"I've already divorced Zhou Xueqin," Yan Zhao said curtly.
"No way, Xueqin was such a spirited woman, when it came to drinking..." the nouveau riche man slapped his thigh.
But seeing Yan Zhao's gaze grow colder, the man suddenly felt a chill down his spine and quickly added, "Just kidding, just kidding. Have a good day, Captain Yan."
As Yan Zhao turned away, however, the man's eyes betrayed his contempt.
What's the big deal about being the captain of a police squad? He might have some power, but no money. He's poor.
And as soon as he took office, he came in guns blazing, arresting a bunch of coal bosses.
He's such a blockhead. Coal bosses and the police have always been in cahoots. Deputy Chief Ma has told everyone countless times over drinks. Now they're all lying low, waiting for the day when Yan Zhao gets taken down.
So he won't last long at the Jindong Branch Bureau.
But just as the man was grumbling to himself, Yan Zhao turned back and said meaningfully, "Those guys locked up in the station are really missing you all. Comrades, you'd better behave yourselves!"
The nouveau riche collectively gasped. After all, none of them had clean hands. What if those guys in the station had actually ratted on them?
Though they were seething with anger, these nouveau riche had been behaving much better lately.
Trucks were willing to slow down when passing through villages now, and they didn't dare to overload. Bribes were passed discreetly instead of openly.
The public security in Jindong District was currently harmonious to a fault.
Chen Meilan hadn't realized it at first, as she had never experienced it before.
But seeing how the group of nouveau riche were eyeing Yan Zhao, she deliberately slowed her pace with the children, keeping a distance from him.
Before 1983, being a family member of a police officer was a delicate matter, because there were many cases of intentional harm to police families.
It wasn't until the "Strike Hard" campaign in 1983, when the state severely punished those who harmed police officers and their families, that such incidents stopped.
But even if they wouldn't harm family members, if these people found out she was Yan Zhao's wife, they'd probably wear out her doorstep.
Only Little Wang among the children was aware of this, intentionally keeping his distance. Yuanyuan and Little Lang still wanted to chase after their father. Chen Meilan suddenly had an idea: "Yuanyuan, shall we go buy some book covers?"
"Buy kraft paper to cover books? Really?" Little Wang immediately ran towards the stationery store. "I want to do it myself."
"Little Wang, why are you acting like it's your first day of school? Haven't you ever covered your books before?" Yuanyuan was surprised.
Little Lang pointed at Little Wang: "Big brother's books were used by Zhou Er to wipe his butt."
It seemed Little Wang's first school experience hadn't been pleasant.
Since that was the case, this time they would treat studying with more seriousness. They bought the best kraft paper, and seeing various crayons in the stationery store, even though children didn't have many elective courses these days, she bought a box for each of the two children.
For pencils, she didn't choose the cheapest ones, but those painted in colors. Chen Meilan bought a whole dozen of these colorful pencils at once.
Suddenly, she noticed Little Wang standing in one spot, refusing to move. Chen Meilan went over to look - goodness, she liked this too. It was a spinning pencil sharpener that could also be used as a top.
Not only was Little Wang rooted to the spot, but Yuanyuan and Little Lang also started exclaiming: "Mom, it's so pretty."
"Then let's buy one for each of you." At only one yuan each, they had to get them.
The two older ones were fine, but when Little Lang got his spinning pencil sharpener, the little rascal looked at it and suddenly took a bite.
Chen Meilan was frightened, worried he might cut his mouth.
"Yan Little Lang, you really are a little wolf cub, daring to eat anything," Yuanyuan snatched the pencil sharpener away, touching the little one's mouth worriedly. "I used to be called Zhaodi, and you're the only little brother I've brought in. Don't play like this anymore, it makes me worried."
Although Little Lang liked to bite people, he had a special relationship with Yuanyuan. He carefully and solemnly offered his spinning pencil sharpener to Yuanyuan: "Sister keep it safe."
Coming out of the stationery store, Little Wang carried all the purchases and deliberately slowed down to tell Chen Meilan: "Auntie, I've noticed we bought the most stationery."
Others bought pencils one by one, while she bought a whole bunch.
Others bought small blades to sharpen pencils, while he and Yuanyuan each had a spinning pencil sharpener.
