Chapter 233

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Hey, hey......"

Lin Xiyu slapped her forehead, a bit annoyed: "Since you had this intention, you should've told me earlier. Just now at the Door, my attitude toward Li Liang was a bit harsh. Won't it affect the relationship between you two as a couple?"

"It won't......"

Wu Meng was very moved: "Those words you said are exactly what I wanted to say. It's just that I'm tongue-tied and couldn't say them out loud. You helped me say them, and listening to them made me happy and relieved inside too."

"As long as you don't blame me......"

Lin Xiyu gave an awkward smile: "I was a bit impulsive just now. Thinking about how your mother-in-law was clamoring to abort the child, I got so angry I couldn't stand it. I scolded him while carrying my own emotions. Looking back now, it was a bit too excessive......"

"I'm grateful beyond measure; how could I blame you?"

Wu Meng said sincerely: "You don't need to mind this. Just treat it as if I asked you to say it......"

"Alright then."

Lin Xiyu smiled with relief: "In the future, if there's anything you can't say out loud, let me say it. I'll act as your mouthpiece."

"Mhm, mhm."

Wu Meng listened and was amused, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Mengmeng......"

Grandma Gu considered things more thoroughly: "Don't blame Grandma for meddling. As for work, you still need to consider it. Wanting to have backbone in your husband's family isn't that simple to just say. You still need to have your own ability, to be able to earn money."

"I understand......"

Wu Meng smiled in agreement: "I was just thinking I must go out and find a job. I can't keep staying idle at home. Grandma just spoke up for me first."

"Take your time with work, no rush....."

Lin Xiyu had concerns: "You're still pregnant. Wait until the child is born before talking about it."

"You're not in a rush, but I am......"

Wu Meng smiled bitterly: "All the money I saved in Shanghai went into the house. Liangzi's monthly salary still has to pay the mortgage. Not much is left over. Not wanting to rely on the family, I can only go out to work."

"Mengmeng is an accountant. She doesn't do physical labor, so being pregnant isn't a hindrance."

Grandma Gu saw clearly: "It's just that work is hard to find. No employer is willing to hire a pregnant woman. After giving birth, there's still paid maternity leave. Private enterprises are all sharp operators; they calculate the accounts clearly. Unless you're the Boss yourself, there aren't so many concerns."

"Sigh."

How could Wu Meng not understand that what Grandma Gu said was all correct? Her brow and eyes dimmed, and she sighed deeply.

"Being your own Boss isn't impossible either....."

Lin Xiyu had a flash of inspiration and got an idea: "I have a good idea. Don't know if you're interested."

Wu Meng perked up: "What good idea? Hurry up and tell me......"

"I heard Nana say that now for after-school training, one term of English costs 600 yuan."

Lin Xiyu counted on her fingers: "Think about it. One child is 600. Ten is 6,000. Twenty is 12,000. If you can fill the class, in just twelve days you can earn 12,000 yuan. And that's only English, one subject. Add in other subjects, and wouldn't you make a killing?"

"Training classes make this much money?"

Grandma Gu was extremely surprised: "When dancing, I heard other old ladies mention that preschool education is popular now. Something about not losing at the starting line. They also have grandsons and granddaughters taking training classes. I didn't pay attention when I heard it. Thinking about it now, this really is a good business opportunity."

"I also think opening a training class is a good path."

Lin Xiyu nodded: "The only-child generation. Parents all value their children highly. With only one child, who doesn't hope their son becomes a dragon? All expectations are pinned on this one child."

"Mhm, mhm."

These words truly hit Wu Meng's heart. She subconsciously touched her stomach, her eyes showing anticipation: "I think the same way. There's only this one daughter. No matter how much money it costs, I have to raise her well. Can't let anyone look down on her. Especially my mother-in-law who favors sons over daughters. I must fight for face in front of her, make them understand the good of having a daughter......"

"Mothers of daughters are mostly the same, all thinking like you."

Lin Xiyu spoke with deep feeling: "Unless it's the kind of mother who herself favors sons over daughters, most people want their children to have a good future."

"You two chat slowly. I'll go out for a walk and call Ruirui back."

Grandma Gu wasn't interested in business talk. Fanning her palm-leaf fan, she stood up from the chair.

"I'll go."

Lin Xiyu stood up right after: "It's this late. You shouldn't go out. It's pitch black outside. Be careful not to fall."

"It's fine. There are streetlights. I can see."

Grandma Gu didn't mind. As she spoke, she lifted the Curtain and walked out.

Lin Xiyu watched her leave the Door, then returned to continue discussing the training class with Wu Meng.

