mtl008 Chapter 111 Where to Stay Today
Chapter 111 Where to Stay Today
Deng Xiuzhen ignored Qin Yanlin and the other two, and went directly to Zhao Shuliang's house by car.
The alley was as lively as ever; the burned-down houses had been approved for reconstruction, and several were under construction in full swing.
"Xiuzhen, you've finally arrived!" Chen Xueling rushed over to greet Deng Xiuzhen as soon as she saw her, her enthusiasm as if they were old acquaintances meeting again after many years.
"Hmm, how's business lately?" Deng Xiuzhen replied perfunctorily.
"So-so. Hey, your house has been under construction for days, why are you only coming to check on it today? Are you very busy? What are you busy with?" Chen Xueling accompanied Deng Xiuzhen forward, but she was worried about her own shop and kept looking back.
“I sold my land to someone else, and I’m renting a house from Zhao Shuliang. I’m thinking of starting a business, but his house is too far in. I don’t know what kind of business to start,” Deng Xiuzhen said, pointing in the direction of Zhao Shuliang’s house.
"I heard your husband made a lot of money running a company, so why are you still running a small business yourself?" Chen Xueling looked incredulous, her expression somewhat exaggerated.
Deng Xiuzhen smiled and said, "He didn't make much money. The company looks big, but it doesn't actually make any money."
Deng Xiuzhen understood the principle of only speaking three-tenths of what you know to others, and never revealing your whole heart. Especially with someone like Chen Xueling, she would probably hold back even a fraction of what she said, let alone three-tenths.
She doesn't plan to tell outsiders about the divorce, especially not to people like Chen Xueling.
"Sister-in-law?!" Fang Mei exclaimed excitedly as she ran towards Deng Xiuzhen. She slipped and almost fell.
"Be careful, don't fall!" Deng Xiuzhen quickly went to help him up.
"Sister-in-law? Is this your brother's wife? Since you have relatives with you, I won't accompany you. I'll go look at the shop." Seeing the two being affectionate, the shrewd Chen Xueling withdrew at the right time, allowing her to look at the shop while also giving people a good impression of knowing when to advance and when to retreat.
"Why are you here today? Is there something you need?" Fang Mei asked anxiously.
Deng Xiuzhen glanced at Chen Xueling out of the corner of her eye and noticed that Chen Xueling was walking slower than a tortoise, with her ears perked up, clearly trying to eavesdrop.
She pulled Fang Mei along and hurried a few steps toward Zhao Shuliang's house. Judging that Chen Xueling probably couldn't hear her, she whispered, "I've rented a place here and plan to move in."
"You're renting a place?" Fang Mei exclaimed in surprise.
"Keep your voice down, I don't want others to know my situation," Deng Xiuzhen patted Fang Mei's arm, then casually glanced back and saw Chen Xueling looking in their direction.
When Chen Xueling noticed Deng Xiuzhen looking back, she wasn't embarrassed; instead, she smiled at her.
Fang Mei noticed their interaction and instead of lowering her voice, she changed the subject, saying, "Have you found a place yet? If not, I can help you find one."
The two chatted idly until they reached a secluded spot in front of Zhao Shuliang's house, where Fang Mei whispered, "Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
Thinking that they would be living in the same alley in the future, and that Qi Guomin was in the building materials business, although he was no longer cooperating with Qin Yanlin, they were still in the same circle, and they would find out about the divorce sooner or later.
Deng Xiuzhen decided not to hide anything and told Fang Mei frankly, "I'm divorced from Qin Yanlin. I left with nothing and now I'm renting that house and planning to move in."
"What? You're divorced? Is it because of that female secretary, or because of the money you gave us last time?" Fang Mei was agitated, but her voice remained low.
Deng Xiuzhen felt that both reasons were valid, but not wanting Fang Mei to feel guilty, she nodded and said, "Qin Yanlin changed. He couldn't make it work, so he got a divorce. It has nothing to do with you."
"sister in law......"
“It’s okay, he’s just a man. If he treats you well, then live well; if he doesn’t, then leave. It’s not like we can’t live without a man, right?” Deng Xiuzhen gave a carefree smile.
"How come you left with nothing? Did you want to divorce, or did he want to divorce?" Fang Mei felt a little relieved when she saw Deng Xiuzhen smile.
“I want a divorce. There will be a lot of fuss over the property, and I don’t want to deal with that. I’d rather give it all to him and get a clean break as soon as possible.” Deng Xiuzhen said, looking at Zhao Shuliang’s house. One corner of the eaves was broken off, and she wondered what was going on inside. Was it still habitable?
When Fang Mei heard that Deng Xiuzhen wanted to divorce herself, although she still felt a little sorry for Deng Xiuzhen, she stopped worrying about it.
The two opened the door, and a musty smell hit them.
The two moved in unison, one hand covering their mouth and nose, the other waving and fanning themselves as they took a few steps back.
Fang Mei said, "Sister-in-law, this house is not suitable for living in for the time being. It needs to be repaired and maintained. Guomin has some acquaintances. Ask him to fix it up before you come back."
Considering that Wenjing would also be living with them, Deng Xiuzhen didn't insist, as this situation was indeed not suitable for anyone to live in.
But where should we stay today? Still in Chenjiawan?
Chenjiawan really didn't want to go. First, he didn't want to see those two ingrates, Wenxin and Wenyu. Second, when Qin Yanlin came back that night, it would not only be awkward, but he was also afraid that Qin Yanlin would misunderstand, and he would have nowhere to save face.
Staying in a hotel? No way, what local from Pucheng would stay in a hotel? Besides, a house can't be cleaned up in a day or two.
It seems I'll have to rent a place, but it's a very urgent matter...
"Sister-in-law? What's wrong?" Fang Mei asked with concern when she saw Deng Xiuzhen in a daze.
Deng Xiuzhen came to her senses and said, "Oh, thank you. I'll settle the bill with the repairman once it's fixed."
"Sister-in-law, are you insulting me?! You just asked the government to send someone to fix it, and you're offering to pay? Don't you consider us your younger siblings anymore?" Fang Mei said angrily.
"Fang Mei, I..." Deng Xiuzhen was deeply moved and didn't know what to say.
"Sister-in-law, when did you get divorced? Where are you living now? I have some unused items at home, I'll bring them to you later." Fang Mei thought that Deng Xiuzhen had left with nothing, so she probably hadn't prepared any belongings yet, and she didn't know if it would be convenient for her to live there.
"I left this morning and haven't moved yet. I was planning to move here, but it seems I can't stay here for the time being. It's okay, I'll go out and rent a place right away."
"Sister-in-law, I have a spare room. Why don't you move in there first?"
"Well," Deng Xiuzhen hesitated for a moment, then thought that since she was renting a place anyway, renting Fang Mei's place would be the same, so she said, "Okay, then take me to see it, and I'll calculate the rent for you then."
Fang Mei's eyes flickered as she said, "We'll talk about it later. Let's go find a place to stay first."
To Deng Xiuzhen's surprise, Fang Mei's vacant courtyard was actually a courtyard by West Lake, which was the municipal party committee's family compound, an extraordinary place in those days.
The empty house was not only clean and tidy, quiet and elegant, but there were also people inside!
"Sister-in-law, you're here! Come in, come in, it's hot outside!" Qi Guomin greeted her warmly.
"Hello!" the two elderly people greeted them warmly.
"Hello! Hello!" Deng Xiuzhen replied politely with a smile.
She always felt that the house didn't seem like an empty one.