Chapter 156 It really was just a perfunctory remark

Yang Huafang and Brother Wen originally worked for Zhou Han. Because Zhou Han frequently assigned the two of them to handle tasks for Lu Yan, over time they were directly dispatched to Lu Yan, with their salaries still paid by Zhou Han.

Since working for Lu Yan only required execution rather than brainstorming, and the success rate was exceptionally high—making it both effortless and efficient—returning to Zhou Han always made them deeply appreciate what it meant to have an incompetent commander exhausting his entire army.

Therefore, both of them were always eager to take on Lu Yan's jobs.

"Where on earth did you two find that marriage certificate?" Wang Chunhua asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

"Brother Wen drove day and night for a full twenty-four hours, going to your village and asking door-to-door."

Wang Chunhua was deeply touched. "After all these years, being able to track it down is truly no small feat."

"Each marriage certificate cost fifty yuan, so no matter how difficult it was, we had to rack our brains to find it. Whoever found it first got the money."

Wang Chunhua smiled awkwardly. "So that's how it was. Comrade Lu Yan must have spent a considerable amount of money on this matter, didn't he?"

She felt a bit embarrassed; although she knew he had ulterior motives, he had undoubtedly shown absolute sincerity.

Yang Huafang wanted to say that when it came to spending money like this, it was never Lu Yan's turn to pay—it all came out of Zhou Han's pocket. However, there was no need to explain all that to Wang Chunhua, so she just smiled and said, "He certainly doesn't lack the bit of money you have."

Wang Chunhua and the others stopped in front of a restaurant on the street. "I really don't know what you city people like to eat. How is this restaurant?"

Having lived in Beijing for so many years and having passed by this place countless times with her son, she had never once imagined stepping inside to have a meal.

Yang Huafang nodded. "It's fine!"

The four of them walked into the restaurant together and found a square table to sit down. Wang Chunhua looked around, completely at a loss as to how to order. At that moment, Yang Huafang called out, "Waiter, we'd like to order."

It was long past dinner time, and there weren't many people around. As soon as Yang Huafang called out, a waiter hurried over holding a menu booklet.

Yang Huafang took the booklet, opened it, and placed it right in front of Wang Chunhua. "Take a look and see what you'd like to eat. Order whatever you want!"

Apart from the numbers, Wang Chunhua couldn't recognize a single dish name on the menu. She pushed the booklet toward her eldest son. "Take a look and see what's appropriate to order."

Wang Tao was in the third grade of primary school and could recognize all the words on the menu, but when he saw the prices, he hesitated.

Yang Huafang took the menu back from his hands and directly ordered four dishes—three courses and one soup, featuring both fish and meat.

As Wang Tao read the names of the dishes she ordered, his heart pounded. Just this single meal might well cost an entire month's wages for him.

Yet, remembering how much she had helped his mother, he moved his lips, but ultimately didn't say anything.

When the dishes were served, Wang He's eyes lit up, and Wang Tao couldn't help swallowing hard. Looking at the table full of food, Wang Chunhua was reminded of celebrating the Lunar New Year back in the countryside. To be honest, life had been far too bitter wandering outside all these years, and suddenly she felt a pang of homesickness.

She knew this meal must have cost a pretty penny, but having resolved such a massive burden, her heart felt wonderfully light.

After the meal, it felt as though all the tension, anger, and fatigue of the entire day had been swept away, leaving both body and mind refreshed and at ease.

Wang Chunhua walked up to the counter to settle the bill, only to be told by the owner that it had already been paid.

"When was it paid?"

The owner pointed at Yang Huafang. It was that young woman who had paid on her way back from the restroom.

Wang Chunhua returned to the table. "I feel so bad about this. I clearly said I was going to treat."

Yang Huafang smiled. "We're just getting paid to do a job. Being able to handle this matter smoothly means I'll get a hefty bonus too, and that's largely thanks to your great cooperation."

Wang Chunhua still felt uneasy. "There's no reason for that."

