Chapter 34 - Meet with Rebuffs

Chapter 34: Meet with RebuffsTranslator: Qiu YiProofread by Liang Yaping

Ji Xiaoli hadn’t expected that such accident would occur during her purchase of house, not to mention Situ Liuli, who appeared out midway. But just as she said, the real estate industry wasn’t dominated by Situ family. There were still other agencies she could choose.

Two days later, Ji Xiaoli talked to Qi Xiaoguang about her plan of starting up a studio. Qi Xiaoguang didn’t consider it unwise, “It’s a good idea. Although it might be difficult to get started, it’s worth a try.” In terms of their similar personalities and experiences, it was suitable to say that they were destined to meet.

Both of them married into a wealthy family. They could get along well with their husbands, but it was quite embarrassing for them to handle their elders in their families.

“What are you thinking about?”

Qi Xiaoguang sighed, “What else could it be? His mother scolded me again in front of the others a few days ago… I am not born to be a wife of a millionaire, unfortunately, I am a freeloader, too. Had it not been for Zhao Weixing’s sake, I couldn’t have endured my daily life.”

It was absolutely impossible to handle well the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, which had been a conundrum throughout the history. Mrs. Zhao was brought up in upper class. It was understandable that she belittled grass-root daughter-in-law.

However, everyone was born with dignity. So were Qi Xiaoguang and she. Despite having not met Qi Zhenyang’s parents, Ji Xiaoli knew it well that they wouldn’t think highly of her because of the previous incident.

She had self-knowledge.

“Well, I should have a try…It’s more important to try my best to do it, no matter what result I will get. Accident is unpredictable, so is success.”

Qi Xiaoguang patted her shoulder, laughing, “Good! Maybe I can help you if necessary. After all, costume designing is my major. If you’re successful, I will no longer be looked down in Zhao family！”

Ji Xiaoli didn’t think well of those upper-class ladies. Perhaps except for socializing and quarreling, they were not competent for business or politics. Although women were said to take charge of domestic tasks, those women wouldn’t cast a glance at her if she went to associate with them right now.

Their eyes implied that she used her marriage to play up to Qin family.

That was why she was so eager to prove her worth. Besides, without the sense of security, she wanted to make some achievements. Although she owned more than four million Yuan in credit card, not much would be left if she bought a studio, hired employees and finished the decoration of her clothing store. Anyway, she had to speed up.

“My mother-in-law is on a trip to Europe, so I am free now. If you have any task on hand, we can do it together. ” Qi Xiaoguang would feel uncomfortable if she sat around doing nothing. When Zhao Weixing’s mother was at home, Qi was always restrained. Usually, she would be taken to meet some dowagers and by the way, be scorned on the spot.

Her absence made Qi Xiaoguang relieved…She hoped that Mrs.Zhao could stay abroad for another several months.

Ji Xiaoli nodded, “I am going to look for a house this afternoon. We can go together if you are free.”

Since Clear Lake Garden was the real state of Situ family, it was removed from her list of choices. There were some suites of houses in Lanting Bay and Huayang Scenic Spot. Although located a bit far away downtown, they were advantageous in other aspects.

During their viewing, the houses in Lanting Bay with a satisfying house layout met their demand. Due to the limit of money, she didn’t need a large house now. However, she was stopped by a manager when she was registering with her ID card.

“Miss Ji?”

Ji Xiaoli sensed the change of his attitude and felt puzzled…Just several minutes ago he was very friendly. But after checking her name, he adopted another attitude. Was it suitable for him to treat his client as an enemy?

The man cleared his throat and said, “Miss Ji, the truth is that…Hongguang Real Estate announced that anyone who sells house to you is deliberately setting himself against it… Our company just entered this industry; it’s unwise to irritate that giant. So…”

“Simply speaking, we can’t sell it to you. Bye!”

Ji Xiaoli didn’t expect that Situ Liuli did what she had said. She refused to sell her real estates and also persuaded other agencies to reject Ji Xiaoli’s purchase. Filled with anger, Ji Xiaoli left Lanting Bay immediately.

Qi Xiaoguang was very confused, “What the hell? Forgo money when it’s nearly in his pocket? How stupid!”

That’s true. Situ Liuli was stupid, and it was more stupid to force others to do in the same stupid way as she did…

She released a sigh, “It’s Situ Liuli’s trick. I went to see the suites in Clear Lake Garden a few days ago. The houses are well-positioned and have good surroundings, but they just refuse to sell them.”

Qi Xiaoguang sneered, “It must be your good sister who is really pulling strings behind the scene. But just as you say, I don’t think that the real estate industry in this city is monopolized by her family!”

Without saying other words, they went straight to Huayang Scenic Spot, and then Jixiang Flower City. The results were the same. Though they had lands, they didn’t dare to sell to her…

Now Ji Xiaoli figured it out. The real estate industry was not monopolized, but those with ideal positions were bribed. Situ Liuli knew what kind of house she needed and informed others in this industry, determined to frustrate her plan! It got quite tough now.

