Meanwhile, Mei Yanting, who was being rubbed until she cried out in pain, was left alone in the living room.
After the colonel's "thief-catching incident," she dared not run upstairs again. She sat alone in the living room, utterly bored.
She had no choice but to grab the remote and turn on the TV. Because she wasn't very handy, it took her a while to find the power source. The TV was quite loud when she first turned it on, which startled her, and she quickly turned the volume down very low.
She was eating snacks while watching, but because she was quite nervous, she wasn't really paying attention. More than an hour passed before Ximeng finally came down.
"Sister Ximeng." Mei Yanting put down her snacks and hurriedly stood up.
Ling Ruoke smiled at her. "Don't be so reserved, make yourself at home, have a seat." Ling Ruoke's face was still a little red, after all, she had just experienced a passionate encounter.
Mei Yanting and Xu An had already been intimate, so she immediately recognized what they had just done upstairs. "Sister Ximeng, where's your husband?"
"He went back to his unit. He just left." It's clear that time was really tight; given his colonel-like nature, he wouldn't set off until he couldn't delay any longer.
"Huh?" Mei Yanting opened her mouth wide, but she didn't see anyone pass by.
Ling Ruoke chuckled. "He jumped out of the window, so it's not surprising you didn't see him."
Mei Yanting realized that it was the third floor. "Wow, my brother-in-law is so amazing!" she exclaimed in surprise, then remembered another person she had once called her brother-in-law.
She had just been thinking, "Has Sister Ximeng changed boyfriends?" But this was too sensitive a question, and she didn't dare to ask. So her expression kept changing, like a kaleidoscope. "Sister Ximeng, where's Zhuang Yuqi?"
Ling Ruoke smiled, knowing what she was thinking. "Zhuang Yuqi isn't here. I haven't told you yet, but Zhuang Yuqi isn't my son; he's my godson. It's just that he lost his mother at a young age, so he likes to call me 'Mom.'"
Speaking of which, she hadn't seen Zhuang Yuqi in a long time; she wondered how he was doing. And Zhuang Yicheng—his injuries should have healed by now.
Back in Z City, she visited the school, but Zhuang Yuqi wasn't attending. Perhaps he hadn't returned to Z City. Zhuang Yicheng had only bought the house here for Zhuang Yuqi's convenience in attending school; their real home seemed to be in T City. Presumably, they were both in T City now.
Mei Yanting stared in disbelief, and after a moment of stunned silence, she stammered, "Then...then Mr. Zhuang?"
“He is Zhuang Yuqi’s father, but not my husband. The person you just saw is Huo Qingfeng, and he is your brother-in-law. Back in Y City, Zhuang Yuqi always called me 'Mom,' and I wanted to avoid some trouble, so I let you misunderstand.”
"Oh." Mei Yanting responded with an "oh," somewhat lost in thought. "Sister Ximeng, you're so lucky. Your brother-in-law clearly treats you very well." But she had nothing, not even Xu An, who used to hit her occasionally.
Ling Ruoke reached out and patted her head. "Don't worry. You will be happy too, it's just a matter of time."
Mei Yanting is a little short, but she has a pretty face and fair, delicate skin. She also has a lovely personality and a kind heart. A girl like that is bound to attract men.
Mei Yanting smiled, but her nose stung with tears. She knew those words were just a consolation; she was already 23 and had never met anyone who was truly good to her. Even when she was studying at the teachers' college, those people only wanted to get her into bed. Later, she met Xu An, who was actually quite good to her.
When they first had sex, she was very worried, afraid that one day he would leave her.
Now, her nightmare has indeed come true. She has no figure, her face isn't particularly attractive, and she's not a virgin—where can she find a good man?
However, this is my fate, and I can't blame anyone else.
Mei Yanting sniffed, trying not to cry.
Ling Ruoke looked at her, thinking that she could introduce her to Qingfeng's soldiers, like Chen Shan, another day. However, Yanting still had Xu An in her heart, so it was better to wait a while. "Don't worry, I'll introduce you when I find someone suitable."
"Mmm." Mei Yanting smiled through her tears and nodded. In fact, that was what she hoped for too.
