Chapter 5 — My Husband Brought His Ex Home

Han Hao turned his head and looked at Chu Lan Chi.

Mother, how long do you actually plan to let Xiao Hui stay here?

Chu Lan Chi avoided his gaze. Once she finds a place of her own, she will leave.

I pressed further. Exactly how long? She remained silent. Chu Lanang suddenly chimed in. Xiao Hui does not have a stable job right now, and renting a place outside is terribly expensive. What is wrong with letting her stay until the end of the year? Your home is so spacious anyway, leaving rooms empty is just a waste.

My heart turned completely cold. It was only April. Staying until the end of the year. This was not merely crashing at someone place. This was officially moving in. Han Hao was also stunned. The end of the year?

Chu Lan Chi glared fiercely at Chu Lanang. Only then did Chu Lanang realize she had spoken out of turn, and she hurriedly shut her mouth. I did not argue with them. I simply turned to the property management staff member. Please rewind and play the surveillance footage from this afternoon and just now. I want to see who brought Fang Xiao Hui into the residential compound.

The staff member nodded and began operating the computer. Han Hao expression grew increasingly grim. The monitor lit up. At three-seventeenth in the afternoon, Chu Lan Chi swiped her access card at the gate. Following closely behind her was Fang Xiao Hui. Fang Xiao Hui held a leash for a dog in her left hand and pulled a suitcase with her right. Walking right beside them was Han Hao. In his hand, he carried another pink luggage bag.

The surveillance image froze on the exact second Han Hao was carrying the luggage bag. Inside the management center, no one uttered a single word. Even Chu Lan Chi sobbing seemed as though someone had choked it off in her throat. I looked at the man on the screen. He was my husband of less than a year. He had told me over the phone that he was working overtime today. He said he might be a little late tonight and told me to go ahead and eat dinner without him. Yet at three-seventeenth in the afternoon, he had appeared right at the compound entrance. Beside him was Fang Xiao Hui. In his hands was her luggage. I turned my head to look at him.

Working overtime?

The color drained entirely from Han Hao face, bit by bit.

I...

He managed a single syllable before stopping dead in his tracks. Because any explanation offered in front of the security cameras would look like an absolute joke. I asked again. You temporarily had nowhere to stay? Or had the lot of you planned this out smoothly a long time ago?

Chu Lan Chi hurriedly stepped in front of him to shield him. I was the one who told Ah Hao to go pick her up. Do not blame him. Xiao Hui came back all alone and life has not been easy for her, as elders, we simply could not bear to watch.

I looked straight at her. You certainly are a fine elder. Welcoming your son first love. Bringing her luggage inside. Forging my authorization document. And even arranging the master bedroom for her yourself.

Chu Lan Chi face turned pale from my words, but she stubbornly refused to back down. Do not constantly throw around phrases like first love, it sounds so ugly. Xiao Hui and Ah Hao are completely innocent.

I pointed directly at the surveillance screen. Are truly innocent people the ones who tell my husband to lie to me about working overtime?

Han Hao finally opened his mouth. Xu Zhi Xia, I admit that lying to you about it was my fault. But I was afraid you would overthink things.

I almost laughed out loud. You are the one doing things that force me to overthink, and then you blame me for overthinking.

He knitted his brows. Can you please not be so harsh? Xiao Hui and I truly have nothing between us.

I asked. If nothing is going on, why is her luggage inside my home? He fell silent. I continued asking. If nothing is going on, why did your mother make a permanent resident access card for her? He remained silent still. I pressed further. If nothing is going on, why was she sitting at my vanity using my personal belongings?

Han Hao was pushed to the point of irritation. She did not know those things belonged to you!

I looked at him, my voice very soft. Then whose things did she think they belonged to? Did she think they were her own?

The moment those words fell, even the property management staff lowered their heads. Chu Lanang hurriedly rushed forward to grab the suitcase. Alright, alright, if we are not staying then we are not staying. I will take Xiao Hui things away first.

I reached out my hand to block her. Wait a moment.

Chu Lanang glared at me furiously. What else could you possibly want to do?

I looked down at the suitcase. This was moved out of my house, wasn't it?

Chu Lanang panicked. These are Xiao Hui personal belongings.

I nodded. Then have her come over and get them herself. Until then, property management will preserve this surveillance footage, and I will be calling the police to deal with the crime of forging authorization.

Han Hao expression shifted dramatically. Xu Zhi Xia, can you just let this go?

I turned around to look at him. It is all of you who refuse to let things go. If she had simply walked through the door today for a meal, the absolute most I would have done was politely show her out. But now, you lied to me. Your mother forged my signature. Your aunt transported her luggage. Fang Xiao Hui prepared to settle into my home for the long term. Every single step the lot of you took was premeditated, not some sudden impulse.

My voice was not loud. Yet every single word struck the ground with the weight of steel. The property management staff member asked me in a quiet voice, Ms. Xu, do you need us to contact the police station right now?

I replied, Yes.

Chu Lan Chi fell into a panic on the spot. Do not!

She lunged forward, trying to grab me. I stepped back. She clutched at empty air and nearly tumbled to the ground.