Chapter 15: Madam Li

What did He Haoxuan’s divorce from Li Qingying have to do with her, or with waiting for him? This seemed a bit complicated. But before He Haoxuan could dwell on it, Yi Xiaoyan continued, “Once I help you pay off the Li family’s hundred thousand, I’ll help you with your other debts too. How is your father’s health? Take me to see him one day.”

“That might not be appropriate,” He Haoxuan replied, feeling the difficulty of the situation. His father always favored Li Qingying; if he brought another woman home, it would probably aggravate his father’s heart condition.

“You’re right, you haven’t divorced yet. I shouldn’t show up at your house.” With that, Yi Xiaoyan opened her small handbag, took out a thousand yuan, and shoved it into his shorts pocket. “This is for your father’s supplements. Don’t tell him it’s from me.”

He Haoxuan was about to refuse, insisting he didn’t need the money, but Yi Xiaoyan had already stuffed it into his pocket. “If you don’t take it, I’ll be very angry and ignore you from now on.”

He Haoxuan rubbed his nose and thought to himself that he seemed to have a knack for living off women. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have stripped himself of everything to go abroad and work as a mercenary.

Suddenly, Yi Xiaoyan’s phone rang. The call was from her school: something had happened with her class, and she needed to return at once.

After hanging up, Yi Xiaoyan said apologetically, “Haoxuan, I have to go back to school. Take a taxi home when you’re done. Next semester, I’ll take on another class, so I’ll earn a bit more.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be going to Yancheng?” He Haoxuan asked in surprise.

“When did I ever say I was going to Yancheng? I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be staying right here in Qingshan City.” With that, she drove off, her face flushed.

When did she say that? She’d just mentioned it at the class reunion, hadn’t she? He Haoxuan was quietly puzzled.

He caught a taxi back to the Li residence and found Li Qingying sitting wearily on the sofa in the first-floor living room, looking as if she had just gotten home.

“Where were you tonight? You smell like alcohol,” Li Qingying asked, frowning at him.

For the past six months, He Haoxuan had barely left the house, so tonight’s outing was out of the ordinary.

“I went to a class reunion tonight,” he replied, just as her stomach growled audibly.

Seeing him glance at her belly, Li Qingying blushed and snapped, “What are you looking at? I worked overtime until now and haven’t eaten anything.”

Hearing this, He Haoxuan felt a pang of sympathy. After half a year together, he realized that this so-called wife worked herself to the bone, staying late at the office, yet some members of the Li family never appreciated her, always trying to trip her up.

At that moment, Song Li and Li Dong came downstairs. “He Haoxuan, go make noodles for Qingying,” Song Li ordered, recalling that he sometimes snuck into the kitchen late at night for a bowl of noodles.

“Make noodles for her?” The phrasing struck He Haoxuan as odd.

He asked, “Isn’t there a maid? Why not ask her?”

“Hmph, that maid was dishonest. I fired her today. Since you’re idle all day, you might as well take charge of cooking and cleaning. The Li family won’t keep a freeloader around for nothing,” Song Li scolded.

Seeing Li Qingying looking half-starved, He Haoxuan’s compassion was stirred and he headed to the kitchen.

Li Dong asked worriedly, “Qingying, I heard your grandmother came looking for you today?”

“She did. She even brought a lawyer,” Li Qingying replied, massaging her temples, her face clouded with concern.

Her grandmother had always disapproved of Li Dong and his wife for having only two daughters and no son, blaming Li Dong for lacking an heir. But Song Li’s health had never allowed her to bear a son. Old Master Li had always said it didn’t matter, but Old Madam Li never voiced her own opinion.

Long ago, Old Master Li had signed an agreement with the family lawyer: if he disappeared or was out of contact for half a year, his shares would be transferred to Old Madam Li’s name. At the time, he had enemies seeking revenge and feared for his safety, so he made such arrangements. Later, when the danger had passed, he forgot to retract the agreement.

Now, with Old Master Li missing for two weeks, Second Uncle Li was scheming, accusing Li Dong and his wife of murdering the old man in a bid for the family fortune. As for Li Qingying’s claim that she was still in touch with the old man by phone, they insisted it was all a lie, a ruse to make everyone believe he was still alive. Old Madam Li, already prejudiced against Li Dong’s family, was easily swayed by Second Uncle Li and his faction, and today took over the Baili Group.

Li Qingying had been so busy today because she had to organize the past six months’ accounts for the Beida Group, to hand over for Old Madam Li’s inspection tomorrow, which was why she was still at work so late.

Song Li, hearing about the situation, grew anxious. “Qingying, this is trouble. Your grandmother never liked us. If she lets Li Liang and the others audit the accounts, they’ll scrutinize every detail.”

“No need to worry,” Li Qingying replied with confidence. “I’ve never taken a single extra penny from the company. They’ll find nothing, no matter how hard they look.”

For half a year, she had worked tirelessly for the company, pouring heart and soul into her duties. She had no fear of their investigation.

Li Dong was unperturbed. “Now that Qingying is negotiating a partnership with Quange Corporation, what can they possibly say? Such merits can’t be erased by their slander.”

“Exactly,” Song Li agreed, slapping her thigh. “Qingying, don’t worry. After you’ve had your noodles, go upstairs and rest.”

In the kitchen, hearing their conversation, He Haoxuan smiled to himself. It was only a small Baili Group—what was so impressive about that? If they annoyed him, he could simply have Shage acquire the entire company.

In the past, He Haoxuan would never have cared about Li Qingying, but since that night, after witnessing certain things he shouldn’t have seen, and sharing a bed with her, his feelings had begun to change—though he hadn’t quite realized it yet.

Song Li shouted toward the kitchen, “He Haoxuan, you useless thing, are those noodles ready yet? Qingying is starving.”

“Mom, it’s late. Why don’t you both go rest? I’ll wait here,” Li Qingying persuaded her mother.

Song Li nodded and went upstairs, dragging Li Dong along.

He Haoxuan brought out a steaming bowl of noodles and set it on the table. “Wife, come and eat your noodles.”

“Mm.” Li Qingying walked over, eyeing the bowl curiously.

For some reason, she felt these noodles looked a bit strange—not quite like those made by the maid.

“Have you ever cooked noodles before?” she asked warily.

He Haoxuan had hardly cooked since moving in with the Li family half a year ago—was this really his first attempt? Would she get sick after eating them?

“Of course I have. I even trained as a chef once,” He Haoxuan replied, puffing out his chest with confidence.