She had given up on Xu An. After all, he had heartlessly abandoned her, leaving her to be pressured by loan sharks to pay off her debts every day. She hadn't told Xi Meng that she had also been raped by the debt collectors! It was too shameful for her to talk about; she could only hide and cry at night.
She comforted herself: the men Sister Ximeng knows are all outstanding; if only she could introduce one to her. She just didn't know if he would even be interested in her!
The two of them sat and watched TV for a while, and then it was almost time for the little guy to get out of school.
Ling Ruoke stood up and picked up her keys. "Yanting, I'm going to pick up the kids from kindergarten. You can stay home and watch TV."
"Sister Ximeng, can I go with you?" She didn't want to be alone. She'd had enough of being alone these past few days, and she was tired of it!
Seeing her anxious yet cautious demeanor, Ling Ruoke sighed inwardly. She smiled and waved the keys in her hand. "Let's go then." She'd also take her to buy a couple of outfits.
Mei Yanting's shoes were worn out, so Ling Ruoke gave her a new pair of socks and let her wear her own shoes. She'd give her the pair of shoes she rarely wore, as long as Mei Yanting didn't mind.
Sitting in the car, Mei Yanting looked at the neighborhood and exclaimed in amazement once again. "Sister Ximeng, this place is so upscale. Sister Ximeng, is your husband very rich?"
Living in a villa and driving a luxury car—that was something she never even dared to dream of!
She once dreamed of meeting a handsome and capable man, and that they could live a happy life together. But reality had long since shattered that dream into dust; the merciless wind swept it away, leaving nothing behind.
When we're young, we always have many dreams. Time is like a gun, shattering those dreams one by one, leaving you heartbroken.
Mei Yanting knew she wasn't lucky enough to have that kind of luck, so she chose Xu An, who had been relatively good to her, even though he was down on his luck. Sometimes, when she was hit rock bottom, all her thoughts disappeared, leaving only the hope of having someone by her side. Now, even this humble wish had died in the cruelty of reality.
Ling Ruoke looked at her and smiled. "Yanting, there's nothing to envy about these things. As long as you find someone to spend your life with, a house and a car will come naturally. Don't think I'm lucky; no one is born destined for a smooth life. You just don't know what I've been through. Even those who are powerful and influential have experienced pain you don't know about. As long as you face things with strength and optimism, things will definitely get better, believe me!"
"Sister Ximeng, I understand, I will definitely work hard!" Mei Yanting forced a smile.
Ling Ruoke just smiled and said nothing more. Too many comforting words become sentimental and can easily create dependency in the recipient. She would subconsciously feel that whenever she's in a bad mood, someone will comfort her. As a result, over time, she would magnify even the smallest things to seek comfort.
The car had just stopped outside the kindergarten when the bell rang to signal the end of get out of class.
"Yanting, wait for me in the car." Kindergarten isn't a place you can just walk into. It's complicated for unfamiliar faces to get in, and she didn't want to waste that time.
Ling Ruoke got out of the driver's seat and went to wait outside the little one's classroom. The teacher led the children out, and those whose parents had already arrived were taken away by their parents.
"Mommy!" Huo Fu'an darted out like a little monkey.
Ling Ruoke bent down slightly, and the little guy darted over, leaping up to hug her neck. Then, as if he had done something extraordinary, he giggled happily.
"Come on, baby, we're going home. Say goodbye to your teacher." Ling Ruoke put him down and led him away.
"Goodbye, teacher!" The little guy waved to the teacher and took a few steps away.
Upon entering the car and seeing the person in the passenger seat, Huo Fu'an blinked his big eyes. "Mommy, who is she? I've never seen her before!" The little guy is already speaking very fluently, and his expressive ability has improved rapidly.
Ling Ruoke turned around and looked at him, then smiled. "Her name is Mei Yanting, and she's Mommy's good friend. Go say hello to her."
"Hello, Auntie!" Huo Fu'an is a very polite child!
"Hello, little one! Sister Ximeng, how about I sit in the back? It'll be good for me to talk to the child." This is Sister Ximeng's child, and she needs to build a good relationship with him.
"Okay. Sweetie, introduce yourself to Aunt Tingting."
"Aunt Tingting, my name is Huo Fu'an, Fu'an meaning happiness and health." That's how Mommy introduced him to others, and he remembered it.
