Chapter 19 Lu Yan Had Never Comforted Anyone Before

Lu Yan’s gaze flickered as he asked, “Is this radio very important?”

“I’m not sure either. Uncle Xia brought it back from Alley City. It should be quite expensive,” Anan whispered.

Lu Yan took the radio in his hands, opened it up to look inside, and then said to Anan, “Even your dad can’t quite tell, but how about this—tomorrow I’ll teach you how to make a radio for your mom, what do you think?”

Anan thought he’d misheard through his headphones. “Dad, you know how to make a radio?”

Lu Yan nodded. “Of course. I have tomorrow off and can teach you. But before it’s finished, let’s keep it a secret, so we can surprise your mom.”

Anan’s eyes brimmed with admiration that he could no longer conceal. “Okay!”

Dad really could do anything—he could even make a radio! That was much more impressive than Dou Dou’s father.

When Shen Qingyi came out of the kitchen, she saw father and son huddled together, whispering as if they were sharing some secret.

A faint emotion rose in her chest: they’re so close?

“Anan, go wash your hands and eat with your dad.”

Father and son answered in unison, “Alright!”

Once the dishes were served and everyone was seated at the table, Shen Qingyi ladled a bowl of chicken soup for Lu Yan. He accepted it, and in that moment, an unfamiliar feeling flashed through his heart.

His wife cooked for him, served him soup, and his clever, thoughtful son waited for him to come home.

He used to feel he had nothing, but now, in this instant, he felt as if he had everything.

Holding the bowl, he took a sip and sensed his wife’s eyes on him. He was used to being watched by women every day, and usually found it dull and paid it no mind. But now, for some reason, it made him nervous.

He put down his bowl, looked up, and asked, “What is it, Qingyi?”

Shen Qingyi spoke, “Did you hit Lu Fan?”

Lu Yan pressed his lips together and nodded lightly. “Yes.”

“Why?” She knew it had to do with her, but she still wanted to hear it from Lu Yan himself.

“He deserved it. He raised his hand against you back then.” As he said this, Lu Yan felt both awkward and guilty.

She had expected this, but hearing him say it for himself still made Shen Qingyi’s heart tremble. After a moment, she asked, “Was it for Anan’s sake?”

“Because you’re my wife!” Lu Yan replied without hesitation.

Hearing this, Shen Qingyi could no longer hold back. She was both moved and aggrieved. “If you knew I was your wife, then why, for these four years, did you ignore us, never answer my calls? Did you know, back then, just a word from you, and...”

She and Anan wouldn’t have been the subject of gossip for all these years, but Shen Qingyi couldn’t go on.

“You called me?” Lu Yan took a long time to react. “No one ever told me, but I wrote over a dozen letters—didn’t you get them?”

He paused, realization dawning. Back then, when he was waiting in Lin City to get settled and finally had time to write, Shen Qingyi had already been driven out of the house.

He put down his chopsticks and added, “I’m sorry! I didn’t know you’d left. My family must have kept those letters. I’ll go find them.”

Shen Qingyi raised her head to look at him and saw his eyes reddening. Knowing now she had misunderstood him, she said quietly, “No, don’t go. Let’s just eat.”

Lu Yan fell silent for a moment and then slowly sat back down. Yes, going now would only mean another quarrel. After his anger subsided, he felt a surge of joy: she had tried to contact him.

“Qingyi, a group of experts from Hushi are here for a seminar. Once this period is over, I’ll have them return,” Lu Yan spoke again.

Shen Qingyi remembered what Wang Chunlian had said. “Anan and I are doing fine here. There’s no rush. Focus on your work.”

Lu Yan hadn’t taken out his frustration about his father on her, and the burden Shen Qingyi had carried in her heart finally lifted.

Besides, she wouldn’t be staying much longer—she’d be leaving for Peng City in a month.

Lu Yan paused. “Alright.”

“There’s more chicken soup. Have some more.” Perhaps because she was in a good mood, Shen Qingyi added another sentence.

“Alright,” Lu Yan replied again.

After dinner, Shen Qingyi went back to her room to listen to music, while Lu Yan carried the bowls to the kitchen. As he washed up, his mind was on something else. Sister Wang was responsible for communication between their group and the families. He had barely exchanged a few words with her—why would she do such a thing to him?

If not for this misunderstanding, how could Anan and Qingyi have suffered all these years?

He had to get to the bottom of this.

After finishing the dishes, he wiped down every surface in the kitchen, inside and out.

When he came out, Anan was already waiting for him, barely able to contain his excitement.

...

The next day, Lu Yan went to work at the research institute.

After finishing the tasks at hand, he headed straight for Wang Zhifang’s office.

“What’s up?” Wang Zhifang was a little nervous. This kid never came here for nothing—if he showed up in person, it must be something important.

Lu Yan nodded, pulled up a chair, and sat down very properly in front of Wang Zhifang.

“Now that the research base in Lin City has been closed, do you know which unit Comrade Wang Xuemei has been transferred to?”

“Why are you suddenly asking about her?” Wang Zhifang relaxed a little, seeing it wasn’t about Lu Yan’s parents or borrowing money. “Every time I called you, she was always courteous and respectful, never missed a single call. I doubt she’d target you. Could your wife have dialed the wrong number?”

“Absolutely not,” Lu Yan said firmly.

“Did your wife tell you this?” Wang Zhifang pressed.

Lu Yan nodded. “Yes.”

“Did she ask you to look into it?”

“No.”

Wang Zhifang laughed. “As long as that’s clear. Your wife doesn’t need you to give her an explanation, so just let it go. We’re already swamped with work—focus on that.”

Lu Yan looked up, his expression resolute. “I can’t just let this go. Please help me find out where Wang Xuemei is working now.”

Wang Zhifang could only agree. “Alright.”

Lu Yan stood up, glanced around, then said, “And lend me a hundred yuan.”

Wang Zhifang’s eyes widened in alarm. “Is your mother ill again?”

Lu Yan ignored his look and turned his face away. “No. I need to rent a place; I can’t stay at Su Yang’s anymore.”

Wang Zhifang was astonished. “Seriously, Lu Yan? In all the research institutes in the capital, who doesn’t respect Engineer Lu? How is your family situation so dire? Did your mom kick you out too?”

“No, it’s just that I share a room with Lu Fan. He snores so loudly at night I can’t sleep, and the whole room is so messy there’s nowhere to stand.”

Wang Zhifang’s eyes grew even wider as he dug at his ear. “Did I hear that right? Instead of going back to sleep with your wife, you’re making a fuss elsewhere? With how concerned you were just now, she must have already forgiven you. Take my advice—go coax your wife and move back in with her.”

“Coax her?” Lu Yan had never done such a thing before.