Chapter 48: Progress

Fan Lei saw that his words were still as blunt as ever, and could only smile wryly, shaking his head. “All these years, your temper and your nature really haven’t changed at all. Seems like you’re doing just fine at the research institute.”

Lu Yan gave a faint smile. “You mean I haven’t matured one bit in how I deal with people after all these years.”

He knew it perfectly well; he simply didn’t want to accommodate others, nor did he wish to change.

Fan Lei nodded. “Fine, the great scholar doesn’t like to hear the truth, so I’ll stop. But later, could you help me look over a few formulas and do some calculations?”

Lu Yan lowered his eyes, then glanced at his wife, who was maintaining her poise not far away. After a long pause, he said quietly, “Later.”

“Alright!” Fan Lei agreed immediately.

Lu Yan didn’t respond further, simply resting his head on his hand, turning sideways to watch Shen Qingyi. It was clear that her position among this group was indeed as Fan Lei had described.

Yet she neither tried to curry favor nor showed any sign of self-abasement; she was composed, polite, and warm all at once.

Everyone took out their gifts and presented them to Qian Fanxi, except for Shen Qingyi, who stood quietly, smiling, waiting for everyone to be seated. When someone called her name, “Qingyi, the usual custom.”

Shen Qingyi smiled and nodded. “Then I’ll do my humble best. If the singing isn’t up to par, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

The moment she opened her mouth, someone began to applaud. She sang a Huangmei opera aria, “Birthday Greetings,” with a full, vibrant voice, her singing as clear and resonant as pearls falling onto jade.

Old Mr. Qian nodded along in approval.

She held a small paper fan, opening and closing it in time with the rhythm, her gestures lively yet never exaggerated. Her eyes sparkled as if filled with starlight; her brows and gaze moved with grace, her smile charming and radiant.

Xia Xiyue listened intently, utterly absorbed.

The corners of Lu Yan’s lips lifted slightly. It seemed his wife had indeed won Mr. Qian’s favor through her sheer talent; her voice and technique were both utterly captivating.

For the first time, he understood why in the old days, so many people of wealth and status were so enchanted by this art.

When the aria ended, applause broke out. Shen Qingyi bowed to Mr. Qian once again. “I hope teacher enjoyed it.”

“Excellent! Just like always! I loved it.”

Xia Xiyue, still unsatisfied, urged, “Sing another! There’s plenty of time before dinner anyway.”

At that moment, someone clapped Xia Xiyue on the shoulder and said, “You, kid, you’re so young but act like an old artist, so obsessed with opera. Why not listen to our sweetheart of pop, Wang Sisi’s new song?”

As he spoke, a beautiful and sweet young woman was pulled to the front by a man.

From the moment Wang Sisi entered the Qian residence, she had been the center of attention, surrounded by a small but discerning crowd.

Someone immediately nodded in agreement. At that point, Old Mr. Qian stood up and said, “Ah, you young people enjoy your fun—I won’t join in this time. I’ll step out for a bit.” With that, he took An’an’s hand and left the group.

The remaining young people began to egg Wang Sisi on to sing.

Her voice was sweet and clear, and she sang the most popular hits of the day. Xia Xiyue wasn’t particularly interested, so he turned to Shen Qingyi and said, “I brought a friend for Cheng Youqing to meet—would you like to talk?”

Shen Qingyi nodded and smiled. “Thank you for remembering this.”

As the three of them left the group, some people began to whisper, “Who do they think they are, really? The Xia family only managed to get their goods into the Overseas Chinese shops and department stores because of our connections.”

“Their family only reeks of money—what do they know about art? That Xia Xiyue kid’s been studying under Mr. Qian for ages and hasn’t achieved anything.”

“Who says? That Shen woman was coaxed into working for the Xia family.”

“Hah! That Shen woman is nothing—just trading on her status as Mr. Qian’s student to get a meal ticket with the Xia family!”

“So what’s with the airs?”

“Exactly…”

Their voices weren’t loud, but Shen Qingyi and her companions had not gone far.

Cheng Youqing frowned in anger. “They look proper enough, but their words are so dispiriting.”

Shen Qingyi smiled. “That’s the way of the social scene—don’t take it to heart.”

Xia Xiyue apologized, “Qingyi, I’m sorry… In three years, I’ll make sure none of them dare gossip about us behind our backs.”

“If you need something from them, there’s nothing more to say. Focus on reassuring teacher—he’s the one truly in a difficult spot,” Shen Qingyi answered, her insight clear.

Xia Xiyue frowned. “Who says we’re the ones in need? Which of them hasn’t benefited from our business? It’s just mutual cooperation—why do they always act so superior?”

Shen Qingyi fell silent. In business, Xia Xiyue was leagues behind Xia Xiyun—not just in age, but in ability. He couldn’t hide anything.

The three of them arrived at another small room with a folding screen, where a young man, impeccably dressed, was waiting by a small wooden table.

Xia Xiyun quickly made introductions for Cheng Youqing.

The man was rather tall, his features decent enough. Cheng Youqing glanced at him, then nodded toward Shen Qingyi.

Shen Qingyi waved at Xia Xiyun, and the three of them exited, leaving the two inside for a private conversation.

Once outside, Xia Xiyun looked at her brother’s sulky face and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xia Xiyue repeated what those people had said. Xia Xiyun laughed. “Still so thin-skinned? Look at Qingyi—she’s only two years older than you. You should learn from her.”

“But those people are clearly here to work with us—why should they take our benefits and still look down on us?”

Xia Xiyun smiled, “That’s business. As long as they get the job done, who cares what they say? If you want to act superior, learn from Lu Yan.”

“Lu Yan?” Only then did Shen Qingyi remember her own husband. “Is he alright?”

Xia Xiyun smiled, “He’s perfectly fine. He needs nothing from anyone, ignores everyone, and doesn’t care what others say. Those who recognize his worth will scramble to work for him, even though he does nothing to ask for it. Do you know why?”

Xia Xiyue looked at Xia Xiyun speechlessly. “Isn’t it just because he’s good-looking?”

Xia Xiyun shot him a glare. “Superficial. It’s because he has absolute ability. Our Xia family should strive to be the Lu Yan of the business world. Look at Fan Lei.”

“In the future, we should make those who just spoke about us react to us the way Fan Lei reacts to Lu Yan.”

She then gave Shen Qingyi a meaningful look. “Once you’re worthy, it’s not bad at all.”

Shen Qingyi lowered her eyes and said, “I’ll go check on Lu Yan.”

Xia Xiyue stopped her. “Aren’t you two leaving together later? I have something for you.”

Xia Xiyun glanced at Xia Xiyue, hesitated as if wanting to say something, then simply shook her head and patted Shen Qingyi on the shoulder. “I’ve already made arrangements with Peng. Once An’an’s registration is through, go get the border pass.”

Shen Qingyi hesitated. “Isn’t that a bit rushed?”

“You decide for yourself,” Xia Xiyun replied with a smile.

“I still haven’t found out anything about the woman who accused my father. I want to wait,” Shen Qingyi murmured, lost in thought—perhaps because of Lu Yan?