After My Divorce, I Was Picked Up and Taken Home by Bai Mengyan - Chapter 1:

Chapter 1: Is Separation Joy or Sorrow

“Lin Chen, I’ve moved out. Don’t bother trying to find me, and don’t call me anymore. Even if we met, what could we possibly say? We’d only fall into the same endless cycle again and again. We’ve been together for ten years, from dating to marriage. I’m tired. I can’t see any hope in our relationship, and I can’t see any hope in this family either. Maybe we were never the person the other truly needed. So… let’s separate. I hope everything goes well for you in the future.”

At that moment, Lin Chen was sitting in the driver’s seat when the message from his wife arrived. He read it once, then again, as if the words might somehow change. Since last night, every call he had made to Chen Ya had gone unanswered. They had been college sweethearts, and after graduation, since they both stayed in the same city, they naturally stepped into marriage.

In the first three years after their wedding, life had been sweet and peaceful. In his second year at work, Lin Chen became the youngest department manager in his company. Promotions and salary increases came one after another, and it felt as if he had reached the peak of his life. Meanwhile, Chen Ya’s careful attention and constant support pushed him forward. Both of them were filial to their families, and in the eyes of others, their life was nothing short of perfect.

However, in the fourth year of their marriage, Chen Ya started her own company with a friend. At the same time, Lin Chen, despite being at the height of his career, chose to resign and prepare for the civil service exam. His efforts paid off. The following year, he was admitted into the Nanfeng City Public Security Bureau and became a police officer. From then on, they began living apart.

From that year onward, Chen Ya’s company flourished. Under her leadership, it quickly rose within the industry. In less than two years, she was driving luxury cars, and together they had purchased a large villa.

Yet, along with success came change. Chen Ya’s sharp instincts in business gradually transformed her. The gentle woman she once was became strong and domineering. Her decisions carried calculation, and even at home, she always kept Lin Chen under pressure. Meanwhile, Lin Chen, once cheerful and easygoing, became cautious and withdrawn. Whenever he returned home, he felt like a startled bird, afraid that a single wrong word would invite ridicule or anger.

They continued like this for another two years, maintaining their long-distance marriage. Chen Ya’s company grew stronger, and her standards rose higher. Lin Chen could never have imagined that the soft, affectionate woman he married would turn into such a capable yet deeply calculating businesswoman.

As Chen Ya’s lifestyle improved, problems between them surfaced one after another. She began to complain that Lin Chen failed to care for the family and had achieved nothing in his career. Three years after passing the civil service exam, he was still an unknown police officer. It took several more years before he finally became a deputy section chief. Over time, their communication dwindled. She was always busy with work and social engagements, while Lin Chen went from visiting home once a week to once a month.

Thus, after the three-year pandemic finally ended, their relationship reached its end as well, just like the pandemic itself.

Lin Chen slowly pulled the car over. He stared at the message on his phone again and again, unable to believe his eyes. For a brief moment, he even wondered if it was all just an illusion.

In truth, the root of their problem lay in their completely different worlds. They hardly communicated, and over time, Chen Ya’s feelings for him had been worn away. Again and again, she learned to live independently in the midst of disappointment.

In her heart, having a husband or not made almost no difference. Life simply went on, with or without that title.

And just like that, Lin Chen and Chen Ya separated, and life moved forward. He had thought it was merely a quiet breakup without betrayal, without scandal… nothing more than a relationship that had simply run its course. However, everything truly began on that morning.

The day after receiving their divorce certificate, Lin Chen returned to Nanfeng City. From then on, he would live alone. Although he felt deeply uncomfortable and reluctant, he still hoped that Chen Ya would find happiness in the future. After all, what she wanted was something he could never give.

Not long after he sat down in his office, a colleague, Xia Meng, walked into the Criminal Investigation Division and called out loudly, “Is Lin Chen here?”

Lin Chen, who had just returned from his hometown in Donghai City, looked exhausted. He hadn’t shaved, hadn’t even washed his face, and his uniform was wrinkled and untidy. When he saw Xia Meng, he raised his hand slightly and said in a flat tone, “I’m here.”

