L&H - 9

It was almost nine o’clock, and Yu Qing stood on the balcony of her rented apartment.

The old residential complex was unusually quiet, with dim streetlights and the night growing thicker.

Yu Fei hadn’t arrived yet—she had taken on a case just before leaving work and was currently discussing the details with her client.

Yu Qing didn’t know when she’d be back. She sent a message to Fu Ji Chen: [Something came up—I’ll be home late.]

Fu Ji Chen quickly replied: [I’m not at home. I’ve got a meeting with President Zou to discuss financing details.]

“Little Yu, I really feel bad for you. I asked you to come back early, but here we are, waiting until this late hour,” Boss Qian said apologetically.

This was already the third time he had apologized that evening.

Yu Qing closed the window. “Uncle Qian, it’s fine—don’t worry about it.”

Mrs. Qian couldn’t sit still either and urged her husband to call and check if Yu Fei had changed her mind about buying the house. If she had, they should find out sooner rather than later, so they wouldn’t waste everyone’s time waiting.

Just as Boss Qian pulled out his phone, Yu Fei called to say she couldn’t find a parking spot and might need another ten minutes or so.

Mrs. Qian sighed in relief—it was good that she had arrived.

Not long after, Yu Fei walked in, bringing each of them a hot drink and repeatedly apologizing. If not for special circumstances, she was usually very punctual.

After a few more words of apology, they moved on to the main topic.

The real estate agent laid out all the relevant agreements on the table and went through each one in detail, pointing out some clauses they needed to pay attention to.

Yu Qing listened half-heartedly—none of this concerned her. She was just waiting to sign the tripartite agreement.

Before handing over the deposit, Yu Fei raised the issue of resolving the rental contract first.

Boss Qian had already arranged for the intermediary to draft an agreement. He pulled it out and handed a copy to each of them. Then, in front of Yu Fei and the real estate agent, he said, “Little Yu, I still owe you six months and two weeks of rent, plus a month’s deposit. Let me transfer that to you now.”

After transferring that amount, he proceeded with the next payment.

“I’ll cover all the renovation costs. I broke my promise first, so it’s only fair that I take responsibility. Additionally, I’ll compensate you with one more month’s rent. If you can’t find a suitable place right away, I can’t let you bear the cost of staying in a hotel.”

He then mentioned Yu Qing’s belongings. “You can temporarily move your things to our warehouse. There’s an office for the inventory manager there, and the neighboring room is vacant—it was simply renovated before. You can store your items there for as long as you like. The moving costs will also be covered by me—you don’t need to worry about anything.”

Yu Qing accepted only what she was entitled to and transferred the rest back to the landlord.

“Eh? Little Yu, why did you transfer it back?” Old Qian exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the incoming transaction, completely baffled.

Mrs. Qian gave her husband a meaningful look, and he immediately understood. “Little Yu, if there’s anything in this compensation plan that doesn’t satisfy you, feel free to speak up. As long as it’s reasonable, we can discuss it.”

Yu Qing knew full well that even if she made slightly unreasonable demands at this moment, Boss Qian would probably agree to them. But she couldn’t bring herself to exploit someone in a difficult situation.

If it weren’t absolutely necessary, no one would sell their son’s marital home.

Boss Qian’s attitude was more than enough.

Besides, she wasn’t truly desperate for money, so there was no need to haggle over breaking the lease.

Yu Qing explained: “Uncle Qian, that’s not what I meant. I decided to renovate the house myself, and I’ve lived here for nearly half a year. Moreover, when I hired the construction team, negotiated prices, and supervised the work, you, Auntie, and Qian Cheng helped me so much.”

She felt uncomfortable letting Boss Qian cover all the renovation costs. “Let’s split the renovation expenses fifty-fifty. And as for the additional month’s compensation, I really don’t need it. But could you give me two weeks? It’ll probably take two weekends to move all my things. I won’t use your warehouse—I’ll find somewhere else.”

Yu Fei glanced at the tripartite agreement from time to time, occasionally stealing glances at Boss Qian and Yu Qing.

She took out a pen from her bag, wrote something on the blank pages of each agreement, and then asked the agent for an inkpad. She pressed her fingerprint on the changes, signed them, and handed the revised agreements to Yu Qing.

“You don’t need to rush to move out. My parents won’t be coming to live here until after the New Year.”

Yu Qing carefully read the new clause—Yu Fei was allowing her to stay rent-free until January 10th of the following year.

