After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 8 - The Creditor Moves In

Miss Yan?

Yan Qingqing from Rongyao Group? Online rumors had painted her as the company’s legal representative, and he had imagined her to be an older woman. But to his surprise, she turned out to be… well, let’s say a beauty, scoring over ninety points, a stark contrast to Wen Nuan, yet equally matched.

As soon as he left the company, Han Qian received a text message confirming his acceptance, instructing him to start work on Monday. All necessary documents could be collected at the front desk. He felt like a lamb walking into a lion’s den, but he couldn’t refuse. Joining Rongyao Group was the first and most crucial step in his plan.

Only here could he find the opportunity to showcase his talents.

He took out his phone and called his mom, asking about the crops at home, whether the old man had gone gambling, and if the money he sent had arrived. On the other end, Qian’s mom nodded repeatedly, her face full of relief.

His mom and mother-in-law were two extremes. His mom was gentle, never raising her voice, while his mother-in-law couldn’t speak softly even if she tried.

“Han Qian, your salary isn’t much, so keep some for yourself. Even though Nuan’s family is well-off, you can’t rely on them to support us. I don’t have much to spend on at home, so I’m saving the money for you.”

Han Qian sat on the curb, munching on a piece of bread to stave off hunger, and laughed.

“Mom, don’t worry about me. I had a meal with a client today, with over ten dishes. Your health isn’t great, so you can’t skimp on nutrition. These days, being hospitalized for malnutrition is embarrassing for a son. Tell the old man to buy some ribs later.”

“Alright, alright, go get busy.”

Qian’s mom, mindful of the phone bill, reluctantly hung up. She still didn’t know how much her hospital stay had cost. The old man said it was only thirty thousand, which had already stressed her out, nearly sending her back to the hospital.

After hanging up, Han Qian took a deep breath and set a few goals for himself.

Repay Wen Nuan within a year.

Next year, earn enough to get his parents’ retirement and health insurance, and renovate the house.

Save enough to buy the old man a car; winters were too cold.

Once everything was settled, he’d buy himself a car worth around ten thousand, a second-hand Xiali¹ would do.

Han Qian finally thought about himself, but he didn’t consider dating.

Living with Wen Nuan for three years shattered all his idealized notions of women… Why was a single woman’s room so messy!

Thinking of Wen Nuan, Han Qian called Li Jinhe, asking when the old couple would return. The call connected.

“Hello, Han Qian? Your mom is… swimming. We’re in Sanya.”

Hearing the sound of a mahjong machine in the background, Han Qian felt his blood pressure rise. Vacation, my foot. The old couple just didn’t want Wen Nuan to disturb their time together. Yet, he couldn’t send Wen Nuan back, needing to save face for Mr. Wen and his mother-in-law, and also give Wen Nuan some dignity.

After all, he was the one who had initiated the divorce.

Thinking of Wen Nuan, Han Qian felt his life had taken a darker turn. Who would have thought that the vice president of Changxiang, rumored to have OCD, lived like a slob at home?

This young lady taught Han Qian what it truly meant to be pampered and never lift a finger.

It’s all tears when you have to buy new bedding and toiletries.

And groceries too!

In a luxurious villa, Li Jinhe had just stepped away from the mahjong table, her purpose being to scold Mr. Wen for his slip of the tongue. Dressed casually, Mr. Wen frowned, looking woefully at his wife who had dominated him for years, and sighed.

“Honey, do you think what we’re doing is right? Won’t Han Qian think our precious daughter is a bit…”

Li Jinhe peeled an orange and handed it to Mr. Wen, frowning.

“Those two kids have a lot of complicated issues. I’ve got the gist of it. Has that little ingrate ever called us? Said she wanted to come home? She’s long been used to Han Qian taking care of her, so stop worrying. We’ve seen Han Qian for three years, don’t you know his character? Let me tell you in secret, Han Qian used to smoke, but he hasn’t touched a cigarette in three years for that little ingrate. Do you think she’d be in trouble?”

Mr. Wen stopped eating the orange, leaned back, and looked at Li Jinhe with a frown.

“So it’s okay for Han Qian to smoke, but when I do it, it’s a crime? Li Jinhe, you’re being unreasonable.”

“Unreasonable or not, are you going to divorce me? I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll allow you two cigarettes.”

Mr. Wen took it as a royal decree, got up, and hurried to the balcony to smoke with his friends.

In fact, Li Jinhe had called Wen Nuan, offering her the house keys if she admitted her mistake. But that little ingrate hung up without a word, clearly having some backing now.

So why worry?

Li Jinhe returned to the mahjong table, while Han Qian pushed a cart through the supermarket, pondering what to cook for dinner.

Stir-fried celery with glass noodles? Wen Nuan doesn’t eat celery. Moo shu pork²? She doesn’t eat carrots. The more he thought, the more frustrated Han Qian became. Wen Nuan was incredibly picky, avoiding garlic sprouts, leeks, garlic shoots, green peppers, carrots, onions, cilantro, and celery.

She loved crabs.

Unfortunately, Han Qian didn’t eat seafood. It wasn’t that he disliked it; he just never had crabs as a child and didn’t know what parts were edible. As he grew up, he lost interest in crabs. Plus, he couldn’t bear to cook seafood alive.

In the end, Han Qian bought some pork intestine, green beans, mushrooms, eggs, and tomatoes. He also picked up some snacks. Habits are a scary thing; Han Qian didn’t even know why he bought yogurt and chips. The landlady, who worked at the supermarket, gave Han Qian a knowing look and asked if his girlfriend was moving in.

Han Qian shook his head bitterly.

“Just someone here to collect a debt. When you have time, bring your kids over for dinner. I’m a great cook.”

The landlady teased with a laugh.

“Just bring the utensils?”

“I’ll buy the bowls.”

Han Qian said goodbye to the landlady with a smile. Being kind to others is never wrong. Like moving house, he hauled everything upstairs. After setting up the bedding on the tatami in the guest room, Han Qian intended to rest for a bit but ended up falling asleep.

When he woke up, it was already dark outside. Checking his antique Nokia³, he saw it was 7:30.

Han Qian went downstairs to find Wen Nuan had returned. She had bought herself a set of yellow bear cartoon pajamas and was sitting on the sofa with a bag of chips, watching TV. Seeing Han Qian on the stairs, she put down the chips and shouted.

“Han Qian, I’m hungry.”

Han Qian took a deep breath and asked softly.

“Are you planning to stay here for good?”

Wen Nuan nodded vigorously.

“I can pay for food and rent, Han Qian! I’ve been abandoned. I called my mom, and she didn’t answer. She even texted to scold me.”

“Let me see the text?”

“Deleted, deleted! Are you trying to check my phone? Here, take a look.”

Han Qian went to the bathroom, and Wen Nuan pumped her fist in triumph.

Lin Zongheng was officially on the blacklist.

No particular reason, Wen Nuan just didn’t want that guy to annoy her. If he liked foreign girls, she wasn’t going to cater to him anymore.

Footnote:

1. Xiali(夏利):A budget-friendly car brand in China, known for its affordable and economical vehicles, typically popular among first-time car buyers.
2. Moo Shu Pork(木须肉):A traditional Chinese dish originating from Northern China. It typically consists of stir-fried pork, scrambled eggs, and a variety of vegetables such as wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and cabbage. The dish is often seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and sometimes hoisin sauce, and it is commonly served with thin pancakes or rice.
3. Nokia(诺基亚): A classic brand of mobile phones known for their durability, popular in the early 2000s.