Chapter 45.1

Zhao Yun invited Jiang Rou to a nearby restaurant for a meal. Jiang Rou glanced at the time and saw it was indeed mealtime, so she did not refuse. She had originally planned to take Li Xin out for lunch.

Zhao Yun, known for her high spending, took them to a Western restaurant and ordered spaghetti, steak, and dessert.

Li Xin had never eaten such food before and did not know how to use the knife and fork. She tried to imitate Jiang Rou and use them.

Jiang Rou used a delicate little spoon to feed a small piece of cake to An An, who was nestled in her arms. An An was exceptionally well-behaved in unfamiliar places. If she were at home, she would have reached out to grab the food, but now she sat quietly on Jiang Rou’s lap, her small hands resting on the table, playing with the new toy frog Jiang Rou had bought for her.

The mother and daughter shared bites, enjoying their meal.

Zhao Yun noticed An An’s small hands were somewhat darkened and couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s been a while, and An An’s hands are so tanned. What happened?”

Jiang Rou glanced down at the dark little chubby hands, which had prominent fat folds, and also couldn’t help but laugh. “I was busy with school and couldn’t look after her, so her Daddy took care of her. As you know, men are usually careless. I told him to remember to put a hat on An An to protect her from the sun, and he really just put on a hat. Her hands did get a bit tanned; it was really dark and shiny a few days ago.”

Zhao Yun chuckled softly, not expecting this to be the reason.

She looked up at Jiang Rou, who was attentively using a handkerchief to wipe the cream off the child’s mouth, her face full of tenderness and affection.

It was evident that Jiang Rou was living a very good life, not at all like a superficial appearance of having a good life.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Yun spoke up, “I heard from Old Chang that Li Xiao might be leaving next year. What’s going on? Isn’t he doing well there?”

Jiang Rou knew there was a reason for this meal and understood that Zhao Yun had a purpose for asking.

Not wanting to admit ignorance, she said, “It seems to be the case. Li Xiao mentioned it to me briefly. He said the real estate job didn’t suit him and he wanted to switch paths. I don’t really understand those things; he always makes his own decisions. I think his happiness is most important.”

“He was worried that leaving Manager Chang might lead to a tough time and that he might let me and An An down. I told him that we’re still young and shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes. Success doesn’t come easily, and if you’re ready to face difficulties, then go ahead and try. Maybe my words had some effect; he decided to leave after that.”

Jiang Rou took all the responsibility upon herself.

Afterward, she looked at Zhao Yun with an apologetic expression and said, “I didn’t mean anything else. I understand him well; he has the capability, but he’s naturally adventurous, with many ideas. A life full of routines doesn’t suit him and it won’t last long unless he’s doing something he likes.”

Zhao Yun nodded. “Alright, I’ll tell Old Chang when I get back. To be honest, Old Chang really values talent. I can see that Li Xiao’s presence has noticeably lightened his load. My brother-in-law often praises him and is somewhat reluctant to let him go.”

“However, men’s matters are men’s matters; they don’t affect the feelings between us women. We should keep in touch more often. I find it easy to talk to you.”

Zhao Yun reflected inwardly that Jiang Rou’s willingness to take half the responsibility was clever. By saying she had persuaded him, she preserved the relationships between Li Xiao and Old Chang while also making it difficult for her to be asked for further persuasion. It was a smart move.

If Jiang Rou had claimed ignorance, Zhao Yun might have thought her insincere. Now that she admitted everything, it actually made her seem more genuine.

Jiang Rou smiled lightly. “Of course, I also enjoy chatting with you, Sister Zhao. I’ve learned a lot.”

Zhao Yun laughed heartily. “What could you learn? I’ve just had a few more years of experience than you.”

She then turned to Li Xin, who was sitting next to Jiang Rou. “Is this your sister? She’s really beautiful.”

Jiang Rou nodded. “My family situation isn’t very good. She’s with me and is now in the third year of junior high.”

