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Chapter 998: Perplexed and Smitten (58)

“You and Mrs. Jin were on bad terms then too, weren’t you? Did you guys argue frequently?”

“We were fine.”

“Was Xu Youran there too at the time?”

Mr. Jin took a cup of coffee from the servant and said slowly, “Yeah. In hindsight, I really ill-treated that child. I was so guilty for letting her live a life that was worse than a servant’s back then. I realized it too late when she ran away from home. She’s missing without a trace now too. Did Qingyan...”

An Xiaoning said, “I’m not too sure about that either. Xu Youran has committed so many evil acts. Perhaps Heaven had decided to punish her by taking her life away. Although she had a pitiful past, what she did was horrendous and detestable. I heard that you’ve become addicted to gambling. I may not be your daughter-in-law anymore but I’m still the mother of your biological grandson. Can’t you spend your time doing more meaningful things instead? What’s the point of spending each day gambling all your money away? You were a figure of power and influence in your prime. Must you really stoop to living this way for the rest of your life?”

Seeing that he did not answer her, An Xiaoning decided to leave the Jin family mansion.

She got inside her car and buckled up while pondering over Mr. Jin’s and Henry’s words continuously. Freelancer? Race car driver?

Jin Qingyan had never partaken in car racing, nor had he ever ridden a motorbike or a sports car. Were there bits of his shattered childhood dreams hidden deep down in his heart?

Regardless of what it is, I’ll accompany him on this journey. We must make it to the end and fulfill the wishes that we couldn’t in our previous lifetime, no matter what it takes.

An Xiaoning returned to Wei Ni Estate. As soon as she stepped foot inside the mansion, she was greeted with the sight of Henry sitting cross-legged on the couch with a watermelon and a spoon. He was digging out the watermelon flesh with a spoon and eating straight out of it while watching a movie on the television.

Unlike An Xiaoning who also enjoyed eating that way, Jin Qingyan would never behave like this. How typical of Henry.

“Why are you back again?”

She changed into her home slippers and walked toward him while smiling. “I know you hate seeing me, but I must remind you that you’re going to see me every waking moment of yours for the whole of tomorrow. Aren’t you thrilled just at the thought of it?”

“...”

—

Filming for the television series officially came to an end in the afternoon.

It took more than six months for the entire television series to be filmed.

Coincidentally, it would be Fang Erlan’s 24th birthday tomorrow.

Fang Erlan felt that the end of the production was the best gift to her. Apart from the period when her grandmother passed away due to a terminal illness, she hardly returned home and had spent most of her time with the production team. She was both physically and mentally exhausted.

Jing Tian had also mentioned clearly that the voice-dubbing would be done by professional voice actors, and hence, she and Yan Ge would not have to be involved. Thus, they barely interacted outside of the publicity period.

A celebratory dinner was to be held tonight. The official end of filming invoked feelings of reluctance and joy within all the members of the production team.

Just as Fang Erlan entered the makeup room to have her makeup done, Jing Shui entered and asked her, “Erlan, when are you planning to return to the city?”

“Tomorrow.”

Jing Shui asked with a frown, “So soon? Aren’t you going to stay behind to relax for a few days?”

“I’m sick of staying here. I want to go back to the city and find a suitable place as soon as possible. I used to live in a rented apartment, but I really want to find a place of my own now.”

He suggested, “Oh, why don’t you view some houses in the estate that my brother and I are living in? The environment of our estate is pleasant and the air is fresh. Transport is convenient too.”

“How much does a unit in your estate typically cost?”

“About 30 to 40 thousand dollars per square meter, at the very least.”

Fang Erlan thought that she should at least get a two-bedroom apartment. If it spanned across 90-odd square meters, that would cost at least 2.7 million dollars and up to 3 million dollars, including renovation and other miscellaneous fees. Doesn’t sound too bad, actually.

“What’s the typical layout of the houses in your estate?”

“They’re all three-bedroom houses with living rooms.”

“Ah, aren’t there any with just two bedrooms?”

Shaking his head, he answered, “I don’t think so, but I can help you ask around. Besides, it’s better to have a spacious apartment. You’ll live more comfortably with more space. You’ll feel so oppressed and claustrophobic in a smaller house.”

“A two-bedder is enough for me, I don’t need a larger apartment. Actually, I feel safer with a smaller apartment. Besides, a larger one would cost me a bomb. How much does yours cost?”

“The apartment doesn’t belong to me. I live together with my brother who bought the four-bedder. It’s so cluttered because of his belongings, though. It covers an area of about 150 square meters. He bought it several years ago. Property prices are so much more expensive nowadays.” He continued to ask apprehensively, “Why are you buying an apartment? Isn’t it great to rent one instead? I’m not going to buy a house until I get married. If I remain single, I’m just going to continue living in rented apartments. I get to move into another place as and when I’d like.”

“Women are different from men. We need a sense of security. I don’t feel secure now, and I want a house of my own,” she said with a smile.

Yan Ge and his assistant entered. In fact, he had already arrived less than a minute after Jing Shui did, though he did not enter.

“Are you planning to buy an apartment?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m planning to.”

“What kind of property are you interested in?”

“A pleasant environment where transport is convenient. I’m interested in a two-bedroom apartment.”

“Would you like to consider the estate I’m living in?” Yan Ge suggested, which made Jing Shui rather upset, though he concealed his emotions of displeasure rather well.

He then asked Yan Ge, “Which estate do you live in?”

Yan Ge answered, “Qingyuan Estate. I’ve been living there for several years now. The environment of the estate is pleasant and tranquil. The residents of the estate are friendly and polite too. They often greet each other. I bought a two-bedroom apartment too. It’s not a newly-built estate, however. If you’re interested, I can take you there to view the houses another day.”

“How much do they cost now?”

“They won’t exactly be cheap, but you can definitely afford it.”

“I may be able to afford it, but I haven’t received the full payment for starring in the television series yet. I’ll go take a look another day.”

Although she was paid quite a high amount for each episode she starred in, part of her salary would have to go to the entertainment studio since she was a contracted artiste.

Thus, she was not actually earning as much as it seemed on the surface.

Seemingly reminded of something, Jing Shui said to Fang Erlan, “Erlan, it’s your birthday tomorrow. Why don’t we tour around this place for a day and you leave the day after tomorrow instead?”

Fang Erlan recalled the previous time she went out with him, during which he confessed his feelings for her during the boat ride. Although Jing Shui still treated her normally after the confession, she could not help but feel awkward. Not wishing to tell him bluntly that she did not want to go out on a date with him alone, she said tactfully, “I’m so sick of this place. Now that I can finally leave, I really don’t want to continue staying here. I would’ve left immediately if there wasn’t a celebratory dinner tonight.”

“Alright, then. But are you really not planning to celebrate your birthday?” Jing Shui asked with disappointment in his eyes.