CHAPTER 341: CHAPTER 340: GIVING A PILL OF REASSURANCE

After Shi Yang finalized the decision on the house, he turned and handed Qu Chaozong a stack of community brochures.

Qu Chaozong glanced at them and chuckled, "What’s this? Are you thinking of changing careers and getting into real estate investment?"

Shi Yang also laughed, "I haven’t even sorted out the franchisees for the mother-and-baby store yet. Real estate is not on my mind. I just want you to take a look at the properties. This community is nice, and I’ve been all over the provincial city for more than a month before deciding on this place."

Qu Chaozong finally perked up and looked more carefully, asking, "Are you aiming for my advice or to help with the renovation study? The house isn’t even built yet; isn’t it a bit early to discuss these things?"

Shi Yang straightforwardly said, "I’ve chosen one for you too."

Shi Yang found the layout diagram of that house: "Third floor of a low-rise building. I put down a deposit on these three buildings, take a look."

Four houses located in four buildings, three in front and back, and one neighboring on the left, a great location with no high-rises blocking the sunlight, and good proximity to the company for convenience.

Qu Chaozong carefully reviewed and said, "Looks good, then let’s go for it. I’ve been thinking about buying a house for my mom for quite some time. Zhang Xin’s grandpa’s house is also in the provincial city; he has a place here that’s empty and recently handed it over to Zhang Xin as a dowry."

Shi Yang asked, "Then why buy another house? Counting your mom, it’s just three people."

Qu Chaozong answered without hesitation, "I’m not going to depend on my wife’s dowry to get married."

Qu Chaozong’s thoughts leaned toward buying a house with his own capability to marry his wife. His plan was to wait a couple of years until the mother-and-baby store’s channel expanded fully and money was sufficient, then directly purchase two homes, door to door for convenience for taking care of his mom. Ideally, he’d live with his mom too, but he had to consider Zhang Xin and her preferences.

Shi Yang understood Qu Chaozong too well. Hearing this, he knew where the crux was, so he asked, "Does Zhang Xin’s grandpa have good conditions?"

Qu Chaozong said, "Retired senior official, quite influential. The old man has only one daughter, and after Zhang Xin’s mom passed away, Zhang Xin is the only one left by his side."

Shi Yang replied, "Why bother comparing with him then? His stuff is naturally going to Zhang Xin, and you live with Zhang Xin. Are you going to just throw away the things she’ll inherit later?"

Qu Chaozong returned with an elbow to Shi Yang: "Get lost! The old man is healthy, what nonsense are you talking about! That’s not the reason behind it!"

Shi Yang was silent.

Qu Chaozong hinted, "From the start, my relationship with Zhang Xin was because of my love for her as a person, not her material conditions.

"But the thing is, Zhang Xin was born with a silver spoon, so whether I like it or not, if I want to live with her, I must accept these. The logic is simple yet the reality can seem quite hurtful to one’s self-esteem and hard to truly accept. That’s why they say ideally both people should be somewhat equally matched; if one side is too dominant, too privileged, the other will feel insecure, worried about gains and losses."

Shi Yang was taken aback and asked worriedly, "What’s the matter? Are you dealing with something?"

Qu Chaozong said, "Actually, it’s not much—it’s just that I’ve been feeling quite suppressed while being with Zhang Xin for so long."

"Being with her, many times, both of us feel a bit constrained, especially with spending money. Just take the other day; she wanted to buy a car for us both to use. As her man, I should be the one paying, but the cars she looked at were tens of thousands, and I couldn’t tell her not to because, after all, she has the money and can afford it."

With a bitter smile, Qu Chaozong continued, "About this issue, whenever I see her now, I feel uneasy, very suppressed. We’re not officially married, haven’t truly moved in together. I can’t seem to get past this hurdle in my heart. If we were really living together, hers would be mine and vice versa—a balance of mentality—but right now, it’s different. Her actions deeply hurt my pride."

Shi Yang fell silent, suddenly reminded of the house he bought for Zhao Meimei’s parents. He had thought simply of supporting the elders, having the financial means and ability, but overlooked that he and Zhao Meimei weren’t truly married, a formally unified family yet. His actions could inadvertently bring psychological pressure and mental burden on Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue.

Shi Yang, caught in the heat of things, couldn’t see clearly. Qu Chaozong, as a friend, saw clearly as an observer and knew he had to step in.

Seeing Shi Yang, Qu Chaozong quietly relieved, knowing Shi Yang understood his words.

That evening, Shi Yang met with Zhao Dazhuang and went to the warehouse to find Zhao Meimei and Liu Xiue. The four of them headed to a restaurant for a lively dinner.

Shi Yang specifically ordered several bottles of beer and drank with Zhao Dazhuang. That night, Shi Yang appeared to be in high spirits, eventually getting somewhat drunk.

Zhao Dazhuang’s face reddened more with each drink, while Shi Yang became warm and sweaty, first rolling up his shirt sleeves, then opening the collar, and finally letting his shirt hang loosely like an ornament.

Zhao Dazhuang sincerely praised Shi Yang, "Now the company is finally on track. Keep developing like this, and in less than two years, you’ll truly be successful."

Shi Yang said, "Without you, my aunt, and Chaozi and Wenda’s support, I wouldn’t have reached today."

Zhao Dazhuang replied, "My aunt and I are not cutting it; we’re getting old."

Shi Yang said, "What old—you’re calling yourselves old in middle age?"

Zhao Dazhuang laughed, "Also true, but still can’t quite match up with you young folks."

Shi Yang sighed, "Regarding career matters, to be honest, I don’t have much worry now. My only concern is quickly marrying Meimei."

Shi Yang seemed slightly drunk that night, eyes reddened, "Uncle, Aunt, I genuinely want to quickly marry her, so my heart can be at peace. In two years, I’ll reach thirty, and I’ve always wanted to have my own family. I love Meimei, and want to live together, legitimately."

"Once she graduates college, I want us to have a child that’s ours."

Shi Yang’s words were deliberate, tinged with the scent of alcohol.

At that moment, everyone at the table was quiet, not expecting Shi Yang to say such things, as he hadn’t even discussed this with Zhao Meimei.

Both Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue were slightly surprised and moved by Shi Yang’s heartfelt desire, which effectively soothed their earlier worries about the economic disparity between the two families.