Xia Wan scrutinized Su Jianguo.
Looking at Lu Jingxing, Su Jianguo felt a pang of guilt.
Lu Jingxing scanned the room and asked, “No way to contact him? Any phone number or anything?”
Su Jianguo muttered, “No. I don’t even know when he left. When I came back, he had left a note saying he had gone.”
Lu Jingxing stared straight at Su Jianguo.
Su Jianguo had intended to give a polite smile, but the moment he met Lu Jingxing’s gaze, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Xia Wan’s expression darkened as well, her eyes narrowing.
She had seen this expression countless times during the apocalypse.
She feared that Second Uncle Su was in serious trouble.
Lu Jingxing leaned slightly in front of Xia Wan, shielding her behind him, and said to Su Jianguo, “Since he’s not here, we’ll leave. Sorry for disturbing you.”
Su Jianguo exhaled in relief and quickly smiled, “It’s fine, come visit our home often! Lijuan keeps talking about you.”
Lu Jingxing glanced at the people beside him and said, “Sorry, I’m already married. It’s not very convenient.”
Su Jianguo frowned at Xia Wan, then quickly turned a flattering smile toward Lu Jingxing. “You’re divorced now, right? My Lijuan doesn’t mind if you’re remarried!”
“She’s much more reliable than some people she can cook and do laundry, a perfect daughter-in-law for your Lu family!”
“Most importantly, your mother likes her! She treats her like her own daughter. With a good mother-in-law relationship, life will be easier for you at home!”
Ji Yuanchuan protested to Su Jianguo, “Comrade Xia is such an understanding person how could she be lacking? And just being able to cook and do laundry makes a good wife? Are you hiring a housekeeper or finding someone to live with?”
Su Jianguo, already tipsy, was about to argue back when he noticed Ji Yuanchuan’s appearance.
A full suit, gold-rimmed glasses he looked every bit the well-educated young master returned from studying abroad.
Su Jianguo’s eyes lit up. “This young man looks… spirited. Are you married? My Lijuan is not only beautiful, she’s good at managing household and business!”
Ji Yuanchuan looked at the drunk man with disdain. “First you were introducing your daughter to Comrade Lu, now you’re talking to me? Forget it, I don’t have time to argue with a drunk man.”
He turned to Lu Jingxing. “Since we can’t find their Second Uncle, we shouldn’t delay Comrade Xia’s studies. Shall we head back?”
Lu Jingxing gave Su Jianguo a meaningful glance, then nodded to Ji Yuanchuan, “Fine, let’s go back.”
Leaving the Su household, they walked back.
Xia Wan said to Ji Yuanchuan, “Since we couldn’t find him, why don’t we go to my place for a meal? We can discuss our next steps there.”
Ji Yuanchuan understood she meant business matters, so he didn’t refuse.
Lu Jingxing remained silent, deep in thought throughout the walk.
At that moment, Li Zhen peeked from a corner, winking at Lu Jingxing.
Lu Jingxing sighed, then said to Xia Wan and Ji Yuanchuan, “Since we’ll eat at home, you two go ahead. I’ll buy some ingredients and cook. You just rest.”
Ji Yuanchuan hurriedly said, “I can’t eat for free. I’ll pay for the groceries and go with you.”
Xia Wan pulled him back. “It’s fine, let him go. No need to be polite. Let’s head home first.”
Ji Yuanchuan then noticed Li Zhen in the corner and finally realized, “Oh, got it. Thanks, Comrade Lu.”
Lu Jingxing nodded, still watching Xia Wan with concern as she left.
Li Zhen approached, looking at Xia Wan’s back. “Brother, is that your wife? She’s really beautiful.”
Lu Jingxing patted the back of Li Zhen’s head. “Don’t stare. That’s my wife! Focus on your work.”
Li Zhen quickly gave Lu Jingxing a brief report on his tasks.
“All right, put this aside for now. When the other side makes a move, we act. Also, there’s something else I need you to investigate.”
Li Zhen nodded quickly. “What? Is it related to my sister-in-law?”
Lu Jingxing shook his head. “There’s a Su family. The eldest is Su Jianguo, the second is Su Jianjun. We wanted to find Su Jianjun today, but he wasn’t home. I had a bad feeling about Su Jianguo earlier. Also…”
From Xia Wan’s expression, he noticed she thought Su Jianjun might already be in trouble.
Why did she draw that conclusion just from Su Jianguo’s expression?
Li Zhen hurriedly asked, “Also what?”
“Nothing. Just investigate. Find out if he’s alive or dead!”
“Yes!”
Lu Jingxing nodded in satisfaction. “I’ll go buy groceries for my wife now.”
Li Zhen stared in disbelief. His boss was really going to the market!
…
Meanwhile, Xia Wan brought Ji Yuanchuan to the family housing area.
Just as they were about to go upstairs, Lu Hongmei’s shrill voice rang out from behind.
“Xia Wan! You shameless woman! My brother just got back, and you bring some random man home?”
Xia Wan and Ji Yuanchuan stopped, looking at Lu Hongmei rushing toward them.
Ji Yuanchuan looked flustered, but Xia Wan remained calm.
Su Lijuan arrived behind them, staring at Ji Yuanchuan in shock. “You’re here too?”
Ji Yuanchuan scratched his head, quickly explaining, “We’re just ordinary friends. Don’t misunderstand. Comrade Xia invited me over for a meal.”
Lu Hongmei scoffed, rolling her eyes at Xia Wan. “Xia Wan, do you think we’re fools? You just left our Lu house and immediately brought some random man back. You just didn’t expect my brother to be alive, right? Imagine if he knew you brought a stranger home what would he think?”
Neighbors had been peeking out from upstairs, enjoying the drama.
News of Lu Jingxing being alive had spread, and they couldn’t believe Xia Wan had already moved on.
Xia Wan crossed her arms, calmly saying, “Do you have a problem with your ears? Comrade Ji said we were just having a meal. Lu Hongmei, you were my sister-in-law before, but we’ve severed ties. I can bring whoever I want home; it’s none of your business.”
Lu Hongmei protested, “I’m just defending my brother! You accepted his 3,500 compensation so easily and immediately brought a stranger home. Do you take us for fools?”
Su Lijuan fanned the flames beside her, “Yes, Xia Wan. If you really like Comrade Ji, shouldn’t you divorce Jingxing first? Women should follow the rules.”
Xia Wan sneered. “Follow the rules? That’s funny coming from you.”
Su Lijuan immediately retorted, “What do you mean? Are you saying I don’t follow rules? Xia Wan, you did this yourself don’t smear me!”
Xia Wan looked at the growing crowd of onlookers and loudly declared, “Comrade Ji and I are aboveboard; you won’t catch anything. But you, Su Lijuan before I even divorced my husband, you publicly confessed to him. Many people here heard it.”
“Tell me, what rules are you talking about following?”