Chapter 142 Taking a Long Detour

That evening, Yao Fanghua and Wu Peng leaned against the headboard, talking about Uncle Yu's divorce and her speculations.

Wu Peng was not surprised at all. He shook the newspaper in his hand, turned it over, and said, "What's the big deal? I had already guessed it." He had seen it once before. Any man would understand the look in Yu Chengwen's eyes when he looked at Li Chunying.

Yao Fanghua snatched the newspaper from Wu Peng's hand. "You knew all along?"

"It's just a guess, a guess."

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Yao Fanghua said, displeased.

"I did see that Uncle Yu looked at Mom in a strange way once, but I didn't think Mom meant anything by it, so I'm relieved."

"You mean Uncle Yu is in a one-sided love? Don't worry, why should I be worried or uneasy?" She was just curious and shocked.

"In the future, I mean in the future, if Mom and Uncle Yu get married, you won't object?" The marriage has already ended prematurely, even a fool could guess what Uncle Yu will do next.

"Comrade Li Chunying is already so old. Her marriage is not under her parents' control, but I am?" Yao Fanghua shook her head. She's not a young virgin who's afraid of being deceived. This matter depends on Comrade Li Chunying's own wishes.

Wu Peng nodded. Yao Fanghua had no objections, so he was even less concerned. That made sense; there was no property to fight over. Life is short, and pursuing happiness is more important. They didn't need to hinder her right to pursue happiness. Besides, her mother-in-law wasn't going to live with them, and he'd be lonely on his own in the future. Uncle Yu knew him well; it wasn't impossible for him to live with her.

It seems Uncle Yu finally saw his chance. He's retired now, practically half-buried, and doesn't care what people say. He just got a divorce without hesitation. It seems he didn't develop any real feelings for you in his life. Don't say men or women are heartless; it's that only those who have no feelings for you are heartless.

"No wonder Aunt Bai always looks at my mom with such hostility," she said, as if she wanted to stab someone. If this were true, wouldn't they end up fighting? Yao Fanghua shook her head. "Go to sleep, go to sleep." These are all things for the future. Her father is still alive, why think about these things! Oh right, I need to buy Yao Deyi one of those adjustable hospital beds, so it'll be convenient for him to sit up and lean back when he wants.

During the Chinese New Year, the whole family took a family photo.

On the evening of the second day of the Lunar New Year, Wu Peng had dinner with Wang Huaizhi. Wang Huaizhi had used his connections to transfer back to the Education Bureau. He drank too much at the dinner table and bluntly said that one wrong step led to another. Back then, everyone flocked to state-owned factories—they were profitable and offered good benefits. Who would have thought that in just a few years, things would turn out so badly? The worst part was that he hadn't even made it to the top. Wang Huaizhi kept drinking. He regretted taking such a big mistake; he should have stayed in the government office. Now, he had gone around in circles and was back to square one.

Wang Huaizhi is a capable and virtuous person, but he's never been promoted, wasting all these years. If he had been ruthless enough to go to Shenzhen with Wu Peng back then, things would definitely be better now. He's unwilling to give up his secure job, even now. He wouldn't resign now; who knows what the future holds? His current job gives him more peace of mind.

Wang Huaizhi's wife knew he was going to drink with Wu Peng, and repeatedly urged him to mention her work. However, Wang Huaizhi was too embarrassed to say anything.

Upon learning that Wang Huaizhi hadn't even mentioned it, she simply went directly to Yao Fanghua early the next morning. It was a rare opportunity for the couple to be in Beijing; if she didn't seize it now, when would she?

She arrived early and waited at the door for more than half an hour with New Year's gifts before knocking.

Unexpectedly, a stranger opened the door. Thinking she had gone to the wrong place, she stammered, "Is this Wu Peng and Yao Fanghua's house?"

"Yes, hello, I'm the housekeeper. Are you here to see the husband and wife? Please come in."

“Okay, okay,” Wang Huaizhi’s wife said, feeling even more reserved when she saw that the other party had hired a nanny, as if she had entered a wealthy household.

This courtyard wasn't very big to begin with, unlike those in Shenzhen where there's a dedicated place to entertain guests.

