In the afternoon, Chen Fan returned ho.
As soon as he stepped through the door, he saw that in the living room, besides Wang Suyun, there sat a middle-aged woman and a young man in a suit who appeared to be around his age.
The middle-aged woman, upon seeing Chen Fan, smiled and said, "Chen Fan, look at you, coming back yesterday and not even telling us. I could have had Junhao pick you up in his brand-new car he just bought."
The young man sized up Chen Fan and a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes, "Mom, my car was bought just a couple of days ago, I don’t want to get it dirty."
The middle-aged woman glanced at the young man with a smile, "Junhao, don’t say that. Chen Fan may not be very skilled, but he’s not sloppy. How would he make your car dirty? Besides, he rarely gets the chance to ride in nice cars; what’s wrong with letting him have a ride?"
Upon hearing the two exchange their veiled barbs, Wang Suyun’s face grew dark.
Chen Fan glanced at the pair, smiled, and asked, "Auntie, how co you have ti to visit our ho?"
This middle-aged woman was indeed Chen Jianguo’s wife, Zhao Chunlan, and the young man was their son, Chen Junhao.
The Chen Jianguo family had always looked down on the Chen Fan family. Ever since Chen Fan’s father disappeared and Chen Fan beca a live-in son-in-law in Jiangcheng, they had constantly belittled Wang Suyun.
Zhao Chunlan said with a smile, "Isn’t it because your grandfather’s birthday is coming up soon? We ca to notify your mom. We didn’t expect you to be back as well. You must attend Grandpa’s birthday banquet. Even though the old man doesn’t think much of you, he is still your grandfather after all. You can’t be absent. Otherwise, if Grandpa gets angry, he might just kick you out of the Chen family."
Chen Fan nodded with a smile, "I’ll be there when the ti cos."
Zhao Chunlan’s eyes flickered as she asked, "Chen Fan, I heard you divorced your wife, eh? Why didn’t you return to Pingyun County after your divorce? Being out there alone must be tough. Co back, and let Junhao find you a job. He is now an assistant to the county head, quite powerful indeed."
By her side, Chen Junhao imdiately said, "Mom, don’t stir things up. Even though I am indeed on the rise right now, if I were to place soone, it would have to be soone capable. Power is useless without ability."
Chen Fan already guessed that these two wouldn’t co all the way here just to notify him about the old man’s birthday banquet. Now, it seed like they were here to flaunt their superiority to him.
He curled his lip and said, "Auntie, don’t worry about . I’m doing very well for myself. If Junhao cos to develop his career in Provincial City in the future, he can look up."
Chen Junhao scoffed coldly, "Look you up? To live in a bridge hole with you?"
Zhao Chunlan waved her hand dismissively, "Junhao, look at you, can’t you speak nicely?"
She then looked at Chen Fan, "But, Chen Fan, as your elder, I have to say sothing. I understand young people care about face, and even if you’re not doing well outside, you still have to say you’re fine. But we are relatives, and I’m genuinely trying to help you. You’re probably struggling just to feed yourself out there, but if you co back, let Junhao find you a job as a doorman. You could make three thousand a month – isn’t that better than freezing and starving out there?"
Chen Fan was speechless, forcing himself to reply, "That won’t be necessary. I’m earning quite a lot as is."
Zhao Chunlan asked, "Then tell , how much do you make a month now?"
Chen Fan thought for a mont, "Countless."
Chen Junhao let out a sardonic laugh, "Don’t be ridiculous. I think you’re just too embarrassed to say."
Zhao Chunlan also started laughing, "Chen Fan, stop joking with . Do you know how much our Junhao makes a month now? Over ten thousand! Plus, we’ve just bought a house in the nicest community in Pingyun County, the Mingyue Community. That’s all thanks to Junhao’s abilities. Believe , if you stick with Junhao, one day you’ll be able to afford a house too."
Wang Suyun was heartbroken to see her son being ridiculed by these two, but with Chen Fan’s reputation suffering these past few years, she didn’t know how to retort.
As she was thinking of changing the subject, Chen Fan spoke up, "We bought a house too, in Mingyue Community, just today."
Zhao Chunlan, Chen Junhao, and Wang Suyun all stared blankly.
Chen Junhao said with contempt, "Chen Fan, even if you want to save so face, there’s no need to boast such nonsense, right? Do you know how expensive the houses in Mingyue Community are?"
Zhao Chunlan chid in, "Yeah, Chen Fan, just because our family bought a house in Mingyue Community and you’re jealous, you don’t have to tell such lies. You really shouldn’t be too competitive. What’s the point in doing this?"
Chen Fan shrugged his shoulders. "Our family really did buy one. If you don’t believe , you can co with to see the house tomorrow."
Wang Suyun found it unbelievable. Although she didn’t think her son could afford a house in Mingyue Community, Chen Fan rarely lied. She didn’t believe that Chen Fan would tell such a lie just to regain face.
She looked at Chen Fan seriously and asked, "Fan, did you really buy a house in Mingyue Community?"
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Yes, Mom, I’ll take you to see our new house tomorrow."
Chen Junhao simply didn’t believe it and wanted to expose Chen Fan’s lie, but was stopped by Zhao Chunlan, who was beside him.
He gave Zhao Chunlan a questioning look, puzzled.
Zhao Chunlan whispered, "Since he’s so certain, let’s pretend to believe him. We’ll follow him to see the house tomorrow. When that happens, his lie will fall apart on its own, and it will be even more embarrassing for him."
Chen Junhao thought it made sense and nodded with a smile.
Zhao Chunlan cleared her throat twice and said loudly to Chen Fan, "Chen Fan, since you really bought a house in Mingyue Community, let’s go see the house with you tomorrow, and help you warm it up a bit. A new house needs to gather more luck, don’t you think?"
Chen Fan said with a smile, "You’re welco to visit our new ho."
Zhao Chunlan thought with disdain, "Look at how smug you are, acting like you really bought a house in Mingyue Community."
She smiled and said, "Alright, in that case, we’ll see you tomorrow at Mingyue Community. We’re going to head back now."
The mother and son got up and headed outside.
Chen Junhao glanced condescendingly at Chen Fan, his eyes full of scorn.
After seeing off Zhao Chunlan and her son, Wang Suyun asked Chen Fan seriously, "Chen Fan, did you really buy a house in Mingyue Community?"
Chen Fan nodded with a smile, "Really, Mom, when have I ever lied to you? You’ll see when I take you there tomorrow. Also, I guarantee you’ll be satisfied with this house."
About half an hour later, the family phone started ringing. There were four or five calls in quick succession, all from the Chen family mbers, and they were all inquiring about Chen Fan buying a house in Mingyue Community.
It didn’t take much thought to know that it must have been Zhao Chunlan who had spread the news.
All those people from the Chen family expressed a desire to go see Chen Fan’s new house together the next day.
Zhao Chunlan looked worried, "Chen Fan, Zhao Chunlan is clearly trying to make us lose face. Are you sure you bought a house in Mingyue Community?"
Chen Fan sighed helplessly and patted Wang Suyun’s shoulder, "Mom, just relax. I won’t let you down this ti."
After a short while, the phone rang again, and Wang Suyun picked it up.
After a few brief words, she hung up the phone and looked at Chen Fan with a worried frown, "Your grandfather wants to see the new house you bought tomorrow too."
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