A Chan – CH 029

Chapter 29: Who Is the First Wife (1)

Li Weiyi chuckled and whispered in Zhang Jingchan’s ear, “What I said was true… Why are you so concerned about the oath? It’s just a formality.”

Zhang Jingchan: “Likewise.”

Zhong Yi coughed lightly, interrupting their flirtatious exchange, and said, “I believe you.” He lowered his head, resting his arms on his knees, looking at his clasped hands. After a moment, he said, “I absolutely can’t watch her be with someone like that.”

Li Weiyi was overjoyed and was about to say, “Then…” She was thinking of immediately bringing the two together, creating opportunities for them to spend time together, a childhood sweetheart defeating a newcomer.

Zhang Jingchan raised her hand to stop her, saying, “I’ll lend you 300,000. Use 100,000 for your father’s medical treatment and to hire a caregiver, and you can use the 200,000 to start a business. I’ll charge you 3% annual interest, and you can pay it back in 5 years. Are you in?”

Li Weiyi and Zhong Yi were both stunned.

Zhong Yi: “How could I borrow money from you…where would you get so much money?”

Zhang Jingchan: “I don’t have money, but Zhang Jingchan does. Think it through before you answer. I’m giving you a chance to turn things around. If things work out between you and Li Xiaoyi, helping you is helping my sister; if not, Zhang Jingchan will still get interest income, so it’s not a loss.”

Li Weiyi initially didn’t follow Zhang Jingchan’s train of thought, but then she realized that although she needed to borrow money from Zhang Jingchan, it was the fastest way for Zhong Yi to get out of his predicament. Otherwise, it would take him four or five years to become wealthy.

Li Weiyi realized that a man like Zhang Jingchan had a completely different approach to problem-solving than she did. Looking at Zhong Yi, who was deep in thought, it was clear that the two men’s souls were more in sync.

Li Weiyi had great faith in Zhong Yi’s abilities and character; she was sure he could repay the money. Moreover, she could advance the money to Zhang Jingchan for him later.

Li Weiyi immediately added fuel to the fire: “You don’t know, do you? My dad is Zhang Moyun. 300,000 yuan is just the cost of taking a girl to karaoke, a drop in the ocean…”

Zhang Jingchan’s brow twitched slightly.

Li Weiyi continued, “Brother Zhong Yi, although this is our first meeting, I think you seem like a real man. I trust you; consider it an investment in you. Don’t hesitate. Don’t you have the confidence to pay it back? Do you think you cannot?”

This time, it was Zhong Yi’s turn to twitch.

Even with his usual boldness and meticulousness, these two uninvited guests were truly unexpected. First, they told him that Zhou Zhihao, whom everyone thought highly of and who made him feel inferior, was actually worse than a beast; then they offered to lend him a large sum of money to help him through his difficulties. Zhong Yi inexplicably trusted both of them. The girl’s demeanor was so composed, calm, and assertive; it felt like he was conversing with a man far more mature and knowledgeable than himself. The boy… though a slick-haired, boastful, and effeminate man, his eyes seemed clear and sincere.

Zhong Yi fell into deep thought. Zhang Jingchan didn’t urge him, slowly sipping his water and scrolling through his phone’s recent updates. Only Li Weiyi stared anxiously at Zhong Yi.

Zhong Yi asked Li Weiyi, “Are you really willing to lend me 300,000?”

Li Weiyi nodded vigorously.

Zhong Yi got up and went into the room, took out a red property certificate, paper, and pen, and wrote an IOU: “In case I really can’t repay it, this house is worth about 240,000 or 250,000. I’ll give you the property certificate as collateral.”

Li Weiyi took the IOU and noticed that the annual interest rate wasn’t 3%, but 5%. She handed the IOU to Zhang Jingchan, who folded it, put it in his pocket, asked Zhong Yi for his bank account number, and immediately transferred the money.

Zhong Yi watched the girl take the IOU and transfer the money via her phone, completely ignoring the boy who was supposed to be the lender. The boy looked carefree and happy, leaving Zhong Yi unsure whether to worry about the girl or admire him…

Zhong Yi saw them to the door, saying, “I won’t thank you for this. I’ll do everything in my power to find a way out, and I won’t let Xiaoyi go to anyone.”

