My 26-Year-Old Female Tenant

Chapter 005: Just Wait a Little Longer

In the wind and rain, I took a taxi back to the run-down apartment complex where I had lived for two years. As soon as I got out of the car, I instinctively glanced around to check if Mi Cai’s Audi Q7 was parked downstairs.

Luckily, the car wasn’t there. Even luckier—I still had the house keys. Optimistically, I thought: As long as she doesn’t come back tonight, everything will be fine.

I rushed upstairs as fast as I could, quickly put my belongings back in place, and made my bed. Then, holding an umbrella, I stood at the bus stop, waiting for Ban Dad’s arrival.

About fifteen minutes later, a bus from the long-distance station slowly pulled up. I craned my neck, scanning the passengers, and sure enough, I spotted Ban Dad stepping off the bus with his briefcase.

Waving, I called out, “Ban Dad, over here!”

He looked a bit surprised to see me and asked, “Weren’t you having dinner with your colleagues?”

“That’s nothing important. You coming here is what really matters—I know my priorities.” I took the briefcase from his hand.

Ban Dad remained silent, following me toward the apartment complex.

I grumbled, “Ban Dad, your trips are all work-related, so they’re reimbursed! Next time, just take a taxi, will you?”

“Even on public funds, money is still money. Every bit saved counts.” His tone was serious.

“But our government has trillions in foreign reserves sitting in America! You really think your little taxi fare makes a difference?”

Ban Dad didn’t respond, unwilling to argue over values. He had always been like this—once he believed something was right, he never explained himself. It was as if he lived in his own independent world, a world where he had remained a deputy section chief for 15 years.

Back at the apartment, Ban Dad took out a stainless steel food container from another bag and said, “This is wild carp I caught last week. Your mother cooked it for you. Just heat it up when you want to eat—or don’t, it’s fine either way.”

“Let’s just eat it tonight.”

Ban Dad gave me a puzzled look. “Didn’t you already eat with your colleagues?”

“Well, I left halfway since you were coming.” I quickly changed the subject. “By the way, did you bring Mom’s homemade rice wine?”

He nodded and pulled out a repurposed juice bottle filled with the rice wine I loved.

We each poured a cup, eating the fish and some peanuts while waiting for the rice porridge to finish cooking. We chatted here and there, but I was on edge, afraid that Mi Cai might suddenly return. It wouldn’t matter if I scared her, but if she exposed me in front of Ban Dad, I’d be dead.

Just as I finished my first cup of rice wine, footsteps sounded outside, followed by the distinct click of a key turning in the lock.

I panicked, glancing at Ban Dad and then at the door.

It swung open—Mi Cai stepped inside, stopping dead in her tracks at the sight before her.

Ban Dad, however, didn’t react much, likely assuming she was either my roommate or my girlfriend.

Before she could say anything, I quickly grabbed her arm in an exaggerated display of concern. “You’ve been drinking, haven’t you? Let me help you to your room… No need to thank me, it’s what good roommates do.”

As I spoke politely, I discreetly covered her mouth, steering her toward her bedroom in a few swift steps.

“Scumbag… Let go of me!” she mumbled, struggling.

“Keep your voice down!” I hissed.

She reached into her pocket, and even an i***t could guess she was about to call the cops. And honestly, my actions probably did qualify as trespassing at this point.

I snatched her phone away and pinned her down on the bed, straddling her to stop her from struggling further—not caring how inappropriate the position looked.

“Listen,” I whispered urgently, “if you scream and my dad hears, I’m screwed!”

She ignored me, her face full of fear, and instinctively yanked my hair with both hands.

The pain was unbearable. “Could you not rip my scalp off?!” I grimaced.

“You’re a scumbag…” she mumbled through my hand.

I sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I’m a scumbag. But my dad doesn’t know that! He has high blood pressure—if he finds out I’m broke and homeless, he’ll collapse from the shock. Please, just go along with this for one night. He’s leaving in the morning. I swear I won’t bother you again!”

Mi Cai finally stopped struggling and released my hair, though her eyes still burned with hatred.

I cautiously lifted my hand from her mouth, relieved when she didn’t scream.

Just as I was about to get up and apologize, she suddenly twisted her body and shoved me hard—I crashed to the floor with a loud thud.

“Zhaoyang, what’s going on in there?” Ban Dad called from the other room.

I winced and replied, “Hit my head on the cabinet.”

Ban Dad didn’t question further. Mi Cai, however, now wore a victorious smirk as she stared down at me.

“I’m warning you,” I whispered urgently, “don’t say anything! My dad really does have high blood pressure. He can’t handle stress. Just stay in your room!”

She neither agreed nor refused.

I folded my hands in a pleading gesture. She still didn’t speak, but I took it as silent consent.

Relieved, I left the room.

Back in the living room, Ban Dad had already served three bowls of porridge. “Zhaoyang, take a bowl to the girl—drinking on an empty stomach isn’t good.”

“She should rest,” I said quickly.

Before I could relax, Mi Cai unexpectedly emerged from her room with her handbag.

Given everything I’d done, she had every right to expose me. This was my karma.

Just as I was bracing for the worst, Ban Dad said, “Young lady, I got some porridge for you. Have some while it’s warm.”

I silently pleaded with her, signaling frantically with my eyes.

To my surprise, she glanced at me, then turned to Ban Dad and nodded. “Thank you, Uncle.”

And just like that, the two of us, who had nearly gone to war moments ago, sat at the same table drinking porridge.

I sat stiffly, feeling like a criminal awaiting judgment, stealing occasional glances at Mi Cai, unsure of her intentions.

She didn’t say much, simply eating in small, delicate sips.

Ban Dad, as always, was quiet and focused on his food. He finished first, then stood up and grabbed his bag. “You already have a roommate here. I’ll stay at a hotel.”

I panicked. “No, stay. We can share a bed.”

“My snoring’s been bad lately. I don’t want to keep you up,” he replied. Then, pulling out a sweater, he added, “Your mother knitted this for you.”

I examined it and frowned. “Why are there two?”

“The other one’s for your future girlfriend. Handmade sweaters are warmer.”

I sighed—yet another subtle nudge from my parents to settle down.

Glancing at Mi Cai, I joked, “Hey, it’s getting cold. Want a sweater?”

She shot me a glare but didn’t say anything, likely restraining herself in front of Ban Dad. I, however, secretly enjoyed the small victory.

Before leaving, Ban Dad took out 3,000 yuan. “Take this.”

I waved him off. “What for? I’m not broke.”

He stuffed the money into my hand. “I know you too well. Be smart with your expenses… And go pay the utility bill.” He glanced at the overdue notice on the table.

My nose stung with emotion. I wasn’t a good son—I knew that.

Shoving the money back, I said, “I really don’t need it. Mom’s health isn’t great. Use it to buy her supplements. I get paid next week.”

He didn’t argue, simply placing the money on the table.

Before leaving, he looked at Mi Cai and then at me. “That girl’s nice-looking.”

I laughed, pointing at her Q7. “Forget it, Ban Dad. She’s way out of my league.”

He fell silent again.

Then, as he disappeared into the rainy night, he left me with one final message:

“Work hard.”

And in those words, I heard all his unspoken hopes—hopes for my future, my love life, and the family he wished I would build.

But, Ban Dad... I’m still stuck in my own struggles.

So, for now—just wait a little longer.