A Washed-up Movie Queen's Divorce Strategy [Rebirth] - Chapter 44

Ji Chenli spent the whole day running around without finding a solution. With new and old worries piling up, she felt utterly useless and lacked the courage to face Tao Yuan. She got off the subway a few stations early and wandered around outside for a long time before heading back.

On her way, she actually ran into a fan who recognized her. Ji Chenli thought back; at this point in time, her most notable role was probably a “vicious imperial concubine” who was quickly killed off in a palace drama. Most of her other roles were characters whose total screen time didn’t exceed half an hour. She found it quite miraculous that someone actually knew her. She readily gave the fan an autograph and even took a friendly photo—heaven knows Ji Chenli had only drawn on her eyebrows and hadn’t even applied foundation before letting someone take a picture; she looked nothing like a celebrity.

With this small interlude, she returned even later. It was nearly 8:00 PM when she arrived. Tao Yuan was peering out from the courtyard gate from a distance. The moment she saw Ji Chenli, she stomped her foot and ran over. “Chen-chen, you’re finally back! Where have you been all day? I called your phone and it was off. I was worried to death!”

“Huh?” Ji Chenli rarely received calls, so she didn’t pay much attention to her phone. Hearing this, she took it out and saw it had indeed powered off. Seeing Tao Yuan’s anxious face, her guilt intensified. She stuck out her tongue and apologized, “Sorry, Sister, I didn’t notice.”

“It’s fine as long as you’re back. Be more mindful next time.” Tao Yuan was happy as long as Ji Chenli was safe and healthy. She pushed Ji Chenli toward the house with a smile. “You said yesterday you wanted sweet and sour ribs, so I made them specially for you today. Go wash your hands and eat.”

“Really?” Ji Chenli’s eyes lit up, and she sprinted straight for the kitchen. “Great! Long live Sister Tao Yuan!”

Tao Yuan shook her head behind her, thinking with a smile: She’s in her twenties, yet she still acts like a child.

During dinner, Tao Yuan didn’t ask if there was progress regarding the orphanage. However, after hesitating repeatedly, Ji Chenli finally told her, though she omitted the part about calling Ming Lang. She frowned and apologized to Tao Yuan, “Sorry, Sister, I…”

Before she could finish, Tao Yuan knew what she was going to say. She interrupted, “I don’t blame you. I’ve been trying for years with no luck; how could you settle it in a few days? You’re not an immortal.”

Ji Chenli put down her chopsticks, took a bank card out of her wallet, and handed it to Tao Yuan. “Sister, there are over 100,000 yuan in here. It’s what’s left over from my medical expenses. If it really comes down to it, let’s rent a few rooms as a temporary fix and figure out the rest later.” With the demolition date drawing near, the urgent priority was solving the housing for so many children.

Tao Yuan pushed the card back without a second thought. “Take this back. We can figure out a way for the orphanage slowly.” Ji Chenli had already done so much for the orphanage over the years, and her money didn’t come easily. To Tao Yuan, taking Ji Chenli’s money felt like draining her blood; the card felt hot in her hand.

Ji Chenli forcefully stuffed the card into Tao Yuan’s pocket. “Don’t worry, Sister. I have another ‘little gold vault’ elsewhere. The demolition is only days away—is there even time to find other solutions? Use this first. At worst, consider it a loan from me, okay? Why be so polite with family!”

Tao Yuan wanted to refuse again, but Ji Chenli’s attitude was firm. Tao Yuan couldn’t push it back, so she eventually accepted the card. However, she had no intention of using it. Ji Chenli was still young and didn’t know the importance of money; she would save this sum for Ji Chenli and absolutely would not touch it.

The demolition was unavoidable. Realizing that relying on others was worse than relying on herself, Ji Chenli spent the next few days actively looking for suitable rental properties. She wanted to ensure the children had a temporary place to stay. After several days of searching without success, her mouth—which already had stress blisters—now had ulcers too. She was so anxious she couldn’t eat, and it hurt just to speak. Tao Yuan boiled rock sugar and pear water for her for several days, but it didn’t help.

As the demolition deadline approached, Ji Chenli was pacing in circles with anxiety. To her surprise, on the penultimate day before the deadline, another notice was issued: The demolition of the West City shantytown has been delayed. It didn’t specify the duration, only that they were to “await further notice.” Based on Ji Chenli’s experience, “awaiting notice” could mean an indefinite wait.

Good news had dropped from the heavens right onto Ji Chenli’s head, leaving her dazed with joy. She told Tao Yuan, and both were ecstatic. They had a celebration with the children that evening, though Tao Yuan wasn’t as optimistic as Ji Chenli.

