Fu Wenzhou looked at Duan Fangya again as though he were looking at an idiot.
“Did you leave your brain at home? The person we saw on the mountain the day before yesterday—wasn’t it her?”
Although she had just been scolded by Fu Wenzhou, Duan Fangya didn’t dare show the slightest temper.
After all, this man’s future influence would be unimaginably powerful.
Besides, from the way he spoke, it was obvious he and Ruan Qiaoqiao didn’t know each other before.
The suspicion in her heart disappeared, and she smiled pleasantly.
“Right, right. We saw each other from afar on the mountain that day. Since we met again by fate, let me introduce everyone properly. Cousin Uncle, this is Ruan Qiaoqiao… Ah Mai’s ex-wife. Qiaoqiao, this is my distant cousin uncle. He currently lives in Houlian Village, which should be close to your village.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao ignored Duan Fangya entirely and only nodded lightly at Fu Wenzhou.
“Hello.”
But Fu Wenzhou coldly shifted his gaze away.
So in front of her ex-husband, she didn’t even have the courage to introduce him properly?
Very good.
Beside them, Su Mai had been quietly observing Fu Wenzhou ever since he entered. When their eyes met briefly, Su Mai finally withdrew his gaze.
It seemed Fu Wenzhou no longer remembered what happened so long ago.
In that case… perhaps there was no need for him to interfere.
Seeing Fu Wenzhou completely ignore Ruan Qiaoqiao, Duan Fangya’s lips curved upward slightly.
Someone like Ruan Qiaoqiao was probably beneath Fu Wenzhou’s notice entirely. A mere ant—unworthy even of carrying his shoes.
Maintaining a gentle smile, Duan Fangya said kindly, “Qiaoqiao, don’t mind him. My cousin uncle isn’t looking down on you. He’s actually a very good person. And since we’re all friends, I feel like I have to say this… Isn’t it a little inappropriate for you to ask Ah Mai for three years’ worth of nanny wages? Back then, you were husband and wife. Isn’t this being a little too calculative?”
Ruan Qiaoqiao burst into laughter.
Right now, she was practically praying that Fu Wenzhou wouldn’t pay attention to her.
“Oh? So Miss Duan knows that during those years, he and I were the actual married couple? Then how were you able to so comfortably enjoy everything that should have belonged to his wife?
“You enjoyed everything, while I, the so-called wife, did all the work of both a caregiver and a maid. So what’s wrong with me asking for some wages?”
“But… you’re asking for 720 yuan right away. That’s not a small amount.”
At those words, Fu Wenzhou suddenly let out a mocking laugh full of disdain.
Hearing the contempt in his voice, Duan Fangya assumed he also believed Ruan Qiaoqiao’s behavior—extorting money from her ex-husband after divorce—was shameless.
She immediately turned toward Fu Wenzhou, her expression righteous.
“Cousin Uncle, don’t you also think Qiaoqiao’s behavior is a little inappropriate?”
Ruan Qiaoqiao turned to look at Fu Wenzhou.
He’d better not say something ridiculous.
She knew some wealthy people with pride tended to think face was more important than money.
But honestly… there was no need for that.
Wasn’t money in hand much more satisfying?
Fu Wenzhou looked back at her. Their eyes met, and a teasing indifference appeared in his gaze.
“Three years. Seven hundred and twenty yuan. That’s only twenty yuan a month? Heh. That nanny job really was underpaid.”
Duan Fangya’s face stiffened.
Why was Fu Wenzhou siding with an outsider?
Ruan Qiaoqiao laughed immediately.
Yes, exactly. Keep talking.
Ignoring Fu Wenzhou’s comment, she turned to Su Mai.
“Mr. Su, see? Even outsiders know twenty yuan is too little for hiring a nanny. I already lowered my demands to the bare minimum just to seek a little fairness for myself.
