The cleaning lady saw that the man said nothing and looked completely lost, as if his soul had left his body. She wondered if he was someone’s foolish son who had wandered off.
His family should be nearby, right?
For a moment, her eyes filled with pity. Such a fine young man, tall and handsome, yet a fool.
“Young man, do you remember your family’s phone number? Auntie can help you call them.”
The moment she said that, Qing Yanshen suddenly remembered that he had Jiang Qingmi’s WeChat. The shock earlier had made his brain stop working.
He hurriedly took out his phone, his hands trembling slightly. When he opened WeChat, he saw that Jiang Qingmi had just replied.
【I was packing earlier and didn’t check my phone. Tuantuan and I already ate, don’t worry about us. I didn’t get the chance to tell you yet, I moved out of the hotel and came to the place you rented yesterday. Since the house is already settled, staying at the hotel for 150 a day is too expensive. The landlady was really nice and refunded the room fee and deposit right away.】
The next second, she sent a video.
In the video, it showed the interior of the rented apartment. Jiang Qingmi had clearly done a thorough cleaning. The place was already not dirty, but now it looked spotless, even the floor reflected light.
All the things she brought had been unpacked and placed neatly around the room. There was a rug beside the sofa, and Jiang Tuantuan was sitting on it, playing with her toys seriously.
Qing Yanshen felt like he had just survived a disaster. His whole body was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. The fear and despair from earlier turned into relief.
Under the cleaning lady’s sympathetic gaze, he typed.
【Your luggage was so heavy. How did you move it over? You should have told me. I could have carried it after work.】
The place he rented was not far, but it was on the third floor without an elevator.
Jiang Qingmi replied.
【I moved it downstairs, took a taxi, and asked the driver to carry it up. If I waited for you, that would cost another 150. The taxi was 5, and carrying it upstairs was 5. I saved 140 in one go~】
There was also a playful sticker.
Qing Yanshen looked at the bouncing sticker, feeling amused. He curled his lips and replied.
【You’re amazing】
Then he turned and left. The cleaning lady leaned against the wall, completely stunned.
Qing Yanshen typed again.
【What do you want to eat this afternoon? How about going to Sisters’ Home Cooking?】
Jiang Qingmi replied.
【Let’s not eat out. I don’t have anything to do later, I’ll go buy groceries. You can come over after work. Of course my cooking isn’t as good as a restaurant】
Neither of them had much money, so eating out all the time was impossible.
Besides, he had helped her a lot. She wanted to treat him too. She couldn’t afford a restaurant, but she could cook at home.
Qing Yanshen replied with a simple “Okay” and left the hotel, carrying the fruit back to the construction site to put it away.
Although there was still some time, he decided not to visit them right now. His clothes were dirty.
After work, he returned to the dorm first, took a shower, then went to see the mother and daughter.
Jiang Qingmi had also been busy all day. She moved into the rented apartment with the child, cleaned thoroughly, then took Jiang Tuantuan to a nearby mall to buy bedding. She put on the clean sheets and covers she had brought from home.
It was October. Beicheng had already passed the hottest period. The temperature dropped, with a high of 30 degrees and a low of 15. It was slightly chilly in the mornings and evenings. At night, there was no need for air conditioning or fans. A thin blanket was needed instead.
After cleaning, she took Jiang Tuantuan downstairs to buy groceries. The place was quite convenient. A market was just a few minutes away.
She bought tissues, vegetables, eggs, and pork.
Fifty yuan was gone just like that.
Jiang Qingmi thought money really didn’t last long. She had to be more careful. She could eat simply, but Jiang Tuantuan could not. A two year old needed proper nutrition. Fruits, protein, meat, and milk powder were all necessary.
She needed to find a way to earn money soon.
Jiang Qingmi had originally thought that coming to Beicheng’s Qingcheng Bay would help her find the male lead. She had been too naive.
She had no memories of her own or the original host, and she hadn’t finished reading the novel. She only knew the general plot. She had searched online for Qing Yanshen to see what the male lead looked like.
But she found nothing.
Also, places like Qingcheng Bay were high end areas with strict security. How could she even get in?
Still, poverty gave her courage. Even if she couldn’t get inside, she could wait nearby. He had to go in and out eventually.
She didn’t need to know what he looked like. Once she knew where he lived, she would find him eventually.
But when she arrived, reality was even more absurd. There was no luxurious Qingcheng Bay, only a noisy construction site.
And a construction worker with the same name, who had lost his memory.