In the Binhai Sub-Bureau, almost no one didn’t know Xia Meng. She was known as the number one beauty of the station. With a face like a movie star and a striking figure, she was often the subject of quiet admiration.

Facing her cold gaze, Lin Chen instinctively lowered his head, a trace of self-consciousness rising within him. He hadn’t expected her to storm into the office calling his name, especially not while he looked so disheveled.

Under the curious stares of the male officers, Xia Meng walked toward him. A faint smile appeared on her otherwise cool face, and her eyes carried a hint of curiosity. “Sorry, Deputy Captain Lin, I may have been a bit abrupt.”

Deputy Captain Lin was Lin Chen’s current position. By now, he was already the deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Division in the Binhai Sub-Bureau.

Looking up at the elegant woman before him, Lin Chen asked in a slightly hoarse voice, “Xia Meng, what do you need?”

After speaking, he lowered his head again, not daring to meet her gaze. In the last three years with Chen Ya, he had constantly been suppressed at home. That experience had left him with a deep sense of insecurity. Whenever he saw Chen Ya, he felt like a student facing a strict teacher, always wanting to avoid her.

Xia Meng looked at him with her large eyes and said, “Deputy Captain Lin, is this how you treat colleagues from other departments? Not even a glass of water?”

Lin Chen quickly stood up and pulled out a chair for her. At the same time, Officer Xiao Zhang, who had been listening nearby, hurried off to pour tea.

Looking at the steaming cup of green tea, Lin Chen scratched his head and said, “Sorry for the poor hospitality.”

There was more apology than anything else in his tone. However, Xia Meng, who was usually lively, simply smiled faintly as if she didn’t mind. She took a sip and said, “I didn’t expect the usually brilliant Deputy Captain Lin to have such an endearing side. I can’t even imagine what you’re like in your daily life.”

Lin Chen understood what she meant. Although his personal life was a mess, his work record was anything but. In the seven years since joining the Binhai Sub-Bureau, he had solved numerous major cases and had received commendations from both the municipal bureau and the provincial department multiple times.

Still, seeing him now, looking like he hadn’t slept at all, Xia Meng couldn’t help but wonder if he truly lived up to his reputation.

Lin Chen gave an awkward smile and said, “Beautiful Xia, you didn’t come all this way just to see me, did you?”

Only then did Xia Meng remember her purpose. She had been so curious about him that she had almost forgotten the task at hand.

She set down her cup, her expression returning to a gentle seriousness as she said, “Director Qin from the municipal bureau and Director Yao from the provincial department’s political division want to see you. But looking at you now… are you sure you don’t want to shave and tidy yourself up first?”

Lin Chen shook his head indifferently. He stood up, stretched lazily, and said, “No need. Let’s go.”

The two walked down the corridor one after the other until they reached the bureau chief’s office. Xia Meng knocked politely, and a firm voice answered, “Come in.”

Inside, Director Zhao sat behind his desk, while two middle-aged men sat on the sofa. Lin Chen recognized one of them as Director Qin Gang from the municipal bureau. The other, with a kind expression and slightly plump build, must be Director Yao from the provincial department.

When they entered, the contrast was striking. The woman was youthful and radiant, while the man beside her looked unkempt and exhausted. The difference caused Director Yao’s expression to darken slightly.

Director Qin, however, stood up with a warm smile and said, “Xiao Lin, you were up all night again, weren’t you? You look completely drained.”

Hearing this, Zhao Zhong quickly added with a friendly tone, “Director Yao, this is Comrade Lin Chen from our Criminal Investigation Division. He’s been busy with a major case recently, so he looks a bit worn out.”

With both men speaking in his defense, Director Yao’s attitude softened. It seemed he could not underestimate this young man, even if he appeared careless on the surface.

He nodded and said, “Xiao Lin, have a seat.”

Zhao Zhong pointed to a chair and gave Lin Chen a subtle look. Lin Chen immediately moved it over, placed it in front of them, and sat down stiffly. After bringing him in, Xia Meng quietly left, and the office fell into silence.

At that moment, Director Yao from the provincial department spoke first.