The next morning, when Hu Yan woke up, Chen Guangze was already carrying breakfast into the room.
“Awake? Get up and wash up. I made potato pancakes and multigrain porridge.
“The kitchen is ready to use now. I made all of this in our own kitchen. Give it a try.”
Hu Yan pulled the watch from beneath her pillow and glanced at it.
It was already ten o’clock.
She lifted the covers and was about to get out of bed when she suddenly realized she was completely naked.
What kind of habit did this shameless man have?
It was one thing for him to sleep naked by himself.
But at some point, he’d stripped her naked too.
Hu Yan’s face instantly turned bright red.
She hurriedly grabbed the blanket and wrapped herself tightly in it before glaring at Chen Guangze.
“You really have no shame. Why did you have to take my clothes off?”
Chen Guangze looked completely innocent.
“It’s so hot! You slept just fine.
“Besides, we’re married. What’s the difference between you and me?
“Come eat breakfast. Or do you want me to dress you?”
Hu Yan was annoyed and gave a soft “hmph” under her breath.
She quickly got dressed, washed up, and came to the dining table.
She took a bite of the potato pancake.
Crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Chen Guangze watched her expectantly.
“Well? My cooking isn’t bad, right?”
Hu Yan nodded.
“It’s pretty good.
“Has Little Sister’s boyfriend arrived yet?”
“He should be here soon. Little Sister went to meet him.”
Chen Guangze pushed the bowl of porridge toward Hu Yan.
“I’m going into the city today to buy some things. After splitting up the household, we’re short of everything.
“We don’t even have bowls or chopsticks. We need to buy all sorts of things.”
Hu Yan drank her porridge while speaking.
“I’ll make you a shopping list. Otherwise, you’ll forget something.”
Chen Guangze smacked his forehead.
“Look at my memory. I’ll get you some paper and a pen.”
After breakfast, Hu Yan started writing the list.
Pots, bowls, utensils, rice, flour, vegetables, seasonings…
Anything related to the kitchen had to be purchased.
As the couple carefully went over everything they needed, a commotion came from outside.
“Looks like Little Sister’s boyfriend is here. I’ll go take a look.”
Hu Yan followed him outside.
She had been staying in the room until now, and it would be rude not to come out.
Besides, she wanted to see what was going on.
Although the family had officially split up, everyone in the Chen family had come outside.
Standing beside Chen Xiangyun was a young man.
He had regular features and was dressed neatly and cleanly.
Chen Xiangyun introduced him shyly.
“This is my boyfriend, Wang Mingxu.”
Wang Mingxu nodded politely.
“Hello, Uncle and Auntie.
“Sorry to bother you. I brought a little something.”
He handed Teacher Bai some candy and a fish.
Hu Yan hadn’t gotten a clear look from a distance.
But once she walked closer, she immediately recognized him.
Wasn’t this the man Zhang Qiulian was involved with at the demolition office?
Good heavens!
What exactly was Zhang Qiulian trying to do?
Was she actually introducing her lover to Little Sister?
Speak of the devil.
Zhang Qiulian appeared with a huge smile.
“Hehe, Mom and Dad, what do you think?
“Are you satisfied with the man I introduced to Little Sister?”
The moment they saw Zhang Qiulian, the Chen brothers and their wives instinctively took a step backward.
Teacher Bai also curled her lips, but for her daughter’s sake, she forced a smile.
“Come inside and talk. Don’t stand out here.”
Teacher Bai and Old Chen led Wang Mingxu, Zhang Qiulian, and Chen Xiangyun into the main house.
The rest of the Chen family followed.
Hu Yan and Chen Guangze came in last.
Hu Yan leaned close to her husband’s ear and warned him,
“This Wang Mingxu is the man Zhang Qiulian is involved with at the demolition office.”
Chen Guangze’s eyes widened.
He had been planning to investigate this man to make sure he wouldn’t cause trouble for their family when the demolition started.
