Hǎi Tóng was silent for a while before she said, "Without any emotional attachment, even as husband and wife, I don't want to owe him too much. However, he's a bit better than my brother-in-law. He covered all the living expenses at home and didn't insist on splitting everything 50/50 with me."
"I can afford to buy a car myself. I'll transfer the money for this car back to him tonight. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease driving it. I feel like this car is a ticking time bomb that might explode one day and blow me to smithereens."
Shěn Xiǎojūn thought about it. "Alright, you're an independent and self-reliant person. For Mr. Zhàn to question you like that and hastily label you as a schemer, this is a good way to prove through facts that you're not after anything from him and you're not a scheming woman."
Time reveals a person's heart, and distance tests a horse's strength.
Hǎi Tóng was good-natured and quickly put the matter out of her mind.
Chapter 72
Zhàn Yìn, however, felt utterly embarrassed.
He spent the entire afternoon with a grim expression, keeping everyone at Zhàn Group on edge, wondering who had offended the moody CEO.
He was already stern and aloof, but when visibly suppressing his anger, he was even more terrifying.
Even Zhàn Yìchén and Sū Nán tried to stay out of Zhàn Yìn's sight.
Despite his inner turmoil, Zhàn Yìn kept his promise. After work that afternoon, he went to the bookstore as usual to wait for Hǎi Tóng.
Hǎi Tóng was busy, so he went into the store to help.
However, he was too serious and barely spoke. Coupled with his tall, imposing, and cold demeanor, the students were too intimidated to ask him to ring up their purchases. They all went to Hǎi Tóng and Shěn Xiǎojūn.
Hǎi Tóng finally said to him, "Mr. Zhàn, I'll handle the payments."
Zhàn Yìn looked at Hǎi Tóng, his gaze unfathomable. After a moment, he straightened his handsome face, walked out from behind the counter, and stood by the bookstore's entrance like an ice sculpture, exuding an aura that warned people to keep their distance.
Now, it wasn't that no one approached him for payment, but rather that no one else dared to enter the store, except for the students' parents who were already inside.
Hǎi Tóng: "......"
Sensing this, Shěn Xiǎojūn quickly leaned over to her friend and whispered, "Hǎi Tóng, you should hurry and take Mr. Zhàn away. I can manage the store alone. With him standing at the door, our store's sales will plummet."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Hǎi Tóng reluctantly got up and walked out.
She said to Zhàn Yìn, "Let's go."
Zhàn Yìn stood still. When Hǎi Tóng reached for him, he spoke in a low, cold voice, "You think I'm useless!"
Hǎi Tóng found it both funny and exasperating. She took his hand. "It's not that I think you're useless, but you're not suited for this kind of work. The students are afraid of you. They're probably more scared of you than the principal."
She pulled him into the car. "I'll drive the new car back to our place first, and then I'll take your car to my sister's house."
Zhàn Yìn didn't say anything, tacitly agreeing to her plan.
He felt a little better inside.
Because she was speaking the truth.
As the eldest young master of the Zhàn family, he had never worked in customer service.
He was designated as the heir from birth, and after growing up and becoming capable of managing the family business, he took on the position of CEO of Zhàn Group. His long tenure in a high position had imbued him with great authority.
Within Zhàn Group, apart from a few senior executives with whom he had close relationships, everyone else feared him like mice feared a cat.
When he and Hǎi Tóng had a shotgun wedding and got their marriage certificate, Hǎi Tóng had surprisingly not disliked his cold demeanor and had agreed to marry him.
Well, he should thank Hǎi Tóng for saving him face back then. If she had rejected him when he offered to get his marriage certificate, his dignity would have been shattered.
Chapter 73
After Hǎi Tóng parked the new car and got into Zhàn Yìn's car, Zhàn Yìn's tone became much gentler. He asked her, "It's my first time dining at your sister's house. I should bring something. What do your sister and brother-in-law like?"
Hǎi Tóng fastened her seatbelt. "Buy a toy for Yángyáng. My brother-in-law smokes, so buy him two packs of cigarettes, and then get some fruit."
Zhàn Yìn grunted in agreement.
As the car left Míngyuàn Huāyuán, he asked his wife again, "Where should we buy them?"
"There's a large mall nearby. We can park there and browse inside to get what we need. Mr. Zhàn, before I moved in, you hadn't been living here, had you? You don't seem familiar with the surrounding area."
Zhàn Yìn paused for a moment before replying, "I bought this place a long time ago. However, I left it vacant to air out. So, I was living with my parents before. After we got married, it wasn't convenient to squeeze in with my parents and brothers, so I moved in."
"Is your family's house big?"