Although everything felt messy and confusing, thanks to Qing Yanshen’s help, she had managed to settle down in Beicheng and had a place to stay.
She had become a mother effortlessly and gained such a cute daughter.
And she knew one thing for sure. When the child turned five, the male lead would appear and provide child support.
Jiang Qingmi was still optimistic. She had expectations for life.
There was a knock on the door. Jiang Qingmi ran to open it.
She smiled politely. “You’re here. I just have one more dish left. Come in.”
Qing Yanshen was momentarily dazed by her smile. He responded softly and handed her the fruit. “I bought some bananas and apples. The baby can eat them too.”
“Thank you.”
When Qing Yanshen entered, he saw a pair of black men’s slippers at the door.
He paused. “Did you buy these for me?”
Jiang Qingmi followed his gaze and nodded. “Yes. I bought them while getting groceries. You probably won’t just come once before the test results are out, right?”
They were on discount too. Originally 9.9 yuan, now only 3 yuan.
“I got size 44. Can you wear them?”
Qing Yanshen listened quietly, his heart pounding, warmth spreading through him.
So this was what it felt like when your wife bought things for you.
Wang Ge’s clothes and shoes were all bought by his wife. After years of marriage, he didn’t even know his own size anymore. He just worked and played games, leaving everything to his wife.
Zhao Zheng was not that extreme, but many of his clothes were also bought by his wife. He said he didn’t know how to choose or bargain.
And now, he also had someone buying things for him.
Even if she was still upset with him and refused to acknowledge their relationship.
Her actions had already revealed everything.
Qing Yanshen changed into the slippers, smiling. “They fit. Thank you. I really like them.”
Jiang Qingmi noticed he was clean and had changed clothes. He must have gone back to shower.
Quite tidy.
She turned back to cooking.
She wore a pink apron tied into a bow at the back, outlining her slender waist.
Qing Yanshen glanced at his hand, his ears turning red. He quickly stopped himself from thinking too much and followed her.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
Jiang Qingmi said, “You worked all day. Go sit on the sofa.”
Qing Yanshen felt even happier. She cared about him.
“It’s fine. I’m strong.”
Jiang Qingmi looked at him for two seconds and suddenly thought of an internet phrase. She burst out laughing.
“Alright, then wash and cut the tomatoes. I’ll make tomato egg soup.”
Qing Yanshen stared at her bright smile, momentarily speechless.
Jiang Qingmi noticed him looking at her and didn’t avoid his gaze. After all, no harm in looking.
Objectively speaking, he was quite handsome. Sharp features, deep eyes, high nose, thin lips. Even after two months of construction work, his slightly tanned skin added a wild charm.
A phone notification broke the moment. Jiang Qingmi calmly looked away.
Qing Yanshen reacted more strongly. He stepped back, ears red, and silently went to wash and cut the tomatoes.
The kitchen was small. With both of them inside, it felt cramped.
Their bodies brushed occasionally.
Jiang Qingmi felt slightly awkward.
He suddenly said, “Qingmi, the tomatoes are done.”
She quickly sent him away. “Then go peel the apples. Tuantuan likes apples.”
“Okay.”
Once he left, the kitchen felt much more spacious.
Jiang Qingmi cooked three dishes and one soup. Shredded pork with green peppers, stir fried potatoes, radish pork rib soup, and tomato egg soup.
Jiang Tuantuan’s meal was already prepared. Balanced with grains, protein, vegetables, and fruit cut into small pieces.
Jiang Tuantuan washed her hands, wore her bib, and ate by herself.
The two adults sat at a simple wooden table. One of its legs was broken and tied with rope. The surface was uneven.
Qing Yanshen paused and said, “After eating, I’ll buy a new table.”
Jiang Qingmi shook her head. “No need. This is fine. I don’t know how long I’ll stay here.”
If the test results showed he wasn’t the father, she would leave.
Qing Yanshen thought differently.
He tightened his grip on the chopsticks.
She was hinting at him.
If he didn’t behave well, she could leave anytime.
He silently ate a mouthful of rice, thinking wherever they went, he would follow.
He still believed the paternity test was just her way of teasing him. Jiang Tuantuan was obviously his daughter.
Even the coworkers who saw them had no doubts.
Yet she insisted otherwise and didn’t let Tuantuan call him father.
At first, it hurt him.
Now, he decided not to argue.
It was normal for a woman to have some temper.
As a man, he should be more tolerant.
Let her be.