Chen Meilan hadn't realized at first how much Yuanyuan and Little Wang loved those little spinning pencil sharpeners.
Until one day, Yuanyuan knitted covers for all three of their pencil sharpeners with yarn.
"Pencil sharpeners get cold too, they need clothes," she said.
...
Chen Meilan brought the children home and saw Yan Zhao preparing to go out. She quickly stopped him.
"Captain Yan, can we discuss something?" she said.
Yan Zhao stopped: "Go ahead."
"No matter how long Xishan is sentenced, I plan to reclaim his coal mine and truck. You don't have any objections, do you?" Chen Meilan deliberately used a respectful form of address, not wanting Yan Zhao to object.
He was not only incorruptible and selfless but also hated evil. Chen Meilan feared he might object if she wanted to reclaim Yan Xishan's coal mine.
Yan Zhao lowered his head, raising an eyebrow, and asked in return: "You can reclaim them? How do you plan to do that?"
He had a half-smile, seemingly not believing she could reclaim the truck and coal mine from Hu Xiaomei.
"I have my ways, but don't worry, I won't operate the coal mine. For now, let's just reclaim it, and I'll hold onto it," Chen Meilan said.
Yan Zhao nodded: "Alright." But as she was about to leave, he added: "Don't argue, and don't fight. If anything happens, call me. I'll be back home in about an hour. If you're not confident, it's better not to go. Wait until I come back."
"I can handle it myself," Chen Meilan quickly said.
It was strange. In her previous life, Chen Meilan had been the wife of a billionaire, yet Yan Zhao always treated her like a subordinate.
And he couldn't possibly think she would go argue with Hu Xiaomei to reclaim the coal mine, could he?
There was another errand to run today. Chen Meilan needed to go to the telecommunications bureau to apply for a home telephone installation.
If she couldn't take on the Qinchuan Group project, she wouldn't do engineering work. But if she could, she planned to have a serious talk with Yan Zhao about doing engineering projects.
Remembering that Zhou Xueqin once said Yan Zhao not only personally reported her for doing business but eventually divorced her because of it, Chen Meilan felt immense pressure.
At the telecommunications bureau, she registered and queued up, obtaining the fixed telephone installation permit.
Only then did she prepare to go find Chen Ping to reclaim the truck.
As a billionaire's wife in her previous life, Chen Meilan had learned flower arranging, tea ceremonies, and how to appreciate famous paintings in her spare time, but she had never learned to drive.
Firstly, she was timid by nature and didn't dare to. Secondly, Lu Jingyu consciously didn't allow it, and he was particularly adamant about it. In his view, a billionaire's wife only needed to sit in the back, which was a symbol of status.
If she drove around, it would embarrass him as a billionaire.
But later, whenever Yuanyuan and Erniu had an argument, they could casually drive away, while she could only sit at home feeling frustrated. It was then that Chen Meilan realized Lu Jingyu had always been consciously restraining and binding her.
In this life, she must learn to drive.
Putting that aside, Chen Meilan couldn't possibly go herself to reclaim the coal mine and truck. She needed to find someone to go on her behalf.
That person was Yan Bin.
Yan Bin was currently unemployed, staying at home to support the children, do housework, and on the side, enthusiastically engage in business to make money.
But despite having only been in business for about a month, Yan Bin had been hit hard by reality.
Previously, when dining out, it was always the nouveau riche treating him. Now that he had to pay himself, he realized how quickly money was spent. Before, when others treated him, he occasionally couldn't resist the temptation to visit prostitutes, but now that was impossible. Paying for it himself, he discovered that a visit to a prostitute actually cost twenty or thirty yuan!
Once, he was the one visiting prostitutes on others' treat. Now, others visited prostitutes, and he paid the bill.
He used to think that once he started doing business, he would have income. Now he discovered that triangular debts were piling up, and collecting payments was incredibly difficult.
Moreover, Chen Ping was as slippery as an eel. He talked about doing business together, but never reported a penny of his income to Yan Bin. Yet when it came to dining out, he always made Yan Bin foot the bill.
It was called a partnership, but in reality, he was using Yan Bin as a free underling.
