Chapter 390: Chaos (Part 2)

After waiting in the car for a while, Li Jing called back. "I’m still busy here. Wait for me at home; I haven’t changed the locks."

Hou Weidong deliberately asked, "What if you run into the male owner of the house?"

Li Jing feigned anger. "Run into a ghost? Stop nagging. Just wait for me."

Hou Weidong checked his watch. "I still have classes this afternoon."

"What classes?"

"I’m taking a graduate course at the Provincial Party School. Today is class day."

Li Jing was overjoyed upon hearing this, her face lighting up like a flower. "Why didn’t you say so earlier? You go to your class this afternoon. I have matters to attend to as well; I need to talk with several directors about your dividends and other issues. We’ll discuss everything tonight."

Thanks to the sham marriage, she had given her unborn son a legitimate status. As her belly grew, this child had become a vital part of her life. The overwhelming joy of carrying a son who was growing day by day would be a lifelong regret if she couldn’t share it with the child’s father.

Now that Hou Weidong had come to Lingxi for his graduate studies, it felt as though a fairy had fallen from the sky, leaving Li Jing ecstatic.

Hou Weidong wanted to ask, "Is the baby in your belly mine?" But the question was too abrupt. Although he was ninety percent certain, he held back. They would meet tonight anyway; there was no need to bring up such an important topic over the phone.

Upon arriving at the Provincial Party School, he noticed that Guo Lan was missing from the front row. Instead, Li Jun was sitting in Guo Lan’s seat. Seeing Hou Weidong, she smiled. "Director Hou, you’re not being straightforward. Last time, you promised to drive Guo Lan and me to class, yet you ran off alone."

Hou Weidong replied, "Your Political and Legal Affairs Commission is equipped with police sedans. You can hit the highway without any trouble. Why would you need to ride in my beat-up car?"

Li Jun covered her mouth and laughed. "I’ve seen your car. It’s a Bluebird. Is that really a beat-up car? Our Volkswagen Santanas wouldn’t even be presentable." She pursed her lips and said, "Two beautiful women like Guo Lan and me riding in your car is your honor. I’m only giving you the chance to serve beauties because you’re handsome. Others don’t get this treatment."

Li Jun was a girl with good looks and a lively personality. Hou Weidong didn’t dislike her, but with so much on his mind today, he merely exchanged pleasantries with her, going through the motions.

"There’s a college classmate of Guo Lan’s in the class who works at the Provincial Department of Transportation. At noon, he insisted on taking Guo Lan out to eat and invited all their alumni from Lingxi. Judging by his demeanor, he’s making a move on Guo Lan." Li Jun’s words tumbled out like popping beans. Without waiting for Hou Weidong to ask, she revealed Guo Lan’s whereabouts.

Hou Weidong thought to himself, "No wonder most neighborhood committee members are women. Gossiping about neighbors’ affairs is indeed a woman’s nature." He敷衍ly replied, "This is something Guo Lan’s mother-in-law cares about most."

Li Jun was clearly most concerned about Guo Lan’s marriage. Hearing this, she turned her body completely to face Hou Weidong. "Beautiful women often have hard lives. Guo Lan had a boyfriend in college—handsome, elegant, and talented. Who knew he was an ingrate? He changed his heart immediately after going abroad. A typical case of knowing someone’s face but not their heart…"

Hou Weidong’s mind was preoccupied with Li Jing’s pregnant belly. He had no mood for small talk and was feeling somewhat annoyed. Just then, the instructor walked in. Li Jun, still eager to talk, said, "Professor Guo doesn’t speak of it, but she’s actually quite anxious. There are many unmarried young men in your Municipal Party Committee Office. Is there anyone suitable? Introduce one to Sister Lanlan."

"Seems like there isn’t anyone suitable."

When Li Jun finally turned back around, Hou Weidong actually let out a sigh of relief. The classic image of the chatty Tang Sanzang popped into his head. He thought, "If we’re talking about chatterboxes, Li Jun and Ren Lindu are truly a match made in heaven." He remembered the first time he met Li Jun a few years ago; she had been a rather elegant and quiet girl. The passage of a few not-so-turbulent years had somehow transformed her into a woman whose chattiness rivaled that of Tang Sanzang.

The afternoon classes ended early. Li Jun immediately turned her head back. "Director Hou, what are your plans for tonight? If you don’t treat me to dinner, I’ll treat you."

Hou Weidong said, "I’ll owe you one. I’ve already made plans for tonight and can’t cancel. I’ll treat you and Guo Lan another day."

Although Li Jun talked a lot, she was sensible and knew her limits in joking. She had only met Hou Weidong three times, but through these interactions, they had unknowingly become acquaintances. Moreover, Hou Weidong felt he owed her a favor.

They walked downstairs together. Hou Weidong asked Li Jun, "Where do you stay? I’ll drive you there."

Li Jun pointed to a car parked in another corner of the playground and smiled. "That’s the Political and Legal Affairs Commission’s police sedan. I’ll be going back to Shazhou with Guo Lan in a bit and will come back for class tomorrow."

"Alright, see you then." Hou Weidong waved goodbye to Li Jun and drove off swiftly.