Wu Meng had something to look forward to. She was excited beyond measure, pulling her to talk until the middle of the night before finally lying down to rest.

Lin Xiyu was also exhausted. Covering her mouth, she yawned, lay on the bed, and soon entered dreamland.

——

Early the next morning, Lin Xiyu was woken up by the children's happy laughter and noise.

Ruirui and a few little friends had agreed to go climb Qianfo Mountain. After eating breakfast, they'd gather at the Old House.

The children came very early. Before 8 o'clock they were all there, happily chasing and playing in the Yard, laughing and making noise nonstop.

"Damn it, I overslept."

Lin Xiyu heard the clamor, felt for her Mobile phone on the bedside table, took one look, and bounced up from the bed.

"What time is it?"

Wu Meng also woke up, drowsily rubbing her Eyelids.

"Almost 8 o'clock."

Lin Xiyu swung her legs out of bed: "I forgot about that. Today I'm taking Ruirui and them up the mountain, so I'd better get up. You've got nothing going on, sleep a bit more."

"I'm getting up too."

Wu Meng had been woken by her and lost all sleepiness: "You're not home, so I won't stay here either. I'm going back to my mom's place, and I'll talk to her about starting the training class while I'm there."

Lin Xiyu paused while dressing: "Aren't you afraid your mom will get frantic and go to war with your mother-in-law again?"

"Yesterday I had no confidence, didn't dare go back. Today it's fine."

Wu Meng had already worked out how to handle her mom: "I'll say her daughter's grown capable, dares to stand up to the in-laws, and from now on no one can make us mother and daughter suffer — not even the kid's dad."

"I think that'll work..."

Lin Xiyu laughed in agreement: "Your mom will definitely love hearing that. Her temper just won't take a loss — the more you're like her, the happier she is."

"Hehe, I think so too."

Wu Meng felt a little smug, rolled half a circle on the bed, and rolled to the edge.

"Can you roll like that? Don't crush the baby."

Lin Xiyu watched with a start, reached out to steady her.

"The baby's still small, can't be crushed."

Wu Meng didn't mind, propped herself up on her arm and sat up.

"You be careful now..."

Lin Xiyu laughed and chided: "You made such a stiff standoff with the in-laws for the baby — don't accidentally miscarry yourself."

"This fetus is a girl, it's steady."

Wu Meng wore a benevolent mother's smile: "Even the doctor doing the ultrasound said she looks especially sturdy, developing very well."

"Of course..."

Lin Xiyu agreed wholeheartedly: "Your Li Liang's head, that build — a daughter born from him definitely won't be short."

"My mom said the same thing..."

Wu Meng chuckled, slid off the bed: "Have a girl, looks like me, build like Li Liang, tall and good-looking — when she grows up she'll be stunning."

"Girl takes after dad?"

Lin Xiyu teased with a laugh: "That dream of yours probably won't come true. Fighting the bio dad for genetic inheritance — you'll definitely lose. Unless you have another one, the second child might look like you."

"Aiyo, that'd be trouble."

Wu Meng's face fell at that: "Just don't let her look like him but have my build — then she'd get all the flaws. How would she marry when she grows up?"

"What's wrong with looking like her dad?"

Lin Xiyu laughed and countered: "Li Liang's quite handsome — thick brows, big eyes, regular features. Just skin a bit dark, but that's from training in the sun all day. You, on the other hand, really aren't tall. Good thing the dad's genes balance it out — the girl won't be short either."

"The way you put it..."

Wu Meng wore a mournful face, a bit depressed: "All the strengths are his, all the weaknesses are mine."

"Hahaha."

Lin Xiyu found it funny, laughed and urged her: "Stop thinking, hurry up and change. After breakfast we'll go out together. Call me if anything comes up. When I get back from Qianfo Mountain, we'll discuss the partnership money-making thing."

"Mm."

Hearing about making money, Wu Meng's eyes lit up. She pulled the maternity dress on, changed quickly, and rushed out the door first.

"Auntie Mengmeng, hello."

Ruirui was in the yard playing with little friends. Seeing her, he happily greeted her.

"Hahaha, my son-in-law's getting more and more handsome..."

Wu Meng saw Ruirui, eyes brightening. She waved him over, teasing with a smile: "Ruirui, do you like little sisters? Auntie Mengmeng will have a little sister, and when she grows up she can be your wife — how about that?"

"Like."

Ruirui answered fast. Before he heard the last sentence, the word "like" was already out.

"Then it's settled..."

Wu Meng beamed with delight.

"Uh."

Ruirui, eight years old, already sensible. By the time he figured out what was going on, a certain unreliable "mother-in-law" had tricked him into a deep red face.

