Yang Yufen said with a worried look,
“Good child, Auntie knows you’re suffering, but the country provides preferential treatment for the families of martyrs. If all else fails, Auntie will help you raise your child. No one in this world can live alone. I’m your mother’s best friend, and your problems are my problems.”
After saying that, Aunt Yang got up and went into the room. When she came out again, she was holding a folded handkerchief.
“This is a small token of my appreciation. I was planning to visit you in the next couple of days, but I thought I’d give it to you now.”
She and her husband are both employed, and their only daughter also became an employee two years ago. This year, she started dating someone who is also an employee.
With four people earning money, they certainly don’t lack small sums of money, so when Yang Yufen said she would raise Xu Zhizhi’s child, it wasn’t just a polite remark.
“Auntie, don’t worry. I’ve been dreaming about Wenzhu these past few days. In my dream, he told me that he didn’t die, but was injured and recuperating in town, so I want to go and see him.”
Yang Yufen looked at her suspiciously, “The funeral expenses have been paid, is the person really alright? Let me tell you, don’t be like your mother, love-struck and willing to die for a man.”
This girl is just like her mother; she’s a hopeless romantic.
Back then, all of Gui Mei’s girlfriends advised her not to marry that slut Xu Changgui, but Gui Mei insisted on marrying him anyway.
Now, the young woman, carrying her baby, is traveling thousands of miles to attend her husband’s funeral.
It makes people feel uncomfortable.
Xu Zhizhi was both amused and exasperated. She never imagined that she, who had championed remaining single and childless in her past life for safety, would one day be accused of being love-struck.
“Auntie, I have my own plans for this. Actually, I came here today to discuss my mother’s house with you. I want to sell it.”
Yang Yufen pondered for a moment, her worry deepening.
This is for the sake of a man, leaving herself no way out!
Gui Mei felt the same way back then; she must have really liked him.
With Gui Mei’s example as a precedent, Liang Fenglan dared not be too forceful in her opposition; trying to cut off the flow of water with a knife would only make it worse, so she could only take a more conciliatory approach.
“Okay, Auntie supports you. I’ll buy the house. If you return it, Auntie will give it back to you. That way, everything will be fine!”
“That’s great!”
Xu Zhizhi was surprised that the house sale was so quick. The two of them took the property certificate, showed their household registration certificates to the housing management bureau, and smoothly transferred the property to Yang Yufen’s name.
After leaving the housing management bureau, Yang Yufen pulled Xu Zhizhi aside and spoke earnestly to her.
“Take this six hundred yuan. If you can’t find Asparagus setaceus in the border region, let me know and I’ll save you a house.”
Xu Zhizhi was touched. “Auntie, you can give me five hundred. I really can’t accept so much from you.”
“Just take it. You don’t need to spend money anywhere when you’re traveling.”
With a stern face, Yang Yufen stuffed the money into Xu Zhizhi’s pocket.
Xu Zhizhi reached out and hugged Yang Yufen. She had little familial connection with her mother and had never seen her in either of her two lifetimes.
But now, he felt the love of an elder in this paper-thin figure, hugging Yang Yufen tightly, his eyes trembling.
“Auntie, Xu Changgui’s family still lives in that house, so you might have to work harder when you take possession of it.”
Yang Yufen was stunned for a moment when she was hugged, then gently patted Xu Zhizhi’s back, her eyes also reddening.
“Don’t worry about me. My cousin’s husband is a long-time employee of the factory. When I go to collect the house, your dad won’t dare to say a word. But you, be careful when you’re out and about. If you really can’t find it, don’t be stubborn. My house is your house. We’ll come back. It’s not like we can’t support you and the kids.”
That poor kid, he made her cry with just two sentences.
Just like Gui Mei back then, this delicate and tender girl, how could she go to such a far place by herself?
No, she has to talk to her uncle tomorrow to see if Zhizhi can get an advance on Xu Changgui’s salary so he can make up for it.
It’s always good to leave more money for your children, even if you’re poor.
After a busy day outside, Xu Zhizhi returned to the tenement building as the sun set.
At this time, every household lit their stoves to cook, and the noise in the stairwell—the sounds of chatting, laughing, cooking, and children playing—mixed together to create a melody of everyday life.
