novelraw Chapter 228
Chapter 228
Shen Nanchu stood in the center of her three newly connected courtyard houses, clutching a crumpled renovation blueprint and gesturing to a group of workers.
These three courtyards used to be separate. The walls were mottled, and the roofs leaked. Thanks to her uncle, Jiang Jie, who had asked around to find a construction crew, they had first torn down the partition walls in the middle and replaced all the leaky roof tiles with new ones. Now, they were busy remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms, which also meant the interior layout had to be readjusted.
Foreman Zhang, the kitchen stove has to be moved to the east side. Look, if it faces the window here, the cooking fumes can blow right out with the wind. Otherwise, the whole house will smell every time we cook.
Shen Nanchu squatted down, pointing at the marks on the blueprint, and added, Also, the cement floors in these rooms need to be redone.
Foreman Zhang, who was in charge, nodded. Rest assured, Comrade Shen. We have been in this line of work for over a decade. We will definitely get it done right for you.
Shen Nanchu smiled and nodded. Then I will leave it in your capable hands.
Not far away, Pei Zhengnian sat in a grand armchair. With nothing else to do, he simply watched the workers coming in and out.
One moment someone was delivering lumber, the next cement, then furniture, and then bicycles, a refrigerator, and a television...
His wife's spending prowess today was even more formidable than he had imagined.
Pei Zhengnian thought about his military allowance and various subsidies...
He suddenly felt that the speed at which he earned money was struggling to keep up with the speed at which his wife spent it.
He secretly made up his mind that once he finished dealing with Pei Zhengwei's matters, he had to figure out a way to earn more money. He couldn't let his wife run out of cash to spend.
Just as he was pondering this, a heavy knocking sound came from the courtyard gates.
Shen Nanchu walked over briskly to open it. As soon as the door was pulled open and she saw the person standing outside, her expression turned icy.
Pei Zhengwei stood outside wearing a military greatcoat, which only made him look even shorter.
His eyes were fixed intently on Shen Nanchu, as if he wanted to examine her from head to toe.
The moment he saw her, a flash of pure astonishment crossed his eyes.
The woman before him was even more beautiful than before. Her skin was fair, and her brows and eyes carried an air of calm confidence. The wool sweater she wore was the most fashionable style of the year.
Shen Nanchu...
Pei Zhengwei's voice was slightly hoarse, carrying a deliberate gentleness, as if trying to evoke their past affection.
I heard you returned to the capital, so I came specifically to see you.
Shen Nanchu crossed her arms and looked him up and down, making no secret of the disgust in her eyes.
Short and skinny, with slightly slumped shoulders and a gloomy aura about his face. Compared to Pei Zhengnian's tall, one-meter-eighty-five frame and righteous presence, he was miles behind.
She couldn't help but complain inwardly: What kind of taste did the original owner of this body have to actually marry a guy like this? She would be afraid of having nightmares if they slept in the same bed.
Pei Zhengwei felt entirely uncomfortable under her gaze, but he forced himself to maintain his affectionate facade and took a step forward.
Nanchu, how have you been? I have been so worried about you...
Inside the house, Pei Zhengnian noticed Shen Nanchu hadn't returned for a while and walked out. Just as he reached the door and saw Pei Zhengwei's face, he froze in his tracks, his breathing skipping a beat.
Even though he knew Shen Nanchu had long seen through Pei Zhengwei's true colors, and he knew there was no substantive relationship between the two, the mere thought that Shen Nanchu had once shared a nominal marriage with Pei Zhengwei made his chest feel blocked. It was a messy, sour feeling.
When Pei Zhengwei saw Pei Zhengnian, the jealousy in his eyes thickened. Just as he was about to speak, Shen Nanchu cut him off.
Who are you looking for? Do we know you?
As soon as these words came out, both Pei Zhengnian and Pei Zhengwei were stunned.
Pei Zhengnian hadn't expected Shen Nanchu to be so direct, not leaving a single shred of dignity.