Li Weiyi grinned, “You should catch up with my sister first; good luck!” She made a very cute fist-pumping gesture.

Zhong Yi: “…”

He couldn’t help but pull Zhang Jingchan back a step, whispering, “You and him… right now, your studies should be your priority. Do well on the college entrance exam.”

Zhang Jingchan: “I know better than you.”

Zhong Yi: “…”

Leaving the Zhong family, Li Weiyi said, “Thank you. I’ll return that money to you first.” Admittedly, she didn’t have 300,000 yuan in 2022. But she had a small piece of paper with several strings of numbers written on it in her pocket.

Zhang Jingchan said, “No need; deduct it from your 100 million yuan reward.”

Li Weiyi: “Uh…”

“I want to go home and see my family,” Zhang Jingchan said.

“Okay, I’ll take you—would you like to change your clothes first?”

Zhang Jingchan glanced at her school uniform: “Lead the way.”

The neighborhood was only about a hundred meters apart. Li Weiyi led him back to the Li family home. At this time, Mr. and Mrs. Li were minding the shop; Li Xiaoyi had gone to work. As soon as he entered the house, Zhang Jingchan said in a slightly lower voice, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Li Wei gestured to him, her face stiffening slightly. Both acted as if nothing was wrong; he went to the bathroom, and she went to her room to get her clothes.

Actually, Zhang Jingchan hadn’t been able to use the restroom at school that morning. Faced with the strange noises of the group of high school boys, he had retreated from the men’s room with an icy expression. But he simply couldn’t bring himself to go into the women’s restroom. He hadn’t wanted to use it at the restaurant either.

So, he had held it in until now.

Standing in the cramped but impeccably clean bathroom of the Li family home, staring at the small squat toilet, Zhang Jingchan felt his legs go weak, a rare occurrence for him. But he still strode over and let out a long breath.

Finally…

After about twenty seconds, the noise stopped. Zhang Jingchan remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the roll of toilet paper beside him.

Do I need to wipe?

Do I need to wipe even after urinating?

He’d occasionally overheard girls talking outside the women’s restroom before: “Did you bring any toilet paper? Give me a sheet.” Things like that.

And it seemed like not wiping wasn’t an option.

Zhang Jingchan’s face flushed even more intensely than usual. He quickly grabbed a piece of toilet paper.

…

Finally, after flushing, straightening his pants, and washing his hands several times, Zhang Jingchan looked up at the blushing girl in the mirror. He looked down and chuckled, then looked at the gleaming tiles beneath his feet. His smile faded, and the blush on his face gradually disappeared.

He thought of his parents, whom he was about to see.

He’d never imagined such a bizarre encounter would happen to him. Just yesterday, he’d held his father’s hand, who had died in despair, and looked at his mother, aged and haggard by time, feeling utterly helpless. But now, eight years earlier, they were still the most beautiful and happiest versions of themselves in his memory.

Zhang Jingchan stood quietly for a while, then put his hands in his pockets, opened the bathroom door, and walked out with a completely calm expression.

Li Weiyi, holding the specially chosen unisex sportswear, sat on the sofa waiting. At that moment, she felt like a patient, devoted boyfriend waiting for his girlfriend to use the restroom. She tried her best not to think about the details of Zhang Jingchan’s bathroom use, but when he came out, she couldn’t help but wonder: Did he make a mess as she did?

Looking at Zhang Jingchan’s consistently calm and aloof face, she thought again: “No, it couldn’t be. It seems he handled it without any obstacles.” Mr. Zhang was indeed Mr. Zhang; she even felt a slight sense of admiration.

However, out of concern, Li Weiyi casually asked, “Mr. Zhang… is everything alright?”

Zhang Jingchan glanced at her coolly and remained silent. He took the clothes from her hands and walked towards the room.

Li Weiyi coughed lightly and said, “Then I’ll go to the bathroom too.” Zhang Jingchan turned and glanced at her back, then suddenly quickened his pace and closed the door.