Amidst some strange glances and curious expressions, she slowly walked to her front door.
The stove that should have been lit in front of the door was now cold and empty, the pots and pans were cold, and the door was tightly shut.
She took out her keys and gently pushed open the door.
The room was dimly lit. On the shoe cabinet by the door, there was only Liang An’s old pair of liberation shoes, while Liang Fenglan’s small leather shoes and Xu Changgui’s round-toed leather shoes were nowhere to be seen.
Haven’t those two adulterers returned yet?
As Xu Zhizhi unplugged the light cord and put down her backpack, a series of booming laughs rang out from behind her.
“Accountant Wu, come in quickly. We’re all family now, so we should visit each other often.”
“I bought some cooked food. You are a distinguished guest, so please eat here today.”
Accountant Wu!
Upon hearing this address, Xu Zhizhi’s eyelids twitched involuntarily, and goosebumps rose on her arms.
Accountant Wu is the same despicable man in the book who kicked the original owner’s uterus and committed various forms of domestic violence against her!
Perhaps it was the original owner’s soul’s subconscious fear of him, but the moment Xu Zhizhi saw Accountant Wu push the door open and enter, her whole body involuntarily trembled.
“Hey, Zhizhi’s home. I just ran into Accountant Wu on my way home from get off work. He said he wanted to come over and see you. Hurry up and call him over.”
Xu Zhizhi hesitated for several seconds, gritting her teeth but unable to open her mouth.
Accountant Wu ignored Xu Zhizhi’s stiffness and pushed the milk powder she had brought over.
“Aunt Liang told me about your situation, and I have no objection. It’s up to you…”
He then turned to Liang Fenglan, who was busy with her work, and told her not to rush off, that he would just sit for a while and then leave.
Liang Fenglan poured a glass of water for her, saying, “Zhizhi didn’t spend much time with her previous husband, and they didn’t have much affection for each other. I think it would be best if you two got married as soon as possible.”
Dinner was prepared by Liang Fenglan. She bought some cooked food outside and stir-fried a plate of green vegetables. When the food was served, Xu Changgui came back. He had missed his shift at the factory and would be working day shifts from now on.
During the day, he went to Liang Fenglan’s workplace, but she said that if she wanted to steal, she would never wait until now. The two argued for a while, and Xu Changgui agreed. In the end, they actually reached an agreement, and the arrow was aimed at Xu Zhizhi again, so that she could get married as soon as possible and pocket the betrothal gifts.
That’s how we ended up having dinner tonight.
After the meal, Liang Fenglan asked Accountant Wu to sit with Xu Zhizhi and kept urging her to serve Accountant Wu food. Throughout the meal, all that could be heard was Liang Fenglan’s solicitous voice.
After the meal, Liang Fenglan asked Xu Zhizhi to see Accountant Wu off.
As Xu Zhizhi walked out of the tenement building, she remained silent, her mind preoccupied with how to bring down the adulterous couple before leaving.
Judging from how they ate dinner tonight, the couple has reconciled and is now united in their approach to external affairs.
The divide-and-conquer tactic failed.
“Xu Zhizhi, what do you think about our situation?” As they were about to leave the match factory dormitory, Accountant Wu couldn’t help but ask.
Xu Zhizhi felt a visceral aversion to Accountant Wu, and upon hearing this, she tried her best to compose herself and appear more like the clumsy and foolish Xu Zhizhi of the past.
In the book, the original owner was acting voluntarily; at this moment, there should be expectation and love in her eyes.
Xu Zhizhi’s eyes brightened slightly, and she secretly glanced at Accountant Wu out of the corner of her eye, saying softly,
“I’ll tell you the answer tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at the Lianhuhu Subdistrict Guesthouse!”
Accountant Wu was stunned for a moment. He looked down at Xu Zhizhi, whose face was flushed. Although she was already a ripe peach, her charming appearance was really alluring.
A guesthouse? He’s daring; he likes it.
“Zhizhi, bring the letter of introduction with you. We’ll go after we get our marriage certificate.”
Xu Zhizhi lowered her head and replied shyly, “Mmm…”