Chapter 66 Mother Has Arrived

The matron glanced at Shen Qingyi, and the color she wore suited her perfectly; without hesitation, she purchased it at once. Then the second customer, then the third—each one was precisely matched and persuaded, the recommendations so fitting and accurate that every sale was sealed with ease. Lu Caiqing watched in astonishment, her mouth agape; it was the first time she realized that business was not mere shouting and chaos, but a matter of method. That quiet second sister-in-law possessed such skill that Lu Caiqing found herself regarding her anew.

When the morning ended and it was time to pack up, the stall owner came to collect goods and tally money; the day’s total was twice the usual earnings. “Caiqing, why is business so good today?” the stall owner grinned until her eyes nearly disappeared. Lu Caiqing, feeling cheerful herself, pointed at Shen Qingyi. “It’s thanks to my second sister-in-law’s help.”

The stall owner was a woman in her thirties, dressed fashionably, sporting the latest trendy tight curls and wearing bold red earrings. Her attire was eye-catching, her whole demeanor confident. At a glance, Shen Qingyi was a striking beauty, elegant even in the simplest clothes. The stall owner approached warmly. “I have two other stalls; if you’re interested, you can try your hand there too.”

Shen Qingyi politely declined. “I was just passing by, helping my sister-in-law. I usually have to look after my child at home, so I rarely have time to mind a stall. But thank you for your kind offer.”

Just as the stall owner was expressing her regret, someone called out, “Qingyi!” Shen Qingyi turned to see Wang Chunlian, mother of Wang Dou Dou. Shen Qingyi smiled and nodded. “Out shopping for groceries?”

“At this hour, there’s nothing fresh left, so I came to pick up some spices,” Wang Chunlian replied, glancing at Shen Qingyi’s hands. “You didn’t buy groceries?”

“The kitchen’s broken, we’re planning to move, so I won’t be cooking for a while.” Wang Chunlian was surprised. “Then who’s hosting your mother? When I came by, she was sitting in the living room—I thought you’d gone out to buy groceries to entertain her.”

Shen Qingyi thought she must have misheard. “Did you say you saw my mother’s returned?” “Yes!” Wang Chunlian reaffirmed, seeing Shen Qingyi’s shocked expression. “We’ve been neighbors for over ten years—how could I mistake her?”

Shen Qingyi hurried to Lu Caiqing. “I need to go home for a bit; I’ll come back later to help tidy up.” With that, she took Anan’s hand and rushed home.

Upon arrival, she found Han Lanzhi sitting on the living room sofa.

Mother and daughter hadn’t seen each other for four years, and at this moment Shen Qingyi could barely recognize her mother. Han Lanzhi was dressed elegantly, a white pearl necklace around her neck, her face adorned with delicate makeup, looking even younger and more refined than four years ago. Though forty-five, she appeared no older than thirty-eight or thirty-nine. Her hands rested gracefully over her abdomen as she regarded Shen Qingyi, whose appearance closely resembled her own.

“Mom, you finally agreed to testify for Dad!” Shen Qingyi exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement.

At the mention of Shen Huaishan, Han Lanzhi’s eyes showed no emotion. “No, your father did what he did; he must face the consequences.”

Shen Qingyi’s expression immediately fell. “Then why have you come?”

Han Lanzhi paused before speaking. “Your father had a very important handwritten notebook—a blue hard cover. Where is it?”

Shen Qingyi instantly grew wary. “Why are you asking about that?”

Han Lanzhi lowered her eyes, uneasy. “Your Uncle Zhao wants to see it.”

“My Uncle Zhao?” Shen Qingyi felt offended by the designation. “Is that your current partner?”

“Enough, Qingyi. Don’t talk to me like this. If you know where it is, bring it out and come with me to Yangcheng. I won’t let you suffer, I promise.” Han Lanzhi’s tone was stern.

Shen Qingyi shook her head. “Go. I don’t want to see you again.”

She was bitterly disappointed.

Han Lanzhi glanced at Anan. “Look at the kind of husband he found for you. He sinned and left for four years, no care, no word—just like him. You’ll have no happiness.”

“Don’t be so stubborn. I spent most of my life in days like this, only now do I realize what a woman’s true choice should be. Don’t waste the face I gave you.” Han Lanzhi’s voice was tinged with frustration.

Shen Qingyi bit her lip in grievance. “Didn’t you also ignore me for the past four years?”

Han Lanzhi’s anger flared. “Because you listened to him!”

“But what did Dad do wrong? He was clearly innocent,” Shen Qingyi protested, unable to believe that her mother could change so much after nearly twenty years together.

Han Lanzhi suppressed her anger, speaking calmly for the last time. “Where did you hide your father’s notebook?”

“It’s gone! All Dad’s things were confiscated back then.” She would never hand her father’s belongings to anyone but Lu Yan. Even then, it would have to be six years later, as her father had instructed.

Han Lanzhi took a deep breath and glanced at Anan, who looked just like that man, which made her mood worsen. “Take care of yourself. If you ever change your mind, you can come find me.”

She had raised this daughter herself—why, in the end, did she only listen to him? Without another word, Han Lanzhi left.

Shen Qingyi watched her mother’s retreating figure; the last trace of hope in her heart shattered, her breath tight with pain, and the tears she had fought so hard to hold back finally broke free. Anan gazed at her, and spoke softly, “Mama, don’t be sad. When I grow up, I’ll protect you so no one can bully you.”

Her son’s words brought her back to herself just a little. She picked Anan up, burying her face in his shoulder so he wouldn’t see her tears.

Anan hugged her tightly, trying to comfort his mother with all his small strength.

After a while, Shen Qingyi’s emotions calmed, and she remembered they hadn’t had lunch. She took Anan to their usual noodle shop, ordered two bowls, filled their bellies, but her heart was no longer in cleaning up the stall.

It wasn’t until evening when Lu Yan returned home that he found Anan sitting gloomily on the sofa. He came over and sat beside his son. “What’s wrong, Anan? Daddy was busy today and got home late.”

“It’s not because of you, Daddy.”

Lu Yan glanced at Shen Qingyi’s door. “Then what happened?”

Anan whispered, “Grandma came.”

At those words, Han Lanzhi’s image flashed in Lu Yan’s mind. Since the incident with the professor, he had never seen his mother-in-law again; his wife had never spoken of her, not once.

Thinking of this, Lu Yan quickly got up and went to Shen Qingyi’s door, knocking. “Qingyi!”

“Come in.”

Lu Yan pushed open the door. His wife sat at her desk as usual, the fan blowing, a notebook before her, but she wasn’t listening to music.

“Anan said Mom came by.”

Shen Qingyi nodded. “Yes.”

“Did she say anything?”