Chapter 383 - 238: Fight the Landlord

Shen Qingqiu’s expression was ice-cold. In all the time he’d known her, Lin Jiang had never seen her look this way.

He glanced at the man again. Their relationship was clearly unusual.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you tell me your mother died?!"

Taking in the dark-complexioned man before him, Lin Jiang guessed their relationship.

’He was most likely her father.’

It was unlikely anyone else would speak to Shen Qingqiu with such an attitude.

Since he’d never heard her mention her father, he had assumed he passed away long ago and naturally never asked about the subject.

Judging by the situation, it wasn’t hard to guess that their relationship was strained. She hadn’t even notified him of her own mother’s death.

"Why would I tell you? You’re too busy gambling. How would you have the time to show up?"

"No matter what, she was my wife! When something like this happens, I have a right to be there."

"If you really cared, why didn’t you come when she was in the hospital? You didn’t contribute a single penny, you didn’t even show your face. Why would I need to notify you?!"

The middle-aged man pointed a finger at Shen Qingqiu.

"How dare you speak to me like that! I’m your father, you know that?!"

"From this day forward, I’m cutting all ties with you. Don’t ever come looking for me again."

"Oh, you think you’re so tough now, is that it? You dare to disown me!"

The middle-aged man’s face twisted into a hateful sneer as he said viciously,

"You want to cut ties? Fine. Give me 100,000 yuan, and I’ll never come looking for you again."

"Don’t even think about it! You’re not getting a single penny from me!"

"Don’t you forget, I’m your father!"

"No, you’re not. You’re just a hopeless gambling addict!"

"You motherfucker!"

"Hey, hey, hey..."

The middle-aged man raised his hand, but just as he was about to strike Shen Qingqiu, Lin Jiang grabbed his arm.

"Let’s talk things out. There’s no need to get violent."

The middle-aged man gritted his teeth and tried to wrench his arm free, but Lin Jiang was much stronger. He struggled several times without success.

"Who the hell are you? Her boyfriend?"

The man sized up Lin Jiang, then glanced at his car. "Give me 100,000 yuan, and she’s all yours."

Lin Jiang: ???

"Are you that fucking desperate for money?"

"It’s perfectly normal. Consider it a bride price."

"Lin Jiang, don’t listen to him. Let’s go!"

Shen Qingqiu pulled Lin Jiang into the car, and the middle-aged man tried to follow.

Lin Jiang didn’t hesitate. He slammed his foot on the gas and drove off with Shen Qingqiu, leaving the man behind.

Leaning wearily against the car window, Shen Qingqiu said nothing.

Lin Jiang drove her back to Century Triumph.

"Come on, let’s go up for a bit."

The two of them got out of the car and went up to his apartment.

The lavish apartment didn’t seem to surprise Shen Qingqiu.

With her cool and detached nature, she was never one to care for material extravagance.

"Want a drink?"

Watching Lin Jiang in the kitchen, Shen Qingqiu nodded.

’Perhaps she needed a way to vent her feelings, too.’

He grabbed a couple of beers, popped one open, and handed it to Shen Qingqiu.

She tilted her head back and took a long swig. It was obvious she wasn’t much of a drinker.

"Sorry you had to see that."

"Every family has its own problems. I get it."

Lin Jiang raised his can and tapped it against hers. He didn’t say much more, just quietly drank with her.

After finishing the first beer, Shen Qingqiu opened another. A faint blush had already appeared on her cheeks; she clearly couldn’t handle her alcohol well.

Sitting on the sofa, Shen Qingqiu’s eyes grew red-rimmed.

"You need to find a way to shake him off, otherwise he’ll just keep coming back."

"I’ve made up my mind. If he comes back, I’m calling the police. In any case, I’m not giving him another penny."

Lin Jiang nodded, saying nothing more.

’It’s her family’s business. It’s best if she handles it herself.’

They continued to drink, until Lin Jiang noticed Shen Qingqiu had gone silent. He found her asleep, her head pillowed on the armrest of the sofa.

"Her tolerance is terrible. Not even two beers and she’s out like a light."

He nudged her gently, hoping she would move to the bedroom to sleep, but she didn’t react at all.

He slid an arm under her, scooped her up, and carried her to the bedroom.

There were still a few beers left in the living room. Not one to let them go to waste, Lin Jiang leisurely drank them himself. It was rather pleasant.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ—

His phone vibrated. It was a message from Zhao Fangfei.

Zhao Fangfei: "Brother Jiang, you asleep yet?"

Lin Jiang: "Not yet."

Zhao Fangfei: "Are you free tomorrow? It’s my day off. Want to come over to my place for dinner?"

Zhao Fangfei: "Qiqi isn’t working overtime either, so we can all eat together."

Lin Jiang: ???

’Dinner is dinner, but why did she have to mention Feng Qi?’

’Looks like tomorrow is going to be round two. Well, bring it on.’

Lin Jiang: "OK."

Zhao Fangfei: "Cute.jpg"

After their chat, Lin Jiang tossed his phone aside and went back to his beer.

Once he’d finished it all, he went to bed as well.

「The next morning.」

When Lin Jiang woke up, he found Shen Qingqiu sitting awkwardly on the sofa.

When she saw him emerge, she hastily straightened up.

"Did I drink too much yesterday? I fell asleep at your place."

Lin Jiang nodded. "But don’t worry, none of those clichéd TV drama scenarios happened. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t even touch your clothes."

"I know..."

’They were both adults. It was obvious whether something like that had happened or not.’

She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze darting about, unsure where to land.

"I’m sorry for all the trouble."

"It’s no problem. This place is too big for just me anyway, it’s boring. Having someone else around livens things up a bit."

"I was going to make you some breakfast, but I’m not familiar with your kitchen appliances."

"You’re the guest. There’s no way I’d make you cook. What do you feel like eating? I’ll order some takeout."