Chapter 84: I'm Ready to Pay in Full!

Everything went smoothly!

Even though Wang Weihua was reluctant, he had no choice but to accept this outcome, for there were simply no other paths available to him.

As Zhou Meiniang exited the Civil Affairs Bureau, she exhaled a long breath, heavy with relief. To her, this result was as amicable as she could have hoped for. From this moment on, she truly had no way back. She understood all too well what divorce meant in this era.

Since she had chosen this path, she was prepared to bear the weight of infamy. There was no alternative. What truly compelled her to make such a decision was her unreserved trust in Shen Guodong.

She believed this man could give her a future, could make her happy.

“Guodong.”

Zhou Meiniang emerged, her gaze falling upon the man who had been waiting for her all along. She hurried over, and on her stunningly beautiful face bloomed a radiant smile.

Shen Guodong gave a slight nod. “Though I can’t offer you a formal title, and for that I apologize, everything else you desire—I can give you, including what you want most. Not now, since my focus must remain on my career for the time being. But believe me… I promise I’ll give it to you!”

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Meiniang’s eyes widened in disbelief. After all, as a mistress, if she were to have a child, it would always be seen as a threat to any man. Yet Shen Guodong had made her this promise, leaving her unable to believe it was real.

In that instant, she found herself speechless, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

“Thank you.”

All the words she wished to say condensed into those two weak syllables.

Shen Guodong smiled and gently stroked her hair.

“There’s no need for thanks! I should be the one thanking you, for making such a choice and following me.”

Zhou Meiniang took Shen Guodong’s hand and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then glanced furtively around, as if she were a thief, her cheeks flushed with shyness. She still struggled to overcome her embarrassment at such a situation.

Shen Guodong burst out laughing, then leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Her face turned crimson, but she nodded shyly in agreement. “At least wait until my relatives leave first—now’s not the time for that!”

Shen Guodong laughed heartily. That meant, of course, that once her relatives were gone, she would agree. Gazing at her exquisite, delicate features, he felt a surge of excitement.

With this, matters in Shen City were nearly settled; there was little else that required his attention.

After escorting Zhou Meiniang home, Shen Guodong turned to head back to his own house. Now that everything was decided, he needed to make some necessary arrangements before he could leave with a clear conscience.

...

“Is it settled? When are you leaving?” Upon learning that Shen Guodong would soon depart, Liu Yueru looked at him with a face tinged with unease. In all their years of marriage, she had never been apart from Shen Guodong, not even during the hardest times.

She had never imagined this day would come. And this time, Shen Guodong wouldn’t be gone just a few days, but at least a month!

She was filled with both worry and a deep reluctance to see him go.

“It’s set. I’ll probably leave this week, though the exact time depends on further notice. Don’t worry, I’m not going alone this time—I’ve called a few people to join me. We must secure that contract!” Shen Guodong declared confidently. “If we succeed, the factory’s profits will be enormous. Then we can buy a new place, one with a private bathroom, so you’ll never have to share again. I know you get scared going to the bathroom at night, but are too shy to ask me to come with you!”

Liu Yueru never spoke of it, but Shen Guodong had noticed. He wasn’t a fool; although the old Shen Guodong had been an utter scoundrel who wouldn’t have cared even if he noticed, now that he was aware, he could no longer ignore it.

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Liu Yueru’s face, though she replied, “It’s nothing, really. I used to be scared, but now I’m used to it. I’m not so delicate. This house isn’t that old, and there’s no need to buy a new one—it’s such a waste of money. You know how expensive property is in Feng City nowadays. With my monthly salary, I can’t even afford one square meter! Even with a bank loan, the monthly payments would be high. You’ve made some money now, but you should save it. Don’t find yourself without money when you want to do something in the future!”

In the hearts of the people of Xia Country, the habit of saving was deeply ingrained. They were unaccustomed to spending all their savings to the last penny.

For Liu Yueru, though Shen Guodong was earning well now, who could say how long that would last? If they ended up saddled with loans and monthly payments, their lives would become unbearably stressful. She had no desire for that; she knew all too well how hard life was without money.

Now that life had improved, she thought it wiser to save, to be prepared for whatever might come. Even if future earnings weren’t as good, their lives would not be troubled.

That was Liu Yueru’s reasoning. The difference in the way women and men think is truly profound. Women, being emotional by nature, tend to consider matters more thoroughly, while men do not always do so.

Liu Yueru’s perspective was not without merit; she viewed things from an ordinary person’s standpoint. But Shen Guodong, having been reborn, had already planned his future meticulously.

If he couldn’t even afford a house, wouldn’t that be a laughingstock?

“That’s not something you need to worry about,” Shen Guodong said with a smile. “As a man, as your husband, it’s my job to give you the best life. There’s no need for you to worry so much.”

He continued, “I don’t intend to take out a loan for our home. My plan is to pay in full, and put the deed in your name. That way, you’ll have nothing to worry about, right?”

At these words—

Liu Yueru was utterly stunned. In that moment, her expression changed completely.

Buy the house outright?