Upon hearing this, Ling Ruoke immediately burst out laughing. This little rascal! "Sit tight. Let's go!"
Mei Yanting looked at the chubby, fair-skinned, and exceptionally handsome little Fu'an and adored him. "Your name is Fu'an? That's a beautiful name. Did your father or mother name you?"
"Daddy named it!" Xiao Fu'an smiled, his eyes crinkling. Children love to be praised.
Mei Yanting was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses. "Daddy" was another way of calling someone's father, something she didn't hear often, so she didn't immediately recognize it. "Auntie has never been here before. How about Xiao Fu'an be Auntie's guide?"
"good!"
The little guy pointed out the window and babbled about the few places he could remember, always quacking like a little duck.
The car only drove for a short while before stopping somewhere outside the pedestrian street.
"Mom, aren't we going home?" Xiao Fu'an asked, looking around.
Ling Ruoke took his hand. "Aunt Tingting wants to buy clothes, so we're accompanying her shopping. Let's go, we'll go to KFC and buy you some egg tarts first." If we shop for too long, the child will get hungry.
Mei Yanting had initially said she didn't need to buy anything, but then she realized she couldn't keep wearing Xi Meng's clothes, so she didn't say anything. However, she only had a few cents in her pocket, and the thought of having Xi Meng pay later made her feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Ling Ruoke didn't choose any high-end brands, but instead went into a mid-to-low-end store. The styles there were quite nice; the girls from Pei Huo often came here, and she had overheard them discussing it.
As soon as Mei Yanting entered, she secretly glanced at the price tag of the first dress, and only then did she feel a little more at ease. Fifty or sixty yuan a piece, not too expensive.
After telling the sales clerk she wanted to leave, Ling Ruoke walked beside Mei Yanting and carefully helped her choose. She whispered, "Don't think too much, just pick out two sets."
"I'll pay you back once I start working," Mei Yanting said, nodding.
"Okay." Paying back debts is a matter of course. If Mei Yanting accepted it as a matter of course, she would dislike her even more.
Mei Yanting picked out three outfits and two pairs of shoes. The total came to just over 500 yuan, which was really a great deal.
Once everything was settled, the three of them drove home.
Normally, Ling Ruoke would drive while carefully talking to the little one. Because she was afraid of danger, she often didn't notice and the little one would protest.
With Mei Yanting keeping him company and babbling away, she was able to concentrate on driving. The little guy was clearly very happy too. The two of them, one big and one small, seemed to get along quite well.
Back home, Ling Ruoke and Mei Yanting cooked dinner together. As for Xiao Fu'an, he watched "Boonie Bears" on the big TV.
After dinner, the two women sat on the sofa chatting. Most of their conversation revolved around Mei Yanting's future. To settle down in Z City, she first needed a job.
"I don't know what the educational requirements are for elementary school teachers in Z City, but I'll try to find out. Besides being a teacher, what other skills do you have?"
Mei Yanting has a vocational school diploma; if she had a junior college diploma, it shouldn't be a problem. In today's society, although teachers' professional ethics are declining, the educational requirements for teachers are getting higher and higher. In big cities, don't even think about becoming a primary school teacher without a bachelor's degree; secondary school teachers are all graduate students, even PhDs!
Z City is a small city, so there might still be a chance.
Mei Yanting's face was a little pale, and she stammered, "Before, I did odd jobs, like serving dishes and washing dishes, which didn't seem very useful. After graduating from school, I've been a teacher ever since, so..."
Ling Ruoke was also a little troubled, but she didn't want to discourage her. "Don't worry, you'll find a suitable job eventually."
I'll take her to the old elementary school tomorrow to ask if there's any possibility. If that doesn't work, we'll think of other options.
"I'm sorry, Sister Ximeng, I've caused you trouble."
Ling Ruoke patted her shoulder. "Don't think so much, go to sleep early. We'll go take a look together tomorrow."
That night, Ling Ruoke didn't sleep well. Her mind kept wandering to jobs that might be suitable for Mei Yanting, and she also thought about Xu An, her mind in turmoil. She tossed and turned until midnight before finally falling asleep, even dreaming about looking for a job.
When I woke up the next day, I had dark circles under my eyes and a headache.
