Liu Jun couldn’t help but carefully glance out the car window. “Got it.” He turned back to the car and saw Cui Bingbing still on the phone. After quietly communicating with her, he drove to find an exit, got off the highway, and turned back toward the city. After Cui Bingbing promised she would arrive within an hour, she quickly ended the call and told Liu Jun: “It might be that the information everywhere in Qian Hongming’s apartment, revealing that other women had set up camp there, made it impossible for Jiali to deceive herself—she could only face reality.”

“You mean Jiali could ignore Hongming coming home with long hair scents, perfume smells, and lipstick traces on him, but couldn’t face having women occupying the house?”

“Who doesn’t know this world has collapsed morally? Someone like Hongming, doing shady business, should have had affairs long ago. His concealing it until today shows he still has some conscience toward Jiali. In social situations, if you encounter someone who doesn’t go for girls, everyone looks at him like a freak, convinced in their hearts that this person is either gay or has some fetish. Of course, these things seem to be unspoken rules in society—they don’t apply to you, you can’t do them. Jiali may not have been unaware, just self-deceptive before. As a result, Qian Hongming’s bottom line kept getting lower.”

“You need to keep warning me—this world is too indulgent toward men.” Liu Jun hesitated for a moment, then asked: “As a woman, don’t you think Hongming is a bad man?”

“Hongming is your good friend, and indeed your good friend. He’s not my husband—why should I care about all that? But you can’t do it. I’m capable of making the left hand cut off the right hand.”

Previously, when Liu Jun heard such warnings, he always felt resentful, thinking it insulting to his dignity. But today, thinking about every business entertainment in the past, if there hadn’t been his wife’s uncompromising sharp blade behind him, those temptations of wine, women, and song, as well as clients and friends forcing things on him when they were drunk and heated up, would have been truly hard to resist.

But although Cui Bingbing spoke worldly, as they got closer and closer to Qian Hongming’s Shanghai home until they found a parking spot and prepared to get out, she finally couldn’t help but say domineeringly: “Extend your hand and let me punch it twice. I have to let that stinking man Qian Hongming off when I go upstairs, and I’m psychologically unbalanced—who told you to be his brother?”

“No, Dandan is watching you. See how Dandan settles accounts with you when she wakes up.”

“Then I won’t make noise or punch—I’ll bite instead, okay? You should do good deeds to the end. Also, let’s agree on three rules: after you go upstairs, just hold Dandan, or you can hold Xiao Suihua, but small matters like providing shoulders and embraces for Jiali will all be done by me.”

“Wow, at this moment, a spirit possesses you. At this moment, you’re not fighting alone—not alone! May I ask if you’re President Cui right now?”

Cui Bingbing laughed heartily but immediately coughed dryly, “Shh, be serious.” As soon as she finished speaking, Jiali rushed over from outside the car holding Xiao Suihua, pulled open the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and kept crying, “go home, go home.”

“Alright, we’ll be on the road within ten minutes.” Liu Jun jumped out to ask Qian Hongming, who was chasing behind but not stopping Jiali from getting in the car, what to do. Qian Hongming still said the same thing: no matter what, absolutely no divorce, absolutely no separation, but now letting Jiali go home to cool down was also good. He would arrange things in Shanghai and then drive to follow.

“If Jiali insists on leaving, what then? This is between you and your wife—outside forces are useless. I must get your statement. Don’t give me social reasons—those might convince me, but can’t convince Jiali.” Liu Jun saw Qian Hongming raise his fist to his lips again, looking like he wanted to speak but held back. But this time he couldn’t let Qian Hongming off, or the matter couldn’t be properly resolved.

Qian Hongming gave many reasons, but Liu Jun rejected them all. Driven to desperation by Liu Jun, he angrily said, “Liu Jun, when did you become such a gossip? Jiali never cares about household trivialities. Please get in the car. Let me think before answering you—my mind is very confused right now.”

Liu Jun had no choice but to leave Qian Hongming behind and start the journey. His only comfort was that Qian Hongming firmly refused to abandon Jiali—this attitude was quite different from his father’s back then. In the car, Cui Bingbing somehow managed to transfer Xiao Suihua to the back seat, taking care of two little girls by herself in the back, while Jiali continued to shed tears with her head down. Cui Bingbing threw Liu Jun a sentence, reminding him there were two children in the car, and related matters should wait until they got home. Liu Jun suspected Cui Bingbing was also speaking for Jiali to hear.

