Chapter 18: Lu Yan Is Truly Unfortunate

Her words were laced with double meaning, subtle and profound, and for a moment, several people couldn't help but glance in Chen Haixia's direction. Remembering how Chen Haixia had just called Qian Guihua "Auntie," someone curiously asked Qian Guihua, "Auntie, is that comrade next to you a relative of yours?"

Qian Guihua, still fuming, replied without thinking, "No!"

Only after she spoke did she realize that Shen Qingyi, that sly woman, was digging a pit for them. She hurried to amend her words: "I watched her grow up, I treat her like my own daughter."

"No wonder!"

"What do you mean, 'no wonder'?"

"You weren't here just now, but as soon as that comrade saw Auntie's daughter-in-law, she acted every bit the lady of the house, rebuking her for not honoring her husband or her in-laws. That's why the daughter-in-law retorted that she was simply concerned for her own man!"

"So that's why the daughter-in-law acted that way!"

Only then did Chen Haixia realize the implication behind Shen Qingyi's earlier remark. Her secret had been laid bare, and her face flushed red, then pale. She tugged at Qian Guihua's sleeve and whispered, "Let's go."

Qian Guihua shot a fierce glare at Shen Qingyi and left with Chen Haixia.

Watching the two flee in embarrassment, Shen Qingyi raised an eyebrow. When she lowered her gaze, she found Anan looking up at her, his eyes brimming with laughter.

The little one shook the hand Shen Qingyi was holding and whispered, "Mommy, you were amazing."

Meanwhile, Qian Guihua's eyes were red with anger. "Haixia, do you really think Lu Yan borrowed a hundred yuan from his boss?"

Chen Haixia was still reeling from the shock of seeing Anan. Only when she heard this did she nod, "Yes, and he said he spent all the money treating your illness."

Hearing this, Qian Guihua's heart sank completely. She'd only received eighty yuan and had assumed Lu Yan kept the rest for himself. Now it seemed the money had gone to that woman.

Seeing Qian Guihua's expression darken, Chen Haixia asked, "What's wrong, Auntie?"

"Lu Yan brought back only eighty yuan. He hardly spends on himself, so the rest must have gone to that shameless woman. Just look at her clothes and what she eats—she spares no expense," Qian Guihua said through gritted teeth.

At that, Chen Haixia suddenly remembered something. "I was at the department store a few days ago and saw her buy three sets of clothes in one go. That must have cost two or three hundred at least."

"What?" Qian Guihua's eyes nearly popped out. "This is outrageous. How could Lu Yan marry someone like that?"

Qian Guihua had never spent so much in her life; she was determined to have a proper talk with Lu Yan.

"Auntie, don't blame Lu Yan. He's been forced into this," Chen Haixia said, her heart aching at the thought.

Qian Guihua patted Chen Haixia's hand comfortingly. "Lu Yan is truly unlucky. If only he'd married you, someone who always puts him first."

"Auntie, please don't say that. If Lu Yan heard, he'd be upset again," Chen Haixia replied.

Qian Guihua waved it off. "He hasn't been home in days. No doubt he's with that woman, whispering sweet nothings to her at night."

Chen Haixia's heart sank to the bottom. The man who was supposed to be hers now spent every night with another woman. The thought pained her deeply.

Sensing Chen Haixia's mood, Qian Guihua tried to console her. "Let it be. What's meant to be yours will come back to you in time. Once the novelty wears off, he'll come to his senses. Besides, how are you any less than Shen Qingyi?"

Those words brought Chen Haixia some comfort, though she demurred, "Auntie, I never meant it that way."

Qian Guihua chuckled. "Fine, if you didn't, I did."

That woman's money needed to be reclaimed soon. At the rate she was spending, there'd be nothing left if they waited too long.

—

Shen Qingyi walked home hand in hand with Anan, her mood entirely unruffled. She placed the groceries on the table, picked up the radio, and glanced at it skeptically. "Wasn't this supposed to be from Hong Kong? The quality is dreadful."

Anan took the radio from her hands. "Shall we wait for Daddy to come home tonight and have him look at it?"

Hearing her son so sweetly call Lu Yan "Daddy," Shen Qingyi pressed her forehead, thinking that if Lu Yan truly wanted to win someone's affection, it would be all too easy.

"No need, you can play with it yourself," she said, leaving the radio with him as she returned to her room.

Sitting at the desk by the window, she couldn't help but touch the tape recorder. Had he borrowed a hundred yuan from his boss just to buy this?

She plugged it in, switched on the recorder, and opened one of the cassette tapes, sliding it inside. With the tape in place, she pressed play, and a familiar melody filled the room.

She listened for a long while before remembering she hadn't yet made breakfast. Mother and son ate together, music drifting from the room, and Shen Qingyi was in such a good mood that she ladled a bowl of chicken soup for Anan.

"Mommy, was that fierce old lady at the market today really Grandma?"

Shen Qingyi paused for a moment. "Yes."

"She really doesn't seem like the kind of person who could have raised someone like Daddy," Anan pouted.

Shen Qingyi found her son's earnest little face amusing. "Do you know your father that well?"

To her, Lu Yan and Qian Guihua were much the same—resentful, cold, capable of ignoring her for four years just to spite his father. Now, seeing Anan, he could swallow his pride; clearly, he was adaptable and knew exactly what he wanted.

She glanced at her son again. This little fellow showed signs of the same trait—he utterly disliked Doudou's mother, yet put on a rare, ingratiating smile and called her "Auntie" just to learn about Lu Yan. Shen Qingyi herself couldn't have managed that. Indeed, character is largely innate.

She might not understand Lu Yan, but she understood this child well.

Looking at his face, which shared seven or eight points of resemblance with Lu Yan, her mood suddenly soured.

Anan, shoveling rice into his mouth, felt his mother's unfriendly gaze and looked up at her. "I don't really know him."

Mom still has issues with Dad, he thought. Next time, he wouldn't praise Dad in front of her again.

Shen Qingyi stroked his head. "Alright, I can see your father really does love you. I meant nothing by it."

Anan's big eyes blinked. "Really?"

"Really."

After lunch, Shen Qingyi tidied up and enjoyed a pleasant nap with Anan.

By six in the evening, Lu Yan arrived. The moment he stepped in, he caught the scent of something delicious from the kitchen.

Anan glanced around, and seeing Shen Qingyi hadn't come out, he grabbed Lu Yan's hand. Lu Yan stiffened, then, realizing what was happening, lifted his son into his arms.

The little one was soft and still in his embrace, and Lu Yan's hands trembled with excitement—more intense than when he’d ever received an award.

"Daddy, I've been waiting for you for so long!" Anan's big eyes sparkled, his cheeks rosy with joy.

Lu Yan carried him to the sofa before setting him down, smiling. "I wasn't late, was I?"

"No." Anan shook his head, then picked up the radio from the TV cabinet and held it out to Lu Yan. "The radio is broken. Mommy took it to be fixed today, but it didn't work out and she seems a bit upset. Could you take a look at it?"