After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor

Han Qian couldn’t quite understand why he always felt uneasy whenever he heard Lin Zongheng’s name. Last night, when he received a call from him, Han Qian knew he had lost control. With Lin Zongheng’s capabilities, dealing with him would be a piece of cake.

But Han Qian believed he hadn’t done anything wrong.

He didn’t make braised pork; he understood what Wen Nuan was trying to say and why she hesitated for a moment while speaking.

It’s just fish, isn’t it? If I dare not kill anything else, surely I can handle this?

After preparing the dishes and placing them in the thermal container, he turned off the gas. As he left home, Han Qian found he only had fifteen yuan left, just enough to take a cab to the company. If there was traffic, Su Liang would have to wait downstairs to cover the fare.

Calculating in his mind, he went downstairs and saw the car still parked there. Han Qian got into the passenger seat, and Su Liang wrinkled his nose, speaking softly.

“Feeling even hungrier. Any chance you could cook?”

“No problem.”

Without asking further, Su Liang drove back to the company. Along the way, Han Qian frequently glanced at Yang-Jie, who was lying in the back seat. Yang-Jie was truly dedicated; if she could lie so convincingly, she must be very diligent at work. Unfortunately, no one in the General Affairs Department feared her or listened to her.

He took off his watch, wiped it, and placed it in Yang Lan’s bag.

They returned to the company, parking in the lot outside the main entrance. Han Qian frowned at a red BMW parked askew in a space. Su Liang sighed beside him.

“I’ll go to the front desk to pick up the takeout. Want to eat outside the car?”

Han Qian nodded. The car belonged to Yang Lan, and neither of them wanted to dirty it. As Han Qian was about to help Yang Lan out of the car, Su Liang spoke up.

“Let Yang-Jie sleep a bit longer. If Liu Jiulong sees her going back like this, he’ll have a fit. Liu Jiulong used to be from another city and met Yang-Jie during one of the company’s out-of-town training sessions. He followed her to work at Rongyao, and now their kid is in middle school. Yet, he still tries to flirt with Yang-Jie every day. It’s disgusting to watch.”

Su Liang left, and Han Qian chuckled at the thought. Men gossip too, huh? He took off his jacket and draped it over Yang-Jie, with no ulterior motives. His mind was too occupied to entertain such thoughts; he just hoped Yang-Jie wouldn’t catch a cold.

Two lunchboxes, one meat and two vegetables, with extra rice, two bottles of mineral water, and a fruit salad-this was prepared for when Yang-Jie woke up. When it came to taking care of women, Su Liang was much more adept than Han Qian.

The two of them squatted by the car, devouring their meal.

Passersby cast disdainful glances, curious about where these two starving souls had come from. The security guard came by once, and upon learning they were employees of Rongyao, asked if they wanted to eat inside. Han Qian shook his head; they couldn’t leave Yang-Jie alone here.

With the rice in their stomachs, they felt half alive again. Su Liang tossed Han Qian a cigarette.

“Qian-Ge, don’t take this the wrong way, and don’t blame me for being blunt. We haven’t known each other for long. Initially, I helped you just to make a friend, since I had nothing better to do. Later, it was for the money you promised. Of course, if it doesn’t work out, I won’t shamelessly ask you for it. But don’t overestimate my abilities. I’ve never had big ambitions, just trying not to starve. I’m a typical underachiever. But others in the General Affairs Department are different. Many got in through connections. The company isn’t as harmonious as you think. The General Affairs Department belongs solely to General Manager Yan. Also, can I skip the executive meeting tomorrow?”

At first, Han Qian was listening intently, but he turned and playfully scolded at the last part.

“Are you chickening out? Don’t even think about it. Once you’re on this ship, there’s no getting off. Don’t you want the twenty thousand?”

“It just feels too unreal, making twenty thousand in two days? It doesn’t seem real. Qian, where did you sell last night? Were the rich ladies pretty?”

Su Liang was the type who could only stay serious for three sentences before veering off-topic. The two men were horsing around downstairs, and for a moment, all the pressure was lifted. This infuriated Yan Qingqing on the fourteenth floor, who was watching them with gritted teeth.

How could they not be worried at all? They still had time to eat takeout, smoke, and mess around?

Around five o’clock, Yang Lan woke up, looking around groggily. Her head was pounding. As she got up, the suit jacket slipped off her. She opened the car door and saw the two guys squatting on the ground, playing a childish game of cops and robbers.

Hearing the sound of high heels, both turned their heads simultaneously and greeted with a smile.

“Yang-Jie, you’re awake?”

Su Liang added, “We really owe it to you today, Yang-Jie. No one expected Manager Li to be such a drinker. Here’s a salad for you, and I’ll get you a cup of milk in a bit.”

