Shang Han had a lot to say this morning, his incessant chatter was like that of a mother about to send her child on a long journey.
He detailed every little thing, as if he feared leaving something out, but there were things he did not elaborate on—the reason for his departure and many other matters went unmentioned.
Outside the gate of the neighborhood, a black Bentley had already been parked, as Fang Ren and Mu Huanqing accompanied Shang Han to the entrance.
The sudden farewell had yet to sink in for Fang Ren; his inner sadness didn't even have time to surface.
Although the old man's way of talking and doing things was not to his liking—always interrupting when he and Sister Hui Qing were getting intimate—Fang Ren still genuinely felt reluctant to see him leave all of a sudden.
"Live well, and when I come back next time, I want to see my grandchild born."
After placing his luggage in the trunk, Shang Han opened the car door, sat inside, and said with a face full of a mischievous smile.
"Just scram already, you old geezer," Fang Ren said disdainfully the moment he saw that expression on his face.
"Hui Qing, keep a good eye on him. If he gets involved with some young girl out there, just beat him up, and if that's not enough, call me, and I'll send someone to beat him up for you," Shang Han added without forgetting.
"Understood," Mu Huanqing nodded as she stood there.
"Oh, and one more thing, Hui Qing, now that you can move your legs, I went ahead and had someone take care of the enrollment process for you last night. You'll be in the same class as Ah Ran. Just wait a couple more days before you start attending classes with him."
"Huh?"
Fang Ren was stunned. What was the old man up to? Hadn't he always wanted him to keep a low profile? If Sister Hui Qing showed up at school, in the same class no less, how could he remain under the radar?
"I know," Mu Huanqing said with a smile on her face, hesitating slightly before she spoke, somewhat awkwardly, "Father... Father."
"..."
Shang Han's expression suddenly stiffened, and after two seconds, he burst into a joyful laugh, threw away the cigarette in his hand, and closed the car door with a direct sweep of his hand.
She had finally called him father. Deep down, she was just an ordinary girl after all, longing for family affection and care, not the emotionless machine that some villains claimed she was.
As the car started to move away, heading into the distance, Fang Ren's disdainful expression on his face shifted to one of furrowed brows and melancholy.
Two years away, or perhaps even longer, this time, the old man did not seem to be joking... Could it really be that long?
About two minutes later standing at the gateway, Fang Ren and Mu Huanqing went back inside the house.
Looking at the neatly arranged table and dishes in the kitchen, Fang Ren suddenly felt uncomfortable. From now on, cooking and washing dishes would be a shared duty between him and Sister Hui Qing.
It felt as if... he had directly stepped into married life with Sister Hui Qing.
"Ah Ran, you're going to be late for school," Mu Huanqing reminded him from the side.
"It's okay, the school has organized a field trip today. Showing up an hour late won't be a problem," Fang Ren said.
"Field trip?"
"Yes, it's a two-day trip to Jiulong Mountain with the other students, and we have to bring some daily necessities," Fang Ren explained, preparing to head upstairs.
But just as he was about to take the first step, Fang Ren suddenly realized a major issue: if he went on the trip for two days, wouldn't he be leaving Sister Hui Qing alone at home?
That wouldn't do. Uncle Han had already left, and he didn't feel at ease leaving her alone at home. Besides, she didn't know how to cook. What if she got even thinner from hunger when he returned, since she was already so slim?
"Won't Ah Ran be coming back during these two days?" Mu Huanqing asked with a hint of sadness.
Fang Ren immediately ran over, took her hand, and led her upstairs, laughing as he said, "Qing'er, come with me. That old codger is gone, you'll starve if you stay home alone."
"But I'm not a student at the school right now," Mu Huanqing said.
"No problem. When the time comes, wait for me at the school gate. I'll run over to find you as soon as I leave the school, and we can take the bus together," Fang Ren said.
"Okay."
With a nod of her head, full of excitement, Mu Huanqing immediately started packing her bags with Fang Ren.
After ten minutes or so, the two of them, carrying their bags, ran out of the house together. Fang Ren didn't take her to school immediately.
Because in these two days, Mu Huanqing had only been wearing that one dress without changing. She definitely needed to wear something more casual or comfortable for the outing. It was a good time to buy her a few more clothes.
Speaking of buying clothes, Fang Ren was pulling Mu Huanqing all the way to the clothing store on a small street when he suddenly realized something very important.
The old codger is gone... but what about the money!?
Why didn't he leave a dime when he left?!
He's talking about having them give him a grandchild, but it looks like both of them are going to starve in the streets before the baby is even conceived!
"What's wrong, Ah Ran?" Mu Huanqing, seeing Fang Ren's blank expression, asked in confusion.
"Qing'er... it seems, it seems we don't have any money," Fang Ren said with a stiff face.
"Money?"
From her small backpack, Mu Huanqing pulled out a bank card and said, "This is what Shang Han gave me. He said there's twenty million in it."
"What!?"
Fang Ren held the bank card, utterly stupefied.
Twenty million? That old man is just a clerk, where did this twenty million come from? Did he rob a bank or get it from his wife?
"He said that Ah Ran's living expenses are very low, and since you're not working yet, you might not be able to support me, so he gave this to me. He also said that when Ah Ran learns how to cherish me, you should have this card," Mu Huanqing continued to explain, placing the bank card in Fang Ren's hand as she spoke.
"That old man finally did something right," Fang Ren said as he looked at the bank card, feeling suddenly moved yet also a bit melancholic.
The guy just took off and left twenty million behind.
"Come on, Qing'er, today we will splurge," Fang Ren declared.
"Aren't we rushing to get to school?" she asked.
"No worries, I'll make a call to have someone cover for me. Now that we have so much money, we won't shop here, let's head to the big streets downtown. I'll make sure you wear the best clothes," Fang Ren said as he pulled Mu Huanqing towards the roadside and hailed a taxi. The two of them headed straight for downtown.
Holding the sudden windfall of twenty million in his hands, Fang Ren couldn't help but feel a little thrilled.
He immediately sent a text message to Jing Haichuan and Li Xingwang and started daydreaming happily about how his beautiful wife would look in all kinds of gorgeous clothes. What new heights of beauty would she reach?
As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse." And when it comes to clothes... Fang Ren couldn't help but think of some 'specialty' shops selling..."
Ahem, focus, be serious.