Chapter 40: Calmly In short, I won’t bother you again. …
That night, the Song family's old house, which had been silent for many days, welcomed the long-lost bustle. More lights were lit and there were more children's laughter.
Jiang Chengyou and Jiang Suisui were chasing each other in front of the bedroom door, just to grab an old red hydrangea.
The two didn't stop until Song Baoyuan appeared.
Jiang Suisui complained angrily: "My brother bullied me!"
"I didn't!" Jiang Chengyou retorted while making a provocative face.
"Okay." Song Baoyuan stood between the two of them to prevent them from fighting. "It's late, you should go to bed."
Jiang Suisui tugged at the corner of her clothes and shook her. "Mom, aren't we going home today?"
"This is home too."
Song Baoyuan picked up her daughter and looked around. "When I was your age, I ate, slept, and played with everyone here every day. This is my home, and of course, it's also yours and your brother's home."
"Then don't we have two homes?" Jiang Chengyou asked, looking up.
"That's right." Song Baoyuan freed her hand and touched his head. "From now on, Chengcheng and Suisui will have two homes."
Jiang Chengyou was stunned. He didn't know why, but he felt a little sad when he heard his mother's words.
When the moon appears late at night, people at home and people in the wilderness see the same moon.
Jiang Keyu leaned alone against a tree stump, staring at the sky in a daze.
"Boss." Tang Yuan walked over quietly and whispered, "You rest. I'll keep watch."
"No problem."
Jiang Keyu looked over at the sound and caught a glimpse of the book in his hand. She was confused. "A storybook? You're reading this and carrying it with you?"
Tang Yuan sat down on the spot. "I know this. I went on a mission with you, Boss. You're very efficient, so you must have some free time. So I put it in my pocket when I went out."
He dusted off the book. "Of course I'm not interested in this. It's my wife who likes it. Not only does she not put it down all day, she also cries and laughs while reading it. I want to take a look and see what's so special about it."
As he spoke, he opened the book.
Jiang Keyu was slightly surprised and couldn't help but look at her a few more times, "It seems that you and your wife have a very good relationship."
Hearing this, Tang Yuan sighed, "I'm not as confident as you, Boss. My wife is hard-earned, so I have to cherish her. My wife isn't as considerate as my sister-in-law. We're so busy at the Dali Temple, so I can't help but neglect her. If I don't treat her with more care to make up for it, she'll get into trouble with me."
Make trouble?
Jiang Keyu asked curiously, "What's going on?"
"She'll just ignore me first. If I don't coax her quickly, she'll throw my pillow and bedding out and won't let me sleep in the bedroom!" Tang Yuan said, sounding extremely aggrieved. "If I still don't coax her, or if coaxing doesn't work, she'll go back to her parents' house and say she doesn't want me anymore."
Jiang Keyu raised an eyebrow, "You want a divorce?"
"That's not the case."
Jiang Keyu was stunned.
"Can you just talk about divorce?" Tang Yuan looked frightened. "How much of a jerk do I have to be to let my wife bring up divorce?"
Jiang Keyu: “…”
"Besides, how many women in this world would take the initiative to ask for a divorce from their husbands?" Tang Yuan chatted as he flipped through the storybook. "If there really were such women, as a man, forcing a woman to ask for a divorce would be a complete failure."
Jiang Keyu: “…”
He pursed his lips and remained silent for a long time.
*
At noon the next day, customers were coming in and out, and everything seemed normal in the teahouse.
Chang Yunbai stood in front of the door for a while, seemingly lost in thought. Only when he vaguely saw the child in the teahouse did he walk in confidently.
Just as he stepped over the threshold, an arm was placed in front of him.
Cen Zhou had no expression on his face and didn't say anything, he just stopped him.
Having previously had a negative impression of each other, Chang Yunbai didn't bother to argue and moved to the left, trying to avoid him. But Cen Zhou was also stubborn, blocking every move he made, without saying a word, but his attitude was clear.
