Chapter 10, is it lamenting the loss of 100,000 silver dollars...?
After finishing their coffee, the two went for a stroll nearby. Hu Peifang had come specifically to buy clothes, as she always paid attention to such important occasions.
"Why didn't you try any on?" she asked Shen Rong. "Didn't you find anything you liked?"
Shen Rong shook her head, and only after the shop assistant had walked away did she playfully explain, "I'm out of money, so I have to be careful with my spending."
Hu Peifang thought she was joking, that the eldest daughter of the Shen family would be short of money.
Shen Rong sighed and spread her hands: "The family has run out of food, so I can't be extravagant. I need to save some money."
Hu Peifang roughly knew what was going on.
She smiled and said, "Isn't there Commander Lu here too?"
Seeing that no one was around, she lowered her voice: "Wenbai has been drinking every day these days. When he's drunk, he comes to Wu Yong and cries. Have you two broken up? You've finally made it this far, and both sets of elders and Commander Lu have agreed to the divorce. Why are you going back on your word again?"
"Do you think he's unreliable?" The "he" here refers to Kang Wenbai.
Shen Rong's expression was indifferent, as if she were talking about something else entirely: "I just feel it's inappropriate."
Hu Peifang had a knowing look on her face: "I knew you were just fooling him. Wenbai actually believed it, and cried while hugging Wu Yong, saying that you deeply love Lu Lin and that he's just a joke."
She then giggled.
She handed her a dress, gesturing for her to try it on: "You'll never be short of money if we don't get a divorce, go ahead."
Shen Rong hesitated for a moment, then said, "Then I also want to save some money." She touched the fabric of the dress; it was really nice.
While matching her hat, Hu Peifang casually replied, "Why would I save it? I'm not saving it anyway. I live for today, for tomorrow we die."
Shen Rong hung the skirt back up, but then took a fancy to a more professional-looking pair of trousers.
“You like this look, a shrewd and capable career woman. It’s not bad to dress up as one,” Hu Peifang commented, looking her up and down.
"What do you think about wearing it to an interview?" Shen Rong also thought it was a good choice.
Hu Peifang asked in surprise, "You're going to work? Lu Lin can't afford to support you anymore?"
Shen Rong didn't want to reveal her agreement with Lu Lin. She didn't like to publicize her family's affairs, so she said vaguely, "It's to help with household expenses. Staying at home is boring. Working is good too. Didn't you want to work before, saying that women should be independent?"
Hu Peifang had said so much that she had no idea it was Shen Rong talking nonsense, and even thought she had really said it herself.
She gave an awkward laugh. "Hey, that's all in the past. I'm not going now. The money I earn goes to help support my family, but it benefits others. Does Wu Yong think I don't know? He sends money back to his hometown every month. He sends less when I spend more. If I don't use it, I'm just helping others save money."
Hu Peifang was referring to Wu Yong's wife in the countryside. She had a child, so it was normal for him to send money back home. However, such things were common in this era. He had one wife in the countryside and another in the city. The marriages in the city were modern, based on free love, while the wives in the countryside were arranged and undemocratic, a form of constraint. Who knows if it was just an excuse for the man to want to change wives?
Although Shen Rong disapproved of this kind of thing, she did not express her opinion.
"Are you really planning to continue living like this with him?" Shen Rong asked her cryptically.
Hu Peifang was indifferent: "Yes, what can I do if he can't leave me? Let's just live like this. His body, his heart, and his money are all with me. Do you think I'm afraid he'll run away?" She thought for a moment and laughed to herself: "I'm so much younger than him. It's more like he's afraid I'll run away."
Shen Rong smiled. Why would someone like Hu Peifang, who is sophisticated, fashionable, and sociable, fall for Wu Yong? He's so much older than her; he could be her father.
Wu Peifang tried on almost everything and bought several items in one go, while Chen Rong ended up not buying anything.
"Aren't you supposed to be working? Why don't you buy that one?"
Shen Rong shook her head: "Let's talk about it later, I haven't even found a job yet."
