Chapter 16

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At Xunda Convenience Store, Xu Demao woke up and heard from his wife that their daughter had come home last night.

“How come I didn’t hear a thing? Did she go to her room by herself yesterday? Didn’t she wake you up?”

“No. She climbed in through Xiao Wang’s house next door. Came back and slammed around in the shower. If you say one thing to her, she’ll say three or four back.”

Wu Guifen felt distressed by her daughter’s attitude. “I used to think she was more considerate than Hongjiao, but lately, I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”

Xu Demao snorted coldly. “I want to see how long she can be stubborn. Didn’t she refuse to let her sister give her living expenses? Told her to earn her own. We never lacked food or clothes for her. Does she think money just falls from the sky? She’s got no real talent, just a big temper! If she keeps acting up, I’ll lock the balcony door and let her sleep outside.”

Wu Guifen didn’t dare tell her husband that the daughter had said she wanted to sever ties last night. If he found out, he might just overturn the house.

When dealing with their daughter, she wasn’t as straightforward as her husband. The younger son was soft-hearted, responding better to gentleness than force. After this rough patch, a few kind words would surely soften her heart.

“She’ll learn her lesson after suffering outside. Then she’ll come back and apologize. Hongjiao’s back, and there’s a lot to do for the banquet. I don’t have time to bother with her. I still have to go pay the deposit at the restaurant.”

Wu Guifen hesitated for a moment. “By the way, should we invite the Shen family to Hongjiao’s wedding?”

Xu Demao looked up at her. “Of course, we have to send them an invitation. She’s our brother-in-law’s elder sister. Their son is in the same class as our younger son and got admitted to the same university. It wouldn’t look right not to send one.”

Wu Guifen nodded in agreement. “Then we’ll have the younger son deliver it.”

...

Xu Qingling and Cao Siqing’s art studio was progressing smoothly. Lu Ming had initially worried that his cousin might be scammed, so he went with the two girls to see the place. It was indeed a well-regulated kindergarten. The middle-aged couple running it seemed quite polite.

Lu Ming checked their business license and IDs; everything was in order. After a long negotiation over rent, they settled on a two-story kindergarten with a monthly rent of 1,200 yuan.

Xu Qingling and Cao Siqing only planned to rent one classroom—the largest corner room. The director’s wife quoted 500 yuan a month, but the two girls hoped for 300. They haggled for a long time.

The director was ready to compromise, but his wife stubbornly held the price at 400 yuan. Finally, Xu Qingling came up with an idea. “Auntie, I noticed the painted wall outside has faded. We can help repaint it for free. Hiring someone else would cost you money.”

Cao Siqing quickly added, “Yes! We painted the murals on the nearby old street. You can go see them. Before school starts, we’ll refresh your mural at no charge.”

The director’s wife was moved by their sweet talk and saw how hard the girls worked, sweating and tanned from labor. She relented, saying, “Fine, 300 yuan it is. But make sure the mural looks nice.”

The kindergarten mural was simple and took half a day. Cao Siqing and Xu Qingling readily agreed, signed the lease, and paid one month’s rent plus a 300 yuan deposit. The couple handed them the keys.

Half of the money Xu Qingling had just earned went straight into rent, and she felt a pang of regret. But thinking about opening the studio filled her with hope.

Lu Ming gave them their last day’s wages. “There’s another project in the southern part of town next week. I’ll call you if you’re free.”

Both girls were smart and hardworking, and Lu Ming and Master Li were happy to keep guiding them.

Xu Qingling was eager. “Great! We’ll find a way to make time.”

Cao Siqing’s eyes gleamed. “Brother, Lu Yu is starting kindergarten soon, right? Should we teach her to paint early?”

Lu Ming chuckled and playfully tapped her head. “She’s only two. She can’t even hold a pen properly. Don’t worry, once your studio opens, I’ll recommend it to my friends.”

Cao Siqing jingled the keys in her hand. “Our studio is small. No grand opening needed. It’s already open. If you meet parents who want their kids to learn painting, please spread the word.”