I changed into my workout clothes and went to the gym for a good workout. I was drenched in sweat, and my energy levels soared. Exercise really is a wonderful thing!
Ling Ruoke returned from the gym, wiping away sweat, and saw Mei Yanting in the kitchen, staring blankly at the glass counter. "Yanting, what's wrong?"
"Sister Ximeng." Mei Yanting was startled. "I wanted to make breakfast, but I didn't know what to make. Sister Ximeng, did you go for a run?"
"You went to the gym. Why didn't you sleep a little longer?"
Mei Yanting stared blankly at her, her skin flushed and pale from exercise, covered in sweat. "Ah? Oh, I've had enough sleep, so I got up to see if you needed any help." When she was nervous, her words were accompanied by her hurried movements.
Sister Ximeng is so beautiful, with a slender figure. No wonder she married so well; men all like beautiful women! If she had such a great figure and face, then those good men would definitely notice her too.
"Let's make some noodles today. Didn't we have some fish soup last night? Noodles made with fish soup are the most delicious. You heat up the fish soup first, then cook the noodles. I'm going to take a shower first."
"Oh, okay." Mei Yanting watched her go upstairs, still somewhat dazed. Her heart was filled with mixed feelings, which she couldn't quite put her finger on.
While heating the fish soup, she stared blankly at the fire on the stove, her mind wandering.
Cooking, eating, and sleeping in your own house, being affectionate with your loved one, and playing with your children—what a blissful thing! When will she be able to have that? Does she really have that kind of luck?
While I was thinking about it, I almost boiled the fish soup dry.
"Yanting?" Ling Ruoke came down from the shower and saw the pitiful little bit of fish soup in the pot. She hurriedly rushed over and turned off the heat.
Mei Yanting snapped out of her daze, staring blankly at the meager amount of fish soup in the pot. "Sister Ximeng, I'm so sorry! I...I..."
"It's alright. Go take a nap on the sofa, I bet you haven't had enough sleep yet." Ling Ruoke knew that after everything she had been through, she probably wouldn't be able to recover so quickly. It was just some fish soup, no need to get angry.
Mei Yanting's head was almost touching the ground, as if she couldn't do anything right. After sitting on the sofa for a while, she couldn't help but walk to the kitchen doorway again.
Since they were out of fish soup noodles, Ling Ruoke decided to make dumplings instead. Dumplings are a little troublesome to make, but they are easy to cook.
Mei Yanting watched as she skillfully made dumplings, seemingly quite adept at it. Most importantly, she appeared very focused, a smile playing on her lips, and she was even humming a tune softly, as if she were thoroughly enjoying the busy process.
There's no landlord constantly pressuring you for money every month, no worries about not having enough to buy groceries, and no fear of losing your job... All you have is happiness.
As she watched, Mei Yanting felt a lump in her throat and almost cried. She quickly moved to the wall, pressing herself against it to swallow her tears. But the tears still flowed uncontrollably, and she hurriedly raised her hand to wipe them away.
Ling Ruoke knew Mei Yanting was watching, and that she was hiding and crying, but she didn't go out to comfort her. No matter what others said, it wasn't as good as figuring it out herself and becoming strong.
Once the dumplings are ready and the water is boiling, it's time for little Huo Fu'an to get up.
Now the little guy doesn't need her to wake him up anymore, nor does she need to supervise him brushing his teeth and washing his face. The colonel has trained him very well; he gets up obediently after his three alarms ring, dresses himself, brushes his teeth, and washes his face, all within ten minutes.
"Good morning, Aunt Tingting!" Huo Fu'an ran down the stairs, called out to Mei Yanting, and then dashed into the kitchen.
"Mommy, is breakfast ready yet? I'm so hungry!" Huo Fu'an shouted loudly, and went over to hug her leg.
Ling Ruoke's hands weren't clean, so she lowered her head and kissed him. This was a new way the little guy had recently learned to act cute, and he said it every day. "Go sit outside quickly, it'll be ready to eat soon."
"Alright then." The little guy kissed her back, then strolled out and sat obediently at the dining table.
A moment later, Ling Ruoke came out with dumplings. "Yanting, come and have breakfast."
"Oh." Mei Yanting quickly composed herself.
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