Chapter 82: The Car is Rented

It was another beautiful day off. Early in the morning, Wang Yan and Andy went through their daily routine of morning exercise and breakfast.

Meanwhile, 2202 was bustling with noise.

Guan Ju'er and Qiu Yingying both had to work overtime as usual. The commotion was so loud that it was impossible for Fan Shengmei to sleep in. Helpless, she got up and stared blankly at the several large, designer bags that Wang Bochuan had sent, which were placed to the side.

Not knowing what she was thinking, she shook her head in irritation, got up, opened the door, and went out to wash up.

Seeing Fan Shengmei come out, Guan Ju'er said, "Sorry, Sister Fan, I disturbed your rest."

Smiling and shaking her head, Fan Shengmei said, "It's fine, I've slept enough. It's you two; Xiao Guan has an assessment at the end of the year, so it's understandable. Xiao Qiu, what are you doing it for? Wang Yan is your boss and treats you so well; I can understand your desire to improve, but it's one thing to work day and night on weekdays, but you're working on your day off too?"

"Oh, don't talk about me, hurry up and wash up, Sister Fan." She had said this many times and didn't want to say it again. She just couldn't understand what Fan Shengmei was thinking; one moment she wanted to rely on herself, the next she was looking for a good man. Qiu Yingying smiled honestly: "By the way, Sister Fan, I think Brother Wang, classmate Wang, and you are really a match as a handsome man and beautiful woman. And he treats you so well; he sent you such an expensive bag just like that."

Guan Ju'er on the side said, "That's right, Sister Fan, classmate Wang is truly good to you."

"It's not like what you two say. I reckon he was just stirred up by old feelings for me, not sincere. Otherwise, with his conditions, there are plenty of girls around him; how would it be my turn to be pursued?" Fan Shengmei, in the bathroom, rubbed her face, not wanting to talk about Wang Bochuan anymore, and changed the subject: "I feel like I haven't seen Wang Yan, Andy, or Qu Xiaoxiao much lately, especially Qu Xiaoxiao; she's afraid the world won't be in chaos, so why is she so quiet?"

Guan Ju'er said, "I saw Sister Andy and Brother Wang eating downstairs at our company two days ago. I haven't seen Qu Xiaoxiao either; she hasn't been feeding the stray cats outside lately either."

Qiu Yingying saw Wang Yan every day, so she didn't feel anything, thought for a moment and said, "That's right, Brother Wang asked us to set a time to eat; didn't we see Sister Andy at his place? But I really haven't seen much of Qu Xiaoxiao."

"Forget it, don't talk about that annoying Qu Xiaoxiao; it's good that she's not tossing about." Fan Shengmei said, "However, don't you think Andy and Wang Yan are getting quite close?"

"I think it's alright; I haven't gotten up early lately, but Brother Wang and Sister Andy have always exercised together in the morning anyway."

"Oh, hurry up and eat, Guan Guan, time is almost up. I've always thought Brother Wang and Sister Andy are a good match." Turning to Fan Shengmei in the bathroom, she said, "Mm, just like Sister Fan and classmate Wang."

Fan Shengmei laughed and shook her head: "Hurry up and eat, you're still talking about Xiao Guan."

Qiu Yingying smiled, didn't say anything more, and buried her head in eating.

Before long, a knock on the door sounded. Qiu Yingying ran over and opened the door: "Sister Andy, we'll be ready in a moment." After saying that, she rushed back to the room to pack her things.

Andy also had to work today, and since it wasn't far, they agreed to go together. "No need to rush, there's plenty of time." Andy said loudly, then turned to nod at Fan Shengmei, who had just come out: "How is the progress with that classmate Wang?"

"Xiao Guan told you, right?" Seeing Andy nod, Fan Shengmei said indifferently, "There's no sign of anything yet; what progress could there be? We're still getting to know each other."

Andy was just about to speak when Qiu Yingying shouted with her schoolbag on her back: "Guan Guan, let's go, let's go."

"Coming, coming, sorry Sister Andy." As she spoke, Guan Ju'er ran out and expressed her apologies to Andy.

"It's fine, it's still early." Shaking her head, Andy said to Fan Shengmei, "Then we're leaving, bye, Sister Fan."

"Goodbye, Sister Fan."

Fan Shengmei waved goodbye: "Bye."

Watching the tightly closed door and listening to the laughter coming from outside, Fan Shengmei sighed: "Youth is truly good~" She turned and returned to her room to start fussing with her face.

Qu Xiaoxiao, who was fast asleep next door, frowned as she heard Qiu Yingying's loud voice outside the door, but she didn't wake up in the end, turned over, and continued to sleep soundly.

