After Lin Wan and Han Yi left, a few sister-in-laws at the small shop started gossiping about them.
Where there are people, there are always some busybodies, but Lin Wan didnât care. Besides her cousin and Sister-in-law Jiang, she would only say a few words to their neighbor, Gu Lin.
When the two returned home, they began working together in the kitchen. The weather was hot, so most of the dishes were cold. Only the scallion egg and braised fish were served hot.
Han Yi said that since it was just the two of them, there was no need to prepare too much. Lin Wan didnât know who it was coming, worried that it would be impolite if unprepared, so she stubbornly prepared seven or eight dishes.
Around five oâclock, when they saw Junzi and Tao Jia, Lin Wan suddenly smiled.
"Brother Junzi, Sister Xiao Jia, so itâs the two of you."
"Yes, what, didnât Han Yi tell you, recently weâve all been here?" Junzi was always straightforward in front of Lin Wan. He entered the house and casually threw his military hat onto the sofa, standing under the fan to cool off.
Tao Jia felt a bit uneasy because it was her first time meeting Lin Wanâs husband, who used to be considered a "brother."
"Xiao Wan, your home is really nice, the furniture is great." Women, when visiting others, always like to observe the homeâs decor, and Tao Jia was no exception.
"Yes, this furniture is indeed nice, bought it from a newly opened furniture store in the city; their stuff is all quite good. Sister Xiao Jia, are you also in Z City now?"
"Iâve been transferred to the military district in Z City. Itâs been more than two months already."
"Really? Then we should meet up often when weâre free; I donât have many friends around here."
"Sure."
The two women sat together and chatted non-stop, talking for a long time and getting to know each otherâs current situations.
Tao Jia learned that Lin Wanâs store had opened in Z City and it was agreed that after this big competition, she would go to see her store. Since she wasnât good at matching clothes, she could ask Lin Wan to help her put together a few outfits for her to wear during her off days.
Tao Jia is currently in charge of administrative work, which gives her quite a bit of free time and plenty of holidays. Since she moved here, she has made a few girlfriends, and when thereâs nothing to do, they go shopping or watch movies.
This has been the happiest time sheâs had in years.
Listening to Tao Jiaâs plans, Lin Wan couldnât help but worry for Brother Junzi, as it seemed there wasnât a place for him anytime soon.
When Tao Jia couldnât see, Lin Wan deliberately winked at Junzi. Junzi helplessly smiled, implying that there was no progress.
As a woman, Lin Wan understood that the issue between the two mostly lay with Tao Jia, who couldnât overcome a particular obstacle.
Every woman needs to be cherished, and she believed that as long as Brother Junzi persisted, one day he would move Tao Jia.
The opinions of family and the world wouldnât stand in their way at that time.
"Since Brother Junzi and Sister Xiao Jia came, and theyâre all familiar faces, why did you act so mysterious?" Lin Wan asked Han Yi while eating.
Han Yi smiled openly, "I thought you didnât know Tao Jia."
"I know her. Last year, Sister Xiao Jia came to the military district in S City and stayed at our place for a while. It was Brother Junzi who introduced her."
"I see."
However, Lin Wan still didnât understand what these two people had to do with Ye Qing. If there was a connection, it was only that Tao Jia and Ye Qing were a former wife and a current wife, nothing more.
Last time she gave Sister Xiao Jia the photos, and they successfully sent Mei Langchi into the reform-through-labor team.
While Lin Wan was puzzled, Brother Junzi suddenly started talking about the recent matters concerning Mei Langchi.
Only then did Lin Wan realize that all the evidence had been provided by Han Yi, and it was Brother Junzi who sent it out anonymously.
The affair of the two brothers plotting against another was executed flawlessly. Even though she was with Han Yi every day, she had no idea that amid his busyness, heâd done so much.
Even when Mei Langchi was able to get Ye Qing out, she knew what had happened inside.
Lin Wan was truly shocked by this.
She knew Han Yi was looking out for their family, but what about Brother Junzi? Lin Wan, puzzled, glanced at Brother Junzi, then at Tao Jia, seeming to understand something.
"Actually, you all donât know, when Ye Qing was in the labor camp, she killed someone. A woman who was often bullied by the boss lady in the team, so she came up with a plan to kill her before she left," Han Yi said when they mentioned Ye Qing.
"What? She even killed someone?" This was unexpected for Lin Wan.
"Why didnât you tell me earlier? If I had known, we would have put her in together, giving them a chance to play house," Junzi joked.
Han Yi was unfazed and smiled mysteriously, "That would be too easy for her. Actually, the woman comes from a powerful background. Now, that boss ladyâs family is looking for Ye Qingâs whereabouts. Iâve learned that their methods rival ours. With someone helping us clean up, we donât need to lift a finger. Why waste the effort?"
