Why didn't you tell me earlier that my little sister is still waiting for me?

Chapter 708 Duan Xifeng Agrees to Leave with Nothing

Duan Xifeng's question came as abruptly as all three of them looked bewildered.

But Lin Bufan understood. Meeting Duan Xifeng's despairing gaze, he slowly nodded, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable certainty: "She went to see Sister Su Qing. What she should know, and what she shouldn't know, Sister Su Qing... knows it all."

"As expected... as expected..." Duan Xifeng seemed to have lost his last bit of strength. He suddenly clutched his head with both hands, his fingers digging deep into his hair, letting out a suppressed, caged beast-like growl: "I knew it... I knew this day would come! There was no escaping it... But... but I couldn't... I really couldn't... I really couldn't..."

Duan Xifeng repeated incoherently, his voice filled with regret and a deep sense of powerlessness.

Sure enough, Qixing and Piaopiao were even more confused and anxious. Guoran couldn't help but raise his voice: "Xifeng! What are you talking about? What do you mean 'no way'? What did you do? Explain yourself!"

Duan Xifeng just shook his head in anguish, burying his face even deeper, clearly having no intention of explaining.

Left with no other option, the three turned their attention back to Lin Bufan, who was in the know.

"Bufan... what... what exactly happened? You know the inside story, don't you? Tell us, Xifeng... what exactly did he do?"

Lin Bufan looked at the three faces in front of him, which were filled with confusion and worry, and then glanced at Duan Xifeng, who seemed to have completely collapsed. He sighed softly and then briefly explained the ins and outs of the matter.

After hearing Lin Bufan's account, he indeed stood up abruptly, his finger trembling as he pointed at Duan Xifeng. His face was ashen with rage, and his lips quivered for a long time before he finally managed to squeeze out the words through clenched teeth: "You...you...Duan Xifeng! What the hell can I say about you?! Huh?! Su Qing is such a good woman, and you...you actually did such a despicable thing?! Are you even human?!"

Enraged, he spun around on the spot, then slammed his foot on the leg of the coffee table next to him with a loud thud: "I used to think you were a good man! A model husband! Bah! I was blind!"

Qixing and Piaopiao were also shocked and disappointed, shaking their heads and sighing repeatedly. Qixing sighed heavily, her voice heavy: "Xifeng, Xifeng... how... how could you be so foolish?! What... what are we supposed to say to you..."

Facing the angry, disappointed looks and accusations of his friends, Duan Xifeng was in tears, waving his hands wildly, his voice hoarse and choked with sobs as he incoherently defended himself: "I didn't want to... I really didn't want to! That day... that day I was just going to sing with a client... socializing... later, she and another girl came in to sing with me... I don't know what happened, I just... I just drank too much... when I woke up... when I woke up I was sleeping in the same bed with her!"

Duan Xifeng pounded his head, filled with remorse: "Later...later I tried to resolve it...I gave her money! I asked her to leave! But she wouldn't leave! She absolutely refused! She said she was pregnant...she said she didn't want anything, she just wanted a child...she said she wouldn't disturb my life...What could I do?! I couldn't do anything! I really couldn't do anything...I didn't want it to be like this...I didn't want to lose Qing'er...I didn't want this family to fall apart...I just thought everything would be alright after she gave birth..."

Sure enough, she was so angry that she paced back and forth in the private room: "You believe everything she says? She said she doesn't want anything, just to have a child with you? Duan Xifeng, are you out of your mind?! Who do you think you are? A reincarnation of Pan An or someone with a fortune? If she really didn't want anything, would she go to Su Qing with a big belly?! This is clearly a coup, an attempt to take over! Can't you even see that?!"

Duan Xifeng stared blankly at the chandelier in the private room, muttering to himself, "Over the years, actually... I haven't had it easy either... At first, all I could think about was work! Work! Work! I just kept thinking, I have to work hard, I have to make something of myself! I have to let my wife walk with her head held high and live a good life... Now it's all good, I have money, and I have a position... Ha..."

Duan Xifeng let out a bitter, cold laugh, his eyes somewhat unfocused: "The girls around me... one after another, they all threw themselves at you... At first, I thought it wouldn't do, I couldn't let it go like this, I had to be worthy of Qing'er... But later... later I saw my bosses and clients doing the same thing... I felt... I felt it was actually quite normal... Gradually, I... I also started indulging in the bright lights and debauchery... I even felt... I felt quite accomplished..."