She didn’t hide anything and briefly explained the situation, mentioning only that her family had a preference for sons over daughters but not going into more detail.

Zhao Yun, upon hearing this, said warmly, “I heard from Old Chang that he plans to give you a house in Jiangxin. You should complete the transfer by the end of the year. She can come here to study next year.”

“I remember that place is close to the Affiliated Middle School, which is a key high school and very good, with closed management. Several students have been admitted to top universities this year. My nephew is there; if you don’t believe me, you can ask him.”

She then turned her head to look at the young man beside her.’

The boy, suddenly being called out, lifted his head.

Zhao Yun introduced, “This is my niece’s child, Ji Yu. He has always been good at his studies since he was young.”

Jiang Rou recognized Ji Yu. During her last visit to the Chang family, Zhao Yun had mentioned him, saying he was very talented. She also noted that although her current uncle-in-law had two children who liked to bully others, Ji Yu had done well for himself, getting into the Affiliated Middle School and moving out to live on his own. Even during vacations, he preferred to stay with the Chang family.

The boy glanced at Li Xin and then said to Jiang Rou, “The Affiliated Middle School is excellent. The teachers place a strong emphasis on academic performance and are a bit strict, but they are very responsible. The students also get along well.”

Jiang Rou was moved by this.

Zhao Yun immediately added, “It’s a bit difficult to get in there. I’ll have a word with my friends about it.”

As an elementary school teacher, Zhao Yun’s assurance carried weight.

Jiang Rou hesitated and didn’t agree immediately. Instead, she said, “Let’s first see Xin Xin’s results from the high school entrance exam next year. If they’re good, then I might trouble you then.”

Her words were quite pointed, and Jiang Rou felt that Zhao Yun wanted to make her owe her a favor. Although she didn’t know the exact reason, she could guess it was related to Chang Yong and Li Xiao.

On the way back after the meal, Li Xin, holding An An, couldn’t help but say, “Sister, I’d be fine with any school. Don’t listen to Sister Zhao. I feel like she has ulterior motives.”

Jiang Rou found this amusing and replied, “What are you imagining, little one? It’s probably because your brother-in-law left her husband’s company, and she doesn’t want to sever the ties between our families. That’s why she said that.”

Li Xin fell silent upon hearing this.

—o—o—

When Li Xiao came back that evening, Jiang Rou still brought up the matter with him.

Li Xiao, upon hearing this, showed no particular reaction and said, “Well, if it’s a good opportunity that’s come knocking, why not take it?”

Jiang Rou asked uncertainly, “It won’t affect you, will it?”

Li Xiao laughed and replied, “How could such a minor thing affect me?”

He then casually added, “At most, it would mean I have to divulge a bit of news about Chang Yong’s activities outside.”

Jiang Rou did not understand. “What do you mean?”

Li Xiao who still looking down and calculating the accounts, said, “Chang Yong has been a bit wild lately. Recently, he’s been keeping a female college student.”

“…”

Jiang Rou was directly shocked, her eyes widening. “Is that true? He… How could he be like that?”

Chang Yong had always seemed like an honest and devoted family man to Jiang Rou. She had always thought of him as a good person who cared for his family and children.

Hearing this news all of a sudden felt like a shattering of her worldview.

It wasn’t that she was making a fuss; there were indeed many news stories about infidelity in the future, which had become quite commonplace. However, such occurrences were still rare in this current era, especially when it happened so close to her.

Li Xiao remained calm and said, “It’s quite normal. Men who suddenly became rich often seek out younger women, and some even keep several mistresses. There was a construction worker at the site before who did just that—he would support a different woman wherever he went, spending all his money on them while his wife and children at home barely had enough to eat.”

As he spoke, he suddenly sensed the atmosphere growing quiet. He turned to look at Jiang Rou and saw her staring at him with suspicion. Realizing what was happening, he quickly raised his hand and swore, “I haven’t done such things. When they went to nightclubs and karaoke bars, I didn’t go. I also kept Zhou Jian from going there.”