Far from making money, in just over a month, Yan Bin had nearly spent all of his savings, including what he had accumulated through corruption and bribery.
So although he kept promising Song Huaihua that he could make money, he was actually panicking inside.
Seeing Meilan enter, he asked, "Meilan, do you need something?"
Chen Meilan slapped Yan Xishan's car keys down in front of Yan Bin and said directly, "Second brother, Chen Ping is driving my car, right? Please go and bring it back for me."
Yan Bin was stunned for a moment and said, "Xishan's car was sold to Chen Ping by Hu Xiaomei. How can I help you get it back?"
"Does Hu Xiaomei have a marriage certificate with Yan Xishan? Do they have a marital relationship? My Yuanyuan is Yan Xishan's only daughter, so Yan Xishan's car should be driven by Yuanyuan. If he gets sentenced and can't come out for several years, his coal mine should also be inherited by Yuanyuan, right?" Chen Meilan questioned back.
"But Chen Ping has nothing to do with this. The car belongs to Chen Ping now. If I take it, what if he reports it to the police?"
"If he reports it, let him ask Hu Xiaomei for the money. The car and coal mine all belong to Yuanyuan. What does it have to do with Hu Xiaomei and Chen Ping?"
Yan Bin considered for a while and found this reasoning sound. He took the keys and turned to leave.
Chen Meilan added, "Second brother, please also help me pass a message to Chen Ping. Tell him to bring his son over today to apologize to my son."
This was the most important part!
...
Chen Ping was living in Dongfang Group, renting Hu Xiaomei's house.
However, it wasn't the one she originally lived in, but a new one she bought after Yan Xishan went to prison. It was originally meant for Qi Dongmei to live in, but now it was rented to Chen Ping.
Living upstairs and downstairs, their relationship had naturally become very intimate.
Chen Ping claimed he rented the house for his son's schooling.
But anyone with eyes could see that he not only coveted Yan Xishan's car but also wanted to seize the coal mine and Hu Xiaomei.
This was called "friend's wife, no mercy."
Although Hu Xiaomei had been a mistress before, she had high standards. Chen Ping wasn't as handsome as Yan Xishan, nor was he as sweet-talking. Moreover, his wife wasn't like Chen Meilan, who would divorce at the drop of a hat. She was determined not to divorce, not caring what they did outside, but not giving them the satisfaction of an easy split.
So Hu Xiaomei had been quite hesitant.
But women can be worn down, even the toughest can be swayed by a persistent suitor.
Today, Chen Ping made an excuse to have Hu Xiaomei help his son cover his books, intending to discuss the coal mine's profit-sharing with her.
A woman who had been a mistress before wasn't easy to fool. She didn't talk about feelings or favors, only money, and her appetite was particularly large.
At this moment, before they could discuss the coal mine, Hu Xiaomei was listening to the chubby boy talk about Little Wang.
"Hmph, although Little Wang has hard fists, he doesn't make a sound when I say just one thing, and lets me hit him," the chubby boy said smugly.
Hu Xiaomei became curious: "Why is that?" Chen Ping's hand reached under the table, trying to touch her thigh, but she gave it a hard pinch.
Using this as an excuse, she moved closer to the chubby boy.
The chubby boy, being hugged by the fragrant auntie, became even more smug: "I just have to say 'Little Wang, your mom is a slut,' and he doesn't make a peep, just takes the beating."
Calling a child's mother a slut, how hurt must that child feel?
How could Chen Ping's son be so detestable?
Hu Xiaomei didn't feel the expected happiness, but instead felt very uncomfortable: How annoying is this chubby boy?
Before she could even become this child's stepmother, she already couldn't stand the sight of him.
Better to discuss the profit-sharing quickly.
She said, "Chen Ping, don't get handsy. Let's talk seriously. Let's not discuss our personal relationship for now. I'll let you mine Xishan's coal mine, and we'll split the money 80-20, I get 80, you get 20."
Chen Ping, who was about to get handsy, was stunned when he heard Hu Xiaomei say "I get 80, you get 20": "How can you be so greedy?"
"You think you're the only one eyeing Yan Xishan's coal mine? I have people behind me who are also watching, and they want a cut too, a big cut. Otherwise, even if you get the mine, the law enforcement team will be at your door every day. How will you mine then?" Hu Xiaomei retorted.
