Lai Hui relaxed, not as cold towards Zhang Zongxiang as the day before, sitting on the sofa and chatting about their hometown. Zhang Zongxiang was quite a talker; from the mayor’s downfall in City C to the weddings of local households, he could talk about anything. Lai Hui, not having been back to City C for years, felt a sense of warmth hearing familiar names and places. The morning passed quite pleasantly.
During lunch, seeing that Lai Hui was in a good mood, Zhang Zongxiang tentatively said, “Xiao Hui, your dad’s getting old, it’s not right to keep eating off you. Could you help find something for me to do?”
Zhang Zongxiang was no fool; he knew his daughter didn’t have much filial piety towards him. Even if she was willing to support him financially, she wouldn’t care about his family back home. Better to ask for help in finding a job. Given Zhou Yuqian’s status, getting him a well-paying job shouldn’t be too hard.
Upon hearing he wanted to work in City A, Lai Hui’s face darkened at the thought of him staying long-term, but seeing his hopeful old face and knowing he wanted to work rather than ask for money, her expression softened. “I don’t even have a job myself, where would I find one for you?”
Zhang Zongxiang put down his chopsticks and smiled, “Isn’t Mr. Zhou a big boss? Maybe he needs a chef?”
Hearing he was eyeing Zhou Yuqian, Lai Hui slammed her chopsticks on the table in annoyance, “He’s in high-tech, what does he need a chef for? I think you should head back to City C after staying a couple of days!” She stood up abruptly, glaring at Zhang Zongxiang’s green face, adding, “I warn you, don’t even think about targeting Zhou Yuqian. He’s not someone you can mess with!” Without waiting for a response, she stormed into the elevator.
After Ouyang Qingshao divorced his wife, he did not move Cheng Lan into the Ouyang residence. That house was personally designed by his wife when he first made his fortune, and naturally, he wouldn’t let another woman live there. Cheng Lan, of course, did not know that Ouyang was actually regretting the divorce and felt guilty towards his ex-wife, which was why he didn’t let her move in. Instead, she believed Ouyang also disliked his ex-wife, to the extent that he didn’t even want the house, and that’s why he moved in with her in a small villa. This made her happy for several days. Wealthy and powerful men often see themselves as hunters. Before his wife left, Ouyang was somewhat restrained, only occasionally straying, and kept Cheng Lan hidden away, but it was still discovered. After the divorce, with the only restraint gone, he became like a wild horse off the rein, frequently indulging in nightlife at nightclubs, clubs, and other such places, surrounded by beautiful women. Cheng Lan was unaware of all this; she simply thought Ouyang was busy with work, attending one social event after another. Whenever Ouyang returned to their nest reeking of heavy perfume, Cheng Lan would considerately serve him tea.
Lai Hui had vaguely heard some rumors about Ouyang’s debauchery from Zhou Yuqian, but she also knew Cheng Lan always thought Ouyang divorced because he loved her. Little did she know, Ouyang’s purpose for the divorce was merely to get rid of his wife. Therefore, she certainly wouldn’t “kindly” remind Cheng Lan. If one were to call her selfish, it wouldn’t be fair; even if she reminded Cheng Lan, she might not believe it, or worse, might think Lai Hui was jealous. Besides, she had her own mess to deal with, where would she find the time to clear someone else’s snow?
On the third day Zhang Zongxiang arrived, Lai Hui took him to see Lai Ru Yun. On the way, she repeatedly instructed Zhang Zongxiang not to speak out of turn. Actually, her worries were unnecessary. Zhang Zongxiang, though petty and fond of petty gains, couldn’t help but shed tears at the sight of Lai Ru Yun lying motionless on the hospital bed for so many years. Lai Ru Yun had been told by her daughter the day before that her ex-husband was coming to A city, so she was somewhat prepared for Zhang Zongxiang’s visit. However, seeing him standing there healthy while she lay there like a corpse for over four years made her heart ache, and she burst into tears. Lai Hui was at a loss with the two elderly people crying, her heart aching painfully. Thus, that day, the family of three spent an hour crying together.
Zhang Zongxiang wiped his tears with his sleeve and said, “How come there’s been no improvement after all these years?” His words were like pouring salt on the wound. Lai Hui was worried that one day her mother might not make it, fearing the loss of a loved one; and Lai Ru Yun thought that looking at the situation, there was no hope for recovery, she had lived a life worse than death for so many years and burdened her daughter, it might be better if she just closed her eyes one day, freeing both her daughter and herself. The more she thought, the sadder she got, and just as their tears had stopped, mother and daughter started crying again. Fortunately, Xiao Yu brought in some tea, saving the hospital from a sea of tears.
Zhang Zongxiang, sitting by the bed, looked at Lai Ru Yun’s gaunt face with pity and comforted her, “You should focus on recovering, one day you will get better. The house is still there, when you’re better, I’ll clear it out for you!” At that moment, he wasn’t scheming, genuinely wanting to give the house back to Lai Ru Yun once she recovered, but that was just a fleeting thought. Once Lai Ru Yun actually got better, he would probably forget he ever said such a thing.
Lai Ru Yun’s cloudy eyes rolled, and she said coldly, “This illness probably won’t get better, and I’ve already given that house to Xiao Hui, so you don’t need to talk to me about it!” Her implication was that whether she got better or not, the house was lent, and if her daughter wanted to give it to them, they could stay; if not, they should pack up and leave. Although Zhang Zongxiang genuinely meant to give the house back at that moment, hearing Lai Ru Yun’s words made him uncomfortable. He knew his ex-wife was shrewd, but he didn’t expect her to not even save face in front of their daughter. His face turned red with anger, and he didn’t reply.
Lai Hui, still feeling the pain, didn’t pay much attention to their exchange, only pondering over her mother’s words. Although she and her mother might not move back into that house after five years, she was genuinely happy that her mother always thought of giving her the best, no matter what. Ignoring her father who was sulking, she held her mother’s hand, tears mixed with a smile, secretly planning that once she was free, she would return to C city, buy a piece of land, build a small courtyard for her mother to recover peacefully, and live out the rest of her days happily while she herself would run a small business to make ends meet. She seemed to forget that she was a woman who should eventually marry and have children; or perhaps she did think of it but deliberately ignored it.
Chapter 19
Zhou Yuqian stayed at Nanling Villa for two months before finally deciding to have one last conversation with Li Yueqin, whom he had been avoiding. After over two months of reflection, Li Yueqin had tidied up her disheveled hair, styled it into charming, curly locks, applied a layer of wheat-colored foundation, a touch of blush to mask her previously pale and dry skin, and wore an elegant CHANEL teal low-cut long dress, exuding grace with every step, a stark contrast to the “madwoman” Zhou Yuqian had described two months ago. All this effort only managed to make Zhou Yuqian’s eyes light up briefly upon seeing her, but the light quickly faded as he remembered the painful years of their marriage. He knew Li Yueqin regretted, but this regret was not enough for her to “reform.”
