Chapter 216

Chapter 216: Living Together After that day, Chu Tang didn't see Jiang Shixu for nearly two weeks. Once, Shu Mingyue came to the law firm to discuss a case with her, and it was only then that Chu Tang learned from Shu Mingyue that Jiang Shixu had gone abroad to handle matters concerning the overseas branch. For those two weeks, Chu Tang had been buried in work, busy beyond measure. The several cases involving Jiangshi Group had all been filed with the court, with trial dates set for a month later. Gu Minghua and Meng Yaqin's divorce case was scheduled sooner—next Thursday. That day after work, Chu Tang went with A Wen, Yu Jiaojiao, and Xiao Xiao to eat at a hotpot restaurant near the law firm. Once the hotpot dishes were all served, the girls chatted while cooking their food. Yu Jiaojiao had previously rented a place near Shengke Law Firm, but her lease was almost up, and she'd been looking for a new place recently. Xiao Xiao happened to want to move to a bigger place, so she said, "Why don't you move in and be my roommate? I've been thinking about switching apartments too—we could rent a two-bedroom, one-living-room place together." Yu Jiaojiao pursed her lips, hesitating. "What's wrong?" Xiao Xiao looked at her suspiciously. "Don't want to be roommates with me?" Yu Jiaojiao took a sip of her drink, her expression a bit unnatural. "No, it's not that, Sister Xiao Xiao. It's not that I don't want to room with you—it's just... I..." "You what?" Xiao Xiao looked at her with amusement. "Did the hotpot make you so spicy you're stuttering?" A suspicious blush crept onto Yu Jiaojiao's face. "I'm planning to move in with my boyfriend." Xiao Xiao was dumbfounded, and the tripe she'd just cooked slipped right off her chopsticks. "What? Moving in with your boyfriend?" Chu Tang also looked at Yu Jiaojiao in shock. "You and Liu Ming are together?" Yu Jiaojiao hummed in affirmation, her face red. "How long have you been together?" Chu Tang asked. Yu Jiaojiao pursed her lips. "Almost three months." Xiao Xiao frowned and said earnestly, "Jiaojiao, three months is too soon to rush into living together. You should get to know each other more first." "I'm with Xiao Xiao on this one." Chu Tang looked serious. "Jiaojiao, I know Liu Ming is a good person and a fine young man, but you've only just gotten together with him. I'm worried you might end up at a disadvantage." "Right, I have firsthand experience with this." Xiao Xiao's expression turned sour at the unpleasant memory. "Ask Sister Chu Tang how we met. Back when I was in college in Haicheng, I got tricked by a scumbag. I lived with him for two years. At first, we agreed to split rent, utilities, and living expenses fifty-fifty. He transferred me two thousand every month, and I'd also put two thousand from my own living expenses toward our shared costs." As she spoke, a wave of righteous fury surged through Xiao Xiao. She slammed the table hard. "But who would've thought that after we broke up, that scumbag actually demanded I pay him back, claiming his monthly transfers were gifts made with the intention of marriage! But that was clearly our agreed-upon shared expenses from the very start! In those two years of dating, the gifts he gave me didn't even total five hundred yuan, while I bought him a pair of shoes that cost over a thousand—not to mention all the game skins I gifted him. I'm telling you, think it over carefully." Yu Jiaojiao said with some embarrassment, "Sister Xiao Xiao, I know you mean well, but Liu Ming isn't that kind of person. He told me he'd cover the rent and utilities, and for meals together, we'd split it seventy-thirty. I've even introduced him to my parents—we're both serious about marriage." "You've already introduced him to your parents? When did that happen?" Chu Tang was shocked. She really hadn't known that Yu Jiaojiao had already brought Liu Ming to meet her family. Yu Jiaojiao said, "Just a few days ago, during the May Day holiday. My parents really like him. My family is just