Yang Lan took the salad but didn’t open it. Instead, she squatted beside them, watching their childish game. Her mind was blank, devoid of thoughts. This scene was also witnessed by Yan Qingqing, whose hand trembled slightly as she held the binoculars. How did Yang Lan get infected by them too?

About twenty minutes later, Rongyao Group’s workday ended. The liberated employees poured out like schoolchildren finally freed from a long day. Han Qian and his two companions stood up as well, with Su Liang helping Yang-Jie into Rongyao’s entrance.

As they climbed the stairs, a sharp female voice suddenly echoed behind them.

“Supervisor Yang, next time, don’t park your car here.”

Yang Lan turned around, clutching her head, and forced a smile, replying repeatedly, “Okay, okay, today…”

“I don’t want to hear excuses. Your General Affairs Department is full of idlers, so stop wasting the company’s resources.”

Han Qian turned to look at the woman speaking. She was about the same age as Yang Lan, with a decent appearance and figure, dressed in flashy designer clothes. Her makeup and hairstyle seemed to mimic Yan Qingqing’s, but she fell short in both looks and aura.

This woman was relentless, even resorting to personal attacks, criticizing Yang Lan’s driving skills and saying she shouldn’t park upstairs, forcing her to reverse to get out. Yang Lan kept her head down, apologizing, which was too much for Su Liang and Han Qian to bear. Su Liang frowned and spoke up.

“I parked the car. Manager Sun, if there’s an issue, direct it at me.”

Manager Sun? A big shot?

Manager Sun didn’t even glance at Su Liang, instead sizing up Yang Lan with disdain and mockingly said, “Oh, Supervisor Yang has a chauffeur now? The idle General Affairs Department supervisor is impressive. How much do they pay you a month?”

Yang Lan lowered her head, remaining silent. Just as Su Liang was about to speak, Han Qian stepped forward, blocking Yang Lan, and frowned.

“What’s it to you? Worried you’ll age faster? Are you meddling in General Affairs Department matters? Which department are you from?”

Han Qian genuinely liked Yang Lan, like a younger brother to an older sister. From the time she covered for him when he was late, to her tears at lunch, and her shielding him at the drinking table, Han Qian couldn’t imagine Yang Lan being anything but good-hearted, especially as a single mother with a child. Yet, Han Qian couldn’t understand why Yang Jia, who seemed to have a decent standing in the company, would let this woman bully Yang Lan.

“Hmm? You’re asking me? Sun Ya, manager of the Public Relations Department.”

Only now did she notice Yang Lan wasn’t alone with just Su Liang, but there was another handsome guy here too.

At this moment, Yang Lan suddenly tugged at Han Qian’s sleeve. Han Qian gently removed her hand and looked at Sun Ya, frowning.

“If you can drive the car, do it. If not, don’t. Your department and position mean nothing to me. If you hassle Yang-Jie again, don’t force me to deal with you.”

With that, he turned to Yang Lan.

“Yang-Jie, tomorrow park your car in the outside lot. If anyone bothers you again, come to me or Su Liang. I may not have much, but I do have a temper.”

“Wow, Qian-Ge’s temper is quite something. First day at the company, and he dared to confront General Manager Yan. Manager Sun, I suggest you don’t provoke him.”

Yang Jia suddenly appeared, speaking in a peculiar tone as she approached. Sun Ya, seeing Yang Jia, decided not to continue the confrontation. She was somewhat intimidated, having heard rumors of someone actually confronting General Manager Yan recently, even pulling out a strand of her hair.

Throwing a threatening glance, she scoffed and walked out the main door. Han Qian merely furrowed his brow slightly, pressed the elevator button, and the four of them stepped inside. With no one else around, Han Qian frowned and asked.

“Yang-Jie, are you afraid of her? What is Sun Ya anyway?”

Yang Lan kept her head down, not responding. Yang Jia, feeling upset that her sister was bullied, whispered with a scrunched nose.

“She’s Deputy General Manager Gao¹‘s cousin, manager of the Public Relations Department, has some skills and influence, bullies my sister because she’s honest. Han Qian, next time just hit her.”

“Shut up!”

Yang Lan raised her head and sternly scolded Yang Jia, then continued.

“Do you think Han Qian doesn’t have enough trouble? Just avoid her in the future, no need for more conflict. Also, you can’t keep talking about Han Qian’s incident with General Manager Yan. How will Yan command respect if you do? Go home and take care of Beibei, I need to stay late for work.”

“Oh.”

Yang Jia reluctantly took the car keys and left the elevator. When Yang Lan wasn’t looking, she turned and flashed a ‘victory’ sign at Han Qian. Han Qian chuckled, and as the elevator doors closed, he recalled Su Liang’s words. Perhaps Rongyao wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Pleasing everyone is indeed difficult.

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