Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 123 Jealousy changes people beyond recognition
Upon hearing Li Hongbing's answer, Chen Xueru couldn't help but break into a bright smile.

Even though it was her initiative, if Li Hongbing didn't have even the slightest thought or attraction towards her...

As proud as Chen Xueru is, she will definitely be hit hard.

Being able to love and hate intensely doesn't mean you won't experience sadness and hurt.

in contrast.

Sometimes it's easier to get a head injury and bleed.

In fact, Chen Xueru had always admired and liked Li Hongbing, but the two were three years apart in age, and Li Hongbing was the younger one, which made Chen Xueru too embarrassed to think about it in that way.

Yesterday, by chance, she took that step, which made Chen Xueru completely fall for Li Hongbing.

If it's something you want, you should actively strive for it.

Chen Xueru's past experience learning to do business made her deeply aware of this point.

If you don't take the initiative, someone as outstanding as Li Hongbing will eventually fall into the hands of other women.

Just like doing business, you never know who will win the deal until the very last moment, so you have to take the initiative and act first.

She's won her gamble.

"Hongbing, could you come with me to meet my dad sometime?"

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Xueru couldn't help but speak up. Seeing Li Hongbing looking over, and fearing that he might misunderstand, she began to explain: "Don't overthink it. My dad has always been concerned about my marriage and wants to find someone to help me run the cloth shop, but that doesn't represent my thoughts."

But I've already told you about my dad's situation. I don't want him to have any regrets. I just want my dad to meet you, at least to let him know that I've found someone I like.

None of this has anything to do with that guy surnamed Hou. I won't put pressure on you because of my dad. Whether our relationship can work out in the future depends on fate..."

"You don't need to explain, I understand!"

Even without Chen Xueru's explanation, Li Hongbing had already figured it out.

If Chen Xueru is really just trying to appease her father, she should find someone who is the right age and can be married immediately, not him.

To put it bluntly, if they do manage to get married in the future, based on what Li Hongbing learned from Chen Xueru, Chen's father probably won't live to see the day they register their marriage.

"How about tomorrow afternoon? If we have time, I'll go with you to visit your uncle. If not, then on the third day of the lunar new year."

After thinking for a moment, Li Hongbing gave Chen Xueru a direct answer.

Since you've already decided to date Chen Xueru, what's wrong with meeting her parents?

Tomorrow is the second day of the Lunar New Year, which is "Welcoming the Son-in-Law Day," and also the day when Li Hongmei takes her husband Zhao Weiguo back to her parents' home to pay New Year's visits.

Li Hongbing has to at least let them stay at his house for lunch. If they go back in the afternoon, Li Hongbing will have time; otherwise, he can only stay until the third day of the Lunar New Year.

Since it was just a home visit and not a direct discussion of marriage, Li Hongbing didn't feel any pressure.

Both the former and the latter are actually quite common nowadays.

"it is good!"

Seeing Li Hongbing agree so decisively, instead of hesitating, Chen Xueru felt both at ease and faintly happy.

In her career, Chen Xueru is a career-driven, strong woman who is not afraid of any difficulties.

In real life, she is also a gentle woman. No matter how passionate she is, she still hopes to find a good home and someone she can rely on.

……

at the same time.

Just as Li Hongbing and Chen Xueru were confirming their relationship, news that Li Hongbing's girlfriend had come to their door spread from the front yard to the middle and back yards.

Middle Court.

Jia Dongxu was taking Qin Huairu to Yi Zhonghai's house to pay New Year's respects, and Jia Zhangshi also came along.

"Oh dear, Li Hongbing, he really doesn't learn anything good. He was only sixteen before, and he's already starting to date so early..."

Upon hearing the gossip, Jia Zhangshi immediately started complaining in front of Yi Zhonghai and Wang Guihua.

Since everyone present was "family," Jia Zhangshi wasn't worried that anyone would report her to Li Hongbing, and she spoke without any restraint.

If Li Hongbing were here, or if there were other people in the courtyard, Jia Zhangshi wouldn't dare to act so recklessly.

She had firsthand experience with Li Hongbing's methods. That kid really meant it!

They won't even bother to say a word to you, they'll just start hitting you.

The key issue is that if you say something offensive, he might use it against you. Even if you go to the police station and get the police to come, you'll just get beaten up for nothing.

At most, they should be punished equally, and let off lightly.

Jia Zhangshi had not forgotten her previous experience, nor the entire process and outcome of the incident.

"Aunt Yi, you said Li Hongbing's girlfriend is three years older than him?"

The information was brought back by Wang Guihua, and Qin Huairu was somewhat stunned upon learning it.

"Yes, and the other party admitted it themselves!"

Wang Guihua nodded affirmatively.

Upon receiving confirmation, Qin Huairu suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

Qin Huairu thought back to when she came to the courtyard for a blind date. She asked the matchmaker, Sun, to inquire about the situation at the Li family. The reply she received was that Li Hongbing was still young and had no intention of going on blind dates or dating for the time being.

But rather.

Only three months after marrying into the Jia family, Li Hongbing started dating someone else, who was the same age as her but three years older.

What must Qin Huairu be thinking?
By now, Qin Huairu had long known that her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, had looked down on her in every way. If it weren't for Jia Dongxu's hunger strike, she probably wouldn't have even had the chance to marry into the Jia family.

Naturally.

Upon learning that Li Hongbing was dating someone, Qin Huairu couldn't help but think that she must have been rejected back then as well.

Just at this time.

Wang Guihua continued, "You probably don't know, but Li Hongbing's fiancée is Chen Xueru, the owner of Chen's Cloth Shop, the one on Qianmen Street. Li Hongmei's wedding dress was custom-made there..."

Upon hearing Wang Guihua mention this, Qin Huairu couldn't help but recall the dress Li Hongmei wore on her wedding day. Thinking back to that day, her feelings became complicated again.

"Manager Chen of Chen's Cloth Shop, on Qianmen Street?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia was momentarily stunned, but then she became filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

This is this...

Jia Zhangshi knew something about Chen's Cloth Shop, which Wang Guihua mentioned.

After all, Li Hongmei's previous fabrics and clothes were all bought from Chen's Cloth Shop. Many people in the courtyard went to see it and inquired about the situation of Chen's Cloth Shop, and she heard about it as well.

I heard that the fabrics there are of good quality, and there are many high-end goods, but the prices are not cheap either; a bolt of fabric is much more expensive than outside.

Someone who can open a cloth shop, especially in a location like Qianmen Street, can't be an ordinary person.
That shop, I don't even know how much it's worth.

Jia Zhangshi was furious that Li Hongbing could find such a wealthy partner.

Li Hongbing's life was already incredibly good, and now he's hooked up with such a golden phoenix. How blissful will he be in the future?

at the same time.

Jia Dongxu also became unsettled.

Back when his reputation hadn't been affected, when he was looking for city girls to go on blind dates, he wouldn't even dare to dream of finding someone with such qualities, let alone one.

What makes Li Hongbing so special?

Jia Dongxu felt very resentful.

Seeing Qin Huairu beside him brought him no comfort whatsoever.

Qin Huairu is beautiful, and he cried and begged to marry her. He was very satisfied after marriage, but her rural background was always a disadvantage.

Because of this, he has been the subject of much ridicule in private.

It's often said that once you get something, you don't cherish it anymore, and Jia Dongxu's original thoughts were somewhat affected by this.

Now that he knows about Li Hongbing's girlfriend, he feels even more resentful when he compares them.

(End of this chapter)