Hǎi Tóng initially wasn't interested as Zhàn Yìn rarely talked about his family. But after sensing his misunderstanding and wariness towards her, she became even less inclined to ask.
"Our entire family still lives in the house under our grandparents' name."
Zhàn Yìn was telling the truth. The Zhàn family's estate was still under his grandparents' ownership. After his grandfather passed away, Grandma Zhàn urged his father to handle the property transfer procedures to put the estate under the names of his father and two uncles.
Because the estate was jointly owned.
However, the transfer procedures had not been completed yet. Zhàn Yìn guessed that the older generation intended to transfer it directly to their generation to avoid further complications later.
To Hǎi Tóng, this sounded like the Zhàn family's conditions were just average, requiring the whole family to live together.
She recalled Grandma Zhàn mentioning before the wedding that she loved having her children and grandchildren around her. Living together might also be because Grandma Zhàn was reluctant to split the family.
"I'll take you back to see it after some time."
Before Hǎi Tóng could reply, Zhàn Yìn proactively said this.
After all, she was his wife in name. He had to take her back to see the Zhàn family.
They lived in the Zhàn family's estate, which had many houses. Some were for the workers. At that time, he didn't want Hǎi Tóng to know his true identity, so he planned to deceive her by having them stay in the workers' quarters.
"When we go back, tell me in advance so I can prepare."
Zhàn Yìn's lips curved into a slight smile, but he quickly suppressed it, as if afraid Hǎi Tóng would realize he could smile.
"Okay."
As they chatted, the journey felt surprisingly short.
They soon arrived at the large mall Hǎi Tóng had mentioned.
After the couple went inside and came out, Zhàn Yìn's hands were full of shopping bags.
Hǎi Tóng had said not to buy too much, but he felt that for his first visit to her sister's house, the gift shouldn't be too meager. He didn't fear others looking down on him for being stingy, but he didn't want anyone to think Hǎi Tóng had married poorly.
"Ring ring ring..."
Hǎi Tóng's phone started ringing. She thought it was her sister calling, but when she took out her phone, she saw it was another unfamiliar number. She had a premonition that it was someone from the Hǎi family.
She had blocked her eldest cousin's number, so they couldn't reach her. Perhaps they had found someone else to call.
Chapter 74
"Why aren't you answering?"
After putting the shopping bags in the car, Zhàn Yìn saw his wife staring at her phone and casually asked.
"It might be those problematic relatives of mine."
"Answer it and you'll know who it is. We'll deal with whatever comes. You don't need to be afraid. I'm here!"
With him by her side, he could support her even if the sky fell.
His words, "I'm here," instantly warmed Hǎi Tóng's heart. This guy had many flaws, and she wasn't perfect either. But they were a flash marriage couple, and he had already done quite well.
She mentally added a few points to Zhàn Yìn's score and answered the unfamiliar call.
"Hǎi Tóng, it's me, Grandpa."
The somewhat unfamiliar voice was still full of vigor. Even though Hǎi Tóng hadn't contacted her family for a while, she recognized her grandfather's voice immediately.
Hǎi Tóng simply hummed in response, waiting for her grandfather to continue.
"Didn't your brother call this morning to tell you that your grandma is sick and needs to be admitted to the hospital in the city? You didn't even help him get a registration number. We came all the way here and still can't get admitted to the hospital. We have to undergo more tests. They said we can only be admitted after a confirmed diagnosis."
"Where are you and your sister living now? We went to your old place and couldn't find you. They said you had moved out long ago, and you didn't even inform your family? Do you still respect us elders and relatives in your eyes?"
"There are quite a few of us here, and we have nowhere to stay. Hurry up and send us your current address. We'll stay for a couple of nights and prepare dinner for us. We haven't eaten yet. If you think we're too many and will disturb you, then just transfer money to us so we can go to a hotel."
Hǎi Tóng felt her anger rapidly rising.
She suppressed her rage and coldly asked, "How did you get here? By bus or private car?"
"Your brothers each drove a car to bring us here. By the way, remember to reimburse your brothers for their gas and travel expenses. This trip cost a lot of money."
"Are you and Grandma and the rest of your filial descendants so poor that you can't even afford to eat in recent years?"
"Hǎi Tóng, what nonsense are you talking about? You and your sister have established yourselves in the city and are living good lives, and now you're cursing your siblings, wishing them poverty? I'm sorry to disappoint you, but your brothers are doing very well. They are all successful people with thriving careers. Your second brother's annual income is a million...
Before Old Man Hǎi could finish, Hǎi Tóng hung up the phone.
She knew her grandfather couldn't keep things to himself. As long as his grandchildren had some success, he would boast everywhere, letting people know how capable they were, to save face.