After getting on the road, Cui Bingbing began telling stories to the two little girls. Unfortunately, though she could talk the dead back to life, she couldn’t make up even a slightly simple fairy tale, causing Xiao Suihua and Dandan to ask several questions after hearing just two sentences. Cui Bingbing knew she wasn’t cut out for this. Having a brainstorm, she simply encouraged the two children to participate in story-making together. Thus the back seat was full of hilarious moments—things like going up the mountain and hunting a whole basin full of tigers, or little doggy being driven away by Dandan’s favorite word “butt” these days. Gradually, Jiali stopped crying but didn’t speak either, staring blankly ahead throughout the journey.

If not for the many phone calls, Liu Jun would have been bored to death long ago. One call came in—it was from Yang Li. Yang Li had met Cui Bingbing through Liu Jun’s introduction, and the two got along well, developing into close friends who often went shopping and spent time together. Yang Li called Cui Bingbing’s phone, which was turned off, so she found Liu Jun, saying the hotel had just received a batch of good Liaoning sea cucumbers, and A’San had mentioned wanting some last time, asking him to pass along the message. Liu Jun quickly seized the opportunity and asked Yang Li: “Let me ask you about something—I heard your big brother withdrew from the Shanxi coal mines. Is it because he’s not optimistic about the future economy?”

“There are many reasons, mainly three: First, coal mining is dangerous. After he got into coal mining, he worried every day about deaths in the mines, and suffered from serious insomnia. Besides, inspections are getting stricter now. Second, coal mine profits are too good now—openly good, so good that local strongmen’s appetites are wide open, eyeing them hungrily. Even villagers are trying various ways to extort money. Big brother suspects the local strongmen hate that they can’t find dirt on him. After all, taking bribes and dry shares isn’t as good as swallowing the entire coal mine whole. A strong dragon can’t defeat local snakes, so the first point becomes even more problematic. Third comes from Big Brother’s judgment of the situation. He experienced that period in ’98 and is always somewhat paranoid when doing business. Seeing the country now restricting national crude steel capacity through tariffs and other methods, he suspects the bottleneck will inevitably be transmitted to coke, then to coal. Better to sell high while he can—there are plenty of people in the market chasing highs to take over. Sell at a good price and reinvest in nickel mines.”

“Does your big brother not favor the future market?”

“You’re asking again. As for future markets, the economy always has ups and downs. Big brother says, as long as you have some accuracy in timing, don’t let one scare break your courage. His investment in nickel mines is based on this consideration—nickel mines are ultimately more scarce, and prices are less affected by domestic policies. Also, nickel mines are far from populated areas, with layers of mountains perfectly isolating those red-eyed people. However, because technical requirements are higher and capital needs are greater, we’re seeking ways to go public. Any other questions?”

Liu Jun felt like slapping himself again after hearing this—he was probably the only person in the world who was timid as a mouse. He wondered why he was always so indecisive, specifically about investing in and building heat treatment branch factories. Cui Bingbing took the phone to continue the conversation, ending it in just a few words, then returned the phone and continued caring for the two little demons. But she didn’t forget to make a few comments. “I’ll provide you with contrary testimony—locals all say Yang Xun and others went there to make a quick buck and leave, not having the conscience of local people. Besides, Yang Xun has always been a speculative buying and selling type, not someone who squats in one place, stubbornly developing. His buying coal mines low and selling high is just a business process—don’t analyze it from your industrial development perspective, it’s completely off-topic. Any local government only likes real industry settling in, not welcoming speculators moving in.”

Liu Jun listened and realized it was true—everyone has their position and interests, so he put this aside and focused on driving. But this ordinary discussion between the couple fell on Jiali’s ears with unprecedented meaning. She never knew what Hongming was doing, so naturally couldn’t discuss it. In her home, they watched movies together, listened to music, traveled, and naturally talked only about these fields she was familiar with. She wanted to know—what would Hongming’s live-in woman, revealed through various clues, talk about with Hongming?

This journey was very boring. Finally arriving home, Liu Jun was assigned by Cui Bingbing to take care of the two children while Cui Bingbing took Jiali to the Qian house to talk. Seeing Cui Bingbing’s confident commanding appearance, Liu Jun suspected that everything that happened was within her expectations, that she had caused the situation in the first place. Previously she had said she wouldn’t meddle in such affairs—why was she suddenly getting involved?