Chen Ping took a deep breath. He had wanted to split it 50-50 with Hu Xiaomei.
So the cake was quite fat, and there were quite a few people wanting a slice?
While Chen Ping was still hesitating, Hu Xiaomei simply said, "If you're willing, bring people to open the mine tomorrow, quickly."
"By the way, Chen Meilan won't have any objections, right? She won't go and tell on us to Yan Xishan, will she?" Chen Ping asked.
Hu Xiaomei immediately let out a cold snort: "What business is it of hers what belongs to my Xishan?"
Actually, it was like this: Hu Xiaomei had been testing the waters. She first sold Yan Xishan's car, wanting to see if Chen Meilan would make a fuss.
Later, she found out that Chen Meilan had kept quiet about it.
She then thought Chen Meilan was proud, cut from the same cloth as Yan Zhao, poor and not fond of money, looking down on Yan Xishan's black coal mine.
So now, Hu Xiaomei was going all out, preparing to become a coal boss herself.
...
As they were talking, suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Hu Xiaomei got up to open the door, and standing there was Yan Bin.
Chen Ping still smiled and said, "Old Yan, what's up?"
Originally, Chen Ping used to call Yan Bin "Director Yan," "Master Yan," "Boss Yan," always urging him to go into business together. But when Yan Bin actually did go into business, Chen Ping started calling him "Old Yan" every day, treating him like a lackey, ordering him around.
So even though Yan Bin had been following Chen Ping, he actually had a mouthful of bitter blood he couldn't spit out.
"I'm here to take away Meilan's car, and also, Xiaomei, Meilan has given you three days to bring Xishan's coal mine keys to her, otherwise she'll break the locks and take over the mine," Yan Bin said unexpectedly.
Chen Ping was stunned upon hearing this and stammered, "Old Yan, what do you mean?"
Yan Bin dangled a set of car keys in his hand: "Meilan wants to take back the coal mine, that's what it means."
With a gasp, not only was Chen Ping frozen in place, but Hu Xiaomei also fell backward, almost crushing the chubby boy behind her.
"Hu Xiaomei, you're not married to Yan Xishan?" Chen Ping suddenly realized and shouted.
"We've been living together all along," Hu Xiaomei shouted back.
Chen Ping was stunned for a moment, then suddenly slapped himself.
That sly bastard Yan Xishan, hadn't he been telling everyone he was married to Hu Xiaomei?
How could it be considered marriage without a certificate?
Without a certificate, how could Hu Xiaomei have the right to dispose of Yan Xishan's property?
That car had cost him 80,000 yuan, 80,000 yuan, half of his assets!
Just then, the sound of an engine came from downstairs. The car that the chubby boy had been proudly boasting about earlier was now truly gone.
Chen Meilan was waiting at the entrance of the coal yard. As soon as the car drove in, she locked the iron gate with a heavy padlock.
"Meilan, how about I help you manage the coal mine?" Yan Bin said with a smile.
He and Chen Ping were still partners, but he switched sides so quickly, wasn't it also because he wanted to manage the coal mine?
"We'll see," Chen Meilan said with a smile.
From Chen Ping to Yan Bin, these people were all Yan Xishan's brothers. They must have heard from somewhere that Yan Xishan was going to be sentenced to life in prison and thought he really wouldn't be able to come out.
They were so eager to seize his property, woman, and car.
If Yan Xishan knew how ruthless his former brothers were being,
He might cry himself to death.
Chen Meilan entered the house and heard the sound of Yan Zhao tinkering with something. When he was at home, it was either clanging and banging or crashing and clattering, the sounds were all different from usual.
Chen Meilan had just retrieved the car, and somehow felt a childlike excitement, as if seeking praise.
She walked around and found Yan Zhao fiddling in the bathroom.
The two little ones were gathered around, commenting.
He was digging trenches himself, laying pipes himself, and installing a showerhead he had bought himself. To be honest, he had made quite a decent shower setup.
Seeing Chen Meilan come in, Yan Zhao said to Yuanyuan, "Yan Shengnan, take Little Lang out to play for a while."
