After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 6 - Cohabitation, Again

Han Qian woke up on the sofa after a night of uncomfortable sleep, feeling sore all over. What hurt more was seeing his untouched bed being occupied. He was awakened by the incessant ringing of Wen Nuan’s phone, even before dawn.

Groggily, he picked up the phone and answered it. On the other end, Li Jinhe’s voice roared like a lion, mixed with a rather affectionate greeting. The gist was that if her little girl dared to sneak off to Washington, their mother-daughter relationship would be severed.

After Li Jinhe’s tirade ended, Han Qian softly said, “Mom, it’s Han Qian. Wen Nuan is with me.”

Beep!

The call was abruptly disconnected, leaving Han Qian staring at the phone in confusion. A text message arrived shortly after.

“We’re off traveling with Mr. Wen. Nuan can stay with you; I’m at ease with that. If you dare call me, you’ll face military sports boxing.”

Han Qian looked at the message, bewildered. Was his mother-in-law not worried about Wen Nuan at all? It seemed there was nothing to worry about; they’d lived together for three years already.

While Han Qian was lost in thought, Wen Nuan descended from the second floor, wearing the pajamas Han Qian hadn’t had a chance to put on, and slept in the bed he hadn’t had a chance to sleep in.

Wen Nuan appeared calm, surveying the room from top to bottom. She found the fridge, took out a bottle of mineral water, and sat down next to Han Qian, tilting her head.

“Checking my phone now? You never checked when we were married, even when I called Lin Zongheng. Why start after the divorce? Need help?”

Han Qian turned to look at Wen Nuan, who hadn’t even washed her face, and took a deep breath with his eyes closed.

“Wen Nuan, if you dare drink again, I will absolutely…”

“Han Qian, I’m hungry.”

Wen Nuan deliberately avoided the topic of drinking, took her phone, and opened the blacklist right in front of Han Qian. Lin Zongheng’s number was prominently displayed. She tossed the phone onto the sofa and bounced off to the bathroom to freshen up.

Watching Wen Nuan’s retreating figure, Han Qian felt strange. Hadn’t even a day passed since the divorce, and they were living together again?

Listening to the humming from the bathroom, Han Qian headed to the kitchen. Thankfully, he had prepared some ingredients last night; otherwise, they’d be stuck with instant noodles. As he prepared a traditional Chinese breakfast, he relayed the message from his mother-in-law.

“Mom and Mr. Wen went traveling, took the house keys. Mom wants you to stay here. If you mind…”

“I don’t mind. It’s not like we haven’t lived together before. Hurry up, Han Qian, I have to go to work today.”

Hearing her shameless words, Han Qian almost grabbed the pan to confront Wen Nuan in the bathroom.

What kind of situation was this?

The marriage was over.

The agreement was broken.

He was saddled with a four-million debt, and now they were living together again?

Han Qian’s inner voice told him he had to resist, he must resist. He took a deep breath.

“Hurry up and freshen up. I need to get ready and head out for a job interview today.”

Wen Nuan poked her head out of the bathroom, puzzled. “Han Qian, did you come back last night and wash my clothes? Maybe you should quit your job and become my housekeeper!”

Han Qian replied with a hint of annoyance, “And watch my ex-wife get cozy with her old flame? Even if our marriage was just an agreement, I still need some dignity as a man, right?”

“Old flame? You mean Lin Zongheng? Are you jealous, Han Qian?” Wen Nuan teased with a mischievous grin. Han Qian ignored her, but his silence only piqued her curiosity. She approached him, hands behind her back, tilting her head with a playful smile.

“Jealous? You checked my phone this morning and didn’t even flinch at Lin Zongheng’s number in the blacklist. You’re jealous, aren’t you? Do you like me, Han Qian?”

Han Qian remained silent.

Wen Nuan pressed on, and as Han Qian carried breakfast out of the kitchen, she suddenly called out, “Han Qian! If you admit you’re jealous, I won’t choose Lin Zongheng!”

“Fine! I’m jealous! But right now, you need to eat breakfast, understand? And unfortunately for me, it seems I’m back to taking care of your life again.”

“That’s your privilege. You have no idea, Han Qian, last night at the bar, so many people were trying to… eat breakfast, eat breakfast.”

Neither of them noticed something important.

Their relationship had changed since the divorce.

Han Qian was no longer overly polite to Wen Nuan.

Wen Nuan no longer treated Han Qian like a mere housekeeper.

She was afraid Han Qian would question her about the bar, but hearing him admit his jealousy lifted her spirits, dispelling her gloom. She felt no resistance to staying here, while Han Qian inwardly lamented.

Four million yuan, gone.

But! The debt still had to be repaid.

His father had taught him from a young age that as a man, you don’t need to achieve great things or be exceptionally strong, but you must keep your word. A promise made is a promise kept.

His father hadn’t taught him much, just two things: responsibility and cleanliness.

Eggs, pickled vegetables, rice porridge.

When it came to cooking, whether during their marriage or now, Wen Nuan never had a say. She preferred milk and bread for breakfast, with bitter coffee to wake her up. Han Qian spent three years getting her used to steamed buns and millet porridge, replacing coffee with milk.

While eating, Han Qian received a reply from Rongyao Group, inviting him to come in for a meeting today. This was the outcome he wanted. He dreaded endless questions over the phone or email. Meeting in person made things easier.

After breakfast, Wen Nuan shouted that she was going to be late. Her reluctance to wash the dishes was obvious to Han Qian, but he didn’t argue. He cleaned up, changed clothes, and prepared to face new challenges.

The four-million-yuan debt didn’t darken Han Qian’s outlook on life. Instead, it motivated him to strive harder, preventing him from returning to the leisurely life of the past three years.

Taking a taxi was out of the question. He squeezed onto a bus, swaying all the way to Rongyao Group’s headquarters. Staring at the towering building, he wondered why the plaza outside was deserted during work hours. What was this sign?

“Watch for vehicles? Placed in the wrong spot, maybe?”

Taking a deep breath, he puffed out his chest, ready to embrace the new challenge, when a bright red Raptor zoomed past, narrowly missing his nose.

His confidence and preparation vanished in an instant, replaced by shock. By the time he regained his composure, the Raptor had parked in the distance. A woman emerged from the car, wearing a black pencil skirt and seven or eight-centimeter heels. Her figure was striking, her attire bold, but to Han Qian, she was the reckless driver who nearly killed him.

Before he could confront her, the woman with the fiery figure dashed into Rongyao Group’s entrance.

Han Qian rubbed his chin, muttering to himself, “She doesn’t seem like a good person.”