Chapter Twenty-Five: Visiting the Qin Family

Chapter 25: A Visit to the Qin Household

After hearing Chen Longming’s report, Lan Zhenghao cursed under his breath, "Damn it, that little brat. He’s already run off with my daughter, and now he’s causing trouble for me when he’s bored."

Zhuo Nan held Qin Chenfang’s hand and hailed a taxi back to the site of her street stall. The goods had been smashed to pieces by the urban management officers. Looking at the wreckage strewn across the ground, Qin Chenfang broke down in tears. She pulled her daughter, Qin Shanshan, into her arms, and the two of them wept together.

Watching this scene from the side, Zhuo Nan felt a pang of sympathy. These items were the mother and daughter’s only means of survival. Seeing them reduced to ruins, it was only natural for them to be heartbroken.

"Aunt Qin, please don’t cry. If the goods are gone, we can buy more. Life always gets better, doesn't it?" Zhuo Nan said, standing by her side and offering a gentle word of comfort.

Qin Chenfang looked blankly at the young man, feeling a surge of gratitude. If he hadn't been there today, the loss of the goods would have been the least of her worries—she might have ended up in the hospital, with nowhere to go for justice.

Wiping away her tears, she said softly, "Zhuo Nan, thank you. You're right. If they're gone, we’ll buy more. Life will only improve." She then pulled Qin Shanshan’s hand and said, "Come, let’s go home. Come over for a visit, and I’ll cook you something delicious tonight."

Zhuo Nan hesitated slightly. "Aunt Qin, there’s no need for dinner. I appreciate the offer."

Qin Chenfang wasn't having it and began to tease him. "Zhuo Nan, I can tell you’re from a wealthy family. You look down on us poor folk, don't you?"

Zhuo Nan waved his hands quickly. "Aunt Qin, what are you saying? I’m from a poor family myself."

"In that case, listen to me. We don't have much, but I can manage to cook a meal. Stay for dinner tonight; consider it a thank you from me." Since she had put it that way, it would have been rude for Zhuo Nan to refuse again.

He nodded. "Then I’ll be imposing on you, Aunt Qin..." Qin Chenfang smiled. "That's better. Shanshan, let's go home together."

Led by Qin Chenfang, the three returned to where they lived. This area was filled with old houses that had seen better days, and even the stairs were made of wood. Zhuo Nan followed the mother and daughter to a grey, two-story building. Qin Chenfang pointed to the second floor and said, "Shanshan and I live here. The place is a bit old, but the rent is cheap. Though, I’ve heard it’s going to be demolished soon. I don’t know where we’ll live after that." She sighed as she spoke.

Zhuo Nan, however, was unaware that the demolition Qin Chenfang mentioned was actually a project by his own company. He hadn’t seen Yang Yilin since she rejected his confession, so she hadn't told him about it.

Qin Chenfang pulled out her keys and said to Zhuo Nan, "Come on, let’s go up." She stepped onto the wooden staircase, which creaked incessantly. Zhuo Nan couldn't help but worry that the stairs might collapse at any moment.

Once inside, Zhuo Nan caught a whiff of mold. He frowned slightly, a small detail noticed by Qin Shanshan, who quickly apologized. "Brother Zhuo Nan, I’m sorry. The environment here isn't very good."

Zhuo Nan shook his head awkwardly. "I’m sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wasn't used to it for a moment."

Qin Chenfang smiled and took over. "Shanshan, pour Brother Zhuo Nan some water. Zhuo Nan, have a seat. I’m going to change my clothes."

With that, she walked to the other end of the room and pulled a curtain shut; it seemed that was where she changed.

Zhuo Nan scanned the room. There was a desk by the window, likely for Shanshan. Near where Qin Chenfang had gone to change, he noticed a bed and a wardrobe. Directly in front of him was an old-fashioned television—the kind without a remote control.

The home was as simple as it could be: a folding dining table, a few chairs, a TV (which sat on a dilapidated cabinet), a bed, a large wardrobe, and a desk. Aside from the television, there were no other electrical appliances. Zhuo Nan had always thought his parents in his "previous life" were poor, but he now realized there were people in this world even worse off.

Qin Shanshan brought the water to Zhuo Nan. Just then, Qin Chenfang emerged. She was wearing a loose cotton t-shirt that had lost its shape from many washes. Had she leaned over, she might have exposed herself, but she was so accustomed to wearing it at home and viewed Zhuo Nan as just a child that she didn't think much of it. She wore a pair of simple cotton-linen trousers. Despite the plainness of her outfit, there was something special about her.

