"Mom, wait a second."
Xu Yun said, "Let me take a shower, then we can talk."
"Okay, go on."
A short while later, Xu Yun came out in his pajamas, sat down next to Zhang Sujuan, and asked, "Mom, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Zhang Sujuan answered, "Since you're not getting married, I'm thinking of going back home."
"Why???"
Xu Yun asked, a little confused, "You've been living here just fine. Why would you go back?"
'It's only been three days, tops, since I brought her over!'
"I'm not used to life in the big city."
Zhang Sujuan explained, "Every day after you leave for work, I'm home all alone. Besides cleaning, there's nothing for me to do. It's so boring.
Plus, you bought my house back for me, so I want to go back and check on it, clean it up a bit.
It's not good for a house to be left empty for too long!
I need to go back and look after it.
Also, our small county town might not be as bustling, but it's warm. I have a lot of friends there, and the neighbors are all nice.
It's not like here, where I don't know anyone. It's so cold and impersonal. When you're not here, I don't even have anyone to talk to."
"..." Xu Yun was speechless.
"But don't worry, Xu Yun."
Zhang Sujuan said with a smile, "In the future, when you get married, I'll still come live with you. I won't be bored then, once I'm helping you take care of the kids."
"Alright, if you want to go back, then go back."
Xu Yun nodded. "Stay one more day tomorrow, and I'll take you back the day after."
'Mom has a point. I really hadn't considered this issue before.'
'A new environment, a new place, but no new friends for Mom.'
'People are social creatures. If an elderly person is alone for too long, it can easily lead to mental health problems.'
'Home is home. As long as she's happy, that's all that matters.'
"You don't have to take me. You just got promoted. Don't miss work and make your boss unhappy."
Zhang Sujuan said, "Just call a car for me the day after tomorrow. I can go back by myself."
"Alright then."
...
After Su Mu and Li Jinshu got home, they each took a shower. Now they were in the living room, watching TV and chatting.
Su Mu turned to look at a certain someone who was at home wearing a sheer nightgown, completely braless, with her figure faintly visible. She felt a little helpless.
It was hard to imagine that this was the same workaholic who dressed so conservatively outside.
The contrast was just too great!
"Li Jinshu, could you be a little more modest at home?"
Su Mu said with a laugh, "At least put on some underwear when you come out of the shower."
"Why would I wear anything in my own home?"
Li Jinshu laughed and teased, "This is called freedom! I'm letting them breathe some fresh air at night so they can grow up healthy.
Not like you. It's fine to be proper outside, but you're still all bundled up at home. It's not like you're a virgin anymore, so why act so innocent?
Come on, take it off and breathe the air of freedom with me."
"..." Su Mu was speechless.
"Also..."
Li Jinshu continued, somewhat dissatisfied, "Susu, you're not a very loyal friend!"
"How am I not being a loyal friend now?"
Su Mu was baffled.
"You've secretly known this tall, rich, handsome guy, Xu Yun, for two years and never said a word to me."
Li Jinshu said, feigning anger, "Even if you're not interested, you should have introduced him to me! You know exactly what kind of man I like."
"I haven't even figured it out myself."
Su Mu couldn't help but roll her eyes at her and explained, "The Xu Yun from before was nothing like the rich guy he was today. This is the first time I've ever seen him like that, too."
"What do you mean?"
In the living room, Li Jinshu opened a bag of potato chips and asked curiously as she ate, "Are you saying he only got rich recently?"
"That's right." Su Mu nodded.
"Could it be that he was rich all along and was just pretending to be poor at the company?"
Li Jinshu analyzed, "And now he doesn't want to pretend anymore? He's showing his hand?"
"That doesn't add up."
Su Mu said, "He was always very frugal at the company, very diligent, and very honest and down-to-earth. His entire behavior was that of a normal office worker.
Besides, what rich young master have you ever seen who could keep up an act like that for several years?"
"You seem to have a point."
Li Jinshu asked, puzzled, "Then how did he suddenly get rich? Susu, do you know anything about his family situation?"
"I don't." Su Mu shook her head.
