i Langchi glanced up at him with an indistinct expression and said, "No need, they have enough clothes."
"I’ve bought all these things; it would be a waste to just let them sit there. They’re all carefully selected good items. They’ll surely like them." Ye Qing smiled lightly. "If you’re busy, I’ll just go by myself. There’s nothing much happening at the store anyway. I’m just idle at ho."
"Give three thousand yuan today. I have to go out for a while." i Langchi didn’t answer her, but Ye Qing clearly understood.
i Langchi didn’t oppose her going back, but only after she gave him the money.
"Three thousand?" Ye Qing furrowed her brows. This month, i Langchi had already asked her for several hundred. Now he was asking for another thousand, amounting to thirty percent of her stores’ profits being squandered by i Langchi this month.
Those three stores had only been open for two months, and with rent, staff, and stocked goods, she hadn’t made much herself.
"Will one thousand do? I haven’t collected the bills here yet. What do you need three thousand yuan for? I’ve already given you more than seven hundred this month."
"It’s for my business. You don’t need to worry about the rest," i Langchi continued to eat, entirely ignoring the twisted expression on Ye Qing’s face.
"Business, what kind of business?" On one hand, he was clamoring for a divorce, and on the other, he still wanted to use her money for business as if it were only natural.
His i Family must have plenty of money, yet he chose not to use his own but hers—did he really think he could just push her around?
"I’ve said it before; you don’t need to ddle in my affairs. If you’re unwilling to give it, just say so."
"I... no, I’ll go get it for you right now."
Ye Qing said submissively, getting up and heading to the bedroom. Heh, if he liked to spend money, then let him spend. The diamond she held in her hand was at least worth thirty thousand yuan. It was enough for i Langchi to squander for a while. At worst, she’d just have to get more of their family’s treasures in the future.
She believed the i Family definitely had treasures unknown to others. She needed to bring Lin Wan over and see what she could gather from tricking her daughter.
Ye Qing ca out and gave i Langchi three thousand yuan. i Langchi didn’t even count it and just tucked it into his pocket.
"Why don’t I co with you today? I can drive the car for you. It’d make things a bit easier for you." More than returning to the old house, Ye Qing was curious about i Langchi’s business dealings.
"I’m really busy today and don’t have ti for idle chatter with you. Aren’t you going back to the old house? I’ll leave the car for you." i Langchi said, putting down his bowl and chopsticks, and left directly.
Ye Qing sighed, wanting to say sothing, but i Langchi gave her no opportunity.
Ye Qing originally thought of secretly following him, but then thought better of it, fearing i Langchi would discover her, get upset, and she’d then be unable to explain yet another thing to make him dissatisfied.
After i Langchi left, Ye Qing packed the things she’d bought over the past few days and headed to the compound.
Outside, Li Liang’s parents saw Ye Qing packing into the car with bundles and knew she was going out.
Li Liang’s mother hadn’t planned to co today but was dragged along by her husband. As soon as they arrived, they saw Ye Qing about to leave.
Seeing Ye Qing load all the things she’d bought over the past few days into the car, Li Liang’s mother knew she might be going to see the kids. Excitedly, she urged Mr. Li Liang, "Hurry, go get a tricycle."
Mr. Li Liang was quick about it, easily calling the tricycle they’d been using these past days.
"Old brother, this ti it’ll be 3 yuan, or I won’t go."
"Why is it more expensive again? You raise the price every ti."
"Old brother, it’s not pricing high; you want to chase a car. I’m a tricycle driver—how am I supposed to chase a car? Every ti, I’ve used all my strength, yet I’ve never disappointed you, right? No matter the route, you haven’t lost yet, have you?"
Seeing the car about to leave, Mr. Li Liang stopped haggling and directly called his wife onto the tricycle. "Hurry, this ti, you have to follow closely."
"Don’t worry, just sit tight." The driver was happy; he’d been making quite a bit off the old couple. Naturally, he’d figured out their routine: just follow that woman, and you could follow all day.
Following a private car wasn’t easy, but there were many cyclists, and during red lights at intersections, he’d manage to catch a glimpse and not lose sight of them.
Finally, exhausted nearly to the point where he couldn’t pedal anymore, they stopped in front of a military compound’s gate. "Here we are. I can’t go any further."
"Thanks, brother. Here’s the money," Mr. Li Liang said, handing over the cash happily.
The driver gladly accepted and laughed, "You got your money’s worth. Today’s distance wasn’t short!"
"I know, I know," Mr. Li Liang chuckled, asking, "Brother, how do we get into this compound?"
"You’d have to know soone inside and have their phone number. This is a military-reserved area, and entering and exiting requires verification. Even if you know soone, registering inside doesn’t an you can just go in; the guards will have to call to confirm with the resident. It’s strict."
"Oh, this will be difficult," Mr. Li Liang realized the compound housed a kindergarten, and Ye Qing’s kids wouldn’t co out easily.
The driver didn’t concern himself with these issues, needing a rest after such a tiring day.
Seeing people entering, Li Liang’s mother was anxious outside. "What should we do?"
"What can we do? They live here, so they can’t stay in forever. They must bring the kids out to play on weekends. We’ll just wait."
"Wait? Again?" Li Liang’s mother’s impatience was evident. They’d been at this for nearly a week, spending money day in and day out, costing five or six yuan a day. It was unsustainable.
"Let’s call it a day, see if there’s a boarding house nearby. It’ll be easier for us later."
"Okay."
The two circled around the tightly sealed compound and eventually found a nearby boarding house to stay in.
....
When Ye Qing arrived at the compound, Xie Lingzhi was just about to head out and play mahjong with the neighbors.
"Mom, I saw a few new clothes yesterday that are especially suitable for you. How about you try them on? They’re really warm. They’ll keep you snug while playing cards," Ye Qing said with a smile, pulling Xie Lingzhi to sit on the sofa.
Quickly, she took out the clothes for Xie Lingzhi. "Mom, this outfit isn’t common in Capital City. The owner said there were only fifty made in the whole factory, and Capital City got just five. Most were snatched up by those wealthy wives. I was lucky yesterday and spent a fortune to grab one back from them."
Looking at the down jacket Ye Qing brought out, Xie Lingzhi found it quite substantial, with nice fabric. The fur on the hood looked like raccoon fur, adding to its class.
"Mom, give it a try," Ye Qing eagerly encouraged, catching sight of a twinkle in Xie Lingzhi’s eyes.
Indeed, when money’s well-spent, it pays off, as seen by the smile on Xie Lingzhi’s face.
"Mom, wear this; it’s just right."
"Okay. I’m off, take care of your grandma at ho," she said. Though not fond of Ye Qing, as a daughter-in-law, giving her gifts of respect seed appropriate.
The clothes were already bought, so why not take them?
"Mom, I got it. It’s not good out; where are you playing cards? If it snows, I’ll co get you."
"I’m playing at your aunt’s house." The i family took reputation seriously, so publicly, Xie Lingzhi always praised Ye Qing. Of course, Xie Zhitao knew what kind of person Ye Qing was.
User Comments
0 comments from readers