"You've accomplished nothing!" Sure enough, he slammed his hand on the table, making the wine glass jump, and roared, "You have a sense of accomplishment?! I think you're just showing off!"

Qixing and Piaopiao shook their heads repeatedly, their faces filled with disappointment and helplessness.

Duan Xifeng was rendered speechless by the scolding, only able to let out suppressed sobs. After a long while, as if suddenly remembering something, he lunged at Lin Bufan, grabbing Lin Bufan's arm tightly with both hands as if grasping at the last straw, his face streaked with tears and snot, his voice filled with despair:

"Bufan! Bufan, please help me! I beg you! You don't know, Qing'er's parents passed away early, and mine passed away around the same time... We are each other's only family! I love her so much, I really can't live without her! Every time I get off work, I want to go home because my loved ones are there. Only when Qing'er is there do I feel warm and secure! This family can't fall apart! Bufan, please, for the sake of our past relationship, help your brother-in-law this time. Talk to Qing'er and Taozi properly and beg them to give me another chance! I promise I will change and cut all ties completely!"

Seeing Duan Xifeng like this, although angry, he was still a friend of many years and felt bad. He sighed and said to Lin Bufan, "Bufan... Xifeng... he was confused for a moment. You see, he knows he was wrong now. If... if there could be a way to make amends..."

Qixing chimed in, "Yes, Bufan. It's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage. If... if there's even the slightest possibility..."

Lin Bufan looked at Duan Xifeng, who was pleading desperately, and then at Guoran and Qixing, who looked reluctant. He sighed helplessly and put on a troubled expression. "Brother-in-law, Guoran, Qixing... it's not that I don't want to help, it's just... this matter really can't be resolved with just a few words from me."

Lin Bufan turned his gaze to Duan Xifeng, his tone heavy: "Brother-in-law, we've always had a good relationship, and I truly consider you my brother. But you need to ask yourself honestly about this matter. With Su Qing's strong and resolute personality, do you really think she can forgive you for doing something that crosses such a line?"

Even if... even if we take a step back and assume that Sister Su Qing softens and reluctantly forgives you out of consideration for our years of relationship and our child, what about the other woman? Can you completely resolve this? Do you really intend to have your cake and eat it too, while Sister Su Qing watches and pretends not to know? Do you think that's possible?"

Duan Xifeng was speechless at the question, his eyes gradually dimming, as if his last glimmer of hope had been extinguished. He slumped onto the sofa, muttering, "Is... is there really no way at all? Is this family... really finished?"

Silence fell again in the private room, broken only by Duan Xifeng's heavy breathing and suppressed sobs.

Lin Bufan frowned, seemingly going through a fierce internal struggle. He looked at Guoran and Qixing, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Guoran, Qixing, Piaopiao, could you please... step outside for a moment? I... we need to talk to each other alone for a bit."

Sure enough, the three looked at each other, and although they were curious, they nodded, silently got up and left the private room, gently closing the door behind them.

Once only Lin Bufan and Duan Xifeng remained in the private room, Lin Bufan leaned closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with a resolute yet cautious tone: "Brother-in-law, what I'm about to say might seem outrageous or risky to you… Just consider it a terrible idea I came up with because I couldn't bear to see you so depressed. Listen to it and decide for yourself whether to use it or not! And no matter the outcome, once you leave this room, I will never admit to saying these things! You must also promise that only heaven, earth, you, and I know, and absolutely no third person can find out, especially Sister Su Qing and Taozi! If they find out this idea was mine, forget about remarrying; they probably won't even acknowledge me as their brother-in-law! Don't blame me for turning against you then!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Xifeng's eyes lit up instantly, like a dying man seeing a glimmer of hope. He gripped Lin Bufan's hand tightly, so excited he was almost incoherent: "Tell me! Bufan, tell me! I promise! I swear! I will never tell anyone! Whether it works out or not, your brother-in-law will remember your kindness for the rest of his life! Tell me quickly, what's the plan?"

