Volume One, Chapter 18: Save Your Face for Those Who Matter

The down payment for the house in our hometown county was paid by my family, and I have been the one making the monthly mortgage payments of 3,000 all along. Before the divorce, we made it clear that this house belonged to me. Although we had registered our marriage, we hadn’t held a wedding ceremony yet, and our incomes were not combined, so there was no division of property involved. We only agreed verbally on the ownership of this house.

Though the scene when we broke up was far from dignified, I still hoped for an amicable parting. After all, she had accompanied me through my entire youth. Even if we were to separate, I wanted us to part with some semblance of grace. Yet, in the end, it all turned into the very outcome I least wanted to see.

Lost in thought, my father’s nagging voice rang out again. “Luckily, this house was bought early and is under your name alone. Otherwise, it would be even harder to clarify! I’m telling you, her family didn’t put in a single dime—why should she have a claim? Tell me, when you two divorced, did you have it in black and white who owns this house?”

“No, we just agreed verbally at the time that the house belongs to me.”

Hearing this, my father unleashed a barrage of scolding. “Such a big matter, and you just talked it out verbally? Do you think your nine years together are worth more than a house? You’re thirty years old, how can you still be so naive? Are you out of your mind?”

Feifei Lin, overhearing my father’s insults, showed a trace of unhidden surprise on her face. She saw all my pain and struggle clearly, and a subtle, unmistakable tenderness lingered in her eyes for a few moments.

Meeting her gaze, I forced a few bitter smiles, the laughter heavy with helplessness and sorrow.

I felt a twinge of discomfort, embarrassed to be scolded so harshly in front of Feifei. I silently endured my father’s tirade, feeling like I was standing alone in a rainstorm, being battered by wind and rain, numb to the pain.

After my father finished, his heavy breathing came through the phone. I spoke calmly, “I will handle this matter. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

His angry voice rose again, “You’ll handle it? How? I’m telling you, if you give that woman the house, don’t expect me to recognize you as my son.”

I took a deep breath and said firmly, “If you think scolding me will solve anything, then go ahead and scold all you want!”

My father fell silent, and the call hung in a stagnant moment. Perhaps at a loss for words, he muttered, “You decide for yourself,” and then ended the call.

Putting down the phone, I quickly composed myself. Looking into those bright, star-like eyes before me, filled with genuine concern that seemed to overflow with her spirit, I forced a few more bitter laughs. “Sorry for making you witness this.”

Feifei waved her hand gently and smiled softly. “No, no, don’t take what your uncle said to heart.”

I smiled back, “The old man has high blood pressure. I don’t dare argue with him. Let him scold a bit.”

Feifei looked at me intently, hesitation flashing across her face as if she had something to say but held back.

I gave a bitter smile. “If you have something on your mind, just say it.”

After a moment’s thought, Feifei’s voice came out like a gentle stream, “You wouldn’t really give that house to Kuang Li, would you?”

I looked at her in surprise, shock plain on my face. “How could I! First, she was the one who cheated. Second, we agreed during the divorce that she wouldn’t take the house, even if it was just verbal. Third, my family paid the down payment and I’ve been paying the mortgage all along. Why would I hand it over to her?”

Feifei relaxed, a slight smile pulling at the corners of her lips. “I thought maybe you’d give it to her… as a final act of kindness.”

I shook my head slowly. “There’s nothing left between us. The best kind of ex is one who leaves you alone, like they’re dead to you.”

“What if she begs you to give her the house?”

“Then I’d sell it to her at the current market price, maybe a 10% discount at most. After all, we have no relationship now; we can’t even be called friends.”

Feifei smiled faintly, dimples showing on both cheeks. “I’m glad you’re so clear-headed.”

Just as she finished speaking, my phone rang again.

Seeing the number on the screen, I frowned.

Speak of the devil, it was Kuang Li calling.

I gave Feifei a bitter smile and shook the phone. She stood up and said, “You two talk. I’ll give you some space.”

“No need, there’s nothing I can’t hear.”

With that, I held Feifei’s hand and answered the call.

Kuang Li’s accusations came pouring out like a flood.

“Yu Bin! We’re divorced, why is your father calling and arguing with my parents? That house in the hometown was bought for our marriage. Now that we’re divorced, it’s marital property. I’m calling to talk this through calmly—how are we going to split the house?”

A wave of sadness washed over me. Nine years of running a long race, only to be worn down by reality.

In the world of love, all it takes is a spark of feeling. But nine years of running eventually fade under the harsh light of real life. I once naively thought this woman would walk with me through every season, every spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But cruel reality told me everything had been washed away by the storms of life. The last trace of my affection for her was now shattered by her own hands.

Reality tore open before me in bloody fragments. Though disappointed, I felt an unusual calm. The smile that once bloomed like a flower suddenly felt foreign.

I took a deep breath and spoke calmly, “When we divorced, didn’t we already agree that you wouldn’t take this house? Besides, the down payment was paid by my family, and I’ve been paying the mortgage…”

Before I could finish, Kuang Li interrupted impatiently, “When did I say that? Do you have a recording? If you have proof, I’ll admit it! You’re the one who turned cold and heartless. I was living fine until you started spreading lies. He thought I was dirty and wouldn’t touch me. In the end, I had no choice but to get a hospital check-up to prove myself, and only then did he believe me! And your father! The moment he found out we divorced, he flipped out on the phone, saying the house belongs to your family! You better call my father and apologize, then maybe I’ll consider talking it over.”

Listening to her empty words, the last remnants of any image I had of Kuang Li shattered completely. Though it was a sweltering summer, chills ran down my back.

A face is only for those who deserve it. I am easygoing but not without principles. Compromise without principles doesn’t lead to freedom; it only invites further encroachment.

Facing the woman I once loved for nine years, now reduced to this, I felt bitter. But she should never have weaponized my love for her to hurt me in return.

I fell silent for a moment, then smiled as I said, “You were the one who betrayed me. Even if this goes to court, you’ll be the party at fault. Of course, if you want to take it to court, I’m ready whenever you are.”