Quan Jiu never expected anyone could be so shameless.
Seeing Wang Xiao push two carts of documents into her room with a look of surprise, and then ask somewhat bewilderedly, "Boss, where should I put this?" before casually taking over her living room, she finally understood she was facing a long-term battle.
Mimi groggily arrived before Quan Jiu at ten o'clock, asking pitifully, "Mom, can you bring Guru and the others over? No one is taking care of them, they'll starve."
Tutu followed closely, "Can we move the equipment over? I'll be bored to death without it."
Quan Jiu looked at her son and daughter's soft, adorable faces and couldn't refuse. After a long moment, she reluctantly agreed with an "Mm."
"Wang Xiao, move the cats and the equipment over," Chu Rong instructed at the opportune moment.
Wang Xiao quickly huffed and puffed to move the three kittens and carried a pile of computer equipment to Tutu's room. After finishing these tasks, his boss had already efficiently processed a stack of documents.
Just as he was about to take a break, he heard another instruction, "Go buy some more things."
Wang Xiao took a list, mostly vegetables and fruits, along with a few daily necessities. He immediately rushed out to buy them.
However, as he was about to leave, he heard an encouraging remark.
"Your salary will be increased at the end of the year."
Wang Xiao's dejected expression immediately turned into a beaming smile. "Boss, please wait a moment, I'll be right back." He then scurried away.
Mimi went to pet the cats, Tutu went to play games, and the living room was occupied only by the engrossed outsider and Quan Jiu, who was on the verge of a breakdown.
"Are you a transformed stray dog?" Quan Jiu pointed at the cluttered living room. "You're... invading my space."
"This is a marital union."
"I want a divorce."
"I disagree."
"What's your purpose in pestering me like this?" Quan Jiu asked in exasperation.
Chu Rong looked up from the pile of documents. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, adding a touch of clarity and neighborly warmth to his deep eyes.
"Fulfilling my responsibilities as a husband and father."
Quan Jiu took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and said earnestly, "I don't need you to be responsible. Our fate together has ended. Why tie yourself down with a marriage certificate? I let go five years ago. You can pursue the happiness you desire, and I can live the life I want."
Chu Rong's gaze returned to the pile of documents, and he calmly processed each one.
Quan Jiu knew further words were useless. She could only cover her forehead and leave, retreating to her study to numb herself with work. She worked until half-past twelve, only returning to reality when a knock came from outside her study door and Chu Rong's voice said, "Dinner is ready."
Refusing to eat out of spite was not her style. So, Quan Jiu put down her work and went to the dining room.
Mimi and Tutu were still cautiously observing her expression. Seeing her emerge, the two children quickly ran forward, taking her hands on either side to guide her to her seat.
"Mom, today we have kelp, your favorite."
Tutu eagerly placed a piece of kelp on Quan Jiu's plate. "Open wide, Mom."
Quan Jiu smiled and ate the kelp. "Thank you, my dears."
"Mom, there's also mushroom, which you love," Mimi chimed in, feeding Quan Jiu a piece of diced mushroom and asking sweetly, "Does it taste good?"
Quan Jiu glanced at Chu Rong, who was serving rice, and remained silent, but nodded in response to the children. No matter how angry she was with Chu Rong, she couldn't lose her temper in front of the children.
During the meal, Chu Rong occasionally served food to Quan Jiu and the children, but barely ate himself. This frustrated Quan Jiu immensely. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she calmly advised, "Stop serving. Eat yourself."
The meal passed quietly with her urging him to stop and him continuing to serve.
After lunch, Quan Jiu intended to wash the dishes, but her phone rang. She turned to answer it, and when she turned back, Chu Rong had already cleared the dishes from the table.
"Leave them, I'll wash them," Quan Jiu said.
"Jiujiu, who are you talking to?" a voice asked from the phone.
Quan Jiu smiled faintly. "The cook at home. Is there something?"
An Changxian's tone was tinged with resentment. "We haven't seen each other for many days. I miss you."
"Then how about we meet for afternoon tea later?" Quan Jiu smiled again.
An Changxian's tone turned cheerful. "Okay, where do you want to go? I have some good news to tell you."
Quan Jiu stated an address and exchanged a few jokes with An Changxian before preparing to hang up. But suddenly, she felt a warm breath near her ear, and a deep voice asked, "Who were you talking to?"
Quan Jiu's face immediately flushed. She took a few steps back in annoyance. "Stay away from me."
On the other end of the phone, An Changxian's heart sank. Thinking she had been caught by her sugar daddy, he immediately hung up.
Chu Rong's brows furrowed slightly, and he stepped closer. "A man?"
Quan Jiu suppressed the pounding in her heart and replied nonchalantly, "A friend." Then she entered the room and said to the two children who were playing, "Mimi, Tutu, Mom has something to do and needs to go out. Be good while I'm gone."
The two children responded in unison.
Quan Jiu didn't bother with any extra preparations. She slung her bag over her shoulder, tidied herself up a bit, and left.
...
Arriving at the place agreed upon with An Changxian, she found him waiting in a booth. Due to his striking beauty, many women around were discreetly taking photos of him with their phones.
Quan Jiu sat opposite An Changxian and said with a hint of jealousy, "Can you restrain your talent for attracting attention in front of me?"
An Changxian chuckled. "Jealous? I thought your heart was only with your sugar daddy, and I'm just your little lover."
Quan Jiu gave him an aggrieved look. "That person is at home these days, so I can't help it. Don't worry, once I get another two or three hundred million in severance pay from him, I'll break up with him completely. Then, we'll have plenty of time to spend together."
An Changxian's heart leaped with joy, and he reached out to take Quan Jiu's hands on the table.
However, Quan Jiu subtly picked up her water glass and took a sip, causing An Changxian's attempt to miss.
An Changxian felt a bit awkward, thinking there was no rush. He changed the subject and asked Quan Jiu smugly, "You invested fifty million last time, right? It's already profited. Guess how much."
Quan Jiu was surprised. "So soon? How much? Could it really be ten million?"
An Changxian opened the investment platform app and counted the zeros in the balance section. After counting up to tens of millions, he said, "What did I tell you? This investment is definitely profitable, and the money comes in quickly and steadily. I didn't lie to you, did I? I've already processed the withdrawal for you, and it should arrive soon."
As they were speaking, a bank message arrived.
Quan Jiu raised an eyebrow. Sixty million. Besides her initial fifty million, that was a profit of ten million. The money indeed came quickly and steadily.
She was overjoyed. "Thank you, you're so good to me."
An Changxian clicked his tongue. "What's with the thanks between us? We're going to be family anyway. The profit is fast this time. What do you think is a suitable amount to invest next? I suggest one or two hundred million. The more you invest, the more you get back."