The two children—one naturally active, one naturally quiet—after this morning’s commotion, Xiao Suihua became even quieter. Liu Jun found dealing with the monkey-like Dandan tiring, but dealing with the quiet Xiao Suihua even more exhausting—she was extremely hard to please. And he was even worse than Cui Bingbing at making up stories.

As soon as Cui Bingbing got in the car, she asked Jiali: “What are your plans? Two paths: divorce or continue the marriage.”

“No!” Jiali answered quickly, but then sighed and, after a long while, added: “No divorce.”

Cui Bingbing never thought Jiali would ask for a divorce over this, or could successfully divorce, but she hadn’t expected Jiali’s determination not to divorce to be so firm. She was instead choked up, suddenly not knowing how to respond. She didn’t feel relieved but instead felt furious deep down—were all men dead? Even in this situation, her heart still refused to entertain even a trace of divorce thoughts. Cui Bingbing couldn’t completely understand Jiali.

Instead, it was Jiali who had cooled down during the journey from Shanghai and had now somewhat regained composure, talking more. “A’San, did you all know about this long ago?”

“Didn’t you go see a play or opera last month, and some exhibition the month before? Didn’t you notice then?” Cui Bingbing asked back.

“Ah, Shanghai has too many stylish guesthouses converted from mansions. Each time I went, Hongming would take me to different ones in rotation, never repeating. I enjoyed it too. So… only today did I learn there was a reason for it. Who is that woman? What does she do? How many years has she been with Hongming?”

“I don’t know. Liu Jun probably doesn’t know either. Our home base is all in this city. I can guarantee you that in this city, we haven’t heard of Hongming having someone outside. Today’s events surprised us all, but we’re observers after all—even our shock is limited. Therefore, as an observer, I advise you: if you’re determined not to divorce, I think you should let bygones be bygones, delete everything you saw and heard today, to make it easier to face each other and live together in the future. And if you want to live well, I hope you look forward and find ways to solidify your marriage.”

When the car reached the garage of the complex where the Qian family lived, Jiali was reluctant to get out. “Can’t I even find out the truth? Can’t I even make basic condemnations?”

“Of course you can, but what’s the point? Still, look forward—life must go on.” Cui Bingbing got out of the car first, wanting to pull Jiali out too. “Come on, let’s go to your house. You take a bath and relax. I’ll cook you some porridge. Only when you’re fed and satisfied will you have the strength to live on.”

“Thank you, A’San. You go back and help me take care of Xiao Suihua for one night. Let me be alone. I don’t want to think about anything or see anyone right now.”

“No, I must follow up. I’m not at ease. I won’t disturb you. Whenever you want to talk, come find me in the living room. If you don’t want to talk, find a place to stay by yourself.”

“I don’t want to see anyone. Come on, A’San, you go back. I’m going up now.”

Cui Bingbing hesitated. “I… I’ll call Liu Jun over. You wait in the car first.” Cui Bingbing planned to tragically and heroically sacrifice Liu Jun, but Jiali didn’t agree, waving her arms saying “no, no,” stamping her feet and getting out of the car by herself, her whole face saying “stay away from me.” Cui Bingbing hurriedly followed, but could only follow to the elevator entrance. Jiali simply didn’t want anyone following—her entire body language said, “follow me any further and I’ll break down.” Cui Bingbing could only stop and silently watch the elevator doors separate Jiali from her.

What to do? Cui Bingbing called Liu Jun to ask. How would Liu Jun know? But he felt letting Jiali stay alone was extremely dangerous—the quieter people are, the more likely they are to do shocking things when agitated. He knew he could use Xiao Suihua to lure Jiali out, but using Xiao Suihua’s tears in such a scheme was wrong. Unless Jiali was standing on the rooftop, he might resort to this desperate measure. Fortunately, Qian Hongming called saying he had gotten off the highway and would handle things from here—if necessary, he’d break down the door, and besides, there was still a housekeeper at home. The couple agreed on one thing: entrusting Xiao Suihua to Liu Jun for the night.