"I don't want to, there's a wolf grandmother outside who puts out rat poison," Yuanyuan said.
Yan Zhao frowned slightly and looked up to ask Chen Meilan, "Has Zhou Xueqin's mother been around again recently?"
"No," Chen Meilan said with a smile. "Go on, go jump on the spring mattress."
With child trafficking cases on the rise, children were more vigilant and didn't like to leave the village. The two little ones also still liked to hang around their father, so they were just making excuses.
As soon as the two little ones left, Yan Zhao reached out and closed the bathroom door: "Did you get the coal mine back?"
"More or less, but I drove Xishan's car back. It's parked in the coal yard across the street," Chen Meilan said with a smile.
Yan Zhao stopped what he was doing and carefully examined Chen Meilan. He was clearly surprised.
He certainly hadn't expected her to be able to get the car back so easily.
"You drove it back yourself? No one chased you?" Yan Zhao asked again.
Chen Meilan smiled again: "Second brother helped me drive it back."
Ah, Yan Bin!
Yan Zhao paused again.
A thief stealing from a thief!
Not to mention the coal mine, he hadn't expected her to be able to get the car back either.
But Chen Meilan always seemed to make complicated things particularly simple.
However, Yan Zhao quickly avoided talking about Yan Xishan's property.
That belonged to Chen Meilan's ex-husband, and by rights, he shouldn't interfere.
He pointed upwards and said, "You can try it, you'll be able to take a shower tonight?"
"Is there hot water?" Chen Meilan asked curiously.
Yan Zhao was truly miraculous. With one turn, hot water really did flow out, gushing onto the floor.
The bathwater drained directly through the squat toilet. Though simple, it was very clean.
"A war buddy of mine couldn't wait for resettlement. His family was poor, and to ensure his child had milk powder to eat, he went into business selling a kind of solar panel. I bought one on credit, so next month's salary I'll give you a hundred yuan less," Yan Zhao continued.
So he hadn't just installed a shower, but also a solar water heater outside?
Being able to install solar power at home these days was truly praiseworthy.
Chen Meilan now realized that this man was very direct, but also sensitive and shy. If you expressed even a hint of displeasure, he would think you were truly displeased.
So the man stood behind her, quickly turned off the water heater, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Chen Meilan didn't move, nor did she object.
The bathroom was damp, but because it had been cleaned, there was no strange odor rising from the drain. The smell was normal.
Having a bathroom with a normal smell wasn't easy in this era.
Men were all pretty much the same, and Chen Meilan wasn't inexperienced. When Yan Xishan and Lu Jingyu first got married, though they weren't as diligent and capable as Yan Zhao, they were equally expressive.
The difference was that other men would persist, refusing to give up until they got what they wanted, but Yan Zhao wouldn't.
His breathing was very heavy, his hands kept trembling. He took a deep breath, finally mustering the courage to place his other hand on her shoulder. Just as he lowered his head, suddenly, the door banged open.
Chen Meilan swore this time it wasn't intentional on her part. She had been acting like an eighteen-year-old girl, shy, gentle, and silent.
But the door crashed open, and Little Wang stood in the doorway, his eyes sparkling with little stars.
"Dad?" he called out, and then surprisingly asked, "Did you get shocked by electricity?"
Yan Zhao stood behind Chen Meilan with both hands raised high, indeed looking as if he'd been electrocuted.
"Dad's fine, go play outside," Yan Zhao said, moving to close the door.
"No, Dad, Mom, do you know who's here?" Little Wang, seeing his father move, figured the electric shock wasn't too serious. He jumped excitedly outside and said, "Chen Ping is here, he said he wants to apologize to me."
Today, Little Wang had been the one to hit first, and back when he was in school, it was always like this. Those kids would deliberately provoke him, and when he hit them, they would tell the teacher.
Under such circumstances, would anyone apologize? Certainly not.
But today, Chen Ping came to apologize, and as soon as he arrived, he put his hands together and smiled, saying "sorry" to Little Wang.
Then he said, "Young Yan Wangqi, would you please go and invite your esteemed mother out? I'd like to have a good chat with her, okay?"
"Esteemed mother" - such an elegant phrase, Little Wang was hearing it for the first time.