Pei Zhengwei, on the other hand, looked utterly incredulous, as if he had just heard the biggest joke in the world. He stepped forward, a hurt expression on his face, his voice rising a few pitches.
Shen Nanchu, how could you not know me?
Have you forgotten? We used to be husband and wife! I am Pei Zhengwei, your ex-husband!
Ex-husband?
Shen Nanchu raised an eyebrow, her tone remaining indifferent.
I have never been married, and I certainly don't know any Pei Zhengwei. Did you mistake me for someone else? Or are you trying to run a scam?
She knew very well in her heart that the one who knew Pei Zhengwei was the original owner of this body, not her, Shen Nanchu. Since the original owner was already gone, this absurd relationship naturally needed to be severed completely.
Furthermore, the original owner had been abandoned by him. Treating Pei Zhengwei like this now was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it?
Pei Zhengwei looked as if he had been doused with a basin of cold water, his entire body stiffening.
Looking at Shen Nanchu's freezing gaze, the anger in his heart flared up instantly. Even if he had fled the marriage back then, Shen Nanchu should still remember him!
In his eyes, Shen Nanchu was always his property. Now that she had been snatched away by Pei Zhengnian and was pretending not to know him, it was a direct slap to the face!
We, we... Pei Zhengwei opened his mouth to say something, but he saw the undisguised disgust in Shen Nanchu's eyes, as if she were looking at a clown.
He turned to look at Pei Zhengnian and noticed the irrepressible smile at the corners of his mouth, which made him even more furious. What a pair of scoundrels!
Fine, since you don't know me, I won't bother you anymore.
Pei Zhengwei gritted his teeth, pretending to be heartbroken, thinking this might win him a trace of sympathy from Shen Nanchu.
But Shen Nanchu merely raised an eyebrow, not sparing him a single extra glance, while Pei Zhengnian quietly moved closer to her.
Seeing their intimate posture, a nameless fire suddenly surged in Pei Zhengwei, burning so hot it made him dizzy.
He pointed at the two of them, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long time. Finally, he spun around abruptly and ran off in a flustered rage, completely forgetting his original purpose of snooping for blueprint information and sowing discord.
After running a few steps, he nearly tripped over a rock, stumbling before managing to steady himself. His pathetic display made passing pedestrians turn their heads to stare.
Watching Pei Zhengwei's sorry retreating figure, Shen Nanchu was a little surprised.
He couldn't even handle that little bit of a blow? I thought he would be much more resilient.
She turned to look at Pei Zhengnian, sizing him up from head to toe with a look full of disdain.
Pei Zhengnian was baffled by her look and touched his face.
What is wrong with me? Is there dirt on my face? Or did I put my clothes on backward?
Nothing is wrong.
Shen Nanchu withdrew her gaze and turned to walk back into the house.
I just think you were way too tense just now. There was no need. It is just Pei Zhengwei, what is there to worry about?
Pei Zhengnian followed her inside, scratching his head in slight embarrassment.
I was just... afraid he might have bad intentions toward you. After all, he had a past with you, and I was worried he would try to harm you.
Shen Nanchu smiled and didn't say anything more. Someone like Pei Zhengwei wasn't worth them paying any mind to.
However, Pei Zhengwei's sudden visit did ruin her mood to continue overseeing the renovations.
She sat on the sofa, holding a teacup in her hand, pondering Pei Zhengwei's motives.
He probably came this time to drive a wedge between her and Pei Zhengnian, but unfortunately for him, he had miscalculated.
Pei Zhengnian sat beside Shen Nanchu. After hesitating for quite a while, he finally spoke up cautiously, "Nanchu, I need to go out for a bit."
"To see Lei Mingyuan?" Shen Nanchu looked up at him, instantly guessing what was on his mind.
Pei Zhengnian nodded, his tone turning somewhat grave.
"Yes. I am worried that Pei Zhengwei getting too close to Lei Zhenhua might put Lei Mingyuan in a bad position."
"Besides, I also want to test the waters and see where Lei Mingyuan stands."
...