The Bumpy Road of Marriage: Divorce Now, Daddy

Ma Zhong turned his head and saw Gu Juexi standing beside the canopy. “What brings you here?” Ma Zhong put the water scoop in the bucket and stood up using his crutches.

“Please have a seat, Mr. and Mrs. Gu,” said Ma Mei who quickly fetched two stools and wiped them with her sleeve. Instead of sitting down on the stool after thanking Ma Mei, Ye Yuwei remained standing and asked about Ma Mei’s situation.

Ma Mei was eighteen this year. She had sat for her final exam in June and passed with flying colors but because of the condition of her family, she had not chosen any university to further her studies. She was indeed tempted when Wen Tao visited the other day, but continuing with her studies would mean leaving her disabled brother and sick parents alone at home, and the thought of it held her back.

Ye Yuwei was overwhelmed with emotions. Ma Mei was around the same age as Bai Xiaolian but was so much more well-behaved than Bai Xiaolian was.

Ma Zhong’s one boot was covered in mud when he plodded out of the muddy field. “What brings you here?” He sat down on a stool and asked again.

“To see if you had gotten your Darwin Award,” Gu Juexi said breezily as he sat down on one of the stools too.

Ye Yuwei blinked, feeling that Gu Juexi was in fact the best candidate for a Darwin Award.

“I can survive without your help,” Ma Zhong chuckled.

“Help?” Gu Juexi scoffed, “you must have misunderstood.”

Ma Zhong didn’t seem bothered by what Gu Juexi had said. He stretched his leg out and picked up his mug. It was the same mug that he used back in the army and he had never thought of replacing it.

“I heard that you rejected the Old Captain’s requests to join the troop again. I would look down on you if it was because of what happened back then,” Ma Zhong took a sip from his mug and said casually while massaging his sore leg.

“It has nothing to do with that,” Gu Juexi frowned and said. “Gu Enterprise helps to fund poor students every year. I didn’t do it because of you.”

“I know. And I didn’t refuse for that reason,” Ma Zhong replied.

“It has nothing to do with my brother, Mr. Gu. I myself decided not to go,” said Ma Mei quickly.

Gu Juexi looked from Ma Mei to Ma Zhong, then said, “The reason I am here is because I needed a head of security for my resort. Are you interested?”

“What, me?” Ma Zhong let out a scornful laugh as if he had just heard the funniest joke. “What can someone like me do?” Ma Zhong pointed at his leg and arm.

“You would be able to lead them like how you led the army back then,” said Gu Juexi straightforwardly. “After all, you were the only one who might have had a chance against me in the troop, and you know I never let myself suffer losses.”

Ma Zhong understood what Gu Juexi was trying to say and nodded. He might be physically disabled, but his brain was not.

Gu Juexi made it clear what he wanted: Ma Zhong’s input on the training of his security team.

“And the most important thing is that the resort is near to your house, and you would be able to commute every day for your parents,” Gu Juexi pointed out another tempting fact. “I know that the new policy that came into effect early this year has made most retired soldiers’ lives easier, but I believe that some of them are still struggling for their own reasons. I am willing to let you bring them with you. I might be a businessman, but I don’t mistreat my comrades.”

Ma Zhong lowered his gaze, as if taking Gu Juexi’s offer into serious consideration.

“Think about it. I know that you are still in touch with them, so you know what they need the most,” Gu Juexi got up from the stool and said.