Chapter 61: True Friends

Li Qingying got out of the car. “Mom, this isn’t the one you took to the repair shop.”

“It isn’t?” Song Li hurried to the front of the car and, spotting the different license plate, exclaimed, “He Haoxuan, get out here now.”

He Haoxuan stepped out, and Song Li continued, “Hand me the keys.”

“What’s wrong? Are you going out for dinner?” He Haoxuan asked. “If so, I won’t bother making dinner for you.”

“Who said we’re going out?” Song Li snatched the keys and glared at him. “This is my last warning: you are not allowed to drive our family’s car. Even though Qingying is wealthy enough to buy two BMW X7s, they’re not for someone as useless as you.”

Li Qingying couldn’t bear it any longer. “Mom, don’t say that.”

“Hmph! If he hadn’t driven the BMW X7 yesterday, would I have crashed into another car when I took it out later?” Song Li pinned all her misfortunes on He Haoxuan.

“Mom, don’t drive this car anymore. Aren’t you picking up your car tomorrow?” Li Qingying took the keys from her.

Mentioning the car seemed to energize Song Li. “Qingying, you have no idea. The boss at the BMW dealership immediately waived the repair fee when he heard your name!”

“Really? That’s surprisingly generous.” Li Qingying frowned gently. “Mom, you need to be careful. Don’t get swindled. When you go to pick up the car tomorrow, you might end up paying two or three times the repair cost.”

“He wouldn’t dare. If he tries anything, he’ll regret it.” Song Li raised her chin arrogantly. “He Haoxuan, you’re less and less worthy of my daughter. Tomorrow, you’d better go get a divorce with her.”

Li Qingying didn’t respond to her mother’s words. She simply turned and walked inside.

He Haoxuan was about to follow when Song Li grabbed his sleeve. “He Haoxuan, how can a loser like you still have the nerve to live in our house? Tomorrow, you and Qingying are getting divorced.”

He Haoxuan chuckled. “We agreed on a year, but if you want to speed things up, that’s fine.”

Li Qingying, just inside the door, paused, hesitating to move forward. Her back was toward everyone, and she seemed to be trembling slightly.

“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow we’ll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau.” Song Li clapped her hands in excitement.

He Haoxuan said, “I’m not finished yet. If you give me ten million tonight, I’ll go get a divorce tomorrow. Heh, I’m so poor, you ought to give me a little compensation, don’t you think?”

Li Qingying seemed to let out a soft laugh at his words, but quickly suppressed it and hurried inside.

“He Haoxuan, shameless! Are you worth ten million?” Song Li was furious.

“A live-in son-in-law like me doesn’t need face. Money talks—if you’ve got it, great; if not, don’t waste your breath.” At that moment, He Haoxuan became utterly shameless, as if his special bank card had no money on it.

“He Haoxuan, go make dinner now, or else I won’t let you off.” After thinking it over, Song Li decided to bear with him for a few more months. Their family didn’t have that much money right now anyway. Even if they did, she’d never let that useless waste profit from it.

But after tasting He Haoxuan’s delicious cooking, Song Li’s anger vanished instantly.

When Li Dong and his wife went upstairs after dinner, He Haoxuan hurried over to Li Qingying’s side. “Honey, I want a divorce.”

“Hmph, He Haoxuan, are you so desperate for money you’d dare ask for ten million?” Li Qingying scolded, but recalling her mother’s awkwardness earlier, she couldn’t help laughing again.

“Did you have a grudge against my mother in your last life? Why do you always target her?” Li Qingying asked.

He Haoxuan pulled a long face. “Not at all. Didn’t you hear her always calling me a loser? How would I dare target her? Honestly, I don’t want a divorce, but for ten million, I’ll reluctantly agree.”

“Well, aren’t you greedy! Not only do you forget women for money, you’re insatiable. I won’t help you wash dishes tonight!” With that, Li Qingying rolled her eyes at him and ran upstairs.

As soon as she reached the third floor, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen: it was her best friend, Bai Lu.

Li Qingying and Bai Lu had been close since childhood. Later, Bai Lu went abroad to study law, and they kept in touch less often. Now Bai Lu was back in Qingshan City working as an executive at a certain corporation, reportedly earning a handsome salary of three hundred thousand a year.

“Bai Lu, missing me?” Li Qingying answered the call with a smile.

“Of course, Qingying. I’m not only missing you, I’d love to sleep with you too,” Bai Lu laughed. “I heard you got married—to a useless man?”

Li Qingying felt uneasy. “Who says that? My husband is quite impressive, you know.”

“Really? That’s not what I heard.” Bai Lu sneered. “Qingying, if you’re suffering, just tell me. I’ll help you take him to court and make sure you get divorced.”

Now, Li Qingying couldn’t stand anyone looking down on He Haoxuan, especially her closest friend. “Bai Lu, last time my husband took me to Tenglong Villa for a getaway.”

She knew Bai Lu had always wanted to stay at Tenglong Villa but could never get a booking, which frustrated her to no end.

“What? Your husband managed to book a room at Tenglong Villa?” Bai Lu cried out in disbelief.

Normally, rooms at Tenglong Villa were fully booked for more than a month in advance. To book two months ahead, guests had to pay upfront, which seemed unrealistic. After all, guests there had money and couldn’t be sure they’d even be free to go in two months’ time.

So, guests like Bai Lu never had a chance to enjoy a stay.

“Of course. My husband is amazing,” Li Qingying said deliberately.

She didn’t know why, but whenever she spoke of He Haoxuan’s abilities, she felt a sense of pride and happiness.

“Are you serious? Qingying, I’ll give you a week. If you can’t book a room at Tenglong Villa, your husband is useless. If you manage it, dinner’s on me,” Bai Lu declared.

Li Qingying suddenly remembered that He Haoxuan had a friend working security at Tenglong Villa. If he asked for help, even if he couldn’t book an official room, a backup room would do. Bai Lu had never been there anyway—how would she know the difference?

“Alright, I’ll talk to him in a bit.” Li Qingying hung up and ran downstairs.

Seeing her rush over, He Haoxuan was startled. “Honey, what are you up to? Let me tell you, I sell my skills, not my body. No matter how you torture me, I won’t give in and offer myself. But if you sweetly call me ‘husband’ a few times, I might reluctantly agree—and you can do whatever you want to me.”

“He Haoxuan, what nonsense are you spouting?” Li Qingying blushed and spat.