“I’ll just make it up,” said Fang Xihe calmly. “This apartment is pretty cheap. It’s not much more expensive than my old shared place.”
Fang Daqiang didn’t think much of it and was a little surprised. “You’re actually more diligent now. You didn’t turn your place into a pigsty.”
Hearing this, Zhang Junhua also noticed it and looked at Fang Xihe suspiciously.
“You cleaned this yourself?”
Fang Xihe said calmly, “Of course. I live alone. With my salary, I can’t afford a cleaning service.”
Zhang Junhua thought about it and stopped doubting her, instead nodding with satisfaction. “Good. You finally listened to me. A woman must be virtuous first. Only then will her in-laws like her after she marries into a wealthy family.”
Fang Xihe didn’t respond.
Zhang Junhua asked, “Is there anything to eat? Your father and I are hungry.”
Fang Xihe walked toward the kitchen.
“Dinner will be ready soon.”
Before leaving, Shang Chenzhou had already cooked rice and prepared the ingredients.
Fang Xihe just stir-fried everything.
Afraid the dishes wouldn’t be enough, she rummaged through the fridge and added another dish.
Zhang Daqiang and Zhang Junhua peeked into the kitchen, eyes almost popping out.
Fang Daqiang said in disbelief, “Wife, our daughter can cook!”
Zhang Junhua was stunned. “How did she change so much all of a sudden? She didn’t even know how to do anything when she came home for New Year. She wouldn’t even pick up a fallen soy sauce bottle.”
Fang Daqiang said, “Could she have been shocked by something?”
Zhang Junhua replied, “If that’s the case, then it’s a good shock. She’s become more sensible all of a sudden. That way she won’t be looked down on when she marries.”
They had one son and one daughter, and Fang Xihe was the eldest.
Since childhood, they had given her the best, enrolling her in many classes, hoping she would marry well in the future.
When she reached puberty, Zhang Junhua even made papaya milk for her every day.
All her efforts weren’t wasted—her daughter developed very well physically.
The only worry was her laziness.
She knew nothing about housework, never cooked, never washed her own clothes, and her room was always messy.
Now seeing her cooking so skillfully, Zhang Junhua felt very relieved.
Fang Xihe glanced at them but didn’t care much and served the dishes.
“Dinner’s ready.”
Zhang Junhua tasted the food and was surprised.
It was unexpectedly delicious.
Fang Daqiang didn’t hold back his praise. “Delicious! Xihe, you’ve really improved. I didn’t expect to eat your cooking in my lifetime. I can die without regrets.”
Fang Xihe pressed her lips together and said nothing.
She still wasn’t used to this couple, who were the original host’s parents.
From the original host’s memories, she knew they treated her quite well.
Except that Zhang Junhua insisted on her marrying into wealth.
But that wasn’t necessarily wrong—what parent wouldn’t want their child to marry well?
Fang Xihe casually asked, “When are you going back?”
Zhang Junhua said, “Your father and I took a week off. We’re planning to stay in Jiangcheng for a few days.”
Fang Xihe felt bitter inside but didn’t show it.
A whole week.
Shang Chenzhou would be staying at the company for a week.
No home to return to.
Sigh… she felt guilty again.
After dinner, she washed the dishes.
Then went downstairs to throw out the trash.
She also sent a message to Shang Chenzhou.
[Husband, are you at the company? Have you eaten?]
She could only offer fake concern.
Shang Chenzhou replied: [I’ve eaten. I’m at the company.]
Fang Xihe: [My parents will stay in Jiangcheng for a week. You might have to suffer a bit.]
After a while, he replied: [Then how will you make it up to me?]
Fang Xihe froze.
Make it up?
[I’ll use my salary to treat you to a good meal.]
He replied: [We’ll talk about it then.]
She didn’t take it seriously.
When she went upstairs, she was already thinking about sending her parents to a hotel.
Of course, they would pay for it themselves.
She didn’t have money.
When she entered, Zhang Junhua was already showering, and their luggage was in the middle of the room.
Fang Daqiang was sitting on the sofa watching videos loudly.
Fang Xihe frowned.
After Zhang Junhua came out, Fang Xihe said carefully, “Mom, there’s only one bed here. It won’t fit everyone. Why don’t you and Dad stay in a hotel? There are two hotels nearby.”
Zhang Junhua refused. “Why waste that money? Hotels in Jiangcheng are expensive. We’ll make do. Your dad can sleep on the sofa.”
“The sofa is too small.”
“It’s fine.”
“Dad, stop watching videos and go take a shower.”
Fang Daqiang went to the bathroom.
Fang Xihe watched them helplessly, feeling surreal.
Her mother’s personality was very similar to Zhang Junhua’s—strong and domineering.
Her father used to have a bad relationship with her mother, they often argued, and later her father cheated and died in a car accident with the other woman.
It became a deep wound in her mother’s heart.
Her mother often told her, “Men are all bad. Don’t ever date. Live on your own.”
If she got close to any boy, her mother would rush over to scold him and drag her home.
Over time, no male classmates dared approach her.
She had almost no male friends.
Even after starting work, her mother would frequently check on her and forbid her from dating.
Eventually, she lost interest.
Thinking of her biological mother made her feel a little low.
…
After Fang Daqiang finished bathing, Zhang Junhua took their dirty clothes to wash.
“Xihe, where is the washing machine?”
“In the bathroom, under the sink.”
Zhang Junhua carried the clothes into the bathroom.
A moment later, a scream came out.
“Ah!”
Fang Xihe rushed over.
“What’s wrong?”
“Why are there men’s clothes in here?”
Fang Xihe: “……”
There were a few of Shang Chenzhou’s clothes in the washing machine, not yet washed—he had changed them today.
She froze for a moment, then forced an awkward smile as Zhang Junhua glared at her angrily.
Her mind screamed internally:
Of all places checked… the washing machine was the only one she missed.
Two minutes later.
Zhang Junhua and Fang Daqiang sat on the sofa interrogating her.
“Whose clothes are those?”
“A friend’s.”
“What friend?”
“A male friend.”
“He lives here?”
“No.”
“Then why are his clothes in the washing machine?”
“He came over, got his clothes dirty, and left them here to wash.”
Zhang Junhua didn’t believe her nonsense.
They checked the wardrobe, the bed, even under the bed.
Finding nothing unusual, they finally stopped.