It's too formal and not suitable for any occasion other than the office, but now that she's pregnant, it's definitely impossible for her to work in the short term.
"How about I ask Wu Yong to recommend you for a job? A talented woman like you would be highly sought after by magazines, and the pay is good." Hu Peifang said enthusiastically.
Thinking of something, she nudged Shen Rong's arm and winked, "Actually, Kang Wenbai is really good. He earns just as much as Commander Lu. His articles are very valuable. He's a great talent, after all. Why don't you consider marrying him and spending all his money so he can work hard to earn more? That way, he won't have time to look at other women. You can have him completely under your thumb. He's not as easy to deal with as Commander Lu."
She was giving bad advice.
Shen Rong paused for a moment. The original owner of the book really did do that, but it didn't stop others from developing new love.
"So this is how you discipline Mr. Wu?" Shen Rong joked with her.
“That’s right.” Hu Peifang laughed at herself.
Hu Peifang returned home with a full load of goods. The two hailed a car, and she first took Shen Rong back to the small villa.
"Come early the day after tomorrow." Hu Peifang waved to her.
The car drove away.
Shen Rong rubbed her lower back. Throughout history, women's enthusiasm for shopping has always been so high.
The host of the banquet was the brother-in-law of a high-ranking government official, so many celebrities were invited. Shen Rong originally didn't want to go, but she thought it was an opportunity for her to meet more people and maybe even find out some news about the current situation.
She had thought it over carefully these days. In a few years, the world would be in complete chaos, with foreign invaders and the whole country at war. The best place for her to stay safe and secure was abroad.
But she's unfamiliar with the place and people abroad, and it's not safe for her to be alone. It would be best if she could get to know a few people so she could look after them.
Today's banquet has attracted many people who are good at making friends.
Yes, Shen Rong is here to make friends, preferably with some overseas background and those who will be developing their careers abroad in the future.
But she didn't expect there to be so many people; it must have been half the city.
Hu Peifang, like a butterfly, introduced her to many people. Whenever she met a handsome man, she would praise Shen Rong's dancing and ask him to dance with her.
True to her word, but... your sister has a new soul, and the new one isn't yet proficient in the dance steps.
Shen Rong could only pretend that her foot hurt, which allowed her to escape unscathed.
"What a pity, these men are all good-looking, and your foot hurts so badly." She teased Shen Rong in her ear, "If they danced with you, you would definitely have a few more suitors tomorrow."
Shen Rong glared at her: "Wake up, I'm not divorced yet."
"It won't delay anything." She laughed so hard she almost fell over.
A man came to ask her to dance, and Hu Peifang, exuding charm, went with him.
She found a secluded spot to hide. The banquet reached its climax, the music grew more and more exciting, and men and women embraced, everyone laughing so happily.
Shen Rong felt as if she had entered another world, a world of bustling prosperity and extravagance, but she was keenly aware that there was another world outside the door.
The place was desolate and barren, with a cold color palette of black, white, and gray. The air was filled not with champagne but with the smoke and dust of burning gunpowder.
The stark division between these two worlds leaves people bewildered and lost, unsure of which path to take, whether to succumb to despair or awaken to reality.
Wu Yong and Kang Wenbai arrived relatively late. They rushed over after proofreading the last draft, and as soon as they entered, they saw Hu Peifang on the dance floor.
Wu Yong went to find his lover, while Kang Wenbai searched everywhere for Shen Rong.
Hu Peifang said she would come today.
Suddenly he stopped; he saw people.
Shen Rong seemed to have seen him too, her face full of joy and her eyes sparkling. She was walking over here. Kang Wenbai was very excited. He knew that Shen Rong had been throwing a tantrum at him earlier.
He stood there waiting, watching her get closer and closer.
He raised his hand in greeting, watched her approach, and then brushed past her...
Shen Rong recognized someone: Lu Lin.
Not only that, there was another woman with him!
Her little radar started spinning, like a hound that had caught a whiff of blood—she was so excited!
She hurried closer, her eyes fixed on Lu Lin and that woman—it was all money!
Goodness, Lu Lin truly is a perfect husband; he even gave her a big gift before the divorce.
