit confused by these words. Of course she dared—why wouldn’t she dare to accept something that was being given to her for free?

But Ling Hanyu was so sinister; she was afraid that if she took the money, she might not even live long enough to spend it. She could be silenced in a matter of minutes!

End of Chapter 182: The Non-Negotiable Property Agreement