Chapter 121 Thinking it was a clean break
Yao Qingling frowned.
Excellent performance?
Isn't he in Los Angeles?
Why did he return to Beijing?
While she was pondering, Zhan Xingzhuo had already walked up to her, coldly staring at her: "Having seen me, why don't you come and pay your respects?"
Yao Qingling: "..."
She thought they would part ways peacefully after the divorce, but he remained petty and took every opportunity to bully her.
Yao Qingling held no official position, nor was she the wife of an official; commoners do not fight against officials, so she stood up and bowed, saying, "Lord Zhan."
Zhan Xingzhuo placed his hands on the jade belt at his waist, his eyelids drooping as he looked down at her with a calm expression, but his heart was churning.
Unlike watching her from afar in Huibafang.
Let's take a closer look.
Her complexion was rosy, and she looked a bit plumper, with more radiant and delicate skin.
Her gaze was calm, but unlike the calm she had when she was in the new mansion.
Back then, her eyes were like stagnant water; but now, her eyes are like the rising sun and morning dew, radiating vitality.
Although she tried to conceal her expression, Zhan Xingzhuo could tell from her expression that she was in a very good mood.
Is it because of that man?
Zhan Xingzhuo's indifferent gaze swept over Lin Shiyuan before landing on Yao Qingling.
When they arrived at the new residence, Mr. Zhan Xingzhuo said that she was so well taken care of thanks to him.
But now, she seems to be doing better.
Her clothes and accessories became more vibrant, featuring the popular colors and patterns among the noble ladies of the capital.
It's brighter and more eye-catching.
When she was in the new mansion, she rarely wore new clothes. When they were faded or worn out, she would usually pair them with a new outfit and make do with them in that half-new, half-old way. She also had very few hair accessories, changing them over and over again until she had only a few.
On the other hand, Zhou Zhining and her son always wore the latest fashions; Zhan Xingzhuo never mistreated them.
Zhan Xingzhuo always thought that Yao Qingling's half-new, half-old style of dressing was a habit she brought from her parents' home.
Looking back now, that's not the case.
Yao Qingling also loved to wear red and green, exquisite brocade and silk clothes, and delicate and beautiful beaded flowers.
This change occurred after her divorce.
It was like a silent slap across Zhan Xingzhuo's face, telling him with reality that being his wife was not a good experience for her at all.
But can we blame him?
Zhan Xingzhuo was extremely unhappy.
The new mansion is under her control; she is the mistress of the house, and she can decide what kind of life she wants to live.
She insisted on portraying herself as thrifty, wanting others to praise her as a virtuous wife.
Zhan Xingzhuo didn't think he had any problem at all.
Yes, Yao Qingling dressed like this simply to tell him that she was doing better after leaving him.
She wouldn't beg him; she'd be much better off without him.
She dressed in bright red and green, looking flamboyant, which attracted the attention of other men.
Zhan Xingzhuo narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at Lin Shiyuan again.
Lin Shiyuan remained seated, casually sipping his tea. Noticing Zhan Xingzhuo's gaze, he returned it with a faint glance.
Anger flared in Zhan Xingzhuo's eyes.
He was a disgraced official who was spared death only thanks to the changing times. In fact, it was Yao Qingling who saved his life; yet he shamelessly clung to Yao Qingling and went to her shop to make a living.
Not only are they shameless, they've also abandoned all sense of male dignity.
Why didn't Yao Qingling reject this man who had no money, no power, and nothing to his name, and instead kept him by her side?
Zhan Xingzhuo felt deeply that this was Yao Qingling's humiliation of him!
The man's hands, which were behind his back, slowly clenched into fists.
Lin Shiyuan's cool and calm eyes met Zhan Xingzhuo's scrutiny.
Having served in the military for many years, he could easily discern hostility.
This Master Zhan harbored deep hostility towards him.
