Chen Ji's Adam's apple bobbed twice as he explained, "No."
"No? What is it then? You're kicking me out? I stayed at your house for two days, and then you kicked me out, instantly making me a divorcee. Do you think I can go back?"
Xu Ruantang's voice was filled with anger, and her beautiful eyes were fixed on Chen Ji as if she wanted to devour him.
She does have a temper.
This was unexpected for Chen Ji; he had originally thought that such a petite girl would be timid.
It was only during this day that I discovered that she not only knew how to take care of children, but also how to make a living. She would fight back without hesitation if targeted, and she was also very poised and generous when meeting people.
He is thoughtful and opinionated, which is somewhat different from what the introducer described.
Chen Ji's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly. He was about to speak when Xu Ruantang spoke first.
"Let's make a deal."
Their eyes met; the girl had a faint smile on her lips, but her gaze was incredibly firm.
Chen Ji subtly curved his lips into a smile. "Go ahead."
“It’s unrealistic for me to go home now; I can’t go back home.” She sat up straight, rested her chin on her hand, and pondered for a moment. “I have nowhere to go; you need someone to help you take care of Xiaobao.”
"How about this, we'll agree on a six-month period. During these six months, I'll help you take care of Xiaobao, and you'll provide me with a place to stay. After six months, when Xiaobao is old enough to walk, you'll be able to take care of him yourself."
Chen Ji didn't understand what she was trying to say, so he asked, "What about six months from now?"
"We'll get divorced in six months, and go our separate ways." The girl's eyes shone. "We're just business partners. Just think of me as your roommate or comrade-in-arms."
"Anyway, you'll have to pay Aunt Wang to take care of the kids, so you can save that money and just give it to me. I can just cook and take care of the kids."
Xu Ruantang thought that she should save some money first, and when she got the divorce certificate, she could ask Chen Ji to help her get a letter of introduction so that she could go to the provincial capital to make her way in the world.
If you're not yet familiar with the rules of survival in this era, rushing out is not a good choice.
She wouldn't dare! It's said that there are still quite a few human traffickers these days, and if you don't have money, you can't even rent a good house.
Every word Xu Ruantang said sounded unbelievable to Chen Ji.
Is this something a girl who only went to junior high school and has always lived in the countryside could say?
A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but he calmly agreed, "Okay."
He didn't care what she was up to, nor did he concern himself with it.
If it weren't for the fact that military orders are hard to disobey, he would never have accepted being married.
At worst, they can divorce in six months, he'll give her a settlement, and help her find a good job.
Thinking that he would be free again in six months, Chen Ji felt much more relaxed.
A person like him doesn't deserve to get married.
"Words are no proof. Find some paper and pen and write it down. Then we'll sign and put our fingerprints on it!"
Xu Ruantang was even more enthusiastic than him, as if afraid that Chen Ji would change his mind.
What a joke! Establishing a friendly cooperative relationship with a big shot is something she's always dreamed of.
Two copies were made. Xu Ruantang carefully put her copy into the cloth bag she had brought before going to sleep peacefully.
After the lights were turned off, Xu Ruantang faced the ceiling and asked slowly, "Chen Ji, are you asleep?"
"Should you talk to Aunt Wang tomorrow, or should I do it?"
Xu Ruantang still wanted Chen Ji to handle this potentially offensive task.
In the darkness, Chen Ji's voice was deep: "No need, Aunt Wang will cook, we'll take care of Xiao Bao."
When signing the agreement, Chen Ji only wrote that she would take care of the child and he would give her 100 yuan a month.
Xu Ruantang naturally saw it, but she had no objection. If the big shot was willing to spend money, she would accept it. Right now, she didn't have the luxury of being pretentious.
If things don't work out, I can just pay him back when I actually make money in the future.
Not receiving a reply, Chen Ji turned his head to look over. In the moonlight, he could only see the girl's outline and her pert nose.
The girl's breathing was shallow and even, she was probably fast asleep.
Chen Ji remembered that the Party Secretary had told her about her family's basic situation. Could a family that favored sons over daughters really raise a girl with such a personality?
A sense of vigilance crept into Chen Ji's heart.
The next morning, Xu Ruantang was awakened by the pattering rain.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Xiaobao stretching out his arms and grabbing wildly at the side.
The soft, cuddly little girl reached out towards her with all her might. Xu Ruantang grabbed her little hand and squeezed it gently. "Little Bao, you're awake?"
Xiao Bao responded with babbling, his dimples deepening with laughter.
Xu Ruantang suddenly had a brilliant idea and repeated in her ear over and over again, "Xiaobao, learn from Auntie, Dad... Dad... Dad... call Dad."
When I woke up, I didn't see Chen Ji. He never seems to sleep in; he always gets up on time.
Xu Ruantang carried Xiaobao out of the house and saw Chen Ji sitting under the eaves, his posture straight and his back not bent at all.
The rain was heavy, and it would occasionally hit my face, carrying the fragrance of earth.
Xu Ruantang didn't quite understand; was Chen Ji eating the wind?
"Aunt Wang brought the food; it's in the kitchen." Chen Ji walked over and took Xiao Bao from Xu Ruantang.
Seeing that he was limping, Xu Ruantang couldn't help but ask, "Chen Ji, what happened to your leg?"
Having never seen his wound, Xu Ruantang didn't know whether he had broken a bone or something else.
Chen Ji looked somewhat awkward and, not intending to continue the conversation, turned and went inside.
"I mean, if you need to change your dressing or anything, I can help you."
Xu Ruantang didn't care about his attitude at all and called out into the room. Since they were roommates, helping each other was only natural.
After all, Chen Ji is still her top male fan.
Xu Ruantang skipped and hopped to wash up. After washing up, she went into the kitchen, put a steamed bun in her mouth, and warmed up some milk for Xiaobao.
Xiao Bao drank very well last night and is doing well today, so we can give him a little more this time.
Xiao Bao is truly an angel baby. He doesn't need nighttime feedings, sleeps through the night, doesn't cry or fuss, and even smiles at people.
Chen Jiding has a large milk supply, and he delivers fresh milk every day. Xiaobao can't possibly finish it all by himself.
But if you don't drink it, the rest won't last.
She had a sudden inspiration and came up with a good way to use up the milk.
On rainy days, when you can't go anywhere, it's perfect to stay home and listen to the rain. In this era without cell phones, it's quite pleasant.
When the milk for Xiaobao had cooled to a suitable temperature, Xu Ruantang went back into the house, handed the bowl and spoon to Chen Ji, and then returned to the kitchen.
Soon, clanging sounds came from the kitchen, but Chen Ji didn't pay attention. After feeding the baby, he turned around and sat down at his desk to write a letter.
After it was packed, it was sandwiched among a pile of books.
After finishing his work, Chen Jicai noticed that Xiaobao seemed to have gained some weight since Xu Ruantang had been there for two days.
The child's condition changed noticeably; after just two meals of milk and some steamed egg custard, he was different from the previous two days.
Moreover, in the past, Xiao Bao would always cry for a while at dusk, and it would take him a long time to soothe him.
Now, if Xu Ruantang coaxes Xiaobao in the afternoon, he will obediently go to sleep.
Is it really true that only women can raise children well?
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