“How about turning to Zhao Weixing for help? Although he is not in this industry, he must know some insiders.” Seeing her friend bullied, Qi Xiaoguang also felt annoyed! Ji Xiaoli waved her hand in distress, “Wait, let me see…You said he went to Gang City for a meeting. What if you phone him right now and he is having a meeting? Let me see whether there are other solutions.”

Her plan being thwarted unexpectedly, she couldn’t describe her feelings exactly but definitely she was unhappy. With a sulky face, she went back. When she returned, Qin Zhenyang was not at home.

Overwhelmed by anger, she went upstairs directly without having dinner and then threw herself under the quilt. She was not sure whether this indicated a bad beginning. Her idea was almost nipped in the bud, and this was not what she had expected…However, power and influence spoke louder in this society. Situ Liliu could rely on her father’s influence. But as for herself, what did she have? Nothing.

While thinking, she fell asleep vaguely. In a daze, she felt nudged by someone, “Um?”

Seeing his wife sleeping like a baby, Qin Zhenyang was amused, “Why do you sleep so early? You should eat something before falling into sleep again.”

It was not yet seven o’ clock, and dinner was already prepared in the kitchen…As long as he was here, she could never skip meals.

It was because she looked thin and fragile. She was fond of clothes that were designed in Korean style, but she appeared to be as thin as a pole when in those loose clothes, despite her good figure.

He hoped to turn her into a plumper figure and at least she could gain some weight.

Ji Xiaoli rubbed her eyes drowsily, yawned and got up. Not being herself, she still detected from him a faint smell of tobacco. She sniffed cautiously, “You smoked?”

She seldom saw him smoking. At least since the settlement of their relationship, she had not seen him smoke, which satisfied her most.

She remembered that when she was at home, her father also never smoked cigarettes. Even if they were given as a present, then they would be sent out intact as a present, too.

“No. The smell was caught when I was socializing with others. But I did drink a lot…” Though Mr Qin would smoke occasionally, Qin Zhenyang wasn’t addicted to smoking. And after joining the army, he never thought of smoking at all.

He was of great self-discipline and wouldn’t touch cigarettes even if they were handed to him. After all, on one could break the rules in troops. Gradually, the impulse to smoke was weaned off.

Ji Xiaoli noticed the drunkenness in his eyes despite his unchanged look. She sniffed carefully again and was assured by his thick smell of alcohol.

She left the bed and washed her face in bathroom. When walking downstairs, she found Qin Zhenyang at table and asked, “You just ate with others, didn’t you?” “Wine is more popular than food at entertaining meeting, and few people have the mood for food.” Such social activities usually went on with alcohol and cigarettes, after which one had to eat something at home to fill his belly.

Ji Xiaoli nodded and then had dinner with him in harmony. Being in a bad mood, she didn’t eat much, just half bowl of rice and a little soup, less than a cat’s meal. Seeing this, Qin Zhenyang frowned.

“Just eat so little food? No doubt that you are slim…” Qin Zhenyang understood that women hated eating too much in the evening. But as in the case of his wife, she should eat more to gain some weight or she would feel bony when held up.

Ji Xiaoli smiled, “ I have no appetite today, perhaps it was too hot…”

Obviously, it was not a good excuse since it had cooled down a lot after a shower of rain. Qin Zhenyang narrowed his eyes.

“Anything bothering?” Ji Xiaoli didn’t intend to keep him in the dark about her plan of setting up a studio, for he would find it sooner or later. With lessons learned from her last experience, she didn’t dare to conceal.

“After you finish dinner, I‘ll tell you.”

“Ok.” Qin Zhenyang nodded. He learned from Wang Datou that Ji Xiaoli earned a lot from stock market, but he wasn’t as happy as expected.

His stomach being empty for the whole afternoon, Qin Zhenyang guzzled three bowls of rice, which made Ji Xiaoli stunned.

Although she knew his great appetite and had been accustomed to that, she still felt surprised every time he stuffed and emptied his bowl within a short period.

Did every soldier have such a good appetite?

It was extraordinary to engorge three bowls of rice without stopping! He ate some dishes, but most of what he had was rice. If Qin Zhenyang could perceive her doubt, he was certain to rebut by saying that not every soldier had an appetite like him and usually strength was in direct proportion to appetite.

His great physical strength was acquired partly through training… and training must demand lots of energy, which could account for his gigantic appetite.

Quite normal!

After emptying the third bowl of meal and gulping down another bowl of soup, Qin Zhenyang wiped his mouth and left the table with satisfaction.

“I’ll ask the cook to prepare sweet porridge for you some moments later… What you have eaten is no more than dessert. You will be hungry at night.” He remembered that she was not fond of food with a strong smell of milk but liked porridge and cakes in sweet flavor.

But today Ji Xiaoli didn’t want anything. Because she was not hungry, she just had dinner casually. “I am not hungry.”

She shook her head. “Are you sure?” Qin Zhenyang held her on his lap, which was an obvious hint.

“Even if you are not hungry now, you must feel hungry after doing exercise!”

Ji Xiaoli replied with an angry glare, “I’m sure!”

Qin Zhenyang rubbed her delicate nose tenderly, saying with a slight smile, “Well, tell me what annoyance makes my wife unhappy!”

Whoever dared to bully his girl was certain to get into a great trouble!