Chang Yunbai was slightly annoyed, but he didn't get angry. He just asked, "Is this how you open a business?"
Cen Zhou said nothing and did not give in.
Zhang Lao, who was passing by with tea, heard the question. After delivering the tea, he trotted back and bowed with a smile, "Master Chang, what brings you here?"
"Can't I come to your place to drink tea and listen to music?" Chang Yunbai looked unhappy.
Guests are welcome, and Cen Zhou's behavior was a bit impolite. Zhang Lao tried to pry his hands open, but this boy was not only stubborn but also very strong.
"Haha, of course you can come, welcome!" Zhang Lao was a little embarrassed and lowered his voice, "What are you doing?"
"He must be here to cause trouble again." Cen Zhou concluded coldly.
Zhang Luo was getting anxious. "That can't be the case. What will the other customers think if they see this?"
Upon hearing this, Cen Zhou glanced around and saw that no one was looking at him, so he ignored it.
They blocked the door for a while, and Xu Pingsheng came over in surprise, "What are you doing?"
Zhang Lao seemed to have seen a savior. He nodded his chin, pointed at Cen Zhou, and spread out his hands to express his helplessness.
Xu Pingsheng greeted him warmly, "I was wondering where this gracious guest came from. It turns out it's Master Chang who's here. Come in and have a seat!"
Chang Yunbai sneered, "Your guys don't seem to be very welcoming."
"How could that be?" Xu Pingsheng also took action and pulled Cen Zhou.
But Cen Zhou stood in front of them like a piece of iron, with a strong body, and was completely unable to be "shaken" by a weak man like him.
He had no choice but to reason quietly, "He hasn't done anything yet, and you're accusing him? How can you stop us like this? Get out of the way."
Cen Zhou remained motionless, still asserting, "His coming is definitely not good."
Unable to make sense, Xu Pingsheng had to change his approach and softened his tone, "Just consider it as giving me some face, okay?"
Cen Zhou ignored him.
"It seems my reputation isn't big enough." Xu Pingsheng shook his head and glanced at Zhang Lao. "Go and invite someone with more reputation."
"Ah?" Zhang Lao didn't react for a moment, and only realized it when his eyes met, "Oh oh oh!"
Hurrying upstairs.
The longer he waited, the uglier Chang Yunbai's expression became.
Xu Pingsheng had no choice but to smile and say, "The child is ignorant, I hope Master Chang will forgive me."
After a moment, a gentle voice came from upstairs, "Cen Zhou, get out of the way."
Cen Zhou looked up and saw Song Baoyuan coming up the stairs, then he reluctantly made way.
He retreated behind Song Baoyuan, his expression and posture full of vigilance and even hostility.
"Uncle Chang!"
Jiang Suisui, who noticed the excitement, ran over and was even happier to see that it was an acquaintance.
When Chang Yunbai saw her, the unhappiness on his face immediately disappeared. He smiled and picked her up, "Sui Sui is here too."
"Yes, yes!" Jiang Suisui smacked her head, looking very cute.
Song Baoyuan wore a polite smile on her face, "If Mr. Chang comes for tea, please come inside and sit down."
Chang Yunbai walked a few steps inside and looked around, but was not in a hurry to find a place to sit down.
"If you feel the lobby isn't suitable for your status, we have private rooms on the second floor."
"It doesn't matter if I'm not a famous person." Chang Yunbai said casually, "I just want to find a place where I can see the kitchen."
Song Baoyuan was not surprised at his words. "That's not true."
"Why does Uncle Chang want to check the kitchen?" Jiang Suisui asked with his head tilted.
Chang Yunbai smiled at her and said, "Because Uncle Chang heard that you have a sister here who makes delicious cakes."
"It's Sister Heyue!" Jiang Suisui answered quickly, "Uncle Chang, do you want to eat the cakes made by Sister Heyue? You said you are Suisui's good friend, so Sister Heyue will make you the most delicious cakes!"