It was only now that Zhuo Nan truly looked at Qin Chenfang’s face. The more he looked, the more she resembled someone he knew. With her oval face, long lashes, cherry lips, and willow-leaf eyebrows, her simple attire couldn't hide her natural beauty.

Seeing Zhuo Nan staring blankly at her, Qin Chenfang felt a bit embarrassed. "Zhuo Nan, what are you looking at? Is something wrong?"

Zhuo Nan smiled and withdrew his gaze. "Aunt Qin, you look a lot like someone I know."

Qin Chenfang was intrigued. "Oh? Who?" Qin Shanshan watched him with curious eyes.

Zhuo Nan shook his head. "If there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll bring her to meet you."

Qin Chenfang laughed. "Alright, you know the way now, so we can talk about that later." She checked the small clock on the table; the hour hand was pointing at five. "Oh my, it’s already five o'clock. I’m going to cook. Shanshan, keep your brother company..."

Hearing it was five o'clock, Zhuo Nan was startled. He had missed his class, and that bastard Lü Zihan would surely mark him as absent. But it didn't matter; he was transferring anyway.

Seeing Qin Chenfang head toward the door, Zhuo Nan asked, "Aunt Qin, where are you going?"

Qin Chenfang laughed. "The place is too small to cook in, so the kitchen is downstairs. Don't worry, it won't take long." Shanshan chimed in, "Brother Zhuo Nan, my mom’s cooking is delicious."

Qin Chenfang chuckled at her daughter. "You’re just a little glutton. Alright, stay with your brother, Mom is going to cook." She turned and headed downstairs.

Zhuo Nan and Shanshan began to chat. Shanshan was deeply fascinated by Zhuo Nan’s humor and vast knowledge. Having lived a sheltered life, she listened intently, laughing loudly at times and asking curious questions at others. They were having a wonderful time. Zhuo Nan smiled and asked, "Shanshan, is there any boy you like?"

Shanshan’s face turned bright red. Her mother had never talked to her about such things. She shyly shook her head. Seeing her ostrich-like reaction, Zhuo Nan was reminded of Fu Xinxin; their personalities seemed quite similar.

Suddenly, Qin Chenfang’s voice rose from downstairs, as if she were arguing with someone. The volume grew louder. Zhuo Nan pulled Shanshan along and rushed out, only to see an ugly-looking man grabbing Qin Chenfang’s arm with a lecherous expression.

Standing on the stairs, looking imposing and formidable, Zhuo Nan shouted, "Stop!"

His appearance came as a relief to Qin Chenfang. The ugly man was startled by the sudden shout and let go of her arm. When he saw who it was, he sneered arrogantly. "Damn it, I wondered why you weren't paying the rent. So you’ve been keeping a boy toy at home. I told you, if you spent one night with me, the rent would be waived. And you, you bitch, you’d rather keep a boy toy than pay me!" He raised his hand to strike Qin Chenfang.

Zhuo Nan lunged forward and grabbed the man’s wrist. He applied a bit of pressure, and the man winced in pain, immediately begging for mercy. "Ouch, ouch, it hurts! Let go!"

"You son of a bitch, I’ll teach you to watch your mouth." Zhuo Nan backhanded him, a sharp slap across the man’s face.

The man hadn't expected the young man to be so fierce. Having been caught off guard and struck, he pleaded, "Brother, brother, don't hit me, I’m just here to collect the rent..."

Zhuo Nan looked at Qin Chenfang, and seeing her nod slightly, he let go. The man rubbed his face and his wrist.

Zhuo Nan looked at him with disdain. "How much does she owe you? I’ll pay it."

Qin Chenfang stepped forward to stop him. "Zhuo Nan, don't..."

Zhuo Nan spoke in an uncompromising tone. "Aunt Qin, don't say anything."

Qin Chenfang stood by, silent. Zhuo Nan asked the man, "How much does she owe?"

The man tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Half a year’s rent—twelve hundred. Pay up if you have the money; if not, let the woman spend the night with me."

*Slap!* Zhuo Nan backhanded him again. "Damn it, I guess that first slap didn't hurt enough." He pulled out a wad of cash and slammed it into the man's face. "Here’s fifteen hundred. Take it and get lost. The extra three hundred is for your medical bills. Don't look at me like that—get out!"

The man clutched his face, grabbed the money, and prepared to leave, but couldn't resist a parting threat: "Kid, if it wasn't for the money, I’d have people cripple you."

Zhuo Nan flared up. "You son of a bitch, I’ll cripple you right now!" He made a move as if to chase him, and seeing this, the man turned and ran for his life without looking back.