The two of them just signed and sealed the document two days ago. Ten thousand silver dollars, and here she is!
"Honey, who is this?"
Lu Lin was lost in thought when he suddenly heard a sweet, delicate voice beside him.
A fragrant breeze wafted over, and a pair of slender, soft arms wrapped around his neck from behind the chair.
He turned to meet Shen Rong's ambiguous smile, who was staring intently at the woman opposite her.
Lu Lin knew what she was thinking without even having to guess.
He gently supported her waist, afraid that she might bump into the seat.
She leaned closer, a hint of teasing in her voice: "I won't introduce you."
The woman sitting opposite him seemed a little uneasy, her face flushed and she looked flustered, not daring to look at Shen Rong.
"You promised 100,000 yuan." Shen Rong whispered in his ear, her excitement barely concealed.
Lu Lin watched her performance with a blank expression, his eyes cold and indifferent. She was too shallow; all she could see was a desire for money.
When did Miss Shen become so obsessed with money?
"Hey!" A flippant voice came from the side.
"Lu Lin, something's up with you!" Feng Qing patted Lu Lin's back hard, staring at Shen Rong.
He's only been gone a short while, and he's already hooked up with such a stunning beauty. Lu Lin's charm is as good as ever!
"Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Lu Lin ignored him.
They all had expressions like they'd caught someone cheating, and they all wanted to introduce themselves.
Shen Rong sensed something was wrong, so she stood up straight.
"Hello, my name is Shen Rong," she said, taking the initiative.
Feng nodded lightly: "Hello, Miss Shen..." with an air of dashing charm.
"Sigh..." Feng Qing's tongue seemed to be tied in knots as she looked at Lu Lin in disbelief.
Lu Lin nodded slightly, stood up and introduced Feng Qing to Shen Rong: "Feng Qing, my colleague."
So this is Feng Qing. In the book, Lu Lin asked him to collect the original owner's body.
Shen Rong reached out again, his expression showing a hint of having long admired his reputation, and he was very enthusiastic.
What's going on? Feng Qing was completely confused. Seeing how serious she was, he withdrew his hand from his female companion's waist, stood up straight, and shook hands.
Lu Lin looked at his two female companions: "I don't know these two either, they are his female companions. Perfect, why don't you introduce this lady across the way to her?"
A hint of mockery flashed across Lu Lin's eyes: "She wants to get to know him."
"Mrs. Lu, please have a seat. This lady's surname is Huang. She works at a department store and is here today to broaden her horizons. Have you met her before?" Feng Qing introduced her warmly.
Miss Huang stood up and said shyly, "Hello, Mrs. Lu."
Shen Rong was a little embarrassed: "Hello."
Miss Huang smiled, knowing that Mrs. Lu must have misunderstood.
After chatting for a while, Feng Qing took her two female companions to the dance floor, considerately leaving the couple some space.
Thinking about what she had just done, Shen Rong felt so embarrassed that she wanted to dig at the ground.
Lu Lin revealed a half-smile: "Are you lamenting that 100,000 silver dollars have gone by?"
"Um, I'm going to find my friend." Shen Rong made an excuse to slip away.
Seeing her flee in panic, Lu Lin chuckled softly. He took out a cigarette and went to the windowsill. A moment later, Feng Qing came looking for him.
"What are you two doing? You're so sweet and loving, why are you talking about divorce? I can see the way she looks at you."
Feng Qing nudged him, gesturing with her eyes: "Trust me, she looks like she likes you."
He's been with countless women, and he knows all too well what a woman's expression is when she falls in love.
Lu Lin gave him a disdainful look: "You should go see an ophthalmologist." So young and already has poor eyesight? Was she looking at him? She was looking at ten thousand taels of silver.
He had a cigarette in his mouth, but he didn't light it.
Feng Qing looked at the men and women inside the room: "I just saw that kid was here too. You're really going to leave her alone like this?"
Lu Lin, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, looked into the room, took a few puffs, and then stubbed it out before turning his head down: "She won't."
She didn't have it and couldn't bear to part with the 100,000 yuan!
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