Ever since the GI project failed last time, Qu Xiaoxiao's father had been somewhat dissatisfied with her, and Andy also had opinions about her. Qu Xiaoxiao thought she should cool down first; after all, when people were already annoyed with her, pushing herself forward was just looking for trouble.

For this past week or so, Qu Xiaoxiao had been eating, drinking, and having fun with a group of friends every day, wantonly venting her inner unhappiness and squandering her excess energy, but it had really worn her out.

Before long, a burst of cell phone ringing sounded. Qu Xiaoxiao closed her eyes and hummed as she felt around for her phone, but after feeling around for a long time, she couldn't find it.

The ringing continued, and Qu Xiaoxiao opened her eyes helplessly. With a bird's nest of hair, she reluctantly climbed up, followed the sound, and finally found the phone she had thrown on the floor and hidden under her clothes.

Picking up the phone and glancing at it, Qu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes and answered: "Mom~~ what is it calling me so early in the morning?"

"Still early? Look at what time it is..."

"Mom, if you don't say what it is, I'm hanging up, okay?"

"You child, really... Alright, Xiaoxiao, come back for dinner tonight. I just probed for information, and your dad is almost there. Tell me, can't you strive for something? Mixing with those fox friends of yours all day. Look at you..."

Qu Xiaoxiao hurriedly interrupted: "Alright, Mom, I know, I'll go back tonight." With that, she hurriedly hung up the phone.

Sitting on the floor thinking about how to deal with her father when she went back, Qu Xiaoxiao only felt hungry and dizzy. Shaking her head, she got up, washed up, and went out to eat breakfast downstairs.

When she reached the door of 2202, she remembered the voice of Qiu Yingying she had heard in her sleep this morning. Not knowing what these neighbors were doing lately, Qu Xiaoxiao stopped in front of the door and knocked "clatter-clatter."

Fan Shengmei, who was fussing with her face in the room, heard the movement, got up to open the door, and was stunned when she saw Qu Xiaoxiao standing at the door with dark circles under her eyes and a sallow complexion: "Yo, isn't this Miss Qu? How did you become like this after not seeing you for days? What's the situation?"

Ignoring Fan Shengmei's teasing, Qu Xiaoxiao said: "Sister Fan? I'll treat you to breakfast, are you going?"

"You're so kind? You must have a ghost in your heart, right? If you don't explain it clearly, I'm not going anywhere with you."

Qu Xiaoxiao said impatiently: "What bad intentions could I have? I just haven't seen you for a while and want to exchange feelings with you. Are you going or not?"

Looking Qu Xiaoxiao up and down, Fan Shengmei shrugged and said: "Then I'll accompany you once; I haven't eaten yet anyway. Wait for me to tidy up."

Qu Xiaoxiao stood at the door and looked inside, saying: "Sister Fan? Are you the only one at home?"

Fan Shengmei, who was washing her face, said: "It's just the two of us on the 22nd floor; they've all gone to work."

"Oh, I see." Qu Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said: "Let's set a time another day, I'll treat you all to dinner; we sisters on the 22nd floor haven't gathered since last time."

As for Wang Yan, she didn't even mention him. She didn't know what was going on with Yao Bin lately, as she hadn't seen him for a long time. The investigation into Wang Yan she had mentioned earlier had no follow-up; she guessed he had found out he was quite powerful and was embarrassed to tell her. Qu Xiaoxiao wasn't someone who didn't know the score; Yao Bin hadn't even pursued the beating he'd taken, so why would she, who had lost face, look for trouble? She had that much sense.

"Sure, let's coordinate the time later." Fan Shengmei changed her shoes and said: "Alright, let's go."

On the way, the two chatted and laughed. Qu Xiaoxiao asked Fan Shengmei about things during this period, mainly about Andy's movements.

Just as they left the residential area, Fan Shengmei saw Wang Bochuan making a phone call on the side of the road. She greeted him, hurriedly chased away the troublesome Qu Xiaoxiao, and then smoothed her hair and walked gracefully to Wang Bochuan's side.

Seeing that Fan Shengmei wasn't paying attention, Qu Xiaoxiao curled her lips, took out her phone, quickly took a photo of the car, and immediately sent it to Yao Bin, asking him to help check it.

Because Yao Bin hadn't been replying to messages very promptly lately, Qu Xiaoxiao called him directly.

The call connected, and without waiting for a reaction from the other side, Qu Xiaoxiao said: "Hey, Yao Bin, did you see the photo I just sent you? Hurry up and help me check the information on this car."

After pondering for a moment, Yao Bin said: "Okay, then wait a moment." He still couldn't bring himself to say no.

"No, what's wrong with you lately? Why are you so slow? I can't see you either? I look for you and you don't come out, what are you busy with?" Getting a satisfactory answer, Qu Xiaoxiao asked a series of questions.