Yao Fanghua had already seen Sister Wang through the window and got up to greet her.

"Sister-in-law, what brings you here? Come in quickly, have you eaten? Come and have some with us."

When Sister-in-law Wang saw that the family was already eating, she realized it was too early. Now that Wu Peng and Yao Fanghua had become successful, and she had come to ask for their help, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward.

"I've already eaten, I'm here after I've eaten."

"Please sit down, sister-in-law."

Wu Peng also came over. "Where's Huaizhi? Didn't he come along?"

"Uh, he has something to do."

Yao Fanghua poured a glass of water for Sister Wang and waited for her to speak. Coming so early in the morning, she must have something important to say.

"I just came to ask if you're hiring. I'm looking for a job." She was thinking about the friendship they had built up over the years, and the fact that Wu Peng had a good relationship with her husband, so she shamelessly came to their door.

Yao Fanghua: "Sister-in-law, are you looking for a job, or is it Brother Wang?"

"It's me. I'm strong, I can do any kind of dirty or hard work." She's only good at housework, washing and cleaning, and has never worked a day in her life. She's good at nothing, and while she might be able to cause a ruckus at home, she's actually quite hesitant to go outside. She'd wanted to come find Yao Fanghua and her husband for a long time, but Wang Huaizhi hadn't stopped her. Wang Huaizhi earns less now, has no extra income, and with his elderly parents sick and his children in school, expenses are mounting, yet he stubbornly clings to his pride!

Yao Fanghua glanced at Wu Peng and said, "The jobs here are either logistical work in the office or sales. Logistical work doesn't require going out and the salary is relatively lower. Sales involves a basic salary plus commission, but it definitely requires dealing with people outside. Sister-in-law, you should consider it." Actually, Yao Fanghua did suggest that Sister-in-law Wang take the sales role. Once she gained experience, she would definitely earn more. Besides, there was the network of contacts that Wang Huaizhi had accumulated over the years; it would be a waste not to make use of it.

Wang Huaizhi's wife was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. This meant they agreed to give her a job? And she could even choose? So quick! That damned Wang Huaizhi! If he hadn't stopped her, she would have come much sooner. If he had spoken up, this would have been settled much earlier. She would have said that the couple hadn't forgotten their roots, while Wang Huaizhi was just too proud to admit it.

"Sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, we don't know how to thank you enough. Sister, do you think I can do this? What if I mess this up for you?"

Wu Peng was speechless; he had gone from being Wang Huaizhi's brother to Wang Huaizhi's brother-in-law.

Yao Fanghua: "Someone will guide you. Practice makes perfect. Everyone is a beginner at first, so making mistakes is inevitable. Just ask questions, and once you're familiar with it, you'll definitely be fine. Besides, there's Brother Wang. He's been working for so many years, so you can ask him if you don't understand something."

If you can't decide which kind of work you want to do right now, you can go home and discuss it with Brother Wang.

"Then, then I'll go home and discuss it with my husband?" Sister Wang got up, eager to go home and discuss it with Wang Huaizhi as soon as possible, and make a decision quickly. This matter cannot be delayed, otherwise, if something goes wrong, she would regret it to death.

"Okay, take your time, we'll come anytime once we've discussed it." Yao Fanghua went to get two boxes of pastries and two bottles of wine for Sister Wang to take back. "Sister Wang, please don't be polite with us. When Wu Peng first came out of prison, only Brother Wang was willing to be close to him. I've heard Wu Peng say all this. He didn't treat Brother Wang like an outsider. Please don't be polite with us either."

Wu Peng also said, "Take it, take it. Don't be so polite with us. Next time, let Huaizhi and the child come over to our house for dinner."

As Wang Huaizhi's wife left the courtyard, tears welled in her eyes. "No wonder that couple got rich," she thought. "That damned Wang Huaizhi! He had such a good relationship, no wonder he never got rich." She walked home, still crying, carrying her things and unable to wipe her tears properly, so she simply wiped them all onto her sleeves.

She went home crying, which startled Wang Huaizhi. He wondered which old woman she had fought with and lost to.