My Taoist nun girlfriend is from the Republic of China era, 1942.

Chapter 172 Other People's Household Affairs
On the tenth day, Lu Yuan asked Lü Xin to arrange for the best child psychologist in Jiangcheng. Everyone accompanied Qi Lili and her husband to take Zhao Moli for an evaluation.

The doctor carefully observed and questioned her for most of the day, and the final conclusion put Qi Lili's mind at ease.

"The child has no major problems, and her intellectual development is normal, so there's no need to be overly anxious. Her situation leans more towards high-needs and high-sensitivity personality traits. Her way of processing external information is different from that of ordinary children, which is why she seems to be immersed in her own world."

Give her more patience and a sense of security, and guide her to interact with peers. If she's still like this by age three, then consider systematic intervention.

With the expert's words, Zhao Qiang and his wife finally felt at ease.

Since then, Qi Lili has been going to Lu Yuan's house almost every day.

Zhao Moli is a strange girl. She's like a silent gourd at home, but as soon as she sees Lu Yang at Chen Xiaomiao's place, she's like a completely different person.

She would proactively share her toys with Lu Yang, who could only grasp objects at a time. She would imitate adults, making "ah ah" sounds to "tell stories" to Lu Yang. She would even be more anxious than anyone else when Lu Yang cried, circling around the cradle.

The two little ones huddled together, one babbling and the other giggling, creating a wonderfully harmonious scene.

Time flies, and Chen Xiaomiao's winter vacation is about to end.

That afternoon, Song Jia called.

"Dear Miao, come out for dinner, it's Jia's treat!"

Chen Xiaomiao was playing with the two children on the carpet when she heard this, she hesitated and said, "I can't leave. Yangyang and Moli are both at home."

"Isn't Lily with you? And there's a postpartum nanny too, what are you afraid of? Hurry up, I have something important to talk to you about!"

Song Jia's tone was urgent.

Chen Xiaomiao couldn't refuse her, so she had to agree. She said a few words to Qi Lili and the nanny, changed her clothes, and went out.

M5 stopped in front of the entrance to Song Jia Law Firm.

After several months, the old wooden sign with a chipped corner at the entrance of the law firm has finally been replaced with a shiny acrylic sign with black background and gold lettering. In the afternoon sunlight, it looks quite imposing.

As soon as the car came to a stop, Song Jia ran over like a doorman and eagerly opened the car door.

"Mr. Chen! You've arrived! Please come in!"

Chen Xiaomiao was both amused and exasperated by her behavior, and got out of the car: "Sister Song Jia, what are you doing?"

"You're my biggest benefactor, my bread and butter, I have to serve you well!"

Song Jia spoke shamelessly, gesturing for him to enter, her face plastered with a fawning smile.

Chen Xiaomiao ignored her and walked straight into the law firm.

The interior was still the same as before, with a few half-old desks and a printer that looked like it might break down at any moment. Apart from being cleaner and tidier than before, it still exuded a poor and shabby atmosphere.

Chen Xiaomiao sat down on the only sofa for guests: "Didn't we say we were going to eat? Where are we going to eat?"

Song Jia picked up two menus from the table and handed them to her: "This is all we have right now. The stir-fry restaurants nearby are alright, we can just make do with this."

Of course, if you have a change of heart and want to treat me, the hardworking and meritorious lawyer who helped you complete the contract, to a meal, I absolutely won't stop you."

Chen Xiaomiao is never picky about food. Hearing this, she waved her hand and said, "I'm not picky. What do you want from me?"

"hey-hey."

Song Jia rubbed her hands together, sat down in front of Chen Xiaomiao, and started gossiping: "I received a consultation after the New Year, and this matter... has something to do with your family."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaomiao immediately became alert and subconsciously interrupted her: "Sister Song Jia, don't you lawyers say that you can't just reveal your clients' privacy?"

"Okay, then I won't say anything more."

Song Jia leaned back in her chair, spread her hands, and made as if to stop.

"..."

Chen Xiaomiao was speechless for a moment, feeling stuck and uneasy, as if a cat was scratching at her heart.

Seeing her frustrated expression, Song Jia chuckled and said, "Just kidding! I haven't officially taken on her case yet. At most, I'm just a potential client, so it's not against the rules."

If you really want to hear it…

She deliberately dragged out the last syllable and raised an eyebrow at Chen Xiaomiao.

Chen Xiaomiao sighed resignedly, "Okay, let's go eat at Haidilao later, it's on me."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to have troubled you to spend money again!"

Song Jia spoke politely, but a smug smile spread across her face.

Under Chen Xiaomiao's disdainful gaze, she cleared her throat and finally got to the point.

