Chapter 51: The Lu Family

Lu Yan pondered for a moment. His upbringing was quite different from Anan’s; he had always been raised with plenty of freedom, and in matters of physical strength, he rarely lost.
But he couldn’t say that out loud, so he simply nodded, “Mm.”
Anan felt relieved, then suddenly remembered something. “Daddy, what time is it?”
“Four thirty.”
“I’m going to watch TV!” With that, she darted out of Lu Yan’s room.
Lu Yan watched the door close, shook his head with a wry smile, turned on the electric fan, and leaned against the bed. His mind wandered to what Shen Qingyi had endured at the Qian family today.
His wife worked hard for her earnings; her purchases weren’t extravagance, but a way to experience the results of her own designs.
She was striving to maintain the dignity she deserved. The thought made his heart ache.
After sitting for a while, he decided to make dinner. Just as he reached the kitchen, he found Shen Qingyi about to cook noodles.
“I’ll do it. Anan likes my noodles best.” He reached out to take the spatula from Shen Qingyi.
Shen Qingyi handed it over. “Alright. There are eggs in the fridge, two for each of us; don’t skimp.”
Lu Yan laughed, “Okay! I’ll follow your instructions.”
Shen Qingyi left the kitchen, returned to her room, and continued sketching the structure of that handbag.
When the noodles were ready, the family of three sat down to eat.
“Qingyi, can you take Anan to my workplace tomorrow afternoon and wait for me?” Lu Yan asked.
Shen Qingyi paused, chopsticks in hand. “What’s the matter?”
“I need you to go back with me. I have to claim my wages.”
Shen Qingyi nodded, then added, “But it’s possible we won’t get them.”
Lu Yan was silent for a moment. “If that happens, we’ll have them all move back. You and Anan can move in as well—this house is too old, the kitchen in the backyard isn’t even stable anymore.”
“Alright.”
Shen Qingyi agreed, but in her heart held little hope. It would be a miracle if that family didn’t try to bleed Lu Yan dry again.
Still, Lu Yan’s attitude reassured her.
She glanced at him, sensing this was the right moment. “Lu Yan, I’d like to go to Pengcheng to find a lawyer for my father. What do you think?”

Lu Yan paused, noodles halfway to his mouth, and looked at Shen Qingyi seriously. “Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Everything requires the right timing, especially your father’s case. Public opinion plays a huge role. Right now, instead of seeking a lawyer, we must patiently wait.
Even if, worst-case scenario, the case is won, the current climate of public opinion won’t change anything. People only believe what they want to believe; they won’t care about the real truth.
Because the mastermind behind this case set up this move long ago.” Lu Yan analyzed patiently for her.
Shen Qingyi’s mood sank. He had refused…
He truly had neither the right nor obligation to put himself at risk for her father’s case.
Lu Yan observed his wife’s expression, unable to read her thoughts, and emphasized again, “Trust me! Wait a few more years. I promise you and Anan won’t suffer any indignity because of this.”
His tone wasn’t heavy, but the weight of his words was moving. Shen Qingyi felt hope return and nodded, “Alright.”
After finishing the noodles, Lu Yan got up to clear the bowls.
That night, Anan said she missed her mother, so Lu Yan slept alone.
Work was light after the seminar, so Lu Yan opened his wardrobe and reorganized the clothes and shoes Shen Qingyi had recently bought for him.
He refolded the new outfit she’d bought, smoothing out every wrinkle until it was perfectly neat.
He took out his bag and organized it again—the ten yuan his wife had given him was still there, and the pen and notebook lay neatly inside.
He recalled Fan Lei’s words, glanced at the letter of sponsorship—it was still there. He gripped it tightly for a moment before putting it back.
The next day, when Lu Yan finished work and reached the entrance of the research institute, he saw Shen Qingyi holding Anan’s hand, waiting for him downstairs.
He quickened his pace, walked up to them, and took Anan’s other hand.
Leaving the institute, Anan occasionally looked up at her father. Noticing his stern expression, she couldn’t help but ask, “Daddy, did Mommy say you’re taking us to visit Grandpa and Grandma today?”
Lu Yan nodded, “Mm.”
“Grandma is so fierce!” Anan pouted in protest.
Lu Yan was surprised. “You’ve met Grandma?”
“Yes, with another auntie. They stopped Mommy at the market—so fierce.” Anan remembered it vividly.
Lu Yan looked at his calm wife, “What happened?”

Shen Qingyi recounted the incident with Qian Guihua and Chen Haixia, emphasizing Chen Haixia’s part in detail.
After finishing, she suppressed her little scheme and secretly observed Lu Yan’s reaction.
As expected, his face darkened. “You were wronged. I’ll handle this.”
Shen Qingyi’s lips curved slightly, “I wasn’t upset. They left in a huff, didn’t gain anything from me.”
Lu Yan looked at her in surprise, “You… you managed to out-argue them?”
At this, Anan piped up, “Daddy, you don’t know—Mommy didn’t even get angry. A few words and they were so mad their faces twisted!”
Lu Yan, hearing this, glanced at Shen Qingyi, who smiled softly and nodded. “As long as you didn’t suffer.”
These past few days, he felt he was rediscovering his wife—one surprise after another, completely different from the impression he’d had when he first visited the professor’s home.
Perhaps he had never really understood her before.
Laughing and chatting, the family arrived at the research staff housing complex. Someone saw Lu Yan returning with Shen Qingyi and Anan and thought their eyes were playing tricks, rubbed them several times before rushing to the Lu family.
At the doorway, the person shouted breathlessly, “Qian woman, you have guests!”
Qian Guihua heard the call and hurried from the kitchen to the main room. “What guest? Someone you know?”
“Your second son, he’s brought his wife and child.” The person slapped their thigh, full of envy. “Didn’t you say your son was bewitched, forgot his mother for his wife? See, he’s back now.”
Lu Tiesheng heard too, his brow furrowing as he stepped out of his room. “Where are they?”
“When I rushed over, they were at the supply co-op. They’ll be here in a few minutes; better send your daughter to prepare some dishes.” Done with the message, the person left with a chuckle.
Lu Fan came out as well, bleary-eyed. “Isn’t today his payday?”
Lu Tiesheng’s forehead creased into a deep frown. “No.”
“Exactly—I’ve kept track. It’s not until the day after tomorrow. So why come today?” Lu Fan was impatient.
Qian Guihua was unconcerned. “What else? Maybe they want us to acknowledge that woman and child publicly.”
Lu Fan’s eyes gleamed. “That’s not impossible—as long as she hands over her dowry and second brother’s wages for Mom to keep. She’s living so well, she must have plenty of money.”