Chapter 9
That day, Xiaomei and I went to the food street.
Unexpectedly, we ran straight into Qi Sanyuan and Lan’er.
Lan’er was gazing hungrily at a fresh batch of fried chicken, tugging coquettishly at Qi Sanyuan’s sleeve.
“Third Brother, I want some.”
Qi Sanyuan asked the price and frowned.
“It’s too expensive. That would pay for three days of meals for us.”
Lan’er’s expression changed, and she complained,
“I haven’t had a single good day since marrying you!
“You even dragged me into your disaster! You’re useless!”
Qi Sanyuan stared at her in disbelief, seemingly unable to understand how this could be the same woman who, only days ago, claimed she could not live without him.
After a long moment, he gritted out,
“Weren’t you the one who cried and begged to come home with me? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t care even if you had to live as my cat or dog?”
The two began arguing back and forth.
I watched happily from the side, grinning so widely that the corners of my mouth nearly reached my ears.
Then Shen Shuo appeared out of nowhere.
He stared at my exposed gums, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“Miss Hua. What a coincidence.”
Everyone’s attention instantly swung toward us.
Miss Hua and Qi Sanyuan!
Now this was a spectacle worth watching!
Qi Sanyuan looked at me tenderly.
“Yan’er… I never expected to see you here.
“Did you come looking for me?”
My face remained expressionless.
“We are divorced. You should address me as Miss Hua.
“Furthermore, I came to inspect my business.
“This has nothing to do with you. Do not flatter yourself.”
An attentive clerk had already brought over the day’s accounts and began lavishing praise on me.
“Miss Hua truly is capable!
“Since you took charge of our food street, our profits have tripled!”
Qi Sanyuan and Lan’er stared at me, dumbfounded, scarcely able to believe their ears.
In their eyes, I was merely a pampered young lady from a wealthy family, someone without any real ability.
Lan’er tugged at Qi Sanyuan’s sleeve and pointed with her lips toward the fried chicken.
Qi Sanyuan was too proud to ask me for anything and shook her off impatiently.
The corner of my mouth lifted.
“I’m in a good mood today. Everyone here eats for free—my treat!
“From now on, anyone from a poor household may come here for one free meal each day.”
Lan’er had no time to rejoice before I added,
“Naturally, this gentleman and this young lady are the exceptions.
“Surely you have enough shame not to accept my charity, don’t you?”
Lan’er’s curses drowned beneath the roaring crowd.
Everyone laughed as they ordered their food.
“Miss Hua is beautiful and kindhearted!”
“I truly don’t know what some people were thinking, throwing away such a wonderful wife!”
“Exactly! And she has a gift for making money!”
Qi Sanyuan’s and Lan’er’s faces alternated between red and white.
I found the sight immensely satisfying.