Living like a widow? My rough neighbor is coaxing me to have a baby every night.

Chapter 179 Xiao Lan Comes to the Door

The door opened, and the two women looked at each other.

Xiao Lan was also sizing up Li Xianglian.

The woman in front of me had red and swollen eyes from crying, and her nose was bright red.

Her small, bare face, no bigger than the palm of her hand, was dazzlingly fair.

She was wearing a slightly worn floral shirt, and she looked delicate and frail, as if she would be blown away by the wind.

No wonder she was able to tame that fierce tiger Qin Rushan; her appearance certainly evokes a man's protective instincts.

"Sister-in-law, is something the matter?" Li Xianglian felt a little uncomfortable being stared at and asked in a low voice.

"Don't stand there, let's go inside and talk." Xiao Lan didn't stand on ceremony and went into the yard first, closing the gate behind her.

She looked around the clean and tidy yard and nodded: "Brother Qin has good taste. He knows how to choose a wife and a place."

The two sat down at the stone table, and Li Xianglian poured her a bowl of cool boiled water.

Xiao Lan picked up her bowl, took a sip, and got straight to the point: "Sister-in-law, I overheard the gist of the scene at the door just now."

Li Xianglian's emotions, which had just calmed down, surged up again. Her eyes reddened, and she lowered her head, saying, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh at me, sister-in-law."

"A joke?" Xiao Lan slammed the enamel bowl down on the stone table with a loud "bang".

Li Xianglian's shoulders trembled in fright at the commotion.

"Crying is the most useless thing in the world."

Xiao Lan's eyes were sharp, showing no sympathy for her tearful appearance. "If tears could be exchanged for money, then every woman on the street would be a millionaire by now."

These words were unpleasant to hear, even somewhat harsh.

Li Xianglian raised her head and looked at Xiao Lan with some surprise.

"I knew what kind of person your stepmother was just from what Aunt Hua said earlier."

Xiao Lan leaned forward slightly, staring into Li Xianglian's eyes. "Do you really think she made such a scene today just for that little bit of money?"

Li Xianglian shook her head blankly.

Xiao Lan continued, "She's just jealous! She's envious! Seeing you escape that hellhole and live a good life, the fire in her heart could burn her to ashes! She came today to ruin your good life and drag you back into the mire!"

"Her last words, 'Go report this to the Industry and Commerce Bureau,' were the real knife, stabbing you straight in the heart!"

Li Xianglian's heart sank suddenly.

That's right, that's what she fears most.

Money can be earned back, but if Qin Rushan is labeled as a "speculator," he will be arrested!

"Then... what should I do?" Li Xianglian's voice trembled as she subconsciously regarded Xiao Lan as her pillar of support.

"What should we do?"

Xiao Lan chuckled lightly, "Is your man Qin Rushan a pushover? He managed to get you out of the clutches of a murderer, why would he be afraid of an old hag? When he comes back, that old woman won't even dare to step into this courtyard."

"But..." Li Xianglian bit her lip, "He's not home. What if... what if she really reports him..."

"So," Xiao Lan said, emphasizing each word, "relying on men is the last line of defense. Before that, you have to stand up for yourself first!"

"Stand up?" Li Xianglian murmured to herself; the word was too unfamiliar to her.

"Yes, stand it up!"

Xiao Lan stood up and paced around the yard. Her smart trousers made her look dashing. "Your man is a pillar of strength outside, running hauls for the trucking company and helping his brothers make a living. He risked his life to get where he is. He entrusts the family to you, not so you can stay home crying and waiting for him to come back and clean up the mess."

"You'd better guard this gate, guard this house. If anyone dares to cause trouble, you'd better show some backbone like Qin Rushan's wife! If you're even a little bit weak, they'll take advantage of you even more. Your stepmother only dares to push her luck because she sees you as weak!"

These words made Li Xianglian's face burn with embarrassment.

Yes, Shan works so hard outside, but she just stays at home and cries. What kind of woman is she?

"Sister-in-law, I...I understand."

Li Xianglian clenched her fists. "But if she really reports it, what can I do? I don't know anything about those things."

"If you don't understand, then learn!" Xiao Lan walked up to her and lowered her voice. "What Brother Qin is doing now is called self-employment, which is allowed by the higher-ups' policies. Your stepmother is scaring you with 'speculation and profiteering' because you don't have a legitimate status yet."

"We need to get a 'sole proprietorship business license'!"

"Business license?" This was the first time Li Xianglian had ever heard this term.

"That's right!" Xiao Lan's eyes gleamed. "With that piece of paper, you'll be a legally registered business owner protected by the state! Don't even mention your stepmother; even if the people from the Industry and Commerce Bureau come, you can slap that paper in their faces and tell them that every penny you earn is clean and legal!"

"At that time, anyone who dares to criticize will be going against the policy!"

Li Xianglian was deeply moved, as if a brand new door had been opened before her eyes.

So that's how it can be done!

She looked at the woman in front of her, a complete stranger. She was so beautiful, yet she spoke with a decisiveness and boldness that even men lacked.

"sister in law……"

Li Xianglian stood up, her eyes now filled with a resolute light, replacing the tears in them. She bowed deeply to Xiao Lan, "Thank you. We...we've only just met, and you've already said all this to me..."

"No need to thank me." Xiao Lan helped her up and smiled.

Her smile, with her eyes crinkling, instantly softened her previous sharp aura.

"Brother Qin's wife is the sister-in-law of all the brothers in our transport team. My name is Xiao Lan, and I'm in charge of logistics in the team. You can call me Lanzi. If you need anything, feel free to come to me anytime."

Xiao Lan patted the back of her hand, her tone softening: "I'm a few years older than you, so I'll take the liberty of calling you A-Lian. You're a good girl, and Brother Qin is lucky to have married you. We women can't rely on others; only by standing on our own two feet can we truly be capable."

"Don't panic about this, and don't call Brother Qin, so he won't be distracted on his way. Wait until he gets back, then I'll discuss it with him and Lao Xu. We absolutely have to get this license!"

"Not only you guys, but I also have to take care of Lao Xu's business!" Xiao Lan already had a plan in mind.

Li Xianglian nodded vigorously, finally feeling relieved after the heavy weight that had been hanging over her heart all morning.

She looked at Xiao Lan, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

This is probably what Qin Rushan meant by the brotherhood within the team.

His wife is like family to everyone.

"Sister-in-law, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll make you a bowl of noodles," Li Xianglian said sincerely, holding Xiao Lan's hand.

"Okay."

Xiao Lan didn't refuse and sat down generously. "It's a good opportunity to try your cooking and see what kind of divine dishes can make Brother Qin, that wild wolf, so obedient."

A joke instantly bridged the gap between the two.

The aroma of scallion oil soon filled the kitchen. The two women chatted as they cooked, and the atmosphere in the courtyard was completely transformed from the previous gloom.

Li Xianglian secretly vowed to protect this family.

She was determined to get that business license for Brother Shan!

Nobody can bully them anymore!