“We still have to keep looking for a house. This area will be demolished sooner or later. Instead of calculating when that will be, it’s better if we move out as soon as possible.”

Ji Chenli smiled and put an arm around Tao Yuan’s shoulder to reassure her. “Where would we find a house suitable for so many kids that easily? Just relax, Sister. Since we have time now, we can take it slow.”

With the housing problem temporarily settled, there was still the big issue: the hukou registration for Da Wei and the others. Tao Yuan had spent years on this, and Ji Chenli had run herself ragged trying to help, all to no avail. Surprisingly, a few days later, the solution practically knocked on their door.

That morning, Ji Chenli had just finished the rehabilitation exercises the doctor ordered and gotten out of bed. Tao Yuan, having finished feeding the younger children breakfast, asked Ji Chenli to watch the house while she took her basket to buy groceries. She had barely stepped out of the gate when she was pushed back by a large crowd of people.

There were about a dozen of them, men and women, each carrying large quantities of rice, flour, oil, and salt. They surrounded Tao Yuan with beaming smiles, leaving her stunned and a bit frightened.

“Are you Director Tao?” Leading them was a middle-aged man with a balding head and a beer belly, wearing a suit. He shook Tao Yuan’s hand with both of his, his smile looking quite greasy.

“I am. Who are you?” Tao Yuan pulled her hand away and stepped back two paces vigilantly.

“Hello, Director Tao. We are from the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau and the Red Cross. We heard that several children in the orphanage have reached school age but cannot enroll. We have come specifically to solve the difficulty of schooling for the children.” After the man finished, the group behind him chimed in with smiles.

Tao Yuan’s head throbbed from the noise, but she finally understood him. She asked in pleasant surprise, “You mean you’re here to fix the hukou for Da Wei and the others?”

“Correct, Director Tao. The higher-up leadership places great importance on the education of children in care. They specifically sent us to register the children’s hukou at your doorstep, so the public can solve practical problems without leaving their homes.” The man began to speak in official platitudes, which Tao Yuan didn’t care for, but solving the problem was a good thing. She happily served them tea and water.

Tao Yuan was polite, but those people were even more so, treating her with great deference—nothing like the indifferent attitude she used to face at the registration offices. They efficiently registered all the children, then reassured Tao Yuan that a new site for the Children’s Welfare Institute had been selected and construction had begun. In about six months, Tao Yuan could move in with the children. After some small talk, they took their leave. It was so easy it hardly seemed real.

Tao Yuan escorted them to the gate. The balding man at the lead took the opportunity to whisper in her ear: “Director Tao, please give our regards to Miss Ji and apologize to her on our behalf. Tell her that our neglect when she came to handle business a few days ago was our fault. Ask her to be magnanimous and not hold a grudge. Rest assured, if anything comes up for the orphanage in the future, just tell us. We will do our utmost to solve it!”

Tao Yuan wanted to ask what this had to do with Ji Chenli, but the middle-aged man, despite his weight, was quite nimble; he vanished in a flash before she could ask.

When Tao Yuan returned and told Ji Chenli, she was also puzzled. Her instinct told her it was Ming Lang’s doing, but having misunderstood her once before, she didn’t dare ask directly. She decided to wait; if Ming Lang had done her a favor, she would naturally contact her.

Sure enough, Ji Chenli received a call the next day. However, the caller wasn’t Ming Lang, but her assistant.

“Miss Ji, we have looked into the demolition in West City. The Ming Group does indeed hold shares in that land, but the development rights are with the Qu Group. President Ming has been on a business trip in Europe lately and was unaware of the Qu family’s sudden development plans. Rest assured, President Ming has sent someone to negotiate; the development work will be postponed until next year. Miss Ji, this matter was indeed a lapse in my handling. Please be patient with us.”

As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. After Xu Luyang finished, Ji Chenli immediately realized that the West City development wasn’t under Ming Lang’s control at all. She recalled her unprovoked outburst at her and felt her face turn red and then pale. She could only apologize repeatedly.

“You’re too kind, Miss Ji. If there’s nothing else, I’ll let you get back to your work. Goodbye.”

“Wait!”

“Is there something else, Miss Ji?”

“The hukou for the orphanage… was that Ming Lang’s doing?”

“This…” Xu Luyang hesitated for a second, then lowered her voice significantly. “Miss Ji, President Ming was afraid you’d be angry and told me not to say. She did this just to help you. Please don’t blame her.”

Ji Chenli said, “I know, thank you. By the way… how is Ming Lang’s insomnia?”

“Miss Ji’s recipe was very effective. President Ming was much more spirited during those few days in Europe.”

“That’s good. Thank you for your hard work, Assistant Xu.”

After hanging up, Ji Chenli’s brow furrowed deep enough to crush a mosquito.