Chapter 44 Sincerity

Hu Yin’s tone was full of pleading.

But Shen Qingyi remained unmoved, her gaze growing cold as she retorted, “If someone secretly investigated you without cause, fabricated charges from things they didn’t even understand, sent them to your husband hoping he would punish you, wanting your reputation ruined and you reviled by everyone—would you choose to forgive them?”

Hu Yin fell silent at those words, stepping back two paces. “But… but Engineer Lu didn’t believe my mother’s evidence.”

Shen Qingyi raised an eyebrow lightly. “That doesn’t mean he won’t pursue this matter seriously.”

“A righteous person fears no crooked shadows!” Hu Yin, having been a teacher, couldn’t help but interject.

Shen Qingyi nodded with a cold smile. “Well said. I’ll return those words to your mother and Hu Song as well.”

Wang Xuemei and Hu Yin froze on the spot. After some time, they watched as Shen Qingyi personally carried their things to the door and set them down. “Go.”

“Shen Qingyi, you can’t do this. We came with sincerity.”

At that moment, Cheng Youqing and Xia Xiyue arrived. Seeing Wang Xuemei and Hu Yin standing in the hall, they were puzzled. Cheng Youqing spoke first, “What’s going on? Is someone causing trouble again?”

As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves.

Shen Qingyi stopped her and briefly explained the situation.

Xia Xiyue’s expression darkened.

Cheng Youqing’s face was flushed with anger. She strode into the room and said bluntly, “Get out already, or do you want me to force you? If you’re truly sincere, don’t come begging for mercy.”

Hu Yin saw that Cheng Youqing was fierce, and since she and her mother prided themselves on being respectable—especially as she was a teacher—she didn’t want a confrontation that would harm her image. She quickly took Wang Xuemei’s arm and left without looking back, not even picking up their things.

Cheng Youqing carried the items back inside. “Why not? After all you’ve endured, what’s the harm in accepting these?”

In truth, Shen Qingyi’s mood wasn’t that bad, thanks to Lu Yan’s attitude. She smiled, “I think they bring bad luck. If you don’t mind, take them for yourself.”

Cheng Youqing’s face lit up with joy. “Then I won’t be polite. You and Xia Xiyue talk, I’ll take these over now so I don’t forget.”

With that, she dashed off without a hint of heartbreak, leaving Shen Qingyi wondering if she’d gotten back together with Wang An.

“Qingyi,” Xia Xiyue ventured.

“Come in,” Shen Qingyi ushered him inside, letting him sit in the living room, and went to fetch a notebook, handing it to him. “I’ve filled in the last time too.”

Xia Xiyue smiled. “You don’t have to work so hard. Last time was just a joke.”

“It’s not good to owe anything,” Shen Qingyi insisted.

“I told you before, your salary doesn’t need to go through company accounts. I’ll bring it when I pick up the design drafts. But you insist on being so formal. Now look.”

Xia Xiyue felt Shen Qingyi always kept things too clear-cut, especially regarding favors and wages.

Shen Qingyi shook her head. “It’s happened already. Besides, I don’t regret it. Lu Yan hasn’t said anything, I’ll explain it to him when I get a chance.”

Xia Xiyue didn’t want to speak further. Had she foreseen this day, and prepared so there’d be an account to check, something to answer for with Lu Yan? He’d ignored her and her son for so many years; he had no right to interrogate her.

But these words weren’t his to say—if he did, even their friendship would be lost.

“All right,” Xia Xiyue said, not in high spirits. Then he added, “Tomorrow is our teacher’s birthday. We’re hosting a birthday banquet for him, and his friends from Harbor City will be coming. Do you want to prepare something?”

Shen Qingyi pressed her forehead, a little flustered. “Why didn’t I hear anything before? I haven’t prepared at all—what should I do?”

Seeing her troubled face, Xia Xiyue laughed. “He never agreed in previous years. Maybe this year, turning sixty, he couldn’t refuse us students’ pleas and made an exception.

But don’t worry too much. He’s seen all kinds of gifts. Remember how you got under his tutelage as a student? Use the same method this time.”

Shen Qingyi pondered and asked, “Are there any restrictions on the guest list?”

Xia Xiyue smiled at her. “Who else do you know? Bring everyone you’re acquainted with.”

“All right! I’ll bring Cheng Youqing. If you have any good young men, introduce them to her,” Shen Qingyi said straightforwardly.

Xia Xiyue was surprised but agreed, smiling, “Sure.”

He then took a small, delicately wrapped package from his bag and set it before Shen Qingyi. “It’s for An’an. I know he likes these things. It’s a pity I didn’t see him today; I’ll bring it tomorrow. The teacher was asking about him yesterday.”

“Good!” Shen Qingyi accepted without hesitation.

Xia Xiyue didn’t linger, taking his things and leaving.

When Cheng Youqing returned, Shen Qingyi told her about tomorrow’s banquet and asked, “Did you get back together with Wang An? I just told Xia Xiyue, and he promised to introduce you to some nice young men.”

Cheng Youqing was both annoyed and pleased—annoyed that Shen Qingyi didn’t believe her, but happy to be invited to the banquet.

“I went to talk to him as soon as I got off work yesterday.”

“What was his attitude?”

Cheng Youqing smiled. “Fortunately I went. I saw my mother talking to that girl. If I hadn’t seen her, I wouldn’t have realized how good Wang An is at sweet-talking.”

“No arguments?”

Cheng Youqing’s lips twitched. “Why would I argue? He said that girl is the daughter of their shop owner, can help him get a city residence permit. I’m just a little unwilling to let go.”

“Even if you’re unwilling, you have to learn to cut your losses in time. Come on, let’s go buy something to wear for tomorrow.”

Before leaving, Shen Qingyi left a note for the father and son, saying if she didn’t return in time, they should settle lunch themselves.

The two went out together to the department store, heading straight to the boutique ladies’ section on the second floor.

“Oh, Miss Shen is here again! We’ve kept some new styles just for you,” the shop assistant greeted her warmly, knowing Shen Qingyi always came for new arrivals.

“Bring them out for us to try. Prepare two sets in this lady’s size as well,” Shen Qingyi said, indicating Cheng Youqing.

The clothes were brought out; each tried a set. When they came out, Shen Qingyi looked at Cheng Youqing and smiled. “See? This outfit suits you so well. You don’t need to support a man—you can buy it yourself.”

They were laughing when a sharp voice rang out from the opposite ladies’ section, “I told you, we should go to the opposite counter. The clothes here aren’t the latest styles.”

Shen Qingyi looked up and saw Wang An trailing meekly behind a woman, smiling apologetically. “It doesn’t make much difference. You have a lovely figure, you’d look good in anything.”