Although she and Xu Yun were on good terms personally, she had never actually asked about his family.
"But, he did mention something at the company today."
Su Mu said, "He said he won 200,000 in the lottery a few days ago, which is why he bought coffee for the entire company two days in a row."
"200,000? Are you kidding me!"
Li Jinshu said, "Susu, do you have any idea that the outfit he was wearing today is worth over a hundred thousand?"
"That expensive?" Su Mu was a little shocked.
She knew they were designer brands and figured they'd be a bit pricey, but she never imagined they would be *that* expensive.
"What do you think? Those were this season's new signature items—they're in high demand and cost a fortune."
Li Jinshu sighed. "So, based on his outfit and spending habits today, there's no way a 200,000 win can explain it."
"If it wasn't winning the lottery, then what could it be?"
Li Jinshu looked as if she suddenly thought of something and said in surprise, "Susu, do you think it's possible he lied?"
"Hmm???"
"What if he didn't win 200,000? What if it was the 5 million grand prize!"
Li Jinshu said, "That's the only way to explain it! Why he's suddenly so rich, and why he's spending money like a tycoon without a care in the world."
"Er..." Su Mu.
'Could Xu Yun have really won the grand prize in secret?'
After all, if someone suddenly became rich without breaking the law, she really couldn't think of any other reason besides winning the lottery.
...
On Jianghan Road, Huang Mengyao and Wang Qing were strolling down the street, with Huang Mengyao taking the opportunity to once again show off her new bag.
"Mengyao, you're really something."
Wang Qing said with envy, "It only took you a few days to win him over."
"Not really, we just liked each other, so things went pretty smoothly."
Wang Qing said meaningfully, "So, have you two... you know?"
"What?" Huang Mengyao smiled shyly.
"Alright, don't play dumb with me."
Wang Qing lowered her voice and asked with a grin, "Compared to Xu Yun, who's better?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on, tell me. I'm curious."
Wang Qing said, dissatisfied, "Are we best friends or not? Didn't we agree? No secrets between us, we have to share everything."
Huang Mengyao hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "To be honest, he's a little bit worse than Xu Yun."
'After all, not everyone can go three or four times in one night.'
'Back then, she was only with Xu Yun because he was handsome and had great stamina.'
'Unfortunately, he had no money and couldn't give her the good life she wanted.'
"But you've found your happiness now."
Wang Qing couldn't help but say with envy, "It won't be long before I'll have to call you Mrs. Zhang, will I?"
"Mhm, I'll ask you to be my maid of honor then."
Just then, Huang Mengyao's phone rang. It was a call from Zhang Wentao.
After they chatted for a bit, she turned to Wang Qing and said happily, "Wentao is looking for me, so I can't hang out with you anymore."
"Hey, go on, go on. Don't worry about me."
Wang Qing winked and said with a smile, "I hope you two have fun tonight."
After Huang Mengyao left, Wang Qing's expression changed in an instant. The smile from moments ago was completely gone.
She took out her phone and sent a message to Zhang Wentao.
Wang Qing: [I've already helped you get Huang Mengyao. Isn't it about time you delivered on your promise?]
Zhang Wentao: [I know. I'll transfer the money to you tomorrow. That's all. Don't interrupt my good time.]
Wang Qing looked at the message on her phone, a cold smile playing on her lips.
It turned out she had deliberately gotten close to Huang Mengyao, ruined her engagement, and pushed her into the bed of a married man, all to get revenge for an unintentional taunt back in college.
The sad part was, the other woman seemed to have completely forgotten about it.
But she, Wang Qing, had not forgotten.
'Back in school, weren't you so high and mighty? Didn't you look down on me? Didn't you call me a gold digger?'
'Huang Mengyao, now you're no different from me.'
'You still don't know that Zhang Wentao is a gambling addict, and that he has a wife, do you?'
'Mrs. Zhang? HAHAHA...'
'Keep dreaming. Right now, you're just the other woman...'
In the car, Huang Mengyao, having been sold out, had no idea she was being played by her "best friend" and happily went to meet her date.
...