Chapter 370 - 369: Prepared to Separate

Xue Yue chuckled. "I’ve noticed that ever since you found out Gu Kai Zhi likes Daya, your attitude toward him has done a complete one-eighty."

He Lang nodded. "Absolutely. He’s got his eye on one of our own. This is about Daya’s future, so I have to hold everyone to the same standard."

"That’s true. Just think, if we’re already this worked up over Daya, how much more will we worry when Ruanruan starts dating?"

The moment He Lang heard that, his expression changed in an instant.

"Even if my daughter never marries, I can support her."

Xue Yue shot him an exasperated look. "Is Ruanruan supposed to never get married? Just stay by your side forever? Even if you’re willing, do you think our daughter would be?"

He Lang bristled. "Even if she does get married, it won’t be until she’s much older. Young girls are easily tricked. If some little punk dares to lead my daughter on, I’ll break his legs."

Xue Yue could hardly look at him. Whenever the topic of Ruanruan’s future marriage came up, He Lang would fly off the handle.

"Maybe Ruanruan should just find a man who’s willing to marry into our family. That’d save you some grief."

He Lang thought about it seriously. "That’s not a bad idea. I’ll have a good talk with my daughter when I have time."

Xue Yue: "..." ’This man is hopeless.’

At the end of November, Wang Hai’s apartments were ready. He called He Lang and told them to come see the places and pick up the keys.

He Lang and his family specifically chose a day when both Xue Xingzhou and Zhang Qian were off work to go together. They also brought Little Chen along, since one of the apartments was for him.

When their group arrived at Wang Hai’s sales office, they saw not only Wang Hai in the lobby but also Meng Ye.

The two were standing together. Although they weren’t doing anything particularly intimate, the way Wang Hai looked at Meng Ye made it clear their relationship was something special.

"Brother Wang, long time no see," Xue Xingzhou said, extending his hand first.

Wang Hai’s eyes lit up when he saw Xue Xingzhou. He took his hand and gave it a firm shake.

"I was wondering how that kid He Lang was going to live in so many apartments! So some were for you. No wonder you suddenly quit your job back home and ran off to Beijing City. So, where are you working now, my friend?"

Xue Xingzhou smiled. "Where else would I go? I’m still in the same line of work."

Wang Hai was surprised for a moment, then nodded in admiration. "That’s you, kid. Successful no matter where you go."

"Brother Wang, you’re too kind. After seeing this business of yours today... tsk, I’m filled with nothing but envy and jealousy."

Wang Hai roared with laughter. "Hahaha!"

Meng Ye said to Xue Yue, "You’re here to see the apartments?"

Xue Yue nodded and took the opportunity to introduce Zhang Qian to Meng Ye.

Meng Ye smiled at Zhang Qian.

Xue Yue lowered her voice and asked Meng Ye, "Are you and Brother Wang together?"

Meng Ye nodded. "Sort of."

Xue Yue was confused. "What do you mean, ’sort of’?"

Meng Ye glanced over at Wang Hai. He was laughing loudly at something, unaware of their conversation.

Meng Ye said with a placid expression, "I’m not going to get married, and I’m not going to have children. If he’s willing to maintain this... mutually beneficial relationship we have now, then we’ll stay together. If one day he wants to get married and have kids, then we’ll go our separate ways."

In truth, Meng Ye knew that she and Wang Hai would eventually part ways. She believed no man could go without having his own children, so she was always prepared for their separation.

Xue Yue frowned. She could tell that Meng Ye had probably developed real feelings for him. She tried to persuade her, saying, "Do you have to be so pessimistic? If you like him, why not give it a real try? Marriage isn’t as scary as you think. Look at me."

Meng Ye shook her head. "No, you’re not me. I don’t want to try, and I don’t have the courage to. At least this way, I won’t get hurt."

"Things are good now, really, Xue Yue. I think I’m experiencing what love feels like. But I still can’t understand my mother’s thinking. Can love really make a woman tolerate her husband having other women, and even children with them, and just never leave, right up to her last breath?"

Xue Yue couldn’t answer that question. She tried to imagine if He Lang had another woman, and children with her, besides herself.

’No.’ Just imagining it sent a heart-wrenching pain through Xue Yue. But she also knew that if she were ever truly in that situation, she would take her children and leave. She wouldn’t be like Meng Ye’s mother, clinging to a man until her own premature death.

Xue Yue squeezed Meng Ye’s hand. "You’re right. We aren’t you, and we can’t understand what you’re feeling. But I still wish you happiness."

Meng Ye smiled. "Thanks. Shall I show you the apartments?"

Xue Yue looked at her. "What? Are you involved in Wang Hai’s business too?"

Meng Ye grinned. "Sort of. He borrowed some money from my dad, and my dad put the loan in my name, so I guess I have a stake in it."

Xue Yue nodded. "That’s good too."

Wang Hai led them on a tour of the property. "These two high-rises have elevators installed. This stuff isn’t cheap. Besides government buildings, they’re a rare sight in Beijing City."

Xue Xingzhou laughed. "I bet these two buildings are a bit more expensive, then. The cost always gets passed down to the buyer."

Wang Hai chuckled. "Of course. I’m not in the business of losing money."

Little Chen said, "Even if they’re more expensive, people will still buy them for the elevators. It’s much more convenient, after all."

Wang Hai glanced at Little Chen and asked He Lang, "And this is?"

He Lang said, "My nephew, He Zichen."

Wang Hai nodded. "Tsk, a handsome young man. You know, he actually looks a lot like you."

Little Chen did have features that resembled He Lang. He Ze and He Lang already looked quite similar to begin with, and Little Chen was the one among He Ze’s children who resembled his father the most.

He Lang chuckled. "I did say he’s my nephew. How could he not look like me?"

Wang Hai burst out laughing. "You’ve got a point."

He then led them to the two large apartments that He Lang had chosen.

They looked around inside. Although they were still just bare shells, the apartments were spacious and filled with light.

"Hey, He Lang, if you’re thinking about renovating, I’ve got a renovation crew ready to go," Wang Hai said.

He Lang shook his head. "I’m not moving in right now, so I’m not in a hurry to renovate. We’ll see in a few years. The popular styles for decoration and furnishings might be different then. These places are for my kids, so I’ll need to get their opinions too. I’ll deal with it then."

He Lang looked at Xue Xingzhou. "What about you two?"

Xue Xingzhou waved his hand. "I’m not in a hurry either. My wife wants to pick a style she likes. Once we’ve decided, we’ll ask Brother Wang for his crew."

Wang Hai nodded. "Sounds good."

He Lang said, "My nephew’s place is the urgent one, so let’s get his done first. I have building materials, by the way. I can have them brought over for you."

When Little Chen heard that He Lang was even providing the building materials for him, he was deeply touched.

Wang Hai asked He Lang, "Have you already started work on that hotel of yours?"

"Yeah."

Wang Hai nodded. "Alright. You work fast, kid."

They toured all the apartments. Besides the difference in size, they were all more or less the same, except that the two large ones He Lang had chosen were suites.

Wang Hai put an arm around Xue Xingzhou’s shoulder. "It’s about that time. Let’s go. We haven’t seen each other in a while. I’ll treat you all to a meal."