"Really?"
"Yeah!" Jiang Suisui said proudly.
Song Baoyuan hesitated to speak. Sui Sui was just a child after all, and it would be difficult to explain it clearly even if she tried to explain it to her.
Chang Yunbai coaxed Jiang Suisui in a childish tone, "Then Suisui will go and tell Uncle Chang that Suisui's good friend is here, and ask Sister Heyue to make the most delicious cakes and send them over, okay?"
"good!"
Jiang Suisui agreed generously, jumped out of his arms, and immediately ran to the kitchen.
Chang Yunbai turned around and said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. I was too impatient before. I promise that anything that makes you embarrassed will never happen again."
I hope so, Song Baoyuan thought, "Then, Chang will be in charge as usual. If there is anything, just call the waiter."
Song Baoyuan turned and left, but she was still worried. After thinking for a moment, she went up to the third floor.
*
Chang Yunbai finally entered the most secluded private room. Speaking here, even if it was loud, would not easily attract attention.
He waited quietly, and soon someone brought tea in. But he was a very strange person, with no manners, and he wore a bamboo hat and didn't show his face.
Chang Yunbai was puzzled, thinking that this teahouse only attracted strange people.
Although he was very dissatisfied with the hospitality here, he did not say anything, adhering to the principle of less trouble is worse than more.
But the man who brought him tea went back and forth seven or eight times, set up a table full of food and drinks for him, and even ate secretly in front of him!
Chang Yunbai couldn't stand it any longer, "I didn't order so many things."
"I ordered it for you," the man said as he ate. "You have to pay!"
The voice sounded familiar. Chang Yunbai was stunned for a moment, then he slapped his hat and lifted it up. "Gao Luoshu? Why are you here, and you look like a ghost!"
The slap marks on Gao Luoshu's face were much lighter than yesterday, but one of his eyes was still black.
He groaned, "I'm working here, with free food and lodging. But what are you doing here? Harassing Zhou Heyue?"
"How can you talk like that!" Chang Yunbai was furious.
"I heard that you almost raped a girl." Gao Luoshu looked at him with contempt.
Chang Yunbai resisted the urge to make his other eye symmetrical, "What do you know? You're just talking nonsense here!"
"I don't care anyway. With me here, you can't do anything illegal!"
Gao Luoshu was serious and made a gesture of blinding his eyes, indicating that he would keep staring at him, "And..."
He knocked on the cluttered table and said, "Remember to pay."
Chang Yunbai: "..."
“Bang, bang.”
There was a gentle knock on the door.
"Come in." Gao Luoshu said without hesitation.
The door was pushed open, and Zhou Heyue was holding pastries, with Jiang Suisui beside her.
"Uncle Gao!" Jiang Suisui trotted in after discovering something new. "Your eyes are so cute! How did you get them? I want one too!"
"Hmm..." Gao Luoshu suddenly had an idea, "Drawing! If you like it, uncle will draw one for you later."
"good!"
Gao Luoshu gathered the child to his side and waved to Zhou Heyue who was still at the door, "Come in, it's okay, I'm here."
Zhou Heyue was not afraid of anything, just a little embarrassed.
She put the cake down and was about to leave. But as expected, she heard Chang Yunbai say, "I have something to tell you."
She hesitated for a moment, but stayed.
Chang Yunbai opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
After a long time, he turned his head to look at the two people, one big and one small, who were staring at him.
"Don't you think you're a bit redundant?"
"No." Gao Luoshu's face was full of sincerity, and he grabbed Jiang Suisui's arms and danced with them.
Chang Yunbai: "..."
Just as he was about to speak, the door was pushed open without warning, and then Jiang Chengyou poked his head out, "Uncle Chang, Uncle Gao."
"Why is Chengcheng here too?" Gao Luoshu immediately waved to welcome him.
But Jiang Chengyou didn't come in. He held the door with one hand and put the other hand to his mouth, whispering, "Dad is back!"