Lin Bufan took a deep breath, lowered his voice, but spoke quickly: "What I mean is, you shouldn't have any further dealings with Sister Su Qing about property division! She wants a divorce, right? Fine, you agree! And you should take the initiative to offer to give her all the property—the house, the car, the savings… everything under your and her name! You'll leave with nothing!"

Duan Xifeng was stunned. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out!

While observing the changes in Duan Xifeng's expression, Lin Bufan continued, "Think about it, if you keep harping on the property, it will only make Sister Su Qing dislike you more and think that you have no remorse and only care about money! If you just give her everything, at least you can leave a last bit of good impression on her and make her think that you still have some responsibility, that you genuinely know you were wrong, and that you want to make it up to her and the child! That's one point."

Secondly, and most importantly—by leaving with nothing and becoming penniless, you can see how that woman reacts! She previously claimed she wanted nothing but you and a child. Now that you're broke, will she still be devoted to you? If she leaves, that's perfect; your biggest problem is solved!

"Once that problem is resolved and you're completely relieved, go and sincerely beg Sister Su Qing. Show her your remorse through your actions and let her see your change. At that point, even if it's just for the sake of giving the child a complete family, Sister Su Qing might give you a chance... even if it's just a tiny chance. And once things have improved and your feelings have returned, remarriage... isn't entirely impossible, right?"

Duan Xifeng was stunned, his mind racing. Lin Bufan's words were like a ray of light, cleaving through his chaotic thoughts. Yes, arguing about the property would only make Qing'er hate him more. If leaving with nothing could resolve the troubles outside and even salvage some of Qing'er's goodwill... this seemed to be the only way, a seemingly hopeless path, yet one that held a glimmer of hope!

Duan Xifeng's breathing quickened, and a spark of hope rekindled in his eyes. His fingers trembled slightly with excitement: "Bufan! Do as you say! I agree! I agree to everything! I'll leave with nothing! I'll give Qing'er everything! The house, the car, the savings... all to her!"

Lin Bufan gripped Duan Xifeng's wrist tightly, his face more serious and grave than ever before. His voice was even lower, almost squeezed out from between his teeth: "Brother-in-law! Calm down! This is no small matter! Think it through carefully! This method sounds reasonable, but the risk is too great! What if... I mean, what if the other woman finds out you're leaving with nothing and still refuses to leave, determined to cling to you? Or... what if Sister Su Qing takes the property but her mind remains unchanged, determined to divorce you and never give you another chance? Then you'll really lose everything, both your money and your lover! You won't even have time to regret it then!"

"I've thought it through! I don't need to think about it anymore!" Duan Xifeng shook his head violently, tears welling up again, but his eyes held a resolute determination: "This was all my fault! I'm sorry to Qing'er, I'm a bastard! Even... even if Qing'er never forgives me and never wants to see me again, it's only right that I give all my money to her and the child! I'm the one at fault, this is what I deserve! I deserve it!"

Duan Xifeng gripped Lin Bufan's hand tightly, his tone almost pleading, yet carrying a resolute determination: "Bufan, don't try to persuade me! I know you're doing this for my own good, but I have to do it!"

Lin Bufan stared intently at Duan Xifeng for several seconds. Finally, seemingly moved by his resolve, yet also feeling helpless, he slowly released his grip and sighed heavily: "Sigh... Alright. Since your mind is made up, I won't say anything more. But brother-in-law, you must remember this: these words, once spoken by me, must never be heard by a third person, especially not Taozi or your Qing'er! Otherwise..."

"Don't worry! Bufan, don't worry!" Duan Xifeng hurriedly assured him, pointing to the sky and swearing, "I, Duan Xifeng, swear to the heavens that what I say today will remain in my heart until my coffin is filled with gratitude! No matter what the final outcome is, if it succeeds, I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life! If it fails, then it is my own fault, and I deserve it. I will never have the slightest complaint, nor will I implicate you in the slightest!"

Lin Bufan nodded, his face still devoid of a smile, and patted Duan Xifeng on the shoulder: "I hope... this risky move of yours will work out."

Duan Xifeng hastily wiped his face with his sleeve. His eyes were still red and swollen, but it was as if a tremendous burden had been lifted, or perhaps a profound, almost tragic hope had been instilled within them. He took a deep breath and stood up unsteadily: "I...I'll go find Qing'er right now...I'll tell her...I agree to the divorce, I'll give her everything..."