To comfort the sensitive and melancholy Xiao Suihua, who kept staring out the window in a daze, Liu Jun had to make an exception. Before Cui Bingbing returned home, he had already taken Xiao Suihua and Dandan to the factory they had never seen before. Dandan was strapped in a small cart, watching with dancing hands and feet. Xiao Suihua carefully held Uncle Liu’s hand, quietly walking close to Uncle Liu, her big eyes taking a long time after entering the workshop to gradually become lively. Liu Jun couldn’t bear to see children like this. Fortunately, once he entered the workshop, he was in his element and managed to warm up Xiao Suihua’s mood. Only after exhausting Xiao Suihua to the point of sleep and having Dandan also fall asleep in his arms could Liu Jun return home. During this time, only one message came from Qian Hongming’s side: he had entered the house, and Liu Jun needn’t worry about Jiali’s safety anymore.

Only after returning home could Liu Jun privately ask Cui Bingbing whether taking Jiali to Shanghai was premeditated. Cui Bingbing admitted it readily. Previously, she had looked down on Jiali, but after giving birth to Dandan, she gradually felt Jiali’s kindness. The day before yesterday, when Liu Jun was on a business trip, she received a bouquet on her birthday with a card drawn by Dandan attached. Speaking of which, the little monkey Dandan’s ability to like drawing was entirely due to Jiali’s extremely patient nurturing—behind patience should be Jiali’s love. Cui Bingbing handed Liu Jun a card that had already been laminated.

Liu Jun looked at his daughter’s drawn card and smiled. “So you tried to make Jiali see reality? But for Jiali, was it useful?”

Cui Bingbing spread her hands. “I admit I was too presumptuous in projecting my feelings. It was useless—today it seems to have instead destroyed her peaceful life. You understand her better.”

“I just thought of something Hongming said—he said Jiali doesn’t like inquiring about household trivialities. I think, perhaps, this is exactly why he chose Jiali, and he also intentionally cultivated Jiali in this direction. Sinful.”

Cui Bingbing was stunned, standing in the room, carefully comparing her memories with Liu Jun’s words. “Sinful indeed—Qian Hongming is too scheming. Is Jiali his lover or his forbidden fruit? Should you distance yourself from him? Who knows what designs he has on you? No wonder I never liked looking at him.”

Liu Jun sighed. “Don’t overthink it. They’re one willing to hit, one willing to be beaten. As for what Hongming might want to do to me, isn’t there you? Impossible. Hongming is also pitiful. He has a belly full of things he can’t say. If it were me, I might have said everything, but he won’t speak—keeping it all bottled up inside, wishing he could cover his mouth every day, not even telling Jiali.”

“Still pitiful at thirty? Is he a man?”

“He has heavy concerns on his mind. Only someone like Jiali suits him. If it were you, even if he gave you a hundred million yuan as dowry, he wouldn’t dare marry you.”

“For Hongming’s pitifulness, so you sacrifice Jiali?”

“How do you know what Jiali thinks? This time, you forced open a window for Jiali—you can see how she reacts subsequently. Anyway, you acted rashly.”

Cui Bingbing said gloomily: “I’ve already admitted I misjudged Jiali, OK? Forget it. I’ll play with Yang Li from now on—rough women are more comfortable mixing with rough women.”

As the two were talking, a text message from Qian Hongming came in: “Everything’s fine”—just three simple words. Instead, Liu Jun and Cui Bingbing, who were still debating, looked unsatisfied, facing each other. Cui Bingbing looked puzzled: “Everything’s fine? How is everything fine? Starting tomorrow, will Jiali become self-reliant? Even just a little bit?” But without waiting for Liu Jun to answer, Cui Bingbing first denied it in her heart.

Liu Jun was on the same wavelength as Cui Bingbing: “Stop worrying needlessly. Between friends, seek common ground while preserving differences. Magnify friends’ good points several times when treating them, and that’s enough. At the very least, after this incident, Hongming should restrain himself somewhat.”

Cui Bingbing made a hippo face, looking completely disbelieving, but was too lazy to say more—not physically tired, not mentally tired, but simply impatient. Instead, it was Liu Jun who muttered: “I just hope we don’t end up with another Xiao Suihua with personality problems.”

The next day, the sun rose as usual, and the summer sun was very bright, very normal—so normal it was outrageous. Early in the morning, Xiao Suihua was picked up by a driver sent by Qian Hongming and taken to kindergarten. After that, contact between the two families greatly regressed to long ago, becoming again only contact between Liu Jun and Qian Hongming. Cui Bingbing was too lazy to think about why and felt no disappointment. She encountered so many big and small matters every day that her heart couldn’t store so many concerns. Of course, she wouldn’t actively visit the Qian family either.