"Bang!"
"Daddy is back!"
Jiang Suisui jumped excitedly and bumped into Gao Luoshu's nose, causing him further injury and making him suffer inconsolably.
Jiang Keyu was exhausted. After sending the suspect away and handling some trivial matters, she wanted to go home to rest before coming to the teahouse to pick them up.
But when he learned that Chang Yunbai was coming, he didn't waste any more time and went straight to the teahouse.
When he came in, he didn't see Song Baoyuan, but he saw Jiang Chengyou, who was as scared as a mouse seeing a cat when he saw him.
Thinking that this kid had "committed trouble" again, he followed him, but unexpectedly he found Chang Yunbai directly.
His appearance was so sudden that Chang Yunbai and Gao Luoshu were stunned.
Jiang Keyu grabbed her son by the back of his collar like a chicken and asked, "Why are you running away? What did you do when I was away?"
"I didn't run away!" Jiang Chengyou defended himself, "I just wanted to tell my sister the good news that Daddy is back!"
“Daddy!”
Jiang Suisui rushed over, and Jiang Keyu naturally let go of Jiang Chengyou, freeing her hands to hug her sweet and soft daughter.
"Do you miss Daddy?"
"think."
Jiang Keyu was coaxing her daughter gently one moment, and then she looked coldly into the house the next, "I remember I told you two not to come here."
Chang Yunbai turned his head away and sneered, "Is it your business?"
"I can't control others." Jiang Keyu walked into the house, "But I have to control you two even if I can't."
He glanced at the uneasy Zhou Heyue and said slowly, "You go and get busy first."
"Don't talk to her like you're giving orders to a servant!"
"What's it to you how I talk to my own people?"
"What kind of family do you mean?" Chang Yunbai stood up, fearing he would lose his composure. "Have you forgotten that you've already divorced?"
Jiang Keyu was furious as if someone had stepped on her tail, "Do I need you to remind me? I..."
"What are you doing!?"
The sudden interruption of a female voice put an end to the escalating quarrel.
It was Song Baoyuan who came after hearing the news.
As soon as Gao Luoshu heard her voice, he ran out and hid behind her as if seeking shelter.
Hearing her voice, Jiang Keyu froze inexplicably and unconsciously hugged his daughter tighter.
"Look at this place. They're quarreling in front of the children. How outrageous!" Gao Luoshu accused with a righteous look on his face.
Jiang Suisui opened her big innocent eyes and snuggled in her father's arms.
Chang Yunbai couldn't hide his anger, "It's inexplicable."
I don’t know who he was scolding.
Seeing that something was wrong, Zhou Heyue also walked behind Song Baoyuan.
Chang Yunbai thought she was going to leave, and hurriedly tried to stop her, "I haven't said anything yet."
Zhou Heyue stopped again and looked back at him, as if waiting.
One, two, three, plus two children were all present. Chang Yunbai was angry and helpless, "Can you please step aside first?"
"Hurry up and say what you want to say," Gao Luoshu urged. "Don't waste her time. The kitchen is still waiting for her."
"What do you all say to me?"
Jiang Keyu snorted coldly and asked lightly, "Are you ashamed to be seen?"
"You..." Chang Yunbai clenched his palms.
If the woman and child hadn't been there, the fist would have definitely hit him in the face.
Zhou Heyue felt that she could no longer remain silent, so she stood up and said, "If Master Chang doesn't have anything important to do, I'll go first..."
"have!"
Chang Yunbai had no choice. He had clearly chosen a day when Jiang Keyu was not around, but who knew that this guy would come back so soon.
And there is Gao Luoshu, the troublemaker.
"I have arranged everything. You can come back with me now. I will welcome you as my concubine."
Zhou Heyue was stunned.
Before she could respond, Gao Luoshu frowned and asked, "Did my sister-in-law agree?"
"Can you please shut up?" Chang Yunbai glared at him, then turned around and whispered, "You don't have to worry about what Lu Shuran will do to you. From now on, she will live in the East Courtyard and you will live in the West Courtyard. I will be the one who takes care of you, not her."
"No thanks." Zhou Heyue was so firm for the first time. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Chang, but I am living a good life now and don't want to change."
"But we..."
"No buts!" Zhou Heyue bit her lip. "If Master Chang still has feelings for me, don't mention this matter again."
She turned and ran, only briefly exchanging glances with Song Baoyuan along the way.
"He..."
Chang Yunbai subconsciously wanted to chase after him, but was blocked unintentionally by Jiang Keyu who was standing at the door.
"Why bother?" Gao Luoshu sighed. "You gave up on her back then, and now she doesn't want you. It's even."
"But I had no choice back then!"
"But it's a fact that you gave up on her!" Gao Luoshu said indignantly, "Even though you're my friend, I have to be fair. You gave up on her because you weren't a good match for her, causing her to be ridiculed by so many people for not being able to marry into a rich family. This is a fact set in stone!"
Jiang Keyu bent down silently, put her daughter down, and gestured to her son to take his sister away.
Chang Yunbai knew he was in the wrong, but he still didn't give up. "I know I'm sorry for her, but am I not making amends?"
"I don't want her." Jiang Keyu said suddenly, "You've already wronged her, so don't wrong your sister-in-law again. How can your sister-in-law save face by taking a concubine with such fanfare?"
"When have I ever been sorry to Lu Shuran? I gave her whatever she wanted. I always gave her enough face no matter when, where or in front of anyone."
Chang Yunbai didn't understand. "I just wanted to take a concubine. Is that too much? If she had agreed readily, why would it be so troublesome now? She's the one who made this a big deal!"
Gao Luoshu raised an eyebrow. "You want both an arranged marriage and true love? Where in the world can you find such a good thing? If I were you, I would have been stubborn from the beginning and never remarried. I would have been faithful to my husband forever. You said your father forced you to do that, but there are no parents in the world who can really force their children to do what they want. You just didn't try hard enough."
"That's easy for you to say. You're the only son your father has, so of course you can get away with it!"
Chang Yunbai became more and more annoyed as he spoke, and turned away with a flick of his sleeves.
Gao Luoshu pouted, unable to think of any rebuttal.
He grinned, attracting Jiang Keyu's attention.
"Didn't I tell you not to cause trouble?"
"How have I caused any trouble?" Gao Luoshu stood behind Song Baoyuan with confidence, "I stayed, but Madam Song allowed me to."
Jiang Keyu frowned, and looked at Song Baoyuan with a somewhat evasive gaze, "You don't have to bother with him because of me."
Song Baoyuan didn't even look at him. "It was indeed me who asked Master Gao to stay. Besides, it has nothing to do with you, Jiang Shaoqing."
Jiang Keyu was slightly stunned, and her hands under her sleeves revealed a bit of helplessness.
She couldn't escape anymore, Song Baoyuan thought, so she raised her head and forced herself to look him in the eye.
"Are you here to pick up Chengcheng and Suisui?"
Jiang Keyu nodded, "I can take them with me until you're done, and then we can go home together."
Song Baoyuan paused and said coldly, "I won't go back with you. Not in the future."
"But..." Jiang Keyu's eyes paused, "Chengcheng and Suisui still need you."
"I've already told them that they have two homes," Song Baoyuan said seriously. "On weekdays, they'll stay with you. When they miss me, I'll take them back to the old house to stay temporarily."
She said succinctly, "Anyway, I won't bother you again."
After saying that, she turned and left.
This time, the pace was much more leisurely.
Jiang Keyu unconsciously followed and walked forward a few steps, suddenly feeling a sense of sadness as if she had been abandoned.
As if he had finally found the opportunity to take revenge, Chang Yunbai, who was still anxious, strode up to him just to say two words.
“Serves you right.”
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