Chapter 288: Let Me Help You
After they got back, Wang Xi had to make several trips to haul all of Shen Nian’s purchases up to her third-floor apartment.
After seeing him off, Shen Nian was about to close the door when she saw the door to the apartment across the hall suddenly open. A woman who looked to be in her thirties glanced over at her.
The woman’s stare was a little impolite and made Shen Nian feel uncomfortable. Still, since they were neighbors, she figured she should say hello.
"Hello, I just moved in today."
Shen Nian smiled at the woman. ’It’s hard to be mean to someone who’s smiling,’ she thought. ’This approach should be fine, right?’
Hearing this, the woman across the hall walked straight out of her doorway and up to Shen Nian.
"I heard the apartment across from us was assigned to Mr. Lu. Are you his wife?"
"Yes, I’m Shen Nian. And you are?"
"My husband is Luo Bin, the deputy group leader of group four. My surname is Liu. I’m older than you, so you can just call me Sister-in-law Liu."
"It’s nice to meet you, Sister-in-law Liu. As you can see, I’ve just moved in and have a lot to unpack, so I can’t chat for long. Let’s talk again another time."
Seeing that the woman was friendly enough, Shen Nian relaxed a little, though her mind was still on the huge pile of things she’d just brought in that needed unpacking.
Shen Nian was about to step back inside and close the door when she heard Sister-in-law Liu—Liu Fanglan—speak up again.
"As it happens, I’m not busy. Let me help you unpack!"
"There’s no need to trouble you, Sister-in-law Liu. I can manage on my own."
Shen Nian had bought a lot of things, but she was perfectly capable of unpacking them on her own. Besides, she didn’t particularly like strangers stepping into her bedroom.
Shen Nian didn’t want to be too blunt with her refusal, but she thought she had made herself clear. Anyone who knew how to take a hint should have understood the rejection in her tone. However...
"It’s no trouble, let me help you!"
With that, Liu Fanglan completely ignored Shen Nian’s refusal and pushed right past her into the apartment.
Shen Nian frowned as she watched Liu Fanglan enter. ’I really don’t like people who invite themselves in.’
"Wow, Mr. Lu’s wife, you’ve really bought a lot of stuff!"
Liu Fanglan’s eyes lit up. It wasn’t just the quantity; she could tell that the quality of everything was excellent. ’Buying all of this must have cost a fortune!’
Her own family wasn’t doing poorly, but they were usually very frugal. After all, she didn’t have a job; the entire family lived on Luo Bin’s salary.
’And here’s Mr. Lu’s wife, barely even here, already spending money so freely. Tsk, tsk...’
"I just got here, and the place was empty, so I had to buy everything. They’re all necessary items, so it’s not a waste."
Now that the woman was already inside, Shen Nian couldn’t exactly push her out. ’I just hope this Sister-in-law Liu gets the hint and leaves soon!’
But then again, would someone who invites themselves in really be that tactful? If Shen Nian had known what was about to happen, she would have firmly barred Liu Fanglan from entering in the first place.
"Here, I’m a fast worker! Let me help you unpack!"
As Liu Fanglan spoke, her hands were already reaching for the bag closest to her.
"Please, don’t."
Shen Nian, thinking about what was inside that particular bag, moved to stop her, but Liu Fanglan was faster. She had already ripped the bag open.