"The person who came to see me is named Gao Rong, the one who lives upstairs from you."

Chen Xiaomiao was startled upon hearing this.

Because she often visited Lu Yuan's house, Song Jia had met Gao Rong a few times and had heard Chen Xiaomiao complain about the woman's bizarre deeds in private.

"Her? What does she want with you?"

“What else could it be?” Song Jia pouted. “They come to me for advice on divorce, asking about everything from custody to property division, in such detail.”

"Divorce?!" Chen Xiaomiao was even more surprised: "She wants to divorce Brother Zheng?"

This news came as quite a surprise.

She remembered clearly that just two days ago, Gao Rong and Zheng Zhifeng had come downstairs with their daughter to wish them a Happy New Year.

At the time, the family of three looked harmonious and happy. Zheng Zhifeng was holding his daughter, Gao Rong was holding his arm, and they both had a proper smile on their faces. Anyone who saw them would have to say that they were a perfect match and had a happy family.

Especially that little girl named Zheng Qingtong, who was born on the same day, month, and year as Zhao Moli, but the two children are worlds apart.

Zhao Moli can only speak a few simple words and spends most of her time immersed in her own world.

But Zheng Qingtong, who was only a year and a half old, could already speak many complete short sentences.

As she entered, she greeted everyone in a cheerful voice, "Hello, Uncle! Hello, Aunt!" showing no shyness whatsoever.

When adults tease her, she giggles and reacts very cleverly.

When Chen Xiaomiao offered her candy, she would look at her mother first, and only after receiving permission would she extend her little hand and say in a childish voice, "Thank you, Auntie."

Her intelligence and wit, her obedience and understanding, were completely different from her loud, selfish mother.

Although looking at Zheng Qingtong still made me uncomfortable, I felt like she was my nemesis.

But Chen Xiaomiao had to admit that this daughter was really lovable, perfectly avoiding all of her mother's shortcomings.

It's only been a few days, why are they already talking about divorce?

"Probably not in the short term."

Song Jia shook her head, picked up her thermos and took a sip to moisten her throat, then began her professional analysis: "Judging from her demeanor, she's just here to probe the situation, and she didn't mention any specific timetable."

She only asked about many details, without going into further detail.

"What does that mean?" Chen Xiaomiao was completely confused.

"What I mean is, she never intended to divorce right now."

She's preparing for the future, thoroughly understanding the legal provisions and the intricacies of property division, so she's well-informed.

Song Jia paused for a moment, then continued, "Think about it, if she divorces now, how much will she get?"
Although Zheng Zhifeng's company is profitable, a large portion of it is premarital property. Even if the court awards it, he won't receive a significant portion of it.

What she has to do now is continue being Mrs. Zheng and wait!

"Wait until Zheng Zhifeng earns more money, until that money becomes joint property of the couple, until the children are older and custody is more in her favor... then we can make our move and maximize our interests."

Song Jia's tone was calm, but it sent a chill down Chen Xiaomiao's spine.

In her simple understanding, a couple should live together if they get along, and separate if they don't. There's no need for so many complicated calculations.

"Is she... lying low?"

Chen Xiaomiao thought for a long time before finally coming up with a word.

"That's pretty much the idea." Song Jia snapped her fingers: "Lie low, then slowly make your move. After all, judging from Zheng Zhifeng's attitude, he should be able to make quite a bit of money."

"Shouldn't we fatten up this goose that lays such golden eggs before slaughtering it?"

Chen Xiaomiao pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time.

She thought of Zheng Zhifeng's always tired face, and the fatherly love in his eyes when he talked about his daughter, and her heart felt inexplicably heavy.

"You...you called me here just to talk about this?" she asked sullenly.

“Yes.” Song Jia nodded.

"This is someone else's family matter, what does it have to do with our family?"

Chen Xiaomiao frowned: "I can't possibly go and talk back to Brother Zheng."

“Of course I know you won’t say anything,” Song Jia said matter-of-factly. “I just wanted to let you know so you’re aware of the situation.”

After all, you're neighbors living upstairs and downstairs. If anything happens in the future, don't be foolish enough to get involved.

After saying that, she looked at Chen Xiaomiao expectantly, then changed the subject.

"Then... Haidilao..."

Chen Xiaomiao then realized that after all that talk, the woman's ultimate goal was still to have a good meal.

I guess business at the law firm is bad, so she's been eating at cheap, hole-in-the-wall restaurants every day, which has made her crave them.

Chen Xiaomiao sighed and stood up from the sofa.

"Let's go."

"okay!"

Song Jia instantly beamed with joy, grabbed her bag, and headed out.

Looking at her pathetic appearance, Chen Xiaomiao added irritably.