"Hahaha, Fu Zirui, you've got a wife?"

"Did I hear wrong?"

"Is this the legendary childhood engagement?"

Several little friends, loving the show, shouted at the top of their lungs to stir things up.

"I don't. Don't talk nonsense."

Ruirui's fair face turned from red to black. He waved his hand irritably, chasing off the whole crowd of onlookers.

"Hahaha."

Lin Xiyu pushed open the door just in time to see this scene, laughing until she couldn't close her mouth.

"Ruirui agreed."

Wu Meng turned to look at Lin Xiyu, smiling: "From now on us sisters, kinship on top of kinship — we're one family."

"I think it works..."

Lin Xiyu deliberately teased Ruirui, laughing in agreement: "Boy eight years older is just right. By the time he marries at thirty, he'll be mature and steady."

"Gagaga..."

A string of crows screamed past over Ruirui's head. A certain aunt who pits her nephew left him utterly speechless.

"Hahaha."

Lin Xiyu looked at his listless little expression and laughed even harder.

——

Upon learning her daughter was being mistreated by her in-laws, Wu's mother flew into a rage and was about to head out the door to confront her mother-in-law.

Fortunately, Wu Meng had prepared in advance; after much coaxing and persuasion, she managed to calm her mother down, averting a major confrontation.

Wu's father doted on his daughter; though he appeared calm on the surface, in private he called his son-in-law, asked him out, got him drunk on alcohol, and gave him a thorough lecture.

Both parents strongly supported her moving out of her in-laws' home, buying a house, and living independently, which deeply moved Wu Meng.

With her parents' consent, she and Lin Xiyu officially put the matter of opening a training class and going into business together on the agenda.

Starting a business required capital; after much deliberation, she decided to sell her Shanghai apartment and buy a small three-bedroom in Jinan.

The Shanghai real estate market was booming; selling was easy. On the third day after listing, it closed at 8,300 yuan per square meter, sold to an out-of-town merchant doing business in Shanghai.

The 170-plus square meter apartment sold for 1.4 million total; after deducting the bank loan and interest, she netted 850,000 — a roughly thirty percent appreciation compared to when she bought it a year ago.

——

No. 1 Courtyard, Xi Gengdao Street.

"Sigh, if I weren't in urgent need of money, I really wouldn't want to sell."

Wu Meng looked at the amount credited to her bank card, pursed her lips, and smiled bitterly: "Shanghai housing prices will rise again in a couple of years; selling now is definitely a loss."

"Jinan housing prices will rise too; selling now is still in time."

As expected of a good sister, Lin Xiyu's words of comfort hit the mark perfectly; every sentence reached the other's heart.

"This money is principal, to be used for the business."

Though Wu Meng still hesitated a little, her eyes lit up.

"Buying a shop won't cost that much......"

Lin Xiyu analyzed for her: "I've asked around; street-front shops near Lao Dongmen average 2,800 per square meter. We're just starting classes and won't have many students at first, so we don't need a huge space. Buying a shop of around 400 square meters will be enough. We'll each put in half. Counting renovation and hiring teachers, it's about 600,000 each."

"With the remaining 250,000, you can easily buy an apartment in the east district. At 2,100 per square meter, a 70-square-meter place would still leave you with 100,000 in hand. With that 100,000 as a cushion, plus Li Liang's salary, even if you don't earn money, you and your husband can live very comfortably here."

——

"Jinan's cost of living is so low....."

Wu Meng exclaimed with emotion: "Selling the Shanghai house and coming to live in Jinan, I instantly feel my standard of living has gone up. I don't have to be like before, haggling with street vendors over a few cents for vegetables."

"This is the difference between a small city and a big city."

Lin Xiyu felt the same deeply: "Compared to Shanghai's bustle and fast pace, Jinan suits us better. Although we earn less, expenses are also low, and life is more leisurely and comfortable."

"My car is still in Shanghai."

Wu Meng's mind turned quickly, and she thought of her car again: "I'll have my male cousin drive it back for me. Since we're doing business ourselves from now on, we absolutely need a car for face and convenience when going out on business."

"Makes sense."

Lin Xiyu agreed with a smile: "Speaking of cars, it's about time I got a driver's license too. I used to think women driving looked really cool, but kept putting it off and never had the chance to learn."

"I've been telling you to learn for ages....."

Wu Meng raised her eyebrows smugly: "You wouldn't learn, and now you regret it, right?"

"It's not that I don't want to, it's that Gu Bin won't let me....."

Lin Xiyu sighed with some resentment: "Whenever I mention learning to drive, he says he'll be my driver, that there's free labor so there's no need for me to trouble myself."