MTLNOVEL Chapter 18: Understanding, Deviating from Predictions
Chapter 18: Understanding, Deviating from Predictions
On the way home, Zhang Qian suddenly said to her daughter, “Little Guai, Uncle Lu is planning to help Mommy find a new job, so Mommy will be able to spend more time with you in the future.”
She had been thinking a lot during the ride. Something Lu Liang said made sense. As the child grew older, there would inevitably be questions. What if the rumors spread at school? Children, with their innocent words, could blurt out all kinds of things, which wouldn’t be good for her daughter’s development.
Taking a step back, if Lu Liang was serious about having a long-term relationship with her, he probably wouldn’t want her to continue working in places like the nightclubs, selling alcohol and forcing fake smiles.
“That’s great!” The little girl was excited, tugging at Lu Liang’s sleeve and flashing a sweet smile. “Uncle Lu, thank you!”
“No need to thank me. Who told our Little Guai to be so cute?” Lu Liang affectionately ruffled her hair.
Zhang Qian lived in the Fudu Garden in Changning, Block 16, Unit 4, a small three-bedroom apartment that Lu Liang had helped her find last year. While not big, having her own place in the Magic City was already a dream for most people.
“Uncle Lu, this is my room. This is my favorite little Ai and Doubao...” The little girl excitedly dragged Lu Liang into a pink-themed bedroom to introduce all her cartoon dolls.
“I know this one! It’s Snoopy, right?” Lu Liang smiled as he picked up a small white dog.
The little girl nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, yes! It's Snoopy! My mommy doesn’t even know.”“Alright, go wash up and go to bed. You have school tomorrow,” Zhang Qian said, closing the door and then pouring tea for Lu Liang.
She said, “Liang Ge, I’m planning to quit my job. I’ll take care of my mom for the next few months, and then figure out what else to do.”
Lu Liang replied, “If you have any ideas, go ahead and check the market first. Once you have a budget, send it to me.”
Zhang Qian didn’t want to depend entirely on Lu Liang. She also wanted to have a stake in whatever business venture they started, but it wasn’t the right time to bring it up.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. I have to go out in a few days. Call me if anything comes up,” Lu Liang added.
That afternoon, Meng Changkun had called to tell Lu Liang about an actor audition the next day and asked if he was free.
Of course, Lu Liang agreed and set up a time. While the audition for actresses was a minor matter, getting more exposure to that circle was important for other reasons.
“Well then, Liang Ge, I’ll give you a ride,” Zhang Qian offered as she stood up. Just as she turned, the bedroom door cracked open, and the little girl’s round eyes peeked out. “Uncle, are you staying here tonight?”
Zhang Qian turned sharply, her face cold as she called her daughter by name. “Zhang Yun! Hurry up and go wash up and go to bed.”
The little girl pouted. “I was just asking, Grandma is in the hospital, and there’s no one to take me to school tomorrow.”
“Uncle has things to do and needs to go home. I’ll take you to school tomorrow,” Zhang Qian said sternly.
The little girl’s mood visibly dropped. With a forced smile, she waved. “Bye, Uncle.”
She then slammed the door behind her with a loud thud, as if to vent her frustration.
“Zhang Yun!” Zhang Qian’s face darkened. She was really angry now. “Where are your manners?”
“Calm down, calm down.” Lu Liang gently pulled her outside the room. He squeezed her cheek and smiled. “I’ve never seen you lose your temper like this before.” ＲᴀＮȏ𝖇˧
“Such a little thing, if she isn’t disciplined, what kind of person will she turn into?” Zhang Qian was firm, trying to free herself from Lu Liang’s grasp.
“Calm down, okay?” Lu Liang tightened his hold on her, sighing. “Have you considered that there might be another reason behind her behavior?”
“What reason? She has no right to throw a tantrum! Everything I do is for her!” Zhang Qian’s eyes reddened, her voice trembling with frustration.
She didn’t mind enduring the hardships herself, taking on both the role of father and mother. She could keep smiling even while enduring humiliation, drinking until she threw up just to earn a little more money, all so that her daughter could live a better life. But now, her daughter dared to act out like this—it was more than Zhang Qian could bear.
“Money is important for us adults, but kids aren’t that practical. What they really want is their parents’ company,” Lu Liang said, recalling the scene at the pediatric clinic, where the little girl could only secretly envy others. It made his heart ache.
“Your daughter is really sensible, and she understands you, but she’s still a child. Sometimes, she won’t be able to hold back, which is why she’s acting out,” he continued.
Lu Liang, who had worked as a real estate agent, had seen all kinds of people. The world of adults was often driven by self-interest, and his relationship with Zhang Qian was no different—it was based on mutual benefit. But children’s pure, innocent eyes made the gray world seem a little more colorful, and that was why he had grown so fond of Little Guai.
Zhang Qian was silent for a moment, as if lost in thought. Her emotions began to calm down. “Liang Ge, let go of me.”
Lu Liang released her, smiling. “You’ve thought it through, right? Go have a good talk with her. I’ll leave for now.”
“Liang Ge,” Zhang Qian suddenly called out, her voice almost pleading. “If you can, please come by and see Little Guai when you have time. Even if it’s just to have a meal with her, that’s fine.”
She had once believed she could play both the roles of father and mother, but now she realized that it was just her wishful thinking. Little Guai longed for a father’s presence, but she had neglected that need all this time.
“No problem,” Lu Liang agreed, pausing for a moment before joking, “Aren’t you afraid that she’ll start calling me ‘Daddy’ soon?”
Zhang Qian wiped her eyes, her expression softening as she resumed her usual, composed self. She smiled. “Isn’t that double happiness? Little Guai would get a thoughtful dad, and I’d get a wealthy husband. It’s a win-win.”
Lu Liang was taken aback, realizing that he had just been dragged into her plan. He waved his hand. “Alright, I’ll leave now.”
“Bye-bye.” Zhang Qian stuck out her tongue and made a face, muttering quietly, “Why are you so scared? It’s not like you have to take responsibility. Worst case, I’ll let you ‘enjoy yourself’ for free.”
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The next morning, at 9:30 AM, Lu Liang was lost in thought, staring at his computer screen. He missed a call from Meng Changkun.
The stock of Zhongwen Online had opened up with a limit-up, reaching 34.43 yuan, with a strong surge in volume hitting over 80 million yuan.
“How did this happen? It hit the limit-up today, but what will the market do next week?” Lu Liang wondered, troubled.
He had bought in with 10 million yuan the day before and made a profit of a million, but he wasn’t happy. On the one hand, he felt his predictions were wrong, and on the other, he was filled with fear.
“June 2nd, Zhongwen Online at 39.82 yuan...” But now, the stock was showing signs of instability. It was even back on the long hu ban (top performers list) again.
Lu Liang was unsure. Should he stay in the market, or was he about to face a big downturn?
He quickly made up his mind. No matter the impact, he decided to sell his 322,000 shares and clear out his position.
That moment, the stock broke its limit but quickly went back up, with even more money flowing in—1.2 billion yuan.
Lu Liang didn’t care anymore. He just wanted to empty his holdings for a few days and wait. If the prediction was wrong, he wouldn’t lose much. He had to be prepared for the worst.
He transferred the available funds into his bank account, leaving him with 2,158,600 yuan in total funds, including 1,025,600 yuan in available cash.
He grabbed his car keys and left the house.
Meanwhile, at 129 Huanghe Road, loud curses could be heard.
"F*ck your mother, always coming here, and you can't even make money properly..."