After Xiaxia finished speaking, her watery eyes were full of anticipation, the implication almost overflowing the screen.
"And also, where's my dad's big airplane?"
After finishing telling her father what she remembered to say, Xiaxia started talking about other things aimlessly.
"Father, look, Xiaxia is in your room now, and your bed smells so good."
The original owner liked to stay up late, so Xia Xia basically never lived with him. This time, Xia Xia had to coax and plead with Chu Qing while he was taking a shower before he finally agreed when he softened.
"It smells so good! Xiaxia even brought her little pillow with her. Tomorrow, Xiaxia will say she left her little pillow here and come back to mooch off her for another day!"
After showing off, the little guy belatedly realized that he was facing a bad father, and immediately stopped himself from saying the next thing he was going to say.
"Yes, Xiaxia's habit is not good, and Father should not follow suit."
"And... this is Xiaxia's spot."
Xiaxia had been chattering away nonstop, not giving Wei Yutang any chance to interrupt.
But Xiaxia said that her father's bed smelled very good, which reminded Wei Yutang of the faint fragrance that Chu Qing had emanated from him when they were face to face that afternoon.
A faint, subtle scent, similar to gardenias, seemed to linger at his nose once more.
Before Wei Yutang could answer, the sound of a door opening came from the other end, and Xiaxia threw down her phone and called out "Dad!"
A few seconds later, Chu Qing appeared on Wei Yutang's screen wearing light gray summer pajamas and with her black hair still wet.
Wei Yutang's current angle is somewhat tricky; apart from seeing a glimpse of Chu Qing when he bent down to hug Xia Xia, all he can see is a bit of her back.
Once the lights were turned off and darkness was over, Wei Yutang ended the video call and transferred some money to Chu Qing via his mobile phone.
Just as I was about to turn off my phone, I remembered what Xiaxia had said before and transferred another 10,000 yuan.
Chu Qing coaxed Xia Xia to sleep, tucked him in, and looked for her phone. As soon as she turned on the screen, she saw a text message from the bank.
Chu Qing couldn't think of anyone other than Wei Yutang who would transfer such a large sum of money to him.
Just as I was considering whether to ask, a new message from Wei Yutang appeared at the top of the screen.
Have you received the money?
Received, this is...
The procedures for obtaining flight permits for private jets are quite complicated. You can contact me if you need assistance. I figured you probably wouldn't bother buying one, so I'm transferring the cash to you.
Wei Yutang first gave an explanation, and then added a second point after sending it.
Also, reimbursement for Xiaxia's goldfish and turtle.
Chu Qing was at a loss for words and just sat there in a daze, clutching her phone.
Are you asleep?
Remember to blow-dry your hair.
Author's Note:
Mwah, goodnight everyone! The cover will be out tomorrow!
Chapter 7
Wei Yutang stared at the 'typing' message at the top of the screen for a long time, but still didn't receive a message from Chu Qing. He couldn't help but send another one.
Why aren't you replying to me?
After sending the message, Hou Yutang took a drag of his cigarette and flicked the ash into the ashtray in frustration.
Just then, his phone vibrated, and the cigarette he was holding fell out of his hand. He quickly picked up his phone and unlocked it, only to see the thirty-second message from Feng You.
I casually switched to Do Not Disturb mode and leaned back in my chair, enjoying the night breeze.
Wei Yutang has never liked reading these kinds of messy news, and his childhood friends basically know this too. If there's something important or if he wants to arrange a get-together, he just calls directly.
The phone rang again. Wei Yutang picked it up and glanced at it. When he saw Chu Qing's name appear in the center of the screen, he subconsciously gripped the edge of the phone tightly.
I was just blow-drying my hair.
Actually, no, Chu Qing's hair was still wet, but he didn't know how to answer, so after struggling for so long, he made up an excuse.
Wei Yutang had a smile on his lips that he himself was unaware of, and he inexplicably felt that Chu Qing was somewhat obedient, as he would do as he was told with just a message.
Perhaps... more than just some.
It's late, go to bed early.
This message brought Chu Qing a huge sigh of relief, and she replied almost instantly.
Okay, goodnight.
Chu Qing put down her phone, went to the living room, found the hairdryer, and slowly dried her hair. She never had much patience for these little things, so she unplugged the hairdryer when it was half dry.
It's hard to believe that I was worried about work yesterday, and today my bank account balance has reached seven figures.
The feeling of becoming rich overnight did not excite Chu Qing. Instead, he felt somewhat apprehensive, since the source of the money was not exactly legitimate.
After much deliberation, I decided to set aside a large portion of the money and deposit it in the bank for Xiaxia's future use, while the remainder could be used to improve our lives.