Even though Lin Shiyuan was dressed in ordinary clothes, he exuded a fierce aura simply by sitting down. This was the epitome of being imposing without anger.
A gust of wind blew up sand, and everyone squinted.
Yao Qingleng raised her sleeve to cover herself. After the wind passed, Zhan Xingzhuo and Lin Shiyuan were still exchanging unceremonious glances.
Lin Shiyuan glanced at the teacup, which was covered in a layer of dust. With a flick of his wrist, he spilled the tea onto the ground behind him. Then, he leisurely picked up the teapot and brewed tea, completely disregarding Zhan Xingzhuo.
Wearing the simplest of clothes, he exudes the air of a king or general.
He said slowly, "Officials appointed by the imperial court are supposed to do practical things for the people. But Lord Zhan has obtained some high-ranking official title and expects everyone to kowtow to him. What an arrogant official!"
Zhan Xingzhuo frowned, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Yao Qingling, who was pursing her lips and secretly smiling.
He said coldly, "I am working for the well-being of the people and will soon be promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue. Compared to you, a useless and bloodthirsty criminal, who now has to work under a woman, I am much better."
Lin Shiyuan twitched the corner of his lips and glanced at Yao Qingling.
Oh, is he telling her that he's getting a promotion?
If Yao Qingling hadn't divorced him, she would have been the wife of a high-ranking official of the third rank.
Make her regret it?
Lin Qiao glared at Zhan Xingzhuo with a tense expression, but she had been disciplined by Yao Qingling and was not allowed to speak carelessly or resort to violence.
Zhan Xingzhuo still held the jade belt at his waist with both hands, and turned his gaze to Yao Qingling.
Yao Qingling remained indifferent, showing no reaction to his "good news" and offering no congratulations whatsoever.
Zhan Xingzhuo's face darkened.
Yao Qingling said, "Lin Shiyuan, he is Lord Zhan. No matter what, we are just commoners. Please pay your respects to Lord Zhan and don't delay his journey."
Lin Shiyuan glanced at her and saw that Zhan Xingzhuo's face was even more gloomy, as if a dark cloud had descended upon him.
He slightly curled the corners of his lips, stood up, and, to satisfy Lord Zhan's official airs, gave him a fist and palm salute: "Congratulations, Lord Zhan."
Lin Qiao then imitated her, saying, "Congratulations, Lord Zhan."
There were no genuine congratulations, only mockery.
Zhan Xingzhuo's temple throbbed twice, but finding no fault to punish him, he remained silent, telling them to keep bowing.
Under the scorching sun, there weren't many passersby, but there were still some.
People could only see a man and a woman, one tall and one short, bowing to a man who looked like an official, as if they had done something wrong and were not entitled to stand up.
Lin Shiyuan started as a lowly soldier guarding the city gate. He had experienced many instances of being harassed and suppressed in the strict officialdom, so he didn't take such trivial matters to heart.
But Lin Qiao was different; she was still a child, proud and arrogant, and had never been punished like this before.
She furrowed her brows and glared at him.
Knowing Lin Qiao's temper, Yao Qingling said before she caused trouble, "Lord Zhan, is it not enough for my people to bow to you? Do all passersby have to kowtow to you before it's over?"
People around him whispered among themselves. Some, afraid of offending the official, actually came over and knelt down before Zhan Xingzhuo: "Lord Zhan."
It's all too common for ordinary people to kneel before officials.
They were afraid that they would be accused of disrespect and thrown into prison.
Zhan Xingzhuo's temple throbbed twice more.
Does Yao Qingling want to accuse him of "oppressing the people"?
But what he had actually been waiting for was for Yao Qingling to speak to him.
After she called him "Lord Zhan," she remained silent. Even these few words were spoken for that man.
The blazing sun beat down overhead, while a fire burned fiercely in my heart.
Anger burned within him, from top to bottom, completely engulfing him.
Zhan Xingzhuo took a deep breath, gave her a cold look, and said, "Get up."
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