The main reason was that when he was in the county before, he had frequented such places and knew how chaotic they could be.

Jiang Rou was not convinced. She put down the pair of pants she was mending, walked over to him, and lowered her head to sniff. Li Xiao felt a bit ticklish and turned his head with a smile, “Can you smell anything?”

He then put his arm around Jiang Rou’s waist.

Jiang Rou pushed aside his collar and saw only the red marks she had left from last night on his neck. Her face reddened, and she warned, “There better not be anything. If there is, I will immediately get a divorce, and the child will stay with me. I won’t hold you back; we’ll each remarry. Even if you do well in the future, I won’t be a persistent nuisance.”

Li Xiao’s expression changed upon hearing this. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

He pulled her onto his lap and said, “There’s nothing like that. I don’t fool around outside. I know exactly what I want. I’m telling you this to reassure you, not to make you doubt me.”

He continued to explain, “Chang Yong used to be an ordinary man doing temporary work, earning about two hundred a month. He only became wealthy overnight because his sister married a rich man. The result of sudden wealth is that he wants to prove himself and show off, so he seeks out women. His wife knows about it and just turns a blind eye.”

He was different from Chang Yong. Chang Yong had been an honest man who had never seen the seedy side of life, whereas Li Xiao was different. He had been a gangster from a young age and had seen it all. By the time he was in junior high, he had already witnessed people fighting in front of him.

To put it bluntly, he had tried everything except coming in contact with women. So, what others might find exciting, he found quite boring. He’d rather spend his time making money.

Jiang Rou huffed, “It better be that way. I don’t want to be made sick by you in the future.”

Jiang Rou chose to temporarily believe him.

Li Xiao, somewhat annoyed, said, “Think about it—if I were really fooling around outside, would I still be telling you all this?”

Jiang Rou gave him a look. “Who knows? You might be saying this on purpose to lower my guard.”

Li Xiao snorted, “I’m not that kind of person.”

Jiang Rou pursed her lips, unwilling to continue the discussion, but she still felt uncomfortable thinking about Chang Yong. “How could Chang Yong be like that? His two daughters are still so young. No wonder people say that men turn bad when they become rich.”

Li Xiao imitated her tone and said, “Who knows? He seems quite invested in that college student and even bought her a house.”

Jiang Rou became increasingly disgusted. “Disgusting.”

Li Xiao was both amused and exasperated. “I’m your husband; why are you getting upset? Zhao Yun isn’t angry.”

Jiang Rou remained angry and retorted, “How do you know Sister Zhao isn’t upset?”

She had heard Zhao Yun mention before that when she was young and working as a teacher, and Chang Yong was a temporary worker at the factory. Zhao Yun’s family had opposed the marriage at first, but she had insisted.

Who could have predicted it would turn out like this?

If it had been her, she would have regretted it deeply.

Li Xiao did not want to upset Jiang Rou further over this couple’s issues. “Yes, Zhao Yun is definitely upset. But her approach is correct. Since Chang Yong has become successful, a divorce is just giving someone else a chance.”

Unlike Jiang Rou, who, if something like this happened to her, would be single-minded about leaving, both foolish and decisive.

Li Xiao coaxed her and kissed her on the chin. “Let’s just be good.”

Jiang Rou responded softly and prepared to get up.

Li Xiao didn’t let her. He held her waist tightly and whispered in her ear.

Jiang Rou, feeling a bit uncomfortable, shrank her neck and said, “No, can’t you just endure it?”

He lowered his voice, “I don’t want to endure.”

Jiang Rou bit her lip and remained silent.

Li Xiao smiled, knowing she had tacitly agreed.

Li Xiao let go of her, closed the ledger in front of him, and then turned to pull An An, who was happily playing on the bed, into his arms to coax her to sleep.

An An looked puzzled, not understanding why her Daddy was putting her to bed now.

She squirmed, trying to get away, but Li Xiao held her firmly.

—o—o—o—