I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

He Daqing was stunned after hearing this. "Jianguo, is there some other story behind this? That house used to belong to the Bai family!"

Li Jianguo calmly took a sip of tea. "Of course there's a reason. The White Widow's house has nothing to do with you, but her two sons are real; you raised them, and they have an obligation to support you, whether they want to or not!"

He Daqing looked disappointed upon hearing this. "Even if those two ingrates have an obligation, they won't fulfill it."

"This isn't something they can decide. The new marriage law is in effect. Even if you divorce, neither of them can escape responsibility. As long as they have income, their wages can be directly deducted! It's just that going to court might be troublesome; the best solution is to settle privately!"

"Jianguo, you work in the public security bureau, you know much more about legal matters than I do. In my situation, how much do those two ungrateful wretches charge a month?"

"Based on the cost of living in Hebei, it would cost at least 10 yuan a month! And if they get sick, they'd still have to bear the responsibility!"

Li Jianguo looked at He Daqing very seriously as he said this. "This condition concerns your future life in old age. You must bring it up, even if it means going to court. This is what you deserve!"

Hearing this, Rainwater raised both hands in agreement. "Dad, let's do it! Even if it takes a year or two, we don't care! We can't let those two ungrateful wretches get away with it so easily!"

After finishing their meal and returning home, Widow Bai's eyes narrowed as she looked at the two people behind He Daqing, especially Li Jianguo's uniform, which was too eye-catching.

"Taiqing, what's wrong?"

"This is my daughter and son-in-law!"

"Oh, come in and sit down..." The white widow immediately changed her expression.

"Where are those two brats? Tell them to come over here!"

"What are you trying to do, Great Qing?"

Before Widow Bai could finish speaking, two young men came out from the inner room. When they saw the clothes on Li Jianguo's body, their angry faces instantly calmed down.

"Xiaobai! We've been married for over twenty years. Now your son is all grown up and doesn't need me anymore. I've thought about this a lot lately, so let's end it here and get a divorce!"

"Mom! Divorce him... From now on, my brother and I will be fine!"

"Shut up!" Widow Bai glared at her two sons, then turned to look at He Daqing.

"We're both this age, wouldn't people laugh at us if we got divorced? What would they say about them if we divorced?"

He Daqing felt as if his heart was being stabbed. "So this is what you care about?"

"No! I didn't mean that, Qing Dynasty..."

"Enough! What's the big deal about our family? How many times have I been kicked out of the house? If I stay here any longer, I'll either starve to death or get beaten to death!"

"I don't agree to a divorce!" The white widow turned her head away, looking completely unyielding.

Yu Shui looked at Li Jianguo with a helpless expression and pleading eyes. Li Jianguo then tapped on the table.

"You absolutely must get a divorce! It's a done deal that your two sons abused the elderly. If this goes to court, both of your sons will be fired from their factories immediately! And if the circumstances are serious, they could even go to jail!"

"Who are you trying to scare?"

"Why don't you try and see?" Li Jianguo looked at the two guys with disdain.

"You two didn't do anything behind anyone's back. I imagine many people would be willing to testify against you and keep you locked up in jail!"

"Even if you're a police officer, you can't just do whatever you want."

"The police certainly can't act arbitrarily, but they can enforce the law as long as there's a legal basis!"

Li Jianguo stood up as he spoke. "Father-in-law! Since they're not in the mood for negotiation, let's give them a little push!"

"Alright! I'll listen to you!" He Daqing was never one to hesitate; once he made a decision, nothing could change his mind.

"Wait! Da Qing, do we, as husband and wife, really have to come to this?"

"Xiao Bai! Is it really worth bringing this up now? Have you visited me during these past few days while I was in the factory dormitory? Did you stop me when your son kicked me out?"

"I..."

"I was thinking of parting amicably, but you wanted to take the last half of my life. Are you heartless, or am I?"

"I promise they won't do it again! I'll try to persuade them..."

He Daqing gave a cold laugh. "Do you believe that?"

After saying this, He Daqing stopped arguing, stood up, turned around and went out, but Widow Bai hurriedly grabbed him tightly.

"The Qing Dynasty! I agree, I agree, isn't that enough?"

"Alright! My original intention was also that we should part amicably after being married. If you agree, that's fine! Jianguo, you should talk to her properly."

Why are you bringing this up? Is it interesting?

Li Jianguo smiled and turned to look at the widow. "My father-in-law explained the situation to me very clearly along the way. There's probably not much left to divide in terms of property; everything that could be used has been used. But you two sons can't escape your obligation to support your parents!"

"What did you say? You expect the two of us to support this old man? You're dreaming!"

"This is a right granted to my father-in-law by law. He raised you when you were young, and you should support him in his old age. It's perfectly reasonable. According to the cost of living here, you two brothers should give him 5 yuan a month until he passes away peacefully. If my father-in-law becomes ill, you will also have to pay for it..."

"Don't try to fool me! 10 yuan a month? Our monthly salary is only 40-something yuan... I don't believe the law stipulates that!"

"Since we can't reason with them, let's go to the neighborhood office to get the divorce certificate first. As for the follow-up issues, we'll file a lawsuit in court!"

"Fine, I'll go. Who's afraid of who?"

Seeing the brothers' attitude, Da Qing felt a chill in his heart. What chilled him the most was that the White Widow hadn't said a word from beginning to end!

The group arrived at the neighborhood office, and the widow looked at the staff handling the paperwork and voiced her doubts.

"What this police officer said is true, but we don't handle alimony matters here; we only issue certificates. However, I warn you, if they appeal, you will definitely lose! My advice is that you'd better settle this privately!"

As the official seal was affixed, two divorce certificates were freshly issued. He Daqing held his own divorce certificate and sighed with emotion.

"Great Qing, are you really going to sue my sons?"

"If we don't go to court, will they be willing to pay? How much money have your two sons cost me over the years? What aspect of their lives, from food to clothing to jobs, haven't I provided for them? Shouldn't they support me?"

Seeing the two young men with their heads down, Li Jianguo added fuel to the fire. "If we go to court, it won't just be about alimony; we'll also have to settle accounts for your elder abuse!"

"No! Great Qing, let's sit down and have a proper talk."

Li Jianguo glanced at He Daqing, who nodded to the widow.

"Ten yuan a month, 100 yuan a year, I won't ask for more than 1000 yuan, let's call it a day!"

"What 1000? You're dreaming!"

He Daqing looked at his two former sons. "Is 1000 yuan a lot? I spent over 1000 yuan on your job alone... Since you two are heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless!"