Before I find a job, at least I won't have to worry about living expenses and a place to live anymore.
It's true that Chu Qing doesn't want to spend too much money, but the thought of making Xia Xia live a frugal life with her makes Chu Qing feel that she's being too hypocritical.
Xiaxia woke up in his father's bed the next day. Before he even opened his eyes, he smelled his father's familiar scent, which made him instinctively snuggle into his father's arms.
This little movement startled Chu Qing awake. After opening her eyes, she looked at the little head that was nestled in her arms and reached out to pat his back.
"Are you awake?"
"Hoo~"
The bedroom had good natural light, and since they lived on a high floor, the morning sun shone directly onto the bed.
Upon hearing her father's voice, Xiaxia instinctively answered. She shook her head to clear her mind, then rubbed her eyes with her little hand and asked in a muffled voice:
"Dad, what are we having for breakfast this morning?"
"Shall we go out to eat? After breakfast, we'll go to the supermarket to buy groceries, and Xiaxia can choose whatever she wants for lunch."
Chu Qing doesn't like buying too many groceries to keep at home. She prefers to go to the supermarket every day to buy fresh food, as eating out for breakfast is much simpler than making it herself.
"good."
After Xiaxia agreed, she quickly got up, put on her shoes, and ran towards her room. She went to the closet to find the new clothes her father had bought for her, changed into them, and only went out after she was dressed neatly.
After Chu Qing finished getting ready, Xia Xia had already moved a small stool to stand in front of the sink. While squeezing toothpaste, she also squeezed it for her father, and was just waiting for him to come over.
Chu Qing stood next to Xia Xia. In the mirror, he could see Xia Xia trying her best to suppress her pride, and the little glances she occasionally gave him seemed to speak volumes.
Praise me! Praise me! Praise me quickly!
Chu Qing suppressed the urge to smile and said seriously:
"Thank you, Xiaxia. Xiaxia is great."
"No need to thank me, Dad."
He said "you're welcome" but was actually smugly shaking his head. After brushing his teeth, he washed his face and then helped his dad find his wallet, phone, and keys.
There are many breakfast shops that have been open for a long time in this area. The busy owners never stop. After lifting the lid of the steamer, the aroma comes out with the steam, making Xiaxia subconsciously sniff the air.
"Dad, it smells so good!"
"Eat at this place?"
Upon hearing this, Xiaxia grabbed her father's clothes and ran inside. When the proprietress saw that it was a small child, she immediately cleared out a table for her.
"Come, sit here."
The breakfast shop was quite busy at this time, so after the owner finished serving them, she let them take their own.
After serving two bowls of white porridge, Chu Qing asked Xia Xia to sit there and wait. She then took a plate and filled it with a meat bun, a steamed bun with vermicelli and cabbage filling, a tea egg, and a cup of freshly made soy milk.
When they entered the supermarket, Chu Qing pushed a shopping cart and let Xia Xia sit in it. As soon as they walked in, her phone vibrated. It was a message from the landlord she had arranged to meet earlier.
"Xiaxia, how about we go house hunting together tomorrow?"
Xiaxia recently turned three years old. After three years of kindergarten, she will be six years old, the right age to start primary school.
This means that Chu Qing needs to find a place to live and a kindergarten in the month or so before school starts, and ideally, also settle on a job.
"Looking at houses? Why do you need to look at houses?"
"Because Xiaxia will be starting kindergarten soon, we need to find a house close to the kindergarten."
"Isn't it okay to stay here?"
"Well, it's not impossible, but..."
The rent is too expensive, and most of the children in the nearby kindergarten come from well-off families. Chu Qing had various reasons, but she didn't know how to explain them to Xia Xia.
"Okay, let's see. Daddy, remember to fill my little water cup with water."
Xiaxia seemed to sense her father's predicament and took the initiative to speak up to help him out.
"good."
The landlord, whom I had contacted in advance, arrived at the building at the agreed time. When he saw that Chu Qing had a child with her, he was noticeably less enthusiastic than before.
"You need to make this clear first. If this child scribbles or draws on the walls, you'll have to pay for it."
"Uncle, Xiaxia won't scribble, Xiaxia is a good girl."
Xiaxia's sweet, childlike voice softened the expression on the middle-aged man's face, who snorted and said:
"That's good."
The building is on the third floor and there is no elevator. Most of the residents are parents accompanying their children to school. You can see traces of watercolor paint being cleaned up on the walls of the hallway.
The landlord opened the door with a key; the previous tenant had already left, and the place was very clean.
The kitchen is spacious, and there are two bedrooms, one large and one small. The only drawback is that there is no dedicated study, and the living room is also not very large.
"Does Xiaxia like it?"
"Yes! I like it."