Chapter 43 Maintenance

Wang Xuemei had been scolded repeatedly and was in a foul mood. When her husband questioned her like this, she could no longer hold back. “What have I done? Have you ever cared? Now that something's happened, you come to question me. Since our son got into trouble, have you ever truly been concerned? Look at you, always ready to defend your daughter-in-law at the slightest grievance, but when it comes to yourself, when they made me redundant, you didn’t even dare utter a word. And now you come to blame me.”

Hu Tianguo’s brow furrowed into a deep crease. “About our son, he wanted to suspend his studies, and I let him. When you went to vent your frustrations at the staff housing complex, I didn’t stop you, either. What do you expect me to do? Are you the only one in all of Beijing who has an issue with Shen Huaishan? There are plenty of people who have their eye on his daughter, but none of them have my abilities. As long as Lu Yan hasn’t divorced, no one dares actually do anything to her or her son. But you? Without even understanding the situation, you intercepted their calls!”

He pressed his fingers to his temple, head throbbing.

Wang Xuemei refused to back down. “So, according to you, your position is meaningless?”

Hu Tianguo let out a cold laugh. “Do you believe that if I were dismissed today, someone else wouldn’t immediately take my place? Try getting Lu Yan dismissed and see what happens—the entire team would have to go with him. No one knows when it could be rebuilt. And if he really lost his job, his whole family could go abroad and find high-paying work in no time, while I’d just be sitting at home. Not to mention all those lofty reasons—right now, he’s their leader’s pride and joy. That’s the difference! Do you understand? You pigheaded woman…”

He jabbed a finger at Wang Xuemei’s forehead, veins bulging with anger. “Go buy some things and visit the Shen family right now. No matter what it takes, make sure that woman doesn’t hold Hu Song responsible.”

“Why don’t you go ask Lu Yan yourself? His word carries more weight, and it’d save you face.” To beg that woman was worse than death for her.

Hu Tianguo shut his eyes and inhaled deeply. “I’ve dealt with their leaders a few times. People like that don’t care about sentiment.”

Wang Xuemei’s chest heaved with pent-up frustration. “You care more about Hu Song than your own son. Why?”

That useless nephew—who knows how much money they’d sent home for him to re-sit his exams? If it weren’t for her family, Hu Song would never have made it to Beijing.

Hu Tianguo had no patience for her endless complaints. “Just do as I say and spare me your nonsense.”

Of course, he hoped more people from the Hu family could succeed. But as for his own son, he had no hope—he’d been completely spoiled by Wang Xuemei.

With red-rimmed eyes, Wang Xuemei went to make dinner.

The next day was Saturday. After much deliberation, she decided to take her eldest daughter along and head to the staff family housing complex.

They set out early for the department store and bought a tin of malted milk, some brown sugar, biscuits, and two bags of red dates to bring as gifts.

When the mother and daughter arrived, Lu Yan had just taken An’an out to play.

“Is Comrade Shen Qingyi home?” Hu Yin, fearing her mother might not strike the right tone, spoke up first.

The door opened, and Shen Qingyi stepped out. “I’m here!”

She paused in the living room, taking in the two women—one of whom was Wang Xuemei, whom she recognized from previous altercations. Beside her stood a younger woman, all smiles and carrying gifts, who clearly wasn’t here to cause trouble.

Shen Qingyi relaxed a little, but remembering Wang Xuemei’s past behavior in Lincheng, her expression turned cold. She stood inside, looking at the pair at the doorway, making no move to invite them in. Her tone was cool and distant: “What do you want?”

Hu Yin spoke up, “We’ve come to offer my mother’s sincere apology to you.”

Shen Qingyi didn’t know why Wang Xuemei had suddenly come to apologize, but she did feel a genuine apology was owed. Her voice frosty, she said, “Come in, then.”

With permission granted, Hu Yin led Wang Xuemei inside, setting the gifts on the table. She carried herself with a teacher’s poise. “Comrade Shen Qingyi, my mother has already been deeply chastised for intercepting your calls for personal revenge. She’s here today to sincerely apologize to you.”

Shen Qingyi nodded, her gaze fixing on Wang Xuemei. “She should apologize in her own words.”

Hu Yin hesitated. “She is, after all, an elder.”

Shen Qingyi’s lips curled with slight amusement. “Oh? When she was harming others, did she care about who was an elder or junior? Why draw distinctions now, when it’s time to take responsibility?”

Hu Yin was surprised by how gentle and fragile Shen Qingyi looked, yet she was momentarily speechless. She nudged her mother with her elbow. “Mom, apologize to Comrade Shen Qingyi.”

Remembering their purpose, Wang Xuemei swallowed her pride. “I’m sorry, Comrade Shen Qingyi. I was foolish—it was wrong of me to do such a thing, causing misunderstandings between you and Comrade Lu Yan and tarnishing your reputation.”

At the mention of Lu Yan, Shen Qingyi understood—he must have discovered the truth and confronted Wang Xuemei himself. She had thought as much.

Shen Qingyi shot Wang Xuemei a cold glance. The grievances of these past years weren’t something that could be erased with a simple “sorry” or an admission of foolishness. What she wanted was for Wang Xuemei to pay an appropriate price for her actions.

But she didn’t have the power for that now. After a moment, she said, “Let me warn you: my father has nothing to do with your son’s situation. Don’t try to pin it on him.”

Wang Xuemei’s hands clenched into fists at that, but remembering her husband’s instructions, she forced herself to endure. “Engineer Lu has already reprimanded me. I realize my mistake. I’ll go home and write two thorough self-criticisms.”

So Lu Yan had spoken to her as well? The anger that had been building in Shen Qingyi dissipated, replaced by a faint touch of gratitude. He had believed in her unconditionally, defended her honor, and left with An’an without a single word of reproach.

Since that was the case, Shen Qingyi didn’t want to prolong things. Glancing at the gifts on the table, she said, “Fine, I accept your apology, but I don’t want the gifts. Please take them back.”

Hu Yin was delighted—her father had been right: women’s hearts were softer. She quickly asked, “So you’ve forgiven my mother?”

“I only accept her apology on this matter. I haven’t forgiven the harm she’s caused to me and my father,” Shen Qingyi replied truthfully.

“But my mother has already paid a price—she was laid off.” Hu Yin hadn’t expected this outcome and grew anxious.

That surprised Shen Qingyi. She paused, her throat tightening unexpectedly. After all these years, this was the first time someone who had bullied her and her son suffered any real consequences—especially someone as powerful as Wang Xuemei.

“So, you want me to speak to Lu Yan and ask for mercy?” Shen Qingyi thought that impossible. If Lu Yan had decided to stand up for her, he must have made all the necessary preparations. Any application for investigation would take time and effort.

More importantly, she needed Wang Xuemei to bear this cost—it was deeply satisfying.

“No, no! We wouldn’t dare.”

Hu Yin hurriedly denied it, and Shen Qingyi was once again surprised. “Then what else is there?”

Left with no choice, Hu Yin stammered out the story of Wang Xuemei going to the post office to investigate her bank withdrawals.

At first, as she listened, Shen Qingyi was furious—how could these people treat her this way? But hearing with her own ears how Lu Yan had defended her, she was left at a loss for words. He trusted her unconditionally, stood up for her, and hadn’t even uttered a single reproachful word before taking An’an out for a walk.

Seeing Shen Qingyi remain silent, Hu Yin grew anxious. “Comrade Shen Qingyi, Hu Song is innocent. Could you say something? I’m sure if you speak up, Comrade Lu Yan will show leniency. The investigation hasn’t started yet—it’s still the weekend. All it would take is one word from you…”