Yao Bin was just about to explain when he heard Qu Xiaoxiao say: "Alright, that's it, be quick, I'll treat you to dinner later." Immediately after, there was the busy tone of the phone hanging up; Qu Xiaoxiao had hung up.

Looking at the phone in his hand, Yao Bin's face didn't look very good. He let out a long breath, sent the photo to a friend to check, and after waiting for a while, forwarded the information he found to Qu Xiaoxiao. Throwing the phone aside, he sat there and started to stare blankly. Memories surfaced in his mind, and Wang Yan's voice echoed in his ears………

Back home, Fan Shengmei scrubbed her clothes, thinking about the embarrassment and humiliation of Qu Xiaoxiao finding out that Wang Bochuan's car was rented while they were eating. She thought about what Qu Xiaoxiao had said about work, salary, beauty, playing around, and playing freely. She thought about Wang Bochuan's innocent promises in college, thought about their reunion, thought about Wang Bochuan's successful performance, and thought about the fact that Wang Bochuan's car was rented…

A burst of phone ringing interrupted Fan Shengmei. Seeing it was Wang Bochuan calling, she did some mental preparation before answering. She raised her voice and said: "Hey..."

Hanging up the phone, Fan Shengmei thought: "Having a dead horse to ride is better than being empty-handed; having a date is better than molding at home." She turned and hurried back to her room to put on makeup and dress up.

Qu family villa.

Qu Xiaoxiao said coquettishly: "Dad~ that cooperation didn't succeed, I didn't want it to either~ don't be angry, okay~" As she spoke, she shook Qu Yongquan's arm.

"That's right, Old Qu, Xiaoxiao is doing things for the first time; she hasn't been in contact with it before, so it's inevitable to experience some setbacks." Qu Xiaoxiao's mother also chimed in from the side.

Qu Xiaoxiao pretended to be pitiful with a slightly tearful voice: "That's right, Dad~ I really want to do things, I want to share some burdens for you and Mom. Seeing that you are getting older and have more white hair, I don't want you to be so tired, Dad~"

Sighing, Qu Yongquan really couldn't withstand this leaky cotton-padded jacket and said helplessly: "Xiaoxiao, after this time, you have an idea of your own abilities." Seeing Qu Xiaoxiao's eyes welling up with tears, her mouth wide open and about to cry, he hurriedly said: "Forget about that company of yours; it's the same as what I arranged before: go to the company and be a vice president, be an assistant to your Uncle Wang, and learn more from him."

"No, Dad, I'm just a decoration under Uncle Wang; I can't get involved in anything at all. When will my abilities improve? Give me another chance, Dad."

Qu Yongquan said somewhat unhappily: "Aren't you just messing around? This time..."

"Dad~ Qu Lianjie's company is losing so much money and you still let him be the president, so what's wrong with me? Didn't I just fail once?" Before he could finish, Qu Xiaoxiao burst into tears: "Dad, look at him, he has luxury cars and villas, what about me? I live in Ode to Joy, driving a beat-up car, you're just biased..."

Whenever this kind of thing was mentioned, Qu Yongquan was in a dilemma. He felt he owed Qu Lianjie, and here he was also felt to be biased. He stole a glance at Qu Xiaoxiao's mother on the side and saw her eating with her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart. Having lived together for many years, how could he not know what she meant? This was watching his performance; if she wasn't satisfied, the house wouldn't be peaceful.

No matter what, she was his own flesh and blood, so Qu Yongquan sighed and said: "Alright, alright, don't cry. You can manage that company of yours; I'll invest another sum of money for you as start-up capital, is that okay?"

As the words fell, Qu Xiaoxiao instantly turned from rain to sunshine, beaming with joy, and licked her face: "Thank you, Dad, I knew you loved me the most, love you." As she spoke, she went up and kissed him with her greasy mouth that had just finished eating meat.

Qu Yongquan wiped his face as if disgusted: "You're such a big girl, look at what you look like. I'm telling you, this time you must work hard; if there's anything you don't understand, ask Dad."

Qu Xiaoxiao ate and happily replied: "I know, Dad."

"Come, Old Qu, hurry and taste this dish, Auntie made it especially well today." As she spoke, Qu Xiaoxiao's mother picked up a chopstick of food for Qu Yongquan from the side.

The atmosphere at the dining table was good; the family of three was harmonious, chatting and laughing while eating.

At night, having handled her father, Qu Xiaoxiao returned to Ode to Joy, feeling satisfied, and prepared to have a good rest for the night, think about her grand blueprint tomorrow, and have a big go at it the day after tomorrow.

Just as she reached the entrance of the residential area, she saw Fan Shengmei, who was saying goodbye to Wang Bochuan and a client, walking away unsteadily.

Smiling, Qu Xiaoxiao stepped forward to get to know Wang Bochuan, took away a silk scarf that Fan Shengmei had knocked over, left a business card, and caught up with the drunken Fan Shengmei in front.

