After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 14 - Born Under the Sign of the Dog?

“Han Qian, hurry back, I’m starving!”

Just as Han Qian was about to work overtime, Wen Nuan’s call came through.

He had forgotten that there was someone at home waiting for dinner. The habit formed over three years made Han Qian decide to abandon work and head home. Some tasks could be continued there. He quietly told Su Liang they’d continue tomorrow.

Squeezing onto the bus, he began his journey home, pondering if there were leftovers from yesterday’s meal that could be reheated for dinner. But then he questioned this idea-would Wen Nuan agree?

Wait, why should I care what she thinks? We’re divorced!

His mind was in turmoil all the way home, but he finally decided not to buy groceries and just head back.

When he opened the door, he saw Wen Nuan curled up on the sofa munching on chips. A vein throbbed on Han Qian’s forehead-was this the look of someone starving? Wen Nuan quickly hid the chips and knelt on the sofa, claiming she was hungry and threatening to call his mother, accusing him of mistreatment.

Han Qian took a deep breath.

“It was my first day at work, and I was busy getting used to it. Please don’t call my mom. She was just asking if we were coming home for the holidays. If she finds out we’re divorced, you might be fine, but I could be in trouble.”

“Oh, come on, the holidays are months away. Stop nagging. I’m starving. I bought groceries; they’re in the kitchen. Hurry up, or I’ll tell your mom you initiated the divorce.”

Wen Nuan didn’t bother to change her address from “Auntie,” and Han Qian didn’t mind. He walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Looking at the groceries tossed on the counter, he felt a bit puzzled but couldn’t help but smile. They were mostly things he liked. Was it a lucky guess by Wen Nuan, or intentional?

As he busied himself with cooking, Han Qian suddenly remembered the task Yan Qingqing had given him and couldn’t help but ask.

“Wen Nuan, I heard there’s a piece of land near the old and new district border by the airport that’s going to be redeveloped. Has Changxiang bid on it?”

“It’s not a bid. The city is choosing a scapegoat from a few companies to take it on. No matter what, developing that land will lose money. The board of directors pulled some strings, so Changxiang is just in it for show. Why? Is your new company bidding too?”

Wen Nuan had somehow appeared at the kitchen door, leaning against the frame, watching Han Qian cook. Her sudden question startled him, and he turned around, frowning.

“What are you doing here? Remember to wear your shoes. I don’t know if we’re bidding; I just heard colleagues talking about it and got curious. Will it really lose money? Can you put carrots in Kung Pao Chicken?”

“Whatever, I’m not eating it! The airport is for training new pilots, so it can’t be moved. It’s just across from the Building Materials Market, that old neighborhood. Sometimes planes train at night, causing a lot of friction between residents and the airport. The government can’t do much, so they’re opting for relocation. But they don’t want to lose money, so they’re looking for a scapegoat.”

Han Qian put down the cleaver and turned around, frowning.

“This issue, well, the soundproofing in modern houses is decent, but everyone is after apartments with elevators now. We can’t build higher than the current structures, and this spot isn’t right for detached houses either. Morning traffic is a nightmare, picking up the kids is a hassle, and right across are the Building Materials Market and the wholesale market, a bus station, and just a short walk away are RT-Mart and Fortune Street. It seems like whatever you do here, you’ll end up at a loss. Who’s going to handle the demolition compensation?”

“Just focus on cooking; I’m starving!”

Wen Nuan clenched her fist, threatening Han Qian, who quickly turned back to prepare dinner. Then, she continued,

“The government handles the demolition compensation. This land is for sale, supposedly through an auction, but it’s likely that directives will be issued beforehand about who should get it-it’s just a formality. For years, the government has been making things easy for a few corporations like ours. Nobody can really refuse. We can’t build a residential complex or a shopping mall here; too few floors would make it look small, and too many wouldn’t be approved by the airport. It’s a mess. I actually hope Rongyao takes it over; then they won’t have the energy to compete with Changxiang.”

While seriously cooking, Han Qian got the gist of it-it seemed Yan Qingqing already knew this mess would fall on Rongyao’s shoulders.

Two days, four hundred thousand.

“How much could we lose?”

“If the land isn’t developed within five years, the government will repossess it, forcing them to build something. Counting the land and construction, the loss would be about what you owe me. I’m talking about the financial loss, but the real issue is the reputation. Stop worrying about useless things; think about how you’re going to pay me back. Just thinking about our divorce makes me furious. Tonight, I want four dishes, eight plates.”

“Would you eat it if there were eggshells in it?”

“Han Qian! You’ve changed; you’ve got someone else outside, you’re not indulging me anymore.”

Han Qian ignored Wen Nuan. During dinner, his feet were stepped on numerous times, but he didn’t make a big deal out of it. After dinner, he did the dishes, while Wen Nuan stormed upstairs, leaving Han Qian puzzled about her sudden anger.

He didn’t dwell on it. Once the chores were done, Han Qian returned to the second floor and continued looking through the documents. There was no rush to start planning; he needed to consider this city as a whole, not just this plot of land.

Busy at work, the door suddenly burst open. Wen Nuan, in her pajamas, threw herself at Han Qian, hitting and biting until she had him pinned down and declared victory with a triumphant face, then left, taking his phone with her.

“There’s a cooling-off period for divorce. I’ve blocked Lin Zongheng; you better behave. If you dare flirt with another woman behind my back, you’d better pay me back now.”

Han Qian watched her despairingly and sighed heavily.

“Only a fool would choose a man burdened with four million in debt. Besides, I don’t even have WeChat; who could I flirt with? You’ve even canceled the only QQ account I had. Wen Nuan, come here. We need to talk. You beat me up without explanation. Come here!”

As Han Qian was about to get up, Wen Nuan hastily used his phone to dial a number. Just as Han Qian stood up, she shouted,

“Mom! Han Qian is going to hit me!”

The situation escalated quickly. Han Qian never expected Wen Nuan to call his mother. He dropped all his work to explain over the phone that it was just a playful fight, not intending to be violent. The phone was snatched by the old man, who scolded Han Qian without a break. Despite the old man’s limited achievements in life, he had never let mother cook or argued with her. Hearing that Han Qian might hit his wife, the old man couldn’t stand it.

Finally, Han Qian pleaded with Wen Nuan to clarify the situation. Mother commanded that they both come home for the New Year. The elderly couple wouldn’t bother coming to them; it wasn’t the same without the kids at home for the holidays.

After hanging up, Han Qian lay on the tatami, looking at the ceiling helplessly.

“Well, now we both have to go home for New Year’s. If you don’t go, mom will dig into everything. If she finds out we’re divorced, you’ll lose your home base.”

Wen Nuan sat cross-legged next to Han Qian, scoffing,

“Look at you, so pathetic. What does my going home for New Year’s have to do with you? Mom treats me way better than Li Jinhe ever did. Go on, take a shower.”

“You’re not even sleeping with me tonight, why should I-Wen Nuan, are you crazy? Stop biting!”

While Wen Nuan and Han Qian were fooling around, Lin Zongheng boarded a plane back home, unable to wait any longer.