Chapter 120: Playing the Rogue

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Lu Yan sprang out of bed and dashed out of the room. Before Shen Qingyi could react, she saw him fling open the front door and rush outside at lightning speed.

The man who had been retrieving clothes outside froze for a moment when he heard the bell ring. Seeing the door firmly shut and glancing cautiously at the window with no one in sight, he nervously continued retrieving the clothes. However, as soon as he picked up an item, Lu Yan grabbed it tightly.

The man’s face instantly paled, and his legs weakened. “Lu… Engineer Lu,” he stammered.

Lu Yan’s voice was sharp. “Why is a grown man stealing clothes like this? Are the other two pieces yours as well?”

“I… I wasn’t trying to steal. It’s just that my wife liked that piece and asked me to get one the same. But I didn’t know what it looked like, so I just wanted to take a look,” the man said, his square face slick with oil, his expression evasive and nervous.

Shen Qingyi followed out and overheard the conversation. She immediately exposed his lie. “You’re lying. If that were true, your wife could have just asked. Even if embarrassed, one piece would be enough. But you’re holding the third piece now.”

When the man saw Shen Qingyi, his eyes suddenly lit up with naked greed, utterly shameless.

Shen Qingyi was frightened and took two steps back.

Lu Yan’s expression darkened instantly, his eyes like encased in ice. He swung his fist hard toward the man’s face. “You have ill intentions! Go get the other two pieces of clothing right now, quickly!”

The man tried to resist but found one wrist firmly held behind his shoulder, unable to move. Even struggling caused pain.

After taking a punch, his whole face tingled numb.

“Hurry up. My patience is limited.” Lu Yan kicked him harshly, still unsatisfied.

Shen Qingyi quickly said, “I don’t want the clothes anymore. Take him to the management office.”

“No. Those other two pieces must be found.” Lu Yan felt disgust and anger recalling the man’s expression. Even if those clothes were burned, they must not remain in such a scoundrel’s hands.

When the man didn’t move, Lu Yan kicked the bend of his knee again.

“I’ll go! I’ll go!”

Lu Yan twisted him and followed to the man’s room, where the two pieces of lingerie hung on the bed.

Fury engulfed him. Reason abandoned him as he snatched the clothes and pummeled the man mercilessly.

“Engineer Lu… please stop. I won’t do it again. I beg you, don’t spread this around. Otherwise, I’ll lose my job here, and your wife’s reputation will be affected too.”

Lu Yan kicked him once more. “You must leave. Come with me to the management office immediately.”

Upon hearing “must leave,” the man became agitated. “I took two pieces and gave them back. Nothing happened. Why should I leave?”

Lu Yan twisted him again. “You’re guilty of theft and lewd behavior. Do you want me to drag you to the management office, or will you go on your own?”

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Lu Yan didn’t want word to spread, letting people gossip about his wife, especially among men—who knew what they might imagine.

“I’ll go myself.”

The man led the way, Lu Yan followed behind. After delivering him to the management office and sternly briefing the staff, Lu Yan returned home.

He ushered Shen Qingyi inside, leaving An’an alone outside, then closed the door firmly.

He took the lingerie from his pocket and handed it to Shen Qingyi, whose face flushed with anger. “What will you do with that guy?”

“I had him sent to the police station.”

“Did you hurt him?”

“No!” That scoundrel deserved worse. If Lu Yan hadn’t wanted to avoid escalating the matter, he would have skinned him alive. Just thinking about it filled him with unprecedented rage.

Shen Qingyi looked at the clothes in her hands—completely unwearable—and frowned. “I’m going out for a bit.”

Turning, she opened the door and tossed the garments into the trash bin near the entrance.

When she returned, Lu Yan handed her a disassembled mirror. “Hang your clothes to dry on the balcony window at the back from now on.”

“Alright.”

Since the construction period was uncertain, most workers here were single men; few had families. Thinking of this, Lu Yan glanced at Shen Qingyi. “Let’s rent a place in the city for a short term.”

“And you?”

“Wasn’t I supposed to care for your illness? But it seems your condition isn’t that serious.”

Lu Yan’s eyes flickered. “If I rent a place, I’ll drive home after work. Then you’ll have to cook.”

Shen Qingyi refused. “No need. It won’t be long, and I don’t usually go anywhere else.”

She wasn’t a fussy person and didn’t want Lu Yan to hold back his work because of her.

Lu Yan was silent for a moment. “Alright.”

“I want to call Caiqing to check how her business is doing over there.”

“Okay, I’ll go with you.”

Lu Yan held An’an’s hand and, along with Shen Qingyi, went to the institute’s phone booth.

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Shen Qingyi dialed the number and asked the clerk to fetch Lu Caiqing. About five minutes later, she called again and heard Lu Caiqing’s voice.

“Hello!”

“Caiqing, it’s me!”

“Second sister-in-law! I wanted to call you a few days ago to ask how my second brother is, and whether you’re settling in well.”

Shen Qingyi replied, “My brother is fine, and I’m doing well. How’s your business? Have you sold out your stock?”

“Sold out two days ago. Xia Xiyue came by once and asked for your number. He said he knows where to source inventory and the styles, so I don’t have to go with him next time—he’ll just bring a batch directly.”

Shen Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”

“By the way, he seemed to want to ask you for something.”

“I know,” Shen Qingyi answered, then reminded, “If you have time, help me check the street for insoles—how much a pair sells for.”

As for what he wanted, Shen Qingyi was well aware. She hadn’t drawn a single sketch since arriving here.

“Really? You want to get into the insole business?”

“Yeah. I met a lady here who makes excellent insoles with unique designs. I want to source some from her.”

“Alright. I’ll check the market tomorrow, though profits won’t be high—just a side sale.”

“Good! No more questions. I’ll hang up now.”

“Okay. When Xia Xiyue comes next, I’ll give him your number.”

After hanging up, Shen Qingyi and Lu Yan held An’an’s hands and headed home.

Before reaching their doorstep, they saw Chun Ni crouched there, hugging her knees, her head bowed low.

An’an, seeing her, quickly broke free from Shen Qingyi and Lu Yan’s hands and ran to Chun Ni, calling out, “Sister Chun Ni, did you come to play with me?”

Chun Ni lifted her tear-streaked face but didn’t answer. She looked around, then saw Shen Qingyi rushing over and cried out, “Aunt Shen, please help my mother. I beg you. I don’t know who else to turn to.”

She was about to kneel, but Shen Qingyi hurriedly helped her up. “What’s wrong? Tell me properly.”