Master Li smiled warmly at them. “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to promote you well.”

*

At the Yuege Banquet Hall, Shen Shaozhou and his wife stood at the entrance, with Shen Luan following behind, greeting guests.

Though it was a family banquet, relatives from both the Shen and Fu families were invited.

Shen Luan clearly noticed her mother’s different demeanor toward the two sides. She smiled ceremoniously at the Shens but was much more relaxed and warm with her own relatives.

Two aunts came with their families. Shen Luan chatted with several cousins. The eldest aunt, Fu Qiang’s family’s cousins were already working, while the younger aunt, Fu Juan’s son, Xu Nan, just started middle school and usually stayed at a boarding school. It had been a while since they met, and Xu Nan rushed over, “Cousin, congratulations on getting into university!”

Shen Luan was the youngest in the Shen family; Xu Nan was the youngest on both sides.

Xu Nan had been especially attached to this cousin since childhood. “Cousin, my elder cousin also got into Xun University!”

Shen Luan laughed at him, “She’s in my class; do you think I wouldn’t know?”

Fu Qin smiled and called to her brother-in-law, “Deyou, your niece got into university. Why haven’t I heard from you?”

Xu Deyou smiled faintly, “She got into Xun University’s vocational program. Not as good as Luan’er.”

Fu Qin was pleased to hear this and modestly said, “Please congratulate your elder brother for me. His two daughters are quite sensible.”

Shen Luan said nothing as her mother chatted with her uncle. This uncle was gentle and refined—Xu Qingling was very different in temperament and appearance from Shen Luan’s uncle.

After the aunts finished their greetings, they hurried inside to greet the family patriarch.

Shen Xingbang’s graying hair was neatly combed, and he wore a deep red tie. His once gaunt and stern face showed rare kindness. Having weathered decades in business and approaching seventy, his eyes remained sharp.

He politely thanked the Fu family, “Thank you for your help with Anwu’s case last time.”

The Fu family were all in the public security system, and their efforts helped close the case quickly.

Eldest sister Fu Qiang hurriedly said, “Patriarch, you’re too kind! It was Anwu’s own luck that turned danger into safety.”

Fu Juan looked around but didn’t see Shen Anwu. “Patriarch, is Anwu’s leg okay?”

Shen Xingbang nodded. “Almost fully healed.”

Inside, the Fu family busied themselves greeting the head of the Shen family. Outside, Shen Peixiang, dressed in a silk cheongsam, carrying a leather bag, brought Shen Lexian in.

Because of his status as an illegitimate child, Shen Lexian rarely had chances to attend such family banquets. Today, he came with his aunt to celebrate his nephew’s academic achievement banquet and looked around anxiously upon entering.

From a distance, Fu Qin smelled a strong perfume and immediately knew who had arrived. Seeing Shen Peixiang had brought the third son, her scalp tingled.

Shen Shaozhou and his wife exchanged a glance, unsure how to speak. They had always kept a respectful distance from this aunt.

Shen Peixiang had long been doing business with her brother outside, struggling through hardships. She looked down on Shen Shaozhou’s first wife, his mother, and was openly hostile to the second.

Fu Qin vaguely heard from her husband that Shan Huilan’s angry departure to Hong Kong was largely because of Shen Peixiang.

Usually, Shen Peixiang rarely brought Shen Lexian to such occasions. Today, with Shan Huilan and Shen Anwu mother and son attending, Shen Peixiang’s appearance with her son was clearly a slap in their faces.

Shen Peixiang smiled at Shen Luan, “Luan’er, later you should take your third uncle…”

“How come I didn’t know Shen Luan has a third uncle?” a cold female voice sounded behind them, unmistakably authoritative.

Everyone turned to see Shan Huilan walking in, linking arms with her son. She wore a lotus-colored long translucent blouse, her hair tied in a bun, with only a pair of pearl earrings as jewelry.

Though she appeared like a retired socialite, her voice still carried the aura of a former strong woman. Shen Anwu looked as if he’d just come from somewhere, dressed all in black, allowing his mother to link his arm.