"Oh? Thatâs good. Where is this family from?" Junzi asked.
"People from the Li Family in S City, with some connections to the underworld. The daughter of this Li Family is close to this boss lady. Ever since Ma Guoguoâs death, theyâve been investigating her. Later they found out Ye Qing did it, and theyâve exerted quite an effort. Theyâve been looking for Ye Qing for several months now, wandering around Z City. I believe it wonât be long before Ye Qing meets her downfall."
Lin Wan hadnât expected this plot twist. Seems like sheâs been busy for nothing these days.
But it wasnât all in vain. "Ai Yi, do you know where those people are? I know Ye Qingâs shop address and where her workshop is. Havenât they found her yet? I can give them some intel."
"Iâll handle the rest. Just make sure you donât show up in front of them. Theyâre not easy to deal with."
"Right, Xiao Wan, the Li Family from S City not only has numerous methods but also a ruthless heart. This matter is for us men to handle; you stay put in your store,"
Neither Han Yi nor Brother Junzi wanted her involved, and Lin Wan remained silent. Just passing on a message is all. She didnât really intend to face them head-on...
Tao Jia knew about Mei Langchiâs matters; she was involved in them, but she wasnât very familiar with Ye Qingâs issue, only aware that Lin Wan had conflicts with her, and they turned out to be quite serious.
The men didnât want them involved, and they didnât object, for some people arenât to be meddled with; theyâre reckless.
Recently, Brother Junzi and Sister Tao Jia were stationed at the military quarters here, living in the barrack dormitories. Before leaving, Lin Wan specifically invited them to come over for meals at home whenever theyâre free.
After Brother Junzi left, he was busy to the point of being out of sight, but Sister Xiao Jia visited once; unexpectedly, Gu Lin opposite was an old teammate of Tao Jia.
Both were top-tech soldiers, and with Tao Jia around, Lin Wan and Gu Lin interacted more, and they got along quite well. This period was much more familiar than before.
Having a good friend here was also nice.
After Lin Wan stopped following Ye Qing, she relaxed at home for a few days, often hanging out with Gu Lin, digging wild greens nearby and chatting, and when Tao Jia was around, the three of them would have a meal together.
Life was quite leisurely, but Hanhan often clamored to see the Little Star whenever she saw her. Lin Wan thought itâs been almost a month, and now that sheâs not that busy, she could bring Little Star over for a while.
Early the next morning, Lin Wan drove to the store first. Having been away for a few days, Jia Tao managed it quite well.
Once there, Lin Wan first checked the accounts, and after collecting the funds, she went to the restaurant, finding Saozi busy in the hotel, so she didnât approach. She carried gifts directly to Momâs place, but Mom wasnât home, likely at Grandpaâs.
She then drove to Grandpaâs place, but upon arrival at the courtyard, she was greeted by a bunch of noisy kids, giving her a headache.
"Mom, Mom, I donât want to leave. I want to play with Brother Yangyang and Brother Shuo,"
Little Star pouted when Mom wanted to take her home, showing reluctance.
"Honey, how about Mom buys you a drawing board later? Mom recently saw a new, beautiful drawing board and colored pencils at the stationery store. Does Star want them?"
Lin Wan knew what could coax her daughter, and the promise of a drawing board made her daughter nod happily.
"The child enjoys playing here; why not let her stay? She plays happily with a group of kids every day, behaving exceptionally well." Liang Hongmei had been there nearly a month, initially only staying a few days, but due to Tuantuan crying at night, she had to take the two kids home in the afternoon.
"Mom, Iâm relatively free lately, with nothing much going on. Let me take care of Little Star; take a good rest."
"Your mother, aiming to take advantage of the kidsâ vacation to let you rest up. Once school starts, itâll be early mornings, cooking, sending and picking up the kids, never a momentâs peace." Auntie smiled, carrying a plate of watermelon from the kitchen, inviting her over. "If you miss the children, take them over for a few days, and weâll send them back later. Weâre here with your mom, and even their great-grandparents can play with them for a while. Donât worry about tiring us out. By the end of next month, Iâll have Brother Anliang bring Star and Yangyang directly to the courtyard. The kids need to go familiarize themselves with the place before school starts there."
"Auntie, Iâm just afraid of tiring you, look at that group of kids outside."
"The courtyard kids adore the pool Grandpa made here. The water is too cold in the morning, so they arenât allowed, but come afternoon, just like now, they are bustling around like windmills nonstop. Iâm sweating just watching them," Grandma said, sitting on the sofa, glancing at the TV while chiming into the conversation.
Lin Wan chuckled, "Grandma, arenât all kids like this?"