His filial descendants were all successful, and her second cousin even had an annual income of a million yuan. Yet, they dared to ask her for money to stay in a hotel and to reimburse their gas and travel expenses?
Did they really think of her as a pushover they could always take advantage of?
On the other end, Old Man Hǎi, who hadn't finished boasting about his grandsons' success to his granddaughter, had his call hung up. He glared at the phone, then flew into a rage, almost smashing it. He immediately cursed, "That damned Hǎi Tóng, how dare she hang up on me!"
Hǎi Zhìmíng said, "She's probably blocked my number too."
"Does she think hanging up the phone means she won't have to pay a single cent? Zhìmíng, do you know where Hǎi Tóng and her sister work? Can you find a way to force them out and make them pay for your grandmother's medical expenses? And all of us here taking care of your grandmother in the city also requires a lot of money. Let these two sisters pay for it all."
Hǎi Zhìmíng shook his head. "I don't know, but I have a way to force them to come to us obediently and give us money."
His eyes glinted maliciously as he decided to use his connections to teach his two cousins a lesson.
Chapter 75
Hǎi Tóng knew those troublesome people from her hometown wouldn't give up. Thinking that they didn't know where the sisters lived, she wasn't too bothered even after being angry once, as they wouldn't find them easily in the vast city. She didn't want to let it affect her mood for dinner at her sister's house.
Zhàn Yìn overheard the conversation between the grandfather and grandson and took it to heart.
He had already asked Sū Nán to investigate the information of everyone in the Hǎi family, and he believed the results would be available soon.
The couple arrived downstairs at Hǎi Líng's building and happened to see Hǎi Líng taking out the trash.
"Sis."
Seeing her sister, Hǎi Tóng was very happy and walked towards her first.
"Tóng Tóng, you're here."
Hǎi Líng's tired expression vanished the moment she saw her sister and brother-in-law. Seeing Zhàn Yìn carrying bags and boxes out of the car, she complained, "You two aren't outsiders. Why did you buy so many things when we invited you for dinner? It's too extravagant."
"Sis, it's just some fruit."
Zhàn Yìn called his sister-in-law affectionately. Hǎi Líng liked this brother-in-law more and more. He was honest and kind. Although he didn't talk much, he was very attentive to her sister.
Hǎi Tóng would have found it both funny and exasperating if she knew what her sister thought of Zhàn Yìn.
"Has brother-in-law returned yet?"
Hǎi Tóng affectionately linked her arm with her sister's. "Where's Yángyáng?"
"Your brother-in-law is on his way back; he should be here soon. Yángyáng is upstairs. My in-laws and my husband's eldest sister's family are there watching Yángyáng, so I could come down to take out the trash."
Hearing that her sister's in-laws were there, Hǎi Tóng frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing.
Some matters were best discussed privately between the sisters, not in front of Zhàn Yìn for now.
The Zhōu family also knew about Hǎi Tóng's marriage. As soon as Zhōu Hónglín's sister arrived, she told Hǎi Líng to send her three children to the city for school and have them live with Hǎi Líng, taking care of them. She said Hǎi Líng was already taking care of a child at home, so it wouldn't be much different to take care of three.
In reality, Sister Zhōu had been planning this for a while. Unfortunately, her brother's home didn't have enough rooms. Her daughter was eleven this year and would start middle school next year. Her eldest son was ten and couldn't share a room with his sister anymore.
Her youngest son was three and was still small, needing to sleep with adults.
Now that Hǎi Tóng was married and moved out, a room was freed up, perfect for her two children.
She had also complained to her brother countless times before, saying things like she had seen married daughters support their elderly parents, but never a married daughter supporting her younger sister. She was implying that Hǎi Tóng was occupying a room in her brother's house, leaving no space for her children.
Zhōu Hónglín, already biased towards his own family, had always been displeased with Hǎi Tóng, leading to constant arguments with his wife, which successfully forced Hǎi Tóng to move out of her sister's home.
Hǎi Líng welcomed her sister and brother-in-law upstairs. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they heard her son crying.
"Yángyáng is crying."
Hǎi Tóng was more anxious than her sister. Hǎi Líng took out her key to open the door, saying, "It must be the two children fighting over a toy."
Her husband's eldest sister had brought her youngest child, who was a year older than Zhōu Yáng. The two children playing together would always fight over things.
Hǎi Líng opened the door and entered. Zhōu Yáng ran over with his beloved toy, wanting Hǎi Líng to hold him.
Chapter 76
Sister Zhōu's younger son chased after him, crying, "I want the airplane in Yángyáng's hand!"
