Like a Dog

"Jiang Fan, come back quickly! I'm so hungry!" Tang Wan's call came just as Jiang Fan was preparing to work overtime.

Forgetting that there was another mouth waiting for food at home, Jiang Fan, out of habit formed over three years, chose to give up work and go home. Some things could be continued at home, and he quietly told Chen Yi to do them together tomorrow.

He squeezed onto the bus and started his journey home, thinking that there should be some leftovers from yesterday's cooking. He could heat them up and have another meal tonight. However, this idea was immediately questioned. Would Tang Wan agree?

Wait, we're divorced. Why should I care about her opinion?

His mind was in turmoil throughout the journey, and finally, he decided not to buy any groceries and go home directly.

When he opened the door, he saw Tang Wan curled up on the sofa, eating potato chips. Jiang Fan's forehead wrinkled. Was this the look of being starving? Tang Wan also saw Jiang Fan and quickly hid the potato chips. She knelt on the sofa, shouting that she was hungry, and threatened to call Jiang Fan's mother to tell her that Jiang Fan was abusing her.

Jiang Fan took a deep breath.

"It was busy on the first day of work, and I'm not used to it yet. Don't call my mom. Just a few days ago, she was asking whether we should go back for the New Year this year. If she knows we're divorced, you might be fine, but I might be in trouble."

"Oh, it's still a few months away from the New Year. Don't fuss. I'm starving. I bought the groceries and they're in the kitchen. Go quickly. If you don't, I'll tell Mom that you proposed the divorce."

Tang Wan didn't change her way of calling her 'Auntie', and Jiang Fan didn't take it to heart. He walked into the kitchen and started preparing dinner. Looking at the groceries thrown on the cabinet, Jiang Fan felt a little confused. His mouth curved into a smile without his control. Most of the food was what he liked. He didn't know if Tang Wan bought them coincidentally or intentionally.

Jiang Fan, who was busy cooking, suddenly remembered the task that Su Qing had given him. He couldn't help but ask, "Tang Wan, I heard that there's a piece of land near the airport at the border of the new and old districts that's going to be reconstructed. Did your company, Changxiang, participate in the bidding?"

"It's not a bidding. The city is selecting one of the enterprises to take on this task, but whoever takes it will definitely lose money. The board has some connections, so Changxiang is just participating for the sake of it. Why? Is your new company also in the bidding?"

Tang Wan had somehow appeared at the kitchen door, leaning against the door frame and watching Jiang Fan cook. Her sudden words startled him. He turned around and frowned. "Why are you here? Remember to wear shoes. I don't know if my company is in the bidding. I just heard my colleagues talking about it and got curious. It's definitely a loss? Can I put carrots in the Kung Pao chicken?"

"Whatever, I'm not eating it! The airport is used for training new pilots and can't be moved. It's the old neighborhood opposite the decoration city. Sometimes, the planes train at night, and the residents are very unhappy with the airport. Our government can't do anything about it, so they decided to relocate, but they don't want to suffer losses, so they're looking for someone to take on this task."

Jiang Fan put down the kitchen knife, turned around, and frowned. "I see. The sound insulation of the houses there is quite good now, but people nowadays all want elevators. The building can't be taller than the current ones, and this location isn't suitable for building villas. It'll be congested in the morning, and it'll be troublesome to pick up children from school. Opposite are the decoration city, the commodity city, and the passenger station. Not far away are Darunfa Supermarket and Fortune Street. It seems that whatever is built there will result in losses. Who's responsible for the relocation compensation?"

"Just cook first. I'm hungry!"

Tang Wan threatened Jiang Fan with a clenched fist, and he quickly turned around to prepare dinner. At this time, Tang Wan continued, "The relocation compensation is the responsibility of the government unit. This piece of land needs to be purchased, and they call it a bidding, but before the auction, someone will receive instructions on who to give it to. It's just a formality. For so many years, the government units have been providing convenience to our group companies, and it's hard for anyone to refuse. This place can't be developed into a residential area or a mall. If the building is too low, it will look small, and if it's too high, the airport won't agree. It's a mess. I hope Rongyao takes it on. Then they won't have the mind to compete with Changxiang."

Jiang Fan, who was cooking seriously, had a general idea. It seemed that Su Qing already knew that this mess would fall on Rongyao's head.

"Forty thousand in two days."

"How much loss would there be if it's indeed a loss?"

"If the land is not developed within five years, it will be taken back. The government unit will force them to build on it. Whatever they build, the cost of the land and construction will be almost the same as what you owe me. I'm talking about the loss, but actually, the most important thing is the reputation. Don't think about these useless things. Think about how to pay me back first. I get angry every time I think about your divorce with me. I want to eat four dishes tonight, no, eight dishes."

"Do you want to eat eggshells?"

"Jiang Fan! You've changed. You have a woman outside, and you don't let me have my way anymore."

Jiang Fan didn't respond to Tang Wan. During dinner, his feet were stepped on more than ten times, but he didn't take it seriously. After dinner, he washed the dishes while Tang Wan angrily went upstairs. Jiang Fan didn't understand why she suddenly got angry. He didn't do anything to her.

Unable to figure it out and not wanting to dwell on it, Jiang Fan finished the housework and went back to the second floor to continue looking at the materials in his hand. He wasn't in a hurry to make a plan yet. He needed to start with this city and couldn't limit his vision to just this piece of land.

As he was busy, the door was pushed open. Tang Wan, wearing pajamas, suddenly pounced on Jiang Fan, hitting and biting him until she straddled him and declared her victory. Then she left with a triumphant look, taking Jiang Fan's phone with her and telling him straightforwardly, "There's a cooling-off period for divorce too. I've blocked Lin Xuan. You should also behave yourself. If you dare to hook up with another woman behind my back, you have to pay me back now."

Jiang Fan looked at Tang Wan with despair, sighing heavily. "Only a fool would choose a man who owes four million. Besides, I don't even have WeChat. Who can I hook up with? The only QQ I had, you got it deactivated. Tang Wan, come here. We need to talk. You just beat me up without any reason. Come here!"

Seeing Jiang Fan about to get up, Tang Wan quickly dialed a number on Jiang Fan's phone. As Jiang Fan stood up, Tang Wan shouted, "Mom! Jiang Fan is going to hit me!"

The situation had escalated, and Jiang Fan never expected Tang Wan to call his mother. He put down all his work and explained to his mother on the phone that he was just playing with Tang Wan and had no intention of hitting her. Then his father took the phone from his mother and scolded Jiang Fan regardless of whether it was his fault or not. His father hadn't achieved much in his life, but he had one good point: he never let his mother cook and never got angry with her. Hearing that Jiang Fan wanted to hit his wife, his father couldn't bear it.

Finally, Jiang Fan begged Tang Wan to testify, and the matter was resolved. His mother ordered them to come home for the New Year this year. The old couple would not come to them. If the children didn't come home, there would be no meaning in celebrating the New Year.

After the phone call ended, Jiang Fan lay on the tatami mat, looking at the ceiling weakly. "You wanted to play, are you satisfied now? Now they want us to go back home for the New Year. If you don't go, Mom will definitely ask me. If she knows we've divorced, your first stronghold will be gone."

Tang Wan sat cross-legged next to Jiang Fan, sneering disdainfully, "Look at your lack of ambition. Is it related to you that I go back home to see Mom during the New Year? Mom treats me much better than Li Jinhe does. Go take a shower!"

"You're not sleeping with me tonight, so why should I take a shower? Tang Wan, are you a dog? Stop biting!"

While Tang Wan and Jiang Fan were playing around, Lin Xuan had already boarded a plane to return to the country. He couldn't wait anymore.