“So give me a direct answer. Are you paying or not? If you can’t bear to part with the money, just say so. You can refuse to pay, but I won’t pretend these three years of my youth were fed to dogs. I’ll definitely go to your workplace and—”
Before she could finish saying “have a proper discussion there,” Su Mai interrupted her.
“Fine. As you wish. I’ll give you the additional six hundred and twenty yuan. I’ll withdraw the money this afternoon and deliver it to the Liu family tomorrow.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao was stunned.
Seven hundred and twenty yuan.
Just like that… she got it?
Suppressing the excitement in her heart, she maintained a cold expression.
“You don’t need to go to the Liu family. I don’t live there anymore.”
Su Mai’s expression darkened immediately.
“You’re divorced and not living with the Liu family? Then where are you living now?”
Although his words sounded cold, concern was obvious in his tone.
Duan Fangya’s expression instantly turned ugly.
And when Duan Fangya felt bad, Ruan Qiaoqiao felt wonderful.
“Since you know we’re divorced now, my affairs are none of your concern. Just bring the money to Ruyi at the hospital, and she’ll pass it to me. From now on, there’s no need for us to meet again.”
After saying that, Ruan Qiaoqiao didn’t spare Su Mai another glance before turning to leave.
Watching her decisive departing figure, Su Mai suddenly felt an inexplicable bitterness in his heart.
It felt as though something was gradually… slipping beyond his expectations.
Duan Fangya was even more furious.
What exactly was going on?
In her previous life, Su Mai had clearly been driven crazy by Ruan Qiaoqiao’s constant entanglement. She had repeatedly gone to his workplace to make scenes, damaging his reputation and exhausting him mentally.
Back then, to force her into divorce, he had even cut off her financial support. Yet despite that, Ruan Qiaoqiao would rather take odd jobs everywhere than agree to divorce.
But in this life, not only had they already divorced, he was still giving her money?
And such a huge amount too.
Duan Fangya had been planning to ask for a five-hundred-yuan bride price. If Su Mai gave all his money to Ruan Qiaoqiao, where would her bride price come from?
While she was anxiously thinking of ways to persuade Su Mai, she noticed Fu Wenzhou turning to leave as well.
Seeing this, she quickly smiled ingratiatingly.
“Cousin Uncle, are you leaving already? Aren’t you buying anything?”
“No money. Or what? You’ll pay for me?”
Duan Fangya instantly looked awkward. “I… happened to leave home without bringing much money today.”
“Then why are you talking so much nonsense?”
Duan Fangya’s expression froze in embarrassment.
Even so, she still didn’t dare get angry.
When facing someone with such a powerful future, her patience was excellent.
If Su Mai hadn’t been present, she definitely would have accompanied Fu Wenzhou to improve their relationship.
But now… she couldn’t.
She understood priorities.
Fu Wenzhou still needed time before he would rise again.
But Su Mai, like herself, was one of heaven’s favored children. His future would continue smoothly without obstacles.
She had to secure Su Mai first before his heart got lured away again by Ruan Qiaoqiao.
Still, she needed to continue flattering Fu Wenzhou.
“Cousin Uncle, in a few days I’ll visit you and Cousin Aunt. What does Cousin Aunt like to eat? I’ll bring her something.”
“She…” Fu Wenzhou paused slightly. “Likes expensive things.”
After saying that, he turned and left.
Duan Fangya was speechless.
A woman married to a disgraced exile still liked expensive things? What kind of ridiculous habit was that?
After taking a few steps, Fu Wenzhou suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back.
“Oh, right. Your cousin aunt said the watch was a wedding gift from you, so it can’t be deducted from the money you borrowed. Return the three hundred yuan. As for interest, whether you pay it depends entirely on whether you have any conscience.
“Let your childhood sweetheart Ah Mai be your witness. A man who still compensates his ex-wife after divorce? I’d say he has plenty of conscience.”
He let out a mocking laugh before turning away and leaving calmly.
Duan Fangya: …
What kind of psychopath was Fu Wenzhou exactly?
Did he specialize in stabbing directly into people’s hearts?!