Zhōu Yáng immediately hid his toy airplane in front of him, nervously looked back at his aunt, and called out, "Mommy, hold me, Mommy, hold me."
Hǎi Líng picked up her son.
"Hǎi Líng, tell Yángyáng to let Little Treasure play with the airplane. Our Little Treasure is a guest here, Yángyáng should let Little Treasure have it."
Sister Zhōu walked over. She first wiped the tears from her youngest son's eyes, then stood up and reached out to snatch Zhōu Yáng's toy airplane. Zhōu Yáng refused to let go, and Sister Zhōu tried to snatch it away. She caught sight of Hǎi Tóng and her husband, with Zhàn Yìn carrying large bags and boxes. She immediately retracted her hand.
Smiling, she greeted Hǎi Tóng, "Hǎi Tóng, long time no see. Is this your husband? He's truly handsome, with such a distinguished presence."
Not only handsome, but his demeanor and bearing were far superior to her brother's, who worked as a manager in a large company.
Sister Zhōu felt a pang of jealousy towards Hǎi Tóng.
"Sister Zhōu, long time no see. This is my husband, my surname is Zhàn."
Sister Zhōu quickly greeted Zhàn Yìn.
Zhàn Yìn nodded slightly, remaining silent, looking very cold.
As soon as he entered, he saw Sister Zhōu trying to snatch Zhōu Yáng's toy airplane to give to her son. Zhàn Yìn immediately took a disliking to this woman. Zhōu Yáng was younger, and the toy belonged to Zhōu Yáng. Why should Zhōu Yáng give it to his cousin?
Zhàn Yìn was fiercely protective of his own. He would never let his own child suffer to satisfy someone else's child.
He genuinely liked this little fellow Zhōu Yáng and couldn't bear to see him wronged.
Hǎi Líng welcomed her sister and brother-in-law into the house. Sister Zhōu picked up her youngest son. The little boy, likely spoiled, was still crying and demanding Zhōu Yáng's toy airplane.
Zhōu Hónglín's parents saw the many things Zhàn Yìn had bought and were all smiles. They hadn't liked Hǎi Tóng much before. Now that Hǎi Tóng was married and had moved out, and word had it that her husband had bought a house outright in the Míngyuàn neighborhood and was a leading figure in a large company, their attitude towards Hǎi Tóng underwent a 180-degree change.
Everyone sat down.
The items Zhàn Yìn bought were placed on the coffee table.
Sister Zhōu's eyes were sharp, and she spotted new toys. She quickly opened the bag, took out a new toy set, and stuffed it into her son's hands, saying, "Baby, don't cry. Let's play with the new toy. We don't need Yángyáng's broken airplane anymore."
Zhàn Yìn's eyes darkened as he looked at Sister Zhōu, his handsome face tightening. The stern and cold aura he exuded instantly made the atmosphere in the room freeze.
Only then did Zhōu's father nudge his wife, prompting her to remind their daughter not to go too far. These new toys were clearly bought by Yángyáng's aunt's husband for Yángyáng. Their daughter acting like this was embarrassing.
Sister Zhōu's husband's surname was Rèn. Mr. Rèn also felt awkward. He quickly got up, took the new toy back from his son's hand, placed it on the coffee table, and then hugged his son, coaxing him, "Baby, be good. Daddy will take you to buy new toys later."
Sister Zhōu didn't know what was happening.
Zhàn Yìn suddenly said, "Let him play with it. I bought many new toys for Yángyáng, so Yángyáng doesn't lack this set."
He noticed the Rèn family's baby had dirty hands. He was disgusted by the thought of the other child touching Yángyáng's new toys and dirtying them, so he generously decided to give the new toy set to the child.
He gestured for Hǎi Tóng to give the new toy set to the Rèn family's little baby.
Hǎi Tóng didn't want to ruin the atmosphere over a toy. It would be difficult for her sister later. She quickly picked up the toy set and handed it to the little baby. As the baby took the toy, Hǎi Tóng noticed the little one's dirty hands.instantly understanding Zhàn Yìn's sudden generosity.
Chapter 77
Zhàn Yìn had a slight germ phobia. Disgusted by the baby's dirty hands potentially soiling the new toy, he generously gave the child a new set.
The two children stopped squabbling, and the atmosphere among the adults eased.
Although Zhàn Yìn hadn't said much, his glare and expression had already let the Zhōu family know that Hǎi Tóng's husband was not someone to be trifled with.
Mother Zhōu felt that Hǎi Tóng was not easy to deal with to begin with, and now she had found a man who was hard to provoke. She knew her daughter-in-law and Hǎi Tóng were deeply affectionate sisters, and she was well aware of her son's character.