Because the others hadn't returned from overtime yet, Qu Xiaoxiao disdainfully sent Fan Shengmei back to her room. She glanced disdainfully at the clothes, shoes, and bags all around, twisted her waist, which wasn't exactly that, and left.

The next day, in the afternoon, at a private restaurant.

Qiu Yingying happily ate and said: "Didn't you lose out by not coming last time? But don't be sad, this time it's even more delicious than last time."

"Mm, it's truly delicious, Yingying, eat more." Guan Ju'er had no heart to pay attention to Qiu Yingying; she was looking at Wang Yan and Andy sitting opposite her, lost in thought.

Picking up a chopstick of food for Wang Yan, Andy noticed Guan Ju'er staring blankly at her and asked: "What's wrong, Xiao Guan? Not eating, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing Andy naturally picking up food for Wang Yan, Guan Ju'er really couldn't hold it in anymore; she would die if she didn't ask. After hesitating for a moment, Guan Ju'er said: "Brother Wang, Sister Andy, can I ask you a question?"

Andy looked at Guan Ju'er with a smile and didn't speak.

Wang Yan naturally knew what she wanted to ask, took a sip of wine, and nodded: "Yes, it's just as you think."

Guan Ju'er asked in surprise: "When did this happen, Sister Andy? Why didn't we discover it?"

Andy smiled: "It's been a while, it's just that we've been quite busy lately, especially since you haven't been running in the morning; it's normal that you didn't discover it."

"Look, Guan Guan, I told you, Brother Wang and Sister Andy are a good match." Qiu Yingying, who was eating wildly on the side, understood. She didn't feel anything was wrong; she even felt it was a matter of course, as it should be, and shouted: "Come, Brother Wang, Sister Andy, I wish you happiness." As she spoke, she filled her glass with wine and took a big gulp.

After persuading her to drink less, Wang Yan, Andy, and Guan Ju'er also had a drink.

"Oh, we were still guessing whether you and Brother Wang were together, I didn't expect you to have been together for a long time." Putting down her wine glass, Guan Ju'er said happily. Once the words were out, Guan Ju'er hurriedly waved her hand to apologize: "I'm sorry, Brother Wang, Sister Andy, we didn't mean to discuss you behind your backs."

Wang Yan greeted: "It's fine, what's there to be embarrassed about, eat, eat."

The atmosphere at the dining table picked up, and Qiu Yingying and Guan Ju'er started asking this and that, inquiring about how the two got together and so on. The meal was full of laughter, and they ate happily until nightfall before it ended.

Returning to Ode to Joy, Wang Yan and Andy were lovey-dovey, exchanging feelings, while 2202 was bustling with noise.

Fan Shengmei asked in surprise: "Really? Are they really together?"

Guan Ju'er nodded: "Really, Sister Andy said it's been a long time. Although I didn't ask, I reckon it started when they went on a business trip together last time."

"Sister Fan is still formidable, discovering the clues so early." Qiu Yingying said with a grin: "However, I'm not bad either; I've always said Brother Wang and Sister Andy are a good match."

Glancing at Qiu Yingying, Guan Ju'er said: "By the way, Sister Fan, should we tell Brother Wang about the man I saw downstairs at the company last time?"

Glancing at Qiu Yingying, Fan Shengmei said: "Are you stupid? Isn't that just Andy's ordinary friend? Why tell Wang Yan anything?"

"But you didn't say that last time, Sister Fan?" Guan Ju'er was puzzled.

"Oh, you just don't say it. Andy isn't that kind of person, what do you have to worry about?" Fan Shengmei said, and glanced at Qiu Yingying again.

Rolling her eyes helplessly, Qiu Yingying said: "Alright, you two, am I that kind of big-mouthed person?" Seeing their gazes, Qiu Yingying said confidently: "Alright, maybe I was in the past, but now I can definitely keep my mouth shut."

"I'll believe you for once." Fan Shengmei tapped Qiu Yingying's forehead, then slumped on the table: "Hey, they are both rich people, that life, tsk tsk..."

Guan Ju'er said: "Sister Fan, I think Brother Wang and Sister Andy are truly in love." Then she told Fan Shengmei what she had learned tonight, and Qiu Yingying added to it on the side.

After listening, Fan Shengmei said: "Mm, perhaps they are truly in love, but that is also the love of two rich people."

Qiu Yingying thought for a moment: "But Sister Fan, isn't classmate Wang very good to you? He bought you such an expensive bag and sent you a silk scarf yesterday. I think you two are also a good match."

Shaking her head, Fan Shengmei said: "You don't understand, this woman..." Then, Fan Shengmei started to instill her ideas into the two… ===== CHAPTER 83 =====