Yu Fei gestured to Yu Qing: “Press your fingerprint where I made the changes, then sign to confirm that you’ve read and agreed to them.” She added, “I won’t charge any rent for these months. Later, I’ll record a video. Just make sure to leave the house in its current condition when you hand it over to me.”

The real estate agent watched in amazement. After selling houses for so many years, this was the first time he had witnessed such a harmonious scene.

Earlier, he had worried about what to do if Yu Qing refused to move out or made excessive demands. He feared Yu Fei’s personality might lead to complications.

He never expected the usually cold-faced lawyer, Yu Fei, to be so easygoing.

Yu Fei handed Yu Qing a business card with a smile. “If any of your relatives or friends need a lawyer in the future, feel free to contact me directly—I’ll offer a friendly rate.”

Yu Qing accepted the card with both hands—it belonged to a litigation lawyer from Shuo & Law Firm.

Originally, they could have been half-colleagues.

The agreements were signed, the deposit paid, and all the necessary documents were ready—they could go through the formalities at the relevant department the next day.

The real estate agent finally relaxed. This deal was secure.

Everyone had compromised, and he couldn’t calculate who exactly had benefited.

Boss Qian had offered more money, but ended up saving more than half. Yu Qing had accepted less money, but Yu Fei allowed her to stay rent-free for over two months.

And Yu Fei had gained a potential client.

By ten o’clock, they left.

Yu Qing closed the door and put away the agreements.

She didn’t rush to leave but stood in the living room for a while, pondering what to do with her precious belongings.

Before leaving, Yu Qing packed a few series of pendant decorations into her bag.

It was over four hundred meters from the residential complex to the nearest subway station. She walked slowly toward it.

“Ding ding ding, I can’t be bothered to argue with you anymore! Lu Chen, have some shame and remember your dark history! Besides, this house is for your son—it has nothing to do with me. I’ve been running around handling things for you during this time. Do you know how much effort I’ve put in and how much time I’ve wasted earning money? Remember to transfer my hard-earned fee! Fifty thousand yuan—not a penny less!”

Yu Qing had just reached the car when the call ended. The window was down, and Yu Fei’s voice drifted out.

Their eyes met.

Both were momentarily stunned.

“Going out?” Yu Fei asked casually, smiling as if nothing had happened.

Yu Qing nodded. “Mm.”

“Get in—I’ll give you a ride partway.” Yu Fei extended the invitation.

As she spoke, she turned around and moved the document bag from the passenger seat to the backseat.

Yu Qing politely declined: “No trouble—it’s almost to the subway station.”

Yu Fei insisted: “It’s late. Isn’t it better to save you a few minutes? Anyway, I’ll pass by there anyway.”

Yu Qing didn’t decline further and got in.

Yu Fei didn’t ask why she was taking the subway so late at night. She rarely stayed at the rental apartment, so Yu Fei likely already suspected something.

However, neither of them brought up each other’s little secrets.

At that moment, not far from the subway station, at the headquarters of a certain bank.

Fu Ji Chen and his group had just left President Zou’s office. President Zou had accompanied them all the way to the elevator before returning.

The elevator doors closed, and they waited to reach the next floor.

Qiao Yang finally spoke: “I didn’t expect Qin Moling to have broader financing channels than us. Whether President Zou was exaggerating or trying to raise our loan interest rates, I’m not sure.”

Fu Ji Chen stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at the elevator buttons.

After a few seconds, he said, “It’s not that serious.” President Zou had always maintained a good relationship with his father. Over the years, Fu Corporation and President Zou had cooperated smoothly—it was a win-win situation.

What Qiao Yang didn’t understand was, “How could the bank controlled by the Yu family offer Qin Moling hundreds of billions in collateral loans, and at a relatively low interest rate? Chairman Yu is notoriously stingy except when it comes to his own children—when has he ever been generous?”

Fu Ji Chen remained silent. The alliance between Chairman Yu and Qin Moling wasn’t good news for him.

Pan Zheng picked up where Qiao Yang left off: “There must be some other exchange of interests between Chairman Yu and Qin Moling. The non-performing loan rate of the banks under the Yu family has always been the lowest in the industry. He never focuses solely on short-term gains.”

Qiao Yang nodded.

Perhaps Chairman Yu was providing this loan in anticipation of even greater returns in the future.

Otherwise, it simply didn’t make sense.

When they reached the parking lot, Qiao Yang glanced at Fu Ji Chen. Without saying anything, she took her seat in the back.

Fu Ji Chen gave Pan Zheng a few instructions before getting into his own car.

The car sped through the night.

