Tang Hong smiled and nodded, her hanging heart finally settled.
The owed three hundred thousand was gone, and from now on her daughter could attend school properly.
She also prepared to find a job herself.
"What's up today? Why so happy?"
Originally, Tang Qianqian was full of frustration, but seeing her mom smiling from time to time, her anger also dissipated.
The man she hated the most was her dad.
Without any useful skills, not working, and having his wife support him.
Not earning money was bad enough, but he also liked to drink and gamble. When he came home drunk, he would hit her mom.
When she learned of her dad's death, Tang Qianqian was far from sad; she even felt some relief.
She immediately went to the local household registration center and changed her last name to match her mom's.
It's been a long time since she'd seen her mom smile so easily.
"Good news, today I made braised fish and ribs. I'll tell you over dinner."
Tang Hong went to wash her hands and then returned to the kitchen.
"Mom! You should have told me earlier. If I had known, I wouldn't have eaten buns at Uncle Zhang's."
As usual, Tang Qianqian walked towards the door, ready to lock it, when suddenly an arm pushed through the crack.
Tang Qianqian hastily retreated, startled.
Feng Lin pushed the door open and saw Tang Qianqian right in front of him.
Tang Qianqian was also staring at Feng Lin.
They locked eyes.
"You… you bastard! How dare you show up here! I've called the police!"
Tang Qianqian kicked out.
But Feng Lin easily dodged and caught her ankle.
"Mom! Call the police quickly!"
Tang Qianqian yelled immediately inside.
"Mom?"
Feng Lin narrowed his eyes. Could it be that the woman in front of him was Tang Hong's daughter?
He remembered from gambling before that Lang Ge mentioned Tang Hong had a daughter in school.
Plus, his old man had been neighbors with her.
Their arranged engagement made sense.
"Qian Qian, what's going on?"
Tang Hong ran out, anxious, thinking Lang Ge was not satisfied and was causing trouble again.
"Ouch!"
Feng Lin intentionally leaned forward, pressing Tang Qianqian's foot against his clothes.
Then, Feng Lin sat down on the ground.
"Tang Qianqian! What are you doing?"
Tang Hong, seeing Feng Lin sitting down with a shoe print on his clothes, immediately yelled.
"Mom! This bastard is doing it on purpose…"
"Shut your mouth! He's our benefactor! Do you know why I'm happy? The three hundred thousand we owed, it was Feng Lin who paid it off!"
Tang Hong scolded sharply, "Standing there, what are you doing? Apologize!"
"I…"
Tang Qianqian, eyes red with anger, took a breath and shouted at Feng Lin, "Sorry!"
Then she turned and ran into her room.
"Silly girl!"
Tang Hong pointed at Tang Qianqian's retreating figure, hastily bowed to Feng Lin, "Feng Lin, I'm sorry, I haven't disciplined her well."
"No problem."
Feng Lin smiled and waved his hand, meanwhile locking the door.
"Come on, I've made some delicious food, just waiting for you."
Tang Hong pulled Feng Lin's hand, heading towards her living room.
Feng Lin sat on the somewhat worn sofa, with all the hot dishes in front of him.
"Let Qian Qian come and eat too," Feng Lin said with a smile.
"Never mind her! She's already eaten!"
Tang Hong served a bowl of rice for Feng Lin, constantly putting food into his bowl.
Feng Lin looked at the table full of dishes, apparently waiting for him.
He suddenly felt it would be awkward to bring up the subject of canceling the engagement.
Right now, when they were going through hard times, to come out with a statement like he wanted to call off the engagement with her daughter…
Wouldn't that make me the villain?
Despising someone, thinking they're not worthy of oneself, so that's why the engagement was called off.
What if the other party says, "Do not belittle the young for being poor, thirty years can change fortunes," and regards me as an enemy?
With this thought, Feng Lin decided not to bring it up for the time being.
After all, Tang Qianqian is still young.
"Feng Lin! That person today... who are they to you?"
Tang Hong, who was eating, asked softly.
"She... is a good friend of mine."
Feng Lin explained with a smile.
"Haha! That's a relief, I thought she was your wife," Tang Hong laughed and took a bite of her meal, "Speaking of which, you and my daughter are still betrothed."
Hidden at the bedroom door, Tang Qianqian was wiping away tears while secretly eavesdropping through the crack.
Upon hearing this statement, her eyes widened in shock.
Feng Lin hadn't lied; he truly was her fiancé.
She had thought that he had bought her mother off with money.
But she remembered, Feng Lin had come to her to call off the engagement.
With that in mind, she pouted, opened the bedroom door, walked over, and sat at the dining table.
"I'm sorry."
Feng Lin, looking at Tang Qianqian with her red eyes, said with a smile.
"Mom! How come I didn't know I have a fiancé?"
Tang Qianqian didn't even respond to Feng Lin, but turned to Tang Hong.
"Do you remember Uncle Zhang who lived across the street? Feng Lin is the son of your Uncle Zhang," Tang Hong explained with a smile.
"Uncle Zhang?"
Tang Qianqian remembered that irresponsible old man and glanced at Feng Lin, "Like father, like son, neither of you are good people."
"How can you talk like that?" Feng Lin frowned immediately, "You can insult my father, but insulting me is not okay!"
Tang Qianqian regretted what she said, insulting someone's father to their face.
Who wouldn't get angry?
She was just about to apologize when she suddenly felt there was something off about Feng Lin's remark.
"Qianqian, if you keep talking like that, I'll really get angry."
"Feng Lin and your Uncle Zhang are our benefactors. Remember when I broke my leg and had no money for treatment? If it hadn't been for your Uncle Zhang, I would've become a cripple!"
Tang Hong recalled the past events; Feng Lin's father hadn't asked for any money.
He simply said he had a son, and it would be perfect for him to marry Tang Qianqian when the time came.
Tang Hong's husband was only too happy not to pay and agreed on the spot.
As for Tang Hong, she had met Feng Lin a few times and thought well of the young man, so the arrangement was set.
"Isn't it enough that I admit I'm wrong?"
Tang Qianqian held her bowl and stole glances at Feng Lin.
If all this was true, Feng Lin really was their benefactor.
Three hundred thousand is no small sum.
"Why did you want to break off our engagement today?" Tang Qianqian suddenly asked.
Tang Hong, who was eating, froze instantly.
Feng Lin also noticed her expression and explained with a smile, "I was afraid this would become a shackle for you. You're still young and shouldn't be bound by this."
Upon hearing this, Tang Hong was moved almost to tears; she had indeed not misjudged the person.
If she knew the reason Feng Lin called off the engagement was just because Tang Qianqian's figure wasn't up to par, she might be infuriated to death.
"Feng Lin, it's good to have some commitments," Tang Hong showed a smile again and hurriedly served Feng Lin more food, "Eat up, don't let it get cold."
...
After dining at their home, Feng Lin returned to the house across the street and lay on the living room sofa.
He held up the photos in his hand, flipping through them one by one, wondering which one to choose.
"Feng Lin! Open the door!"
Tang Qianqian's voice came from outside.
Feng Lin put the photos away, got up, and opened the door.
He saw Tang Qianqian enter with a quilt, "My mom said your bedding hasn't been washed for a long time, and is full of bacteria, but ours have just been aired."
"Thank you."
Feng Lin took the bedding and placed it on the sofa for the time being.
"Why do you have so many photos in your hand?" Tang Qianqian suddenly asked.
"This... What would a little brat like you know? Get out, I'm going to take a shower!"
Feng Lin pushed Tang Qianqian's back, trying to hustle her out.
"I recognize someone in those photos," Tang Qianqian turned her head and said.