"It's fine. If there's nothing else, I should head back and report in." Yang Huafang stood up, ready to leave.

"Do you want those shoe insoles?" She had nothing else of value to offer in return.

"No need. If you truly want to show your gratitude, just keep cooperating well with him."

Wang Chunhua understood who that 'him' referred to. "Understood!"

Even though Yang Huafang had spoken so cryptically in a public place, Wang Chunhua caught the meaning instantly.

At that moment, Lu Yan and Shen Qingyi were sitting in front of the television. Looking at the news on the screen, Shen Qingyi felt a tightness in her chest from sheer anger. How could such a shameless man exist in this world?

Yet, seeing him finally denounced by everyone and abandoned with a warning from the Li family, her mood immediately turned joyous.

Watching the reporter's questioning of Li Wang on the television, she felt a sudden wave of the same concern and turned to ask Lu Yan, "Do you think Li Wang will pull strings to smooth this matter over?"

The previously indifferent expression on Lu Yan's face melted into a smile. "He won't."

Shen Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good then!"

Once the news broadcast ended, Shen Qingyi glanced down at her watch. "It's already half-past ten. Many people are already asleep—the evening news is really broadcast much too late."

Lu Yan smiled. "The subtitle schedule lists a rebroadcast tomorrow morning from ten-thirty to eleven."

He had specifically instructed them to find a program slot that included a rebroadcast.

Only then did Shen Qingyi remember that if Lu Yan truly set his mind on accomplishing something, he would definitely ensure he had absolute certainty of success before making a move.

She looked at Lu Yan and said sincerely, "Thank you!"

"How are you going to thank me?" Lu Yan suddenly turned his head to look at Shen Qingyi.

Shen Qingyi had merely said it offhandedly, but seeing how dead serious his gaze was now, she was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Seeing her remain silent, Lu Yan let out a low chuckle. "As expected, just a perfunctory remark."

"No... no! I meant it sincerely." Shen Qingyi felt somewhat flustered.

Lu Yan averted his gaze. "Since you lack sincerity, don't bother saying it next time."

Hearing that tone, Shen Qingyi felt a twinge of annoyance. "Then what counts as being sincere?"

Lu Yan's dark, starry eyes flickered. "I'll tell you once I've figured it out."

"Fine!" Seeing that it was getting late, Shen Qingyi said, "I'm going back to my room to rest now. You should get to sleep early too!"

"Mn," Lu Yan replied softly.

Half-asleep in bed, Shen Qingyi was awakened by a sudden urge to use the restroom. She opened her door and stepped out, only to be startled by the sight in the living room. Collecting herself, she asked, "Lu Yan, why are you still watching TV? Are there really live news broadcasts in the middle of the night?"

Hearing her voice, Lu Yan hurriedly switched off the television and replied with a guilty conscience, "Mn, but it just finished. I'm going to sleep now."

Shen Qingyi raised her wrist to check her watch—it was half-past twelve. What kind of programs would still be on at half-past twelve? Many stations stopped broadcasting altogether by midnight, leaving only one or two sporadic channels cycling through the same old Hong Kong romance movies that had been rerun countless times.

Would Lu Yan watch something like that? She knew very well that aside from the news, he practically never watched television, save for an occasional historical drama.

Feeling it was utterly absurd, Shen Qingyi didn't dwell on it any further, went to the restroom, and returned to bed.

At half-past ten the next morning, Shen Qingyi turned on the television and sure enough, yesterday's news was being rebroadcast.

At that moment, Lu Caiqing came back. Seeing Shen Qingyi sitting on the sofa watching TV, she said with an exaggerated expression, "Second Sister-in-law, did you know? The background of that female comrade who was selling insoles here last time is actually so tragic.

All the uncles and aunts passing by the vegetable market today are discussing it. As for that heartless scoundrel—thank goodness he finally got his comeuppance. I heard his brother-in-law dragged him straight to the public security bureau early this morning."

Shen Qingyi quickly turned her head. "So fast?"

"Of course! You don't keep trash like that around for the New Year; you send them straight to the police station."