Chen Jiaxian took out the key, turned it open, and pushed open a simple gray iron door.
The entrance is a small one-bedroom and one-living room. The whole house is about 45 square meters, has an elevator, is in a decent location, faces the street, and is slightly noisy.
For the ray of sunshine that comes in every evening, Chen Jiaxian paid an extra 600 yuan. The total rent is 4,500 yuan per month, plus the property's water and electricity bills.
"It's safer to change your residence." Pan Qiaomu said, "What if your family asks you for money and makes trouble in the company dormitory? There will be a round of layoffs in the middle of this year, which will have a bad impact on you."
Chen Jiaxian listened.
In fact, what Pan Qiaomu wants to say is - I ask you for money, and you happen to have money now, will you give it or not?
Not giving?
After all, they are biological parents and brothers. How many people can be so cruel as to ask for help?
Give?
How should we pay for debts worth millions, how much should we pay, how often should we pay, and to what extent is it considered good?
"After changing my mobile phone number, I didn't receive any calls from home." Chen Jiaxian said hesitantly.
Her life was a little too peaceful, which made her feel a little uneasy.
"Oh. Maybe they figured it out and knew that you don't have any money." Pan Qiaomu began to check the water and electricity in the whole house. In order to see more clearly, he gently lifted the hem of his suit, turned his back to Chen Jiaxian, and knelt on the ground.
Chen Jiaxian originally planned to ask the property resumption manager Xiao Fang to help with the inspection, but Pan Qiaomu insisted that he was more experienced.
Chen Jiaxian was silent for a while and said, "If I said that I want to know how my parents and Jiahao are doing now, would you think I'm cheap?"
Pan Qiaomu paused.
After a moment, he said nonchalantly: "How do I know? I don't know them. If they come to you, you will know."
Chen Jiaxian said "Yeah" and sighed: "But I hope they never find me."
Pan Qiaomu turned his back to her: "People are complicated, there is no need to blame yourself."
Chen Jiaxian said nothing.
Pan Qiaomu stood up with his support on the ground: "Okay, there's no problem, and there are no cameras. I'll ask my housekeeper to help you clean up."
Chen Jiaxian shook her head: "I can do it myself."
Pan Qiaomu frowned: "You listen to me..."
Chen Jiaxian raised her eyes to look at him. The two looked at each other for a few seconds. Pan Qiaomu took a deep breath: "I don't mean anything else."
After a moment, he kept his tone calm: "This is your life, I will not interfere in your life."
He put two small red envelopes into Chen Jiaxian's hand: "Prosperous move to a prosperous house and rich land. Do you want to treat me to a meal?"
Chen Jiaxian nodded: "Okay."
Pan Qiaomu pulled up a chair and sat across from her.
He tried to restore the slightly unpleasant atmosphere between the two, pointed to the window behind her and said, "Look, the light on the opposite side of the window."
Chen Jiaxian turned around.
At night in first-tier cities, the lights never fade, and they are as dense as stars and like floating flames. Behind every orange fire is an ordinary person working hard to live.
Pan Qiaomu hugged her from behind and coaxed: "You also own your light. It does not belong to the family, marriage, or children. It is your own and only yours. Now, you are safe. Are you feeling it?"
Chen Jiaxian rejected Pan Qiaomu's invitation to live together, but Pan Qiaomu did not show any dissatisfaction at all. He directly asked friends in the sales department to help find a suitable residence in all aspects and recommended it to Chen Jiaxian.
Chen Jiaxian decisively moved out of the dormitory.
After some time, Chen Jiaxian realized that Pan Qiaomu had slowly intervened in her life at some point.
She had to admit that Pan Qiaomu was a very smart man. He knew very well how to speak and speak into people's hearts, making people unconsciously be guided by him.
Maybe that’s what elites are like. Possessing extreme intelligence and subtle insight, when they are downward compatible in interpersonal relationships, they can always make others turn around and feel like a spring breeze.
Chen Jiaxian stared at the night lights for a long time.
Yes, she gained a sense of security from the rented house.
Her life is no longer a wandering station. She does not have to move from her parents' home, to her husband's home, to her children's home. Even if it is just a rental, even if it is only 45 square meters, even if there is only a ray of sunshine, this room belongs to her.
She knew Pan Qiaomu was willing to protect her. But how long can this asylum last? If she was willing to place all her hopes on the protection of others, then why did she run away from home in the first place?
Chen Jiaxian leaned in Pan Qiaomu's arms and thought calmly.
No matter what fluid relationship she finds herself in, she always desires to assert herself, like the stubborn black rock in the river. As long as this black rock remains, she will not be lost in the crowd.
She would never give up her hard-won life to anyone.
Chen Jiaxian slowly let out a breath.
…
Chen Jiaxian invited Pan Qiaomu to dinner. After dinner, Pan Qiaomu took her to the parking lot and through a lively snack street.
Pan Qiaomu suddenly slowed down.
At this moment, Chen Jiaxian saw it.
A lively crowd gathered around a small "Chen Ji Tang Shui" stall. The stall's business is good, and the stalls are run by two old men with white hair and quick hands.
Chen Jiaxian looked at Pan Qiaomu suddenly, and Pan Qiaomu shrugged: "I also happen to know."
Is it a coincidence?
Only then did Chen Jiaxian remember that the unfinished building her family bought was nearby.
Mother……
She turned her face away again, unconsciously longing to see her mother one more time, but the next second, Pan Qiaomu covered her eyes.
Chen Jiaxian subconsciously reached out and tried to pull off Pan Qiaomu's hand, but Pan Qiaomu was very strong. He put his other hand around her shoulders and forcefully pulled her away from the whirlpool of emotions.
"Move forward," he said.
"Don't look back," he said.
He covered her eyes and her tears wet his fingers.
But she didn't look back.
They looked like a young couple having a fight, with people passing by and making good-natured noises.
When they reached the end of the snack street, Pan Qiaomu let her go.
Just as he was about to say something, someone suddenly came out of the street next to him and knocked Pan Qiaomu off his feet.
The man's hair was mostly gray, his beard was unkempt, and he was slovenly. He glanced at Pan Qiaomu absentmindedly, and suddenly his eyes widened with fear on his face. The next second, he ran away and merged into the crowd in the snack street without looking back.
Chen Jiaxian blurted out: "Why doesn't this uncle apologize? Are you okay?"
Pan Qiaomu glanced at Chen Jiaxian in surprise.
His tone was complicated: "I'm fine."
The two get in the car.
Chen Jiaxian didn't recognize it at all, and Pan Qiaomu wouldn't tell her.
The "uncle" who accidentally bumped into Pan Qiaomu just now was her biological brother, the former cheerful and handsome Chen Jiahao.
The two got into the car.
Chen Jiaxian didn't ask much about Pan Qiaomu's coincidence and arrangement. There were too many things about him that she didn't know, and it was obvious that he didn't intend to tell her.
His approach was clear: He needed her acceptance. Accept his character or his arrangements.
Chen Jiaxian was lost in thought when Pan Qiaomu suddenly cursed.
"What's wrong?" Chen Jiaxian asked.
Pan Qiaomu handed the phone to the tip of her nose.
“Boss Xu of Yongda Group was arrested,” he said.
