The man looked at the young and attractive couple, their new tricycle, tables, chairs—everything was brand new.
The man wore a head covering, a face mask, and a spit guard, with an apron tied around his waist and sleeves over his arms.
Fully equipped and looking very clean.
“I’ll take one portion,” said the worker in his uniform, covered in cement and dust, his face showing signs of exhaustion.
“Coming right up!” Song Jinhe quickly responded, grabbing a disposable meal box to serve him.
Meanwhile, Xi Leyao held the meal box and asked, “Anything you don’t like to eat?”
“No, a bit of everything is fine.”
Fish, pork, stir-fried chicken with mushrooms, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and greens.
Xi Leyao had a heavy hand, filling the meal box with three dishes until it was overflowing. The greens and scrambled eggs with tomatoes were left exposed, unable to even close the lid.
The worker stared at this scene, momentarily stunned, then scanned his phone to pay twenty yuan.
“You two really do look like it’s your first time setting up a stall,” the worker remarked, taking his meal box to the low table and digging in right away.
At that moment, Xi Leyao remembered something. He crouched down, rummaged around, and pulled out a case of Wanglaoji.
After opening it, he walked over to the worker and handed him one. “Complimentary for our new stall opening.”
The worker looked at the Wanglaoji and chuckled again.
This young couple really didn’t know how to cut costs—they didn’t seem like they were here to make money.
“Thank you.”
Xi Leyao acknowledged with a nod and stood by the stall, while Song Jinhe kept busy. She sat next to the worker and asked with a smile, “Brother, what time do you finish work at noon?”
“Twelve o’clock.”
That meant they had to wake up early to buy groceries and arrive here before twelve.
It was tough work.
Song Jinhe nodded, glancing at the food in front of him before asking with another smile, “Brother, how’s my husband’s cooking?”
Xi Leyao, busy with his tasks, had sharp ears. Hearing her say “husband,” his lips curled up slowly beneath his mask.
“Your husband’s cooking is pretty good. It’d be even better with a bit of chili, though,” the worker said between mouthfuls of rice.
Chili!
They’d completely forgotten about that. Song Jinhe laughed cheerfully. “Sorry, we won’t forget the chili sauce tomorrow.”
The five dishes sold out quickly.
After the last worker took his packed meal and left, Song Jinhe looked around. Seeing no one else, she said, “Let’s pack up and head back.”
Seeing that the insulated containers were completely empty, Song Jinhe broke into a wide grin.
“You did pretty well, Xi Leyao,” she said, looking up at him before nudging him with her body. “Making money, starting a company—it’s just around the corner.”
Xi Leyao kept his head down, busy with his work. Hearing her mention starting a company, he paused and asked, “Do you really think I can still run a company?”
“Why not?” Song Jinhe frowned at his question. “Didn’t I swallow my pride and marry you because I saw you as a potential success?”
“If you think you can’t do it, then let’s get a divorce. Don’t stand in the way of me living a wealthy life.” She rolled her eyes at him, her words sharp and unsparing.
Feeling that wasn’t enough, she added even more provocative remarks.
“I’m pretty, I’m beautiful—plenty of people like me. If you stay broke like this, why should I cling to a dead-end tree like you?”
“If it really comes to it, I’ll run back to the Song family, kneel down and beg them to find me another rich man. If that doesn’t work, I’ll start my own business and earn money myself.”
Xi Leyao stopped what he was doing, his deep black eyes filled with unprecedented determination and stubbornness.
He spoke each word with seriousness, “I won’t divorce you, and I will work hard to give you the life you want.”
Song Jinhe didn’t take it seriously. He would indeed be rich in the future, but that had nothing to do with her. As long as she accumulated enough Disgust Value, she could fake her death and leave, then become her own boss.
She just hoped her current gold-digging image would leave an indelible impression on Xi Leyao.
After packing up, as the two were about to get in the car to leave, Ji Zhi appeared in front of them on her electric scooter.
“Hey, handsome, we meet again!” Ji Zhi stopped her scooter, then waved at him with a particularly cheerful smile on her face.
Looking at the woman before her, Song Jinhe shifted her gaze to Xi Leyao sitting beside her.
It was only then that she suddenly remembered—the male and female leads had already met before.
As for Xi Leyao, he stared at Ji Zhi, his brows tightly furrowed.
In the silence, he asked, “Who are you?”
Song Jinhe: …
Ji Zhi’s face instantly darkened at his words. So, after all these days, Xi Leyao still didn’t remember who she was?
“It’s me, Ji Zhi!”
Ji Zhi was furious inside, but she kept a big smile plastered on her face.
“The Ji Zhi who pulled you back when you were smoking by the river.”
So that was where they had met.
Wait, by the river!
Why would Xi Leyao go to the river?
“Why did you go to the river?” Song Jinhe grabbed his collar and demanded.
“If you want to kill yourself, divorce me first. Don’t drag me down with the reputation of being a husband-killer.”
Thinking of his bank account with nothing but zeros, Song Jinhe angrily punched him again.
“You’re broke, can’t even scrape together two thousand yuan, and you’re thinking about suicide?” Song Jinhe said with a dark expression, clearly displeased.
Xi Leyao hurriedly explained, “I wasn’t thinking about suicide.”
“I’m sorry for making you angry.”
Seeing the future powerful chairman lowering himself to coax this woman so meekly stung Ji Zhi.
She couldn’t understand why this woman, so materialistic and hurling such harsh words at him when he needed comfort the most, didn’t seem to bother Xi Leyao in the slightest.
“Is money all you care about? Mr. Xi is under so much pressure. As his wife, why aren’t you comforting him?”
“Not only did you not comfort him, but you also spoke so harshly. It’s truly despicable!”
Ji Zhi condemned Song Jinhe’s every action, wishing she could curse her to death right then and there.
That way, Xi Leyao wouldn’t feel so pressured that he’d consider jumping into the river.
“You’re nothing but a burden, a stumbling block holding Mr. Xi back. Mr. Xi, why waste your energy on her?”
Xi Leyao watched as his wife’s expression grew darker and darker. No matter how much he tried to soothe her, it was useless. After holding back for a long time, he finally said, “Enough!”
“This is my wife. Who are you, a stranger, to criticize her here?”
The word “stranger” left Ji Zhi completely stunned.
She was trying to help him. Why didn’t Xi Leyao appreciate it? Why was he calling her a stranger?
“Mr. Xi, she’s just using you as a blood bag,” Ji Zhi couldn’t help raising her voice, “In her eyes, you’re nothing but a tool for making money.”
“She doesn’t care about you at all!”
Upon hearing her words, Xi Leyao turned and fixed his gaze on her, then slowly said, “This is a matter between husband and wife.”
“It’s not your place as a stranger to speak here.”