ordinary, but Liu Ming has a stable job now, and he's hardworking, motivated, and willing to endure hardship. My parents approved of us being together." Xiao Xiao asked, "So do your parents approve of you two living together?" Yu Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I didn't tell them." Xiao Xiao had an "I knew it" look on her face. Chu Tang asked, "If Liu Ming moves in with you, what about Liu Yue? She's still in elementary school, isn't she?" "Yeah, Yueyue will live with us too. We're planning to rent a two-bedroom, one-living-room place first, and once we've saved up enough for a down payment, we'll buy a place and settle down in Jiangcheng." Chu Tang reminded her, "When you rent this time, make sure to test for formaldehyde. Don't end up in another formaldehyde-contaminated rental." Then Chu Tang looked at Xiao Xiao. "You too—be careful. Liu Ming's sister got leukemia precisely because she lived in a formaldehyde-contaminated rental before. Luckily Liu Ming didn't get affected." Xiao Xiao nodded. "Okay, I'll be careful." That said, Xiao Xiao still looked like she was disappointed in Yu Jiaojiao. She said to her, "I still don't approve of you moving in with your boyfriend this early." "Sister Xiao Xiao, it's really fine. Attorney Ruan has met my boyfriend—he actually helped him out with a big problem before. Ask Attorney Ruan—isn't Liu Ming a really reliable and wonderful guy?" Xiao Xiao looked at Chu Tang. "Sister Chu Tang, you know her boyfriend?" Chu Tang nodded. "I know him. Previously, his sister had leukemia and I helped find a matching bone marrow donor. That guy is indeed a decent person—hardworking, willing to endure hardship, and sincere and warm-hearted in his dealings with others." "Ah—" Xiao Xiao sighed. "Forget it, forget it. I was just making a suggestion anyway. Whether you take it or not is up to you. Of course, I still hope things go well between you and your boyfriend. Wishing you two a long and happy relationship." "I know Sister Xiao Xiao means well for me. Here, let me toast you." Yu Jiaojiao raised her glass. "Cheers!" Chu Tang smiled. "Remember to invite us to your wedding banquet when you get married." Yu Jiaojiao grinned. "That's a must." Xiao Xiao said, "Bring your boyfriend out sometime and introduce him to me." Yu Jiaojiao replied, "Sure." The hotpot meal lasted over an hour. By the end, both Yu Jiaojiao and Xiao Xiao were stuffed. Xiao Xiao had drunk a few glasses of beer and was a bit tipsy, saying to Yu Jiaojiao, "Why isn't your boyfriend coming to pick you up?" Yu Jiaojiao smiled and said, "He's working overtime to earn money." "That's acceptable then." Xiao Xiao took out her phone to hail a ride. Chu Tang pressed down on her hand. "Don't hail a ride. I'll drive you both home. You're drunk and I wouldn't feel safe letting you take a cab alone." Yu Jiaojiao's current residence was still near Shengke Law Firm, over ten kilometers away from here, while Xiao Xiao lived near Huayue Law Firm, about three kilometers away. Chu Tang helped Xiao Xiao into the car and said to Yu Jiaojiao, "Jiaojiao, get in too. I'll take you home." "Alright, thanks Lawyer Ruan." Yu Jiaojiao opened the door and sat in. "I get to ride in Lawyer Ruan's luxury car again, hehe." A Wen drove, with Yu Jiaojiao in the passenger seat, while Chu Tang supported Xiao Xiao in the back. After safely dropping both girls off at their homes, Chu Tang finally had A Wen drive toward her private villa. Chu Tang had purchased a two-story standalone villa in an upscale neighborhood near Shengke. It was very close to the law firm, convenient for commuting. A Wen lived with her, making it easy to provide around-the-clock personal protection. As the white Rolls-Royce stopped at a red light on the roadside, Chu Tang casually glanced out the window. Suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar figure. Chu Tang lowered the car window and looked carefully at the entrance of a bar on the street. "A Wen, find a place to park. Hurry!" Chu Tang's voice was urgent.