It had been years since they last met. Facing Shan Huilan, Shen Peixiang felt inferior but refused to admit it. “Lexian is my brother’s son…”

A flash of hatred crossed Shan Huilan’s eyes. Shen Anwu patted his mother’s hand and raised his eyelids to look at Shen Peixiang. “Auntie, today is Luan’er’s celebration. Don’t bring up embarrassing matters to upset Father. Mother and Father haven’t met for years. If they have things to say, they should talk face to face.”

The mother and son played their parts—one the stern face, the other the peacemaker—silencing Shen Peixiang.

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Shen Anwu didn’t glance at Shen Lexian at all and handed a box to Shen Luan. “A graduation gift.”

Shen Luan looked at the logo on it—a sports watch brand, quite expensive.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Fu Qin quickly stepped forward and linked arms with Shen Peixiang. “Auntie, let’s hurry inside. Don’t keep the patriarch waiting.”

Hearing her brother was already there, Shen Peixiang hurried into the private room, scolding Fu Qin as she walked, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier!”

Shen Shaozhou led Shan Huilan and Shen Anwu inside, leaving Shen Lexian standing alone.

His clenched fist slowly tightened, his expression dark as he stared at the closed doors.

After a while, furious, he stormed out of Yuege and kicked the trash can at the entrance, sending it flying.

Still angry, he pulled out his phone and dialed, “I’m in a bad mood! Come out and drink with me!”

Wei Donglai was drinking outside with friends. “I’m already here. Hurry to the Trojan Club.”

...

Shan Huilan couldn’t remember how many years it had been since she last dined with Shen Xingbang at the same table.

She came today to discuss divorce. Yesterday, she had her lawyer contact Shen Xingbang’s lawyer, and after a few hours, Shen Xingbang suddenly called her room at Cuigu and requested a face-to-face meeting.

She agreed over the phone. Some details really needed to be discussed in person.

Having not appeared in Xun City for many years, the relatives were curious about Shan Huilan and often came to toast her. She drank tea instead of alcohol and let her son drink for her when she couldn’t refuse.

Shen Anwu sat beside her. Since entering the private room, his mother had not looked at his father once, and they exchanged no words. Shen Xingbang’s gaze kept drifting toward his wife, as if wanting to say something but unwilling to, finally lifting his glass to drink.

After the third glass, just as Shen Xingbang put his cup down, he met Shan Huilan’s sharp gaze and stopped drinking.

Unable to bear the atmosphere, Shen Anwu went outside for air. Checking his watch, it was already 8 p.m. His mother insisted on coming today, and his father had been drinking—clearly not the right moment to discuss matters.

The cool evening breeze in Xun City eased the day’s heat. Shen Anwu rubbed his forehead, rolled up his sleeves, and took out a pack of cigarettes. Although he had quit, he had recently started smoking again.

He flicked the lighter, a bright flame igniting. Through the white smoke, he spotted a slender figure at the street corner handing out flyers—someone vaguely familiar.

...

Xu Qingling and Cao Siqing had been busy recruiting students these days—at the youth center, amusement parks, parks, and shopping malls in the old district, radiating outward from the kindergarten.

They designed a recruitment poster, photocopied several hundred copies, and had already distributed half, recruiting thirty students. They were energized like they had been injected with adrenaline. Cao Siqing stayed late at the youth center watching children at swimming lessons, while Xu Qingling took advantage of the busy evening streets to hand out flyers at nearby malls.

While introducing the art studio courses to a middle-aged woman, Xu Qingling suddenly heard someone call “Zhang Yun” behind her.

Zhang Yun?

The name sounded familiar. Xu Qingling turned around and saw a man standing not far off, holding a cigarette, looking dignified yet somewhat disheveled and lazy.

No matter what—he indeed wasn’t limping.

Xu Qingling’s mind went blank for a moment, and the white flyers in her hand scattered to the ground like leaves blown by the wind.

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