When he arrived at Li Jing’s small building, Hou Weidong hesitated for a moment before resolutely heading upstairs. Just as he inserted the key into the lock, the door opened, startling him.

"The chairman called me. I knew you were coming." The person who opened the door was the middle-aged woman who used to guard the back door of Jinggong Group. She warmly welcomed him in, took off his shoes, and served him tea and water.

Seeing this middle-aged woman bustling around him with such affection, Hou Weidong momentarily felt like a son-in-law meeting his mother-in-law.

"My name is Hou Weidong. We’ve met several times, but I don’t know how to address you."

The woman placed the tea in front of Hou Weidong and said, "You’re older than me. Just call me Old Li."

Hou Weidong said, "Then I’ll call you Sister Li."

Sister Li couldn’t keep her hands idle. She picked up a mop and started cleaning the living room. As she mopped, she said, "I used to work at Sha Construction Company, in the same team as Little Jing. After Sha Construction Company collapsed, I joined Jinggong Group. Without Little Jing, someone of my age would just be stuck at home."

She spoke calmly, but there was a small story behind her words.

Back then, she and her husband had both lost their jobs. One child was in junior high, and the other was in high school. Life was quite difficult. She had always worked in the factory, lacking technical skills, business connections, or capital. She had considered shining shoes on the street.

After shining shoes for half a year, she met Li Jing on the street and subsequently joined Li Jing’s branch in Shazhou as a general laborer. Her husband was arranged to work at Jinggong Group. He had originally been a technical backbone at Sha Construction Company and continued in his old profession at Jinggong Group. His work went smoothly, and his待遇 was even better than before at Sha Construction Company. The family finally escaped the困境 of unemployment.

After Li Jing became pregnant, the household needed someone to take care of things, so she invited Sister Li to live with them. Sister Li was a person who repaid kindness with gratitude. She did her utmost at home, caring for Li Jing even more diligently than she did for her own children.

Looking at Hou Weidong, she truly had the feeling of a mother-in-law looking at a son-in-law. After chatting with Hou Weidong for a while, she went to the bathroom to wash the mop. Thinking of Li Jing’s situation, she felt a sourness in her heart. Li Jing was a pitiful person. She appeared glamorous on the outside, but at home, there was no one who understood her pain or warmth. No matter how strong a woman is, she is still a woman and needs a man.

Thinking of this, she wiped away a tear in the bathroom.

When Sister Li came out, Hou Weidong tentatively asked, "Are you two the only ones in this house?"

Old Li sighed. "No man has ever been in this house except you. For the specific details, ask Little Jing."

A while later, Li Jing returned.

As she entered, Old Li handed her a pair of loose shoes and helped her change. Hou Weidong stood in the living room watching the two of them.

Although Li Jing hadn’t explicitly told him about the child, Hou Weidong’s heart was clear as a mirror. Li Jing was carrying his child, and her so-called marriage was merely a facade. Seeing Li Jing in maternity clothes, her figure changed, he felt as though he saw the shadow of his wife, Xiaojia. A myriad of emotions surged in his heart. He cursed himself internally: "Hou Weidong, you are truly a bastard. Look at the mess you’ve made. Your sins are heavy."

He forced a smile, though he felt it was heavy. "Take it slow. Be careful. The floor is a bit wet."

Li Jing looked at Hou Weidong’s cautious demeanor and smiled. "Don’t be nervous. I’m not that delicate."

Old Li escorted Li Jing into the living room and said, "I bought some local crucian carp today. I’ll take one to make soup and braise the others."

Li Jing thought for a moment. "Stir-fry some beef shreds. It has a stronger flavor." She then said to Hou Weidong, "I’ve been eating chicken soup these days. Just the thought of it makes me nauseous. Today, thanks to you, I can eat something delicious."

Old Li was socially astute. Knowing the two of them had things to discuss, she found an excuse to go to the kitchen.

Hou Weidong stared at Li Jing and said firmly, "The child is mine."

Li Jing nodded. "It is yours."

"Why didn’t you tell me?"

Li Jing asked in return, "Would it have made any difference if I had?"

Their eyes locked directly. Slowly, Hou Weidong’s heart felt as though molten steel was flowing through it. His sense of unease was replaced by a feeling of painful regret. "You’re so silly. You should have told me long ago."

Li Jing also let out a sigh of relief. She shifted her body and leaned into Hou Weidong’s arms, placing one of his hands on her belly. "Thank you for giving me a little life, Weidong. The little one is punching and kicking in my belly. Can you feel it?"

Hou Weidong spread his five fingers and focused all his attention on his palm. He clearly felt a bulge on Li Jing’s belly. The little one transmitted strength through the mother’s belly to the father’s hand. This direct connection instantly conquered Hou Weidong.

"Is it a daughter or a son?"

"A son. I originally didn’t want to know in advance, but I couldn’t resist my curiosity." Li Jing said happily, "Will you give the son a name?" Seeing Hou Weidong hesitate, she smiled. "The man I married in name also has the surname Hou. Let the child take the surname Hou too. You must give him a good name."

Hou Weidong hadn’t expected Li Jing to consider things so thoroughly. He was deeply moved. After thinking for a while, he said, "In today’s society, survival requires great wisdom. The son’s name will be Hou Dazhi."