Fu Ji Chen rested his forehead on his hand, feeling listless.

In the past few days, he had arranged meetings with several bank executives.

In the morning, he had visited one bank, but their loan interest rates were a bit high. That evening, he had come to meet President Zou.

The roadside scenery flashed by, but he didn’t pay attention.

After tonight’s detailed discussion with President Zou, it was clear that Qin Moling was determined to secure that prime plot of land.

Perhaps he needed to adopt an indirect strategy.

Lost in thought, the car unconsciously turned onto the road leading to the residential complex.

Fu Ji Chen was still absent-mindedly looking out the window, thinking about financing matters.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared on the sidewalk.

His finger was about to touch the window button when he stopped.

He instructed the driver, “Slow down—Yu Qing is on the sidewalk.”

The driver glanced to the right and saw Yu Qing on the phone. He didn’t stop but drove slowly along the roadside, as if stuck in traffic.

Fu Ji Chen watched outside the car. Under the streetlights, every expression on Yu Qing’s face was clearly visible. She seemed deeply engaged in her conversation, her expressions vivid.

Once Yu Qing entered the residential complex, the driver resumed normal speed and turned into the underground parking lot through another entrance.

Yu Qing’s call hadn’t ended yet—she rarely talked to Fish Demon for so long.

“Grandpa asked when you’re coming home?”

“I’ll think about it.”

She looked up, casually gazing at the streetlamp.

It was late autumn, but there were still tiny insects circling around the lamp.

“This isn’t a solution—you can’t keep hiding like this,” Yu Jingze’s voice interrupted her train of thought.

Yu Qing pulled her gaze back. “I’m not hiding. I’ve clearly told Grandpa and Dad—I can’t marry Qin Moling. It’s not about disregarding their dignity; I’m a proponent of remaining unmarried.”

She emphasized again, “I’m a proponent of remaining unmarried.”

“It’s useless to tell me. To the elders, your so-called ‘unmarried ideology’ is just an excuse.”

“There’s nothing I can do about that. I’ve never known what a family really is. I can’t give someone else a home, nor can I be a competent wife or a qualified mother.”

“I don’t know how to do any of that—truly.”

A brief silence fell over the phone.

Yu Qing didn’t want to dwell on these topics—it ruined her mood. “Brother.”

Yu Jingze knew from her playful tone that trouble was brewing. “Don’t call me ‘brother’—it makes me uneasy.”

Yu Qing chuckled. “Do you have an empty room?”

“Aren’t you too proud to stay here?”

“Not for me—for my bags, clothes, jewelry, and perfumes.”

“...”

“My landlord sold the house. In the spirit of saving money, I figured I wouldn’t waste money renting another place. Besides, your house is sitting empty anyway.”

“Call me when you want to move in.”

The line went dead.

When she got home, Fu Ji Chen still hadn’t returned.

She sat on the sofa to rest her feet and checked today’s futures account—it was doing well, showing profits.

After logging out, she had just stood up when she heard the door open. She quickly sat back down.

Fu Ji Chen came in and closed the door.

Yu Qing asked, “Did you drink?”

Fu Ji Chen looked at her and answered all at once, “Tonight wasn’t a dinner banquet—it was a meeting with President Zou in his office. Pan Zheng and Qiao Yang also attended. Qiao Yang and Pan Zheng took another car. Anything else you want to ask?”

Yu Qing leaned back into the sofa. “If you want to report to me, just say so. Don’t make it seem like I’m investigating you.”

Fu Ji Chen ignored her. He opened his phone and shared a contact with her. “From now on, if you come home late, have the family driver pick you up. It’s unsafe to be out late at night.”

Yu Qing stared at him, puzzled. “You saw me?”

“Mm.”

“At the subway station?”

Fu Ji Chen didn’t answer but countered, “Or did you think I could drive the car into the subway station?”

Yu Qing: “...”

Every day, she was mocked by him multiple times.

Fu Ji Chen loosened his suit buttons and headed upstairs, not forgetting to urge her, “Go take a shower and sleep early—or tomorrow you’ll whine about not being able to get up.”

Yu Qing didn’t feel like walking at all. “President Fu.”

Fu Ji Chen turned his head. “What now!”

Yu Qing extended her hand. “Since you’re going upstairs anyway, could you carry me up? Thanks.” Knowing he wouldn’t be happy about it, she reminded him, “You didn’t forget, did you? I gave you a keychain at lunch.”

Fu Ji Chen: “...”

She hadn’t used the keychain to extort a free lunch.

But she was using it to extort a princess carry.