"Don't order anything too expensive!"

……

Haidilao.

Steam rose from the pot, and the red oil broth bubbled and gurgled.

Song Jia ate until she was sweating profusely, her lips glistening with oil. As she scooped freshly cooked tripe into her bowl, she mumbled instructions, "Miao! Give me another serving of shrimp paste! And another plate of that fatty beef!"

Chen Xiaomiao slowly rinsed the green leafy vegetables in her bowl. Seeing how hungry she was, she couldn't help but remind her, "Eat slowly, no one is going to take it from you."

"No way! You've been so generous all of a sudden, I have to make sure I get my money's worth!"

Song Jia, with a straight face, picked up another large chopstick of meat and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks bulging out.

Chen Xiaomiao shook her head helplessly and ignored her.

During the meal, Song Jia ate almost 90% of the food at the table. Finally, she slumped in her chair, patted her round belly, and let out a satisfied burp.

"Comfortable!"

Chen Xiaomiao looked at the not-so-small number on the bill and felt a pang of heartache.

This woman is quick-witted, but she's ruthless when it comes to ripping off her friends.

"Alright, I've eaten, I have to go back now."

Chen Xiaomiao got up to pay the bill and picked up her car keys.

"Don't rush, Mr. Chen."

Song Jia followed behind, smacking her lips with lingering enjoyment: "When are you going to treat us again? I recently saw a Japanese restaurant I like, I heard their tuna belly is amazing..."

Chen Xiaomiao waved her hand without turning her head and quickened her pace.

"Don't even think about it!"

The M5 drove smoothly through the traffic, but Chen Xiaomiao, holding the steering wheel, was somewhat distracted.

Song Jia's words weighed heavily on her heart like a stone.

Lurk, plot slowly, fatten them up before striking...

These words, spoken by Song Jia, carried the calmness and ruthlessness characteristic of a lawyer, yet they made Chen Xiaomiao feel extremely uncomfortable.

She couldn't imagine how a mother could treat her husband and marriage as a business transaction.

A business that requires long-term investment and waiting for the best time to sell.

Brother Zheng's tired face, and the heartfelt joy he showed when he held his daughter, lingered in her mind.

The car drove into the underground parking garage, Chen Xiaomiao parked the car, picked up her bag and walked towards the elevator.

As she was lost in thought, the elevator doors slid open with a "ding," and the person standing inside made her heart skip a beat.

Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao will arrive.

Zheng Zhifeng held his daughter Zheng Qingtong's hand with one hand and carried a bag of snacks with the other.

The man's dark circles were more pronounced than before, his shirt collar was wrinkled, and he looked as if all his energy had been drained away. Only when he looked at his daughter did his eyes show a glimmer of light.

"Brother Zheng." Chen Xiaomiao stepped into the elevator, forcing a smile.

“Oh, she’s my sister-in-law.” Zheng Zhifeng nodded to her, his voice hoarse.

"Hello Auntie."

Zheng Qingtong, who was next to him, looked up and greeted him in a clear voice.

The little girl was wearing a pink princess dress today, with two pigtails, and looked like a delicate doll.

"Hello, Qing Tong..."

Chen Xiaomiao responded, her gaze quickly sweeping across the girl's face, and that inexplicable awkwardness welled up in her heart again.

The little guy is clearly cute, smart, polite, and sensible, but I just can't seem to get over him.
The elevator was silent, with only the indicator lights flashing monotonously.

Chen Xiaomiao unconsciously dug at the bag strap with her fingernails, her mind in turmoil.

Should we remind him?
Even just a simple "Brother Zheng, please be careful" would be enough to fulfill the duties of a neighbor.

But as the saying goes, even an upright official can't settle family disputes. What right does she, an outsider, have to give advice on other people's marital relationship?
If things go wrong and backfire, it could cause a lot of trouble.

"Ding--"

The elevator arrived at Lu Yuan's floor, and the door slid open.

Chen Xiaomiao's mind was in turmoil, and she walked out.

The moment she stepped out of the elevator, that impulse surged up again. She turned around abruptly, opened her mouth, and wanted to call out to the man.

Zhengzhou University…

Before she could even utter the word "brother," the heavy metal door slammed shut with a soft "hum," shutting out all her hesitation and struggle.

The numbers on the elevator indicator light continued to climb relentlessly upwards.

Chen Xiaomiao stood at the door, stunned for a long time, and finally sighed dejectedly.

Lu Yuan was right in the past; Zheng Zhifeng brought this upon himself.

In short, everyone has their own destiny...

　These past few days outside, only 4000...
　　I'm going home tomorrow, so I should be able to update normally then...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)