Chapter 709: A House for Li Jia

I lived in Niushiling for about a week.

In a few days I plan to ask Li Jia roughly when she'll return.

We'll go to Huaihai again, first to see Ancient City,

and second to look for Zhuang Shi again.

Relationships require constant movement and contact; otherwise, over time everything fades.

During this period, Ru Meng, Xiao Shitou and I went to the hospital to visit Zhou Wei,

Zhou Wei's condition is truly improving.

He previously needed artificial liquid feeding.

Now he can be fed solid food artificially,

She can swallow food on her own.

Although she is still not conscious and still cannot speak,

her gaze is noticeably different from before.

This shows that the medicine prescribed by Director Zhang of Sijiucheng is effective.

And the most important point is that the special care is all handled by Fang Rui.

That kid is really great, cleaning up Zhou Wei thoroughly,

even a biological daughter wouldn't serve so meticulously.

I thank Fang Rui from the bottom of my heart.

But when Fang Rui saw us, her eyes turned red. Although I didn't speak with her,

we both felt uneasy inside.

Whether the matter between Xiao Long and Fang Rui can succeed is entirely unknown.

Also, Li Ming has dragged me into it,

making me even more embarrassed.

How to put it, I have no way to comfort this ill-fated girl.

Perhaps this suffering is destined for her, making her growth harder.

That is the price of growing up.

No one can replace it.

After seeing Zhou Wei, I didn't go to Xin Cheng.

I went straight back to Niushiling.

Yang Tao wanted to come to Niushiling to find me, but I refused.

I don't want Yang Tao to come,

if she comes, it would affect me badly.

The village even loves to talk about these matters.

Qian Niang also doesn't want me to become a topic of gossip in the village.

But Yang Tao told me over the phone that she can persuade Li Ming to accept the marriage between Xiao Long and Fang Rui.

When I heard that, I thought it's great that Yang Tao can persuade.

After all, Yang Tao is an outsider; when she speaks, Li Ming changes.

I hope she can convince Li Ming so that the father‑son gap is bridged soon.

and ease Qian Niang's pain.

I told Qian Niang about Yang Tao's plan to persuade Li Ming.

Qian Niang only sighed, saying nothing.

She didn't know what to say in her heart.

Whenever the matter of Xiao Long and Fang Rui is mentioned,

everyone's thoughts become as heavy as stone.

Fine, I won't meddle any more; whether it succeeds or not, I don't want to ask.

After the tenth day of the New Year, the festive atmosphere in Niushiling quietly faded,

and everyone returned to normal life.

I found Li Jia's phone number,

dialed it,

the call connected quickly,

and Li Jia's cheerful voice came through,

"Hello, Mr. Zhao."

"Hello, Li Jia, have you seen the child?" I asked.

"I have. We're playing together now," Li Jia said.

"That's great. When do you plan to return to Zaocheng?" I asked.

"I think I'll wait until the child starts school. There's still a week left.

Sigh, I've been giving the child extra lessons these past few days.

The education here really is lacking.

I plan to bring the child over once things settle in Zaocheng, so she can receive education in Xin Cheng," Li Jia said.

"I support you. You'll need to obtain your ex‑husband's consent, since the child's custody isn't yours," I said.

"We have already negotiated,

He basically agreed; he also wanted the child to have better education for future development.

Moreover, I can compensate him with some money.

Actually, it's still because of interests.

I have already promised to give him 500,000.

He then agreed to transfer the child's custody to me.

"After I return, I will start preparing these things; I want to buy a house in Zaocheng to prepare for the child's future transfer to another school," Li Jia said.

"This is very simple, just small matters; I'll handle the house issue for you. In short, leave all your troubles to me to take care of."

"No need, Mr. Zhao; you've already given me too much. Without your 500,000, I couldn't even fight for the child's custody. I'll handle the house myself; I'll go back to Zaocheng and rent a place to stay first," Li Jia said.

"Li Jia, listen to me; you don't need to ask about the house matter."

"Also, let your child wait a few more days before coming over; our matters haven't started yet, and you can't split your energy."

"Do you understand what I mean?" I said seriously.

"I understand, Mr. Zhao; I got it, don't worry. Even when the child comes later, it won't affect my work," Li Jia said.

"That's fine; I won't say more. I'll hurry back when the child starts school. I'm still waiting for you; we're preparing to visit Zhuang Shi together."

"Okay, Mr. Zhao, I understand. Goodbye, Mr. Zhao," Li Jia said.

"Goodbye, Li Jia." I said and hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone,

I found Xiao Shitou's phone number and called him; Xiao Shitou had already returned to work at Da Heng Group.

"Xiao Shitou, the two apartments your Uncle Xiao Hua gave you last time—one was given to your Uncle Li Ming, the other—do you still have the key?" I asked.

"It's in my hand; you didn't tell me to arrange for me, letting me keep it all along,

so I can use it later," Xiao Shitou said.

"Xiao Shitou, that apartment, find a renovation company to fix it up.

I'll cover the cost. After the renovation is done, give me the key."

"Okay, Dad. How do you plan to renovate the apartment? You're not living in Niushiling anymore," Xiao Shitou asked.

"Don't ask; I'm preparing to give it away," I said.

"Then I understand, Dad; after it's renovated, I'll give you the key," Xiao Shitou said.

After hanging up Xiao Shitou's phone,

I was thinking in my heart,

Don't look at the fact that nothing is happening now, calm and peaceful; actually it won't be long before

many things could happen.

I'm worried that Wang Ge will come to Zaocheng early and ask me and Yang Tao for the genuine contract.

Then together they'll go to Da Heng Group to demand money.

By then, it will be equivalent to turning against each other.

What will Wen Han think.

If we don't give Wang Ge the genuine contract, we'll also offend him.

The plan that Zhu Sheng and I designed to bring in the Liu family,

now hasn't even gotten off the ground.

We and Zhuang Shi have only just become acquainted,

and haven't yet reached the point where we could be considered insiders; otherwise they wouldn't recommend the Liu family behind them.

So, I hope Li Jia returns soon so we can go together to visit Zhuang Shi again and deepen our relationship.

Li Jia is very important,

giving this house to Li Jia is very necessary.

Believe that the investment in Li Jia will yield returns.

Whenever I think about Da Heng Group's 400 million yuan matter, I feel extremely irritated inside.

This matter is like a huge stone pressing on my heart,

making it hard for me to breathe.

During these days I've lived in Niushiling, Qiao Jie and Qian Niang took turns making tasty dishes for me every day. Qiao Jie was very happy.

Although there is no longer any possibility between me and her.

But she thinks that as long as I'm by her side, I am her man.

I also can't be bothered to explain to her.

Ru Meng this girl, whenever I see her I get angry; she clings to her tablet computer all day and won't put it down.

Because of this, we've argued several times. However, between us father and daughter, nobody can convince the other.

Qian Niang can only mediate in the middle.

In educating children, I really can't claim to be very successful.

Ru Meng is not as well-behaved and obedient as she was when something happened,

as soon as things are safe and sound, the little princess's temper flares up immediately.

She speaks in a high-and-mighty tone, ordering Qiao Jie to do this and that.

Qiao Jie in front of her is just like a servant.

I've told her several times, but she simply doesn't listen.

Sometimes I feel powerless when facing the children.

But Qiao Jie is quite happy to serve Ru Meng.

I look forward to the start of school, so I can hurry Ru Meng off to school; that way I won't see her, and my heart won't be troubled.