Who would’ve thought the man would walk straight into their home?
“I know. Don’t say anything yet.
“I want to see what these two adulterers are up to.”
Inside the main house, there were enough stools for everyone, and some people could sit on the kang.
Teacher Bai and Old Chen sat in the main seats.
Chen Xiangyun and Wang Mingxu sat opposite them.
The other members of the Chen family found seats around the room.
Zhang Qiulian was unusually attentive today.
She took the kettle from Lin Xiulan and poured tea for the elderly couple.
“What organization do you work for, Comrade Wang?” Teacher Bai asked directly.
Wang Mingxu straightened his back and took his work ID from his pocket.
“Auntie, I work at the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau. I’m mainly responsible for urban and rural development.”
Hu Yan thought about it.
The demolition office was probably under the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau.
If Wang Mingxu was responsible for the demolition of Liushu Bay, he could easily abuse his position to give Zhang Qiulian an advantage.
Before the demolition announcement came out, this man had to be removed.
After pouring the tea, Zhang Qiulian became energized and sat down beside Teacher Bai.
“Mom, Dad, Comrade Wang has a secure government job.
“Once Xiangyun marries him, she’ll become a city resident with a stable grain ration.
“You can rest assured about the man I introduced.”
Chen Xiangyun lowered her head, twisting the corner of her clothes between her fingers.
Her ears were so red they looked as if they might drip blood.
Chen Guangze didn’t hold back.
“Once Little Sister graduates, she’ll be assigned a job.
“She can earn her own city ration status. Why does she need to rely on a man?”
His voice wasn’t loud, but the room fell silent for a moment.
Zhang Qiulian twisted around and gave Chen Guangze a coquettish look.
“Fifth Brother, you don’t understand.
“A woman ultimately needs to support her husband and raise the children.
“Since Mingxu is capable, Little Sister can simply stay home and be a good wife.
“She’d work herself to death all day, then come home and cook and take care of the children.
“Wouldn’t it be better to just stay home?”
Chen Guangze got goosebumps all over.
How could Zhang Qiulian be so shameless?
Wang Mingxu also agreed with her.
Lowering his voice, he said,
“I have inside information. The stock market in the south is booming.
“A few of my friends have already made fortunes.
“If you trust me and invest your money, it’s no problem to multiply it several times over.”
Chen Guangze rubbed his chin and stared at Wang Mingxu.
“I live in Shenzhen, and I’ve been following the stock market too.
“Tell me, which stock are you planning to invest in?
“And where did you get this inside information?”
Chen Guangyao also asked,
“I looked at the stock market news yesterday.
“I didn’t see much about people making money. Most of the reports were about people losing everything and even jumping to their deaths.
“What’s going on?”
Wang Mingxu’s eyes visibly darted around.
He forced himself to remain calm.
“My source is reliable. He hasn’t told me the specific stock yet.”
Zhang Qiulian quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
“Don’t doubt Mingxu.
“I’ve already invested twice.
“The first time, I invested 500 yuan and made 2,000 yuan back.
“The second time, I put in 2,500 yuan and made 10,000 yuan back.
“It’s absolutely true.
“We’re family. Otherwise, why would I give you such a good opportunity?”
Zhang Qiulian had the elderly couple completely dazzled.
Hu Yan almost burst out laughing.
If the demolition compensation came through, Zhang Qiulian could probably go around the village and persuade plenty of people to hand over their money.
Unfortunately for her, none of the families had much money right now.
Even if the elderly couple could scrape together 100 yuan, they’d probably be heartbroken over it for quite some time.
Chen Guangming interrupted their enthusiastic claims.
“I heard your hometown is Tujia Slope.
“Since you grew up in the countryside, you should know how difficult it is for someone from a rural family to test into college.
“So why are you asking Little Sister to drop out?”
Exactly.
The thing the Chen family opposed most strongly was making Chen Xiangyun quit school.