"Okay," Zhang Qian followed.
As it turned out, Old Wang was indeed planning to assault Tang Guo outside. If Zhang Liunian and the other hadn't appeared, he might have continued.
However, facing Zhang Liunian's stern gaze, Old Wang hastily pulled up his pants, tossed Tang Guo in front of the police station entrance, and fled.
Watching the police take Tang Guo into custody, Zhang Qian couldn't help but worry if Tang Guo would be released in a couple of days, just like Old Zhu.
"Brother Liunian, do you think this Tang Guo will be let out in a few days?"
Zhang Liunian looked up at the brightening sky. "Whether she admits to embezzling public and private property or not, she can't avoid jail time unless someone takes her place."
This depended on how much influence Tang Shitong had. If it was significant, such a possibility might arise.
"Sigh, they're capable of finding someone to take the blame." Zhang Qian fell silent at the thought of past events; such things weren't uncommon.
They couldn't control it, so they could only take it one step at a time.
"Don't think about it. Go back and rest. There are only three hours until the department store opens, and we still have a few tough battles to fight." Zhang Liunian finished speaking and led Zhang Qian back to the guesthouse.
"You're back already? It's almost dawn." As soon as Zhang Liunian lay down on the bed, his wife snuggled into his arms, speaking softly.
Zhang Liunian embraced her. "Yes, let's sleep."
But Jiang Qingqing, who had already slept, found it hard to fall asleep. Coupled with her curiosity about what they had been doing all night, she looked up and asked, "What were you guys up to just now?"
Her breath tickled Zhang Liunian's chest, making him feel warm. He reached out and caressed her slender waist. "We went to make Tang Guo return the money."
"Did she return it now?" Jiang Qingqing perked up, eager to know if the money Tang Guo had absconded with had been recovered.
"She returned it."
"That's good."
"..."
A sudden silence fell between them, as Zhang Liunian's hand began to wander, igniting a spark.
"Don't fool around, someone might hear." Jiang Qingqing knew what her husband wanted, but the soundproofing in this guesthouse wasn't great. If they were to do anything, the neighbors would hear.
"You should go look for a house tomorrow!" Zhang Liunian thought to himself, deciding that they could do as they pleased in their own home, and forcibly withdrew his restless hand.
"Alright, I'll look for one tomorrow." Jiang Qingqing felt a sense of relief that her husband had finally stopped fiddling, but also a touch of disappointment.
If they were in their own home, they wouldn't have to worry about others hearing.
"The price isn't the issue; what matters is that you like it. Understand?" Zhang Liunian stroked his wife's soft hair, sniffed it, his face filled with contentment.
"Then tomorrow, I'll pick what I like, regardless of whether you like it." Jiang Qingqing's heart felt sweet. What could be more romantic than her husband saying he'd buy whatever she liked?
"What you like is what I like, no mistake. So, just pick what you like." Zhang Liunian chuckled, his voice sounding in Jiang Qingqing's ears, making her snuggle closer into his embrace.
"You always say what I like to hear; your words are so sweet." Jiang Qingqing lay in her husband's arms, her voice soft and tender.
"Whether they're sweet or not can only be known by tasting." Hearing his wife call him sweet-mouthed, Zhang Liunian's eyes gleamed. He flipped over, pinning his wife beneath him, and pressed his lips to hers.
"Mmm!" Jiang Qingqing felt her husband's excitement and sighed. She had finally managed to dissuade him, only to rekindle his desire herself; it was truly a shame.
Despite her thoughts, before long, Jiang Qingqing began to rise and fall with Zhang Liunian. Just as their souls were merging, the not-so-sturdy wooden bed suddenly couldn't bear the pressure. With a "bang," it collapsed into a frame.
Zhang Liunian and Jiang Qingqing immediately fell off the bed. Fortunately, Zhang Liunian shielded his wife, taking the brunt of the fall himself, thus sparing her any harm.
However, Jiang Qingqing was very worried that her husband might be injured. She quickly crawled off him and checked on him.
Then she saw that her husband's back was pierced by several things – wood splinters and nails. This distressed Jiang Qingqing greatly.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't said that, you wouldn't have wanted to do this, and then you wouldn't have gotten hurt. It's all my fault..." Jiang Qingqing blamed herself, tears streaming down her face.
Zhang Liunian couldn't bear to see his wife like this. He turned, took her small hand, placed it on his chest, and chuckled gently. "I don't hurt physically, but my heart aches because you're crying, and that makes me uncomfortable."
Indeed, it didn't hurt much, as the splinters weren't deeply embedded.
"You... you always say such embarrassing things." Jiang Qingqing's cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes seeming to swirl with deep affection. She tugged at his hand, but didn't pull away.
"My words come from the heart; I can't help it. I can't control myself."
"Alright, alright, stop talking. I'll go buy you some antiseptic medicine to apply," Jiang Qingqing couldn't stand it any longer. She quickly used her small hand to cover her husband's captivating lips, fearing that if she listened further, she might drown in his tenderness.
Zhang Liunian said nothing as his wife dressed and went to buy the medicine.
Half an hour later, Jiang Qingqing returned with the medicine and began carefully applying it to his back.
After the medicine was applied, Zhang Liunian's back was a mess, covered in splotches. Seeing this, Jiang Qingqing pouted and her eyes welled up, ready to cry again.
Jiang Qingqing realized she was becoming increasingly pampered, unable to bear seeing her husband suffer even the slightest harm.
"Today, I must find a good house, one with a sturdy big bed." This way, her husband wouldn't have to endure such suffering. Jiang Qingqing didn't want to see her husband use himself as a cushion again; it truly pained her.
"I agree. A sturdy bed is the lifelong pursuit of any married man." Zhang Liunian was amused.
Jiang Qingqing froze for a moment, then met her husband's lecherous gaze. Her ears instantly turned red, and she turned away, ignoring him.
Zhang Liunian got up and pulled her into his embrace. "Can't sleep now. Let me lean on you."
Jiang Qingqing was about to struggle, but upon hearing his words, she dared not move, allowing her husband to hold her.
In a blink, it was time for the department store to open. After breakfast, Zhang Liunian and his companions went their separate ways.
Jiang Qingqing went to look for a house, intending to find one that day. Zhang Qian went to get the car he had hit yesterday repaired.
Zhang Liunian first went to the police station, and then proceeded to the department store to handle matters.
Before long, Feng Shoucai arrived before Zhang Liunian with enforcement officers.
"Have you prepared the money? Today is the last day. If you can't produce the money, we will legally seal your department store."
Feng Shoucai, accompanied by his entourage, addressed Zhang Liunian directly and to the point.
He had brought his own people, so he wasn't afraid of any bad rumors spreading.
However, Zhang Liunian was prepared. He gestured for them to sit down and talk. "Comrade Feng, please don't be in